How to Keep Your Teeth

I know this is a long post... but I thought it was very important. I didn't even put down all the information available... but you can go to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/2002/302_gums.html to read more about it if you want to.

An estimated 80% of American adults currently have some form of gum disease, called periodontal disease. Periodontal means around the tooth. In its earliest stage, your gums might swell and bleed easily, and at its worst, you might lose your teeth. If you want to keep your teeth, you must take care of your gums.

The mouth is a busy place, with millions of bacteria constantly on the move. While some bacteria are harmless, others can attack the teeth and gums. Harmful bacteria are contained in a colorless sticky film called plaque, the primary cause of gum disease.

Plaque is always forming on your teeth, without you even knowing it. When plaque accumulates to excessive levels, it can harden into a substance called tartar (calculus) in as little as 24 hours.. Tartar is so tightly bound to teeth that it can be removed only during a professional cleaning. If not removed, plaque builds up on the teeth and ultimately irritates the gums and causes bleeding. Left unchecked, bone and connective tissue are destroyed, and teeth often become loose and may have to be removed.

The good news is that in most people gum disease is preventable.

Everyday oral hygiene - brushing and flossing - and professional cleanings twice a year could be all that's needed to prevent gum disease - and actually reverse the early stage - and help you keep your teeth for a lifetime.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two main stages of gum disease. Each stage is characterized by what a dentist sees and feels in your mouth, and by what's happening under your gumline. Gingivitis usually precedes periodontitis, but not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis.

In the early stage of gingivitis, the gums can become red and swollen and bleed easily, often during toothbrushing. Bleeding, although not always a symptom of gingivitis, is a signal that your mouth is unhealthy and needs attention. The gums may be irritated, but the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets. No bone or other tissue damage has occurred at this stage.

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. At this point, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth (recede) and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums may collect debris and can become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gumline. Bacterial toxins and the body's enzymes fighting the infection actually start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Because there is no longer an anchor for the teeth, they become progressively looser, and the ultimate outcome is tooth loss.

Signs and Symptoms

Periodontal disease may progress painlessly, producing few obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease. Then one day, on a visit to your dentist, you might be told that you have chronic gum disease and that you may be at increased risk of losing your teeth. Although the symptoms of periodontal disease often are subtle, the condition is not entirely without warning signs. Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease. They include:

Gums that bleed during and after toothbrushing
Red, swollen or tender gums
Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
Receding gums
Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
Loose or shifting teeth
Changes in the way teeth fit together on biting, or in the fit of partial dentures

Even if you don't notice any symptoms, you may still have some degree of gum disease.

Other Factors

Other factors that are thought to increase the risk, severity, and speed of gum disease development can include:

Tobacco use
Hormonal changes
Stress
Medications
Poor nutrition - If your diet is low in important nutrients, it may make it difficult for the immune system to fight off infection. Also, the bacteria that cause periodontal disease thrive in acidic environments. Eating sugars and other foods that increase the acidity in the mouth increases bacterial counts.
Illnesses
Clenching and grinding teeth

Genetically Susceptible

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) says that up to 30% of the U.S. population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. And, despite aggressive oral care habits, people who are genetically predisposed may be up to 6 times more likely to develop some form of gum disease. Genetic testing to identify these people can help by encouraging early treatment that may help them keep their teeth for a lifetime.

Other Problems

Infected gums also are linked to other problems.

Michael F. Roizen, MD says, "The healthier your gums are, the better off the rest of your body is. Preventing gum disease with good oral hygiene is an easy way to help ward off heart attacks, strokes, impotence, wrinkles, some cancers, and certain pregnancy complications."

Frederick N. Hyman, D.D.S. says that because some people seem to be paying more attention to oral hygiene as part of personal grooming, the payoff is "a decline in gingivitis over recent years," and "gingivitis can be reversed in nearly all cases when proper plaque control is practiced," consisting, in part, of daily brushing and flossing.

Susan Karabin, DDS, of the American Academy of Periodontology says "Consuming just a quarter cup of yogurt a day can help reduce your risk" of gum disease.

Colgate Total

One over the counter product is Colgate Total triclosan and fluoride toothpaste. It's a toothpaste containing the antibacterial ingredient triclosan, which reduces plaque and resulting gingivitis. The fluoride protects against cavities. Use it like a regular toothpaste.

Proper Brushing and Flossing Techniques are Critical

Although brushing and flossing are equally important, brushing eliminates only the plaque from the surfaces of the teeth that the brush can reach. Flossing, on the other hand, removes plaque from in between the teeth and under the gumline. Remember... you're flossing to remove plaque - the real culprit behind gum disease.

Brushing and flossing your teeth should be used as part of a regular at-home, self-care treatment plan. Some dentists also recommend specialized toothbrushes, such as those that are motorized and have smaller heads, which may be a more effective method of removing plaque than a standard toothbrush.

Make sure to visit your dentist regularly, brush at least twice a day, and floss at least once a day.