Medical Vision Dental


Posts Tagged ‘inflamed gums’

I Love That Word: “Gingivitis” But Not What It Means.

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

For many people, gingivitis is a dreaded condition associated with loss of teeth and bleeding gums. It is actually a mild form of periodontal disease.

Perhaps as many as 75 to 80% of people have some gingivitis or gum disease right now! A good prognosis is necessary for effective prevention and treatment.

If left unattended, it can lead to bad breath, bleeding gums, tooth loss and canker sores among others. And these are just some of the milder complications or consequences associated with it. Many systemic disease have also been associated with the bacteria that enter the blood from disease gum tissue.

So how do you prevent it? The one thing about gingivitis and evenmore advanced gum diseases is that they are often not attended to until later. Hence, it is usually already present before it can be arrested or stopped  in its tracks.

The good news is that it can often be prevented from progressing. There are actually quite a few ways to ensure that you prevent the onset of this disease.

The best one you can do from home might be to use an oral irrigator, like the hydro floss

An oxygenated, pH balanced mouthwash such as the therabreath brand can also be helpful. These provide oxygen that the ‘bad bacteria’ do not like very much.

Essential oils, like those in Oramd, might help as well. 

Be advised that you may need more than one approach to deal effectively with the problem. 

On the professional side it is important to get a regular prophylaxis at least twice a year. It will not only be for the purpose of cleaning your teeth, it will also be useful for getting a diagnosis on your gums and whether or not you are showing symptoms of this condition.

You also want to make sure that you deal with dry mouth, often caused by a lack of hydration. This can be exacerbated or caused by increased physical activities such as working out. Even taking certain types of medications can cause this dryness. Just make sure you prevent dry mouth to prevent rapid bacterial growth.

*Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to advise upon, diagnose or treat any health problem whatsoever. If you have or think you might have a health problem, visit your doctor or dentist for advice, diagnosis and treatment The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

Share This Post

Do You Know What Causes Gum Disease?

Monday, July 6th, 2009

gum line

One of the most important areas of health is actually dental hygiene. It is so important because it can lead to other diseases in other parts of the body. Gum disease is probably one of the most common forms of oral diseases. It is not only irritating, but can also be difficult to treat if oral health is ignored for too long. So what causes gum disease? Actually, many different things can cause it, but there are also various treatments and ways to prevent gum disease.

Gum disease is a condition that causes inflamed gums, rotting them slowly away, and, if left untreated, then it can destroy the whole structure of the mouth and jaw. Gingivitis is actually a gum infection. Early stages will appear as swollen, red, sensitive teeth and gums, and it can progress rapidly from there. Once gum disease is contracted, it can become a chronic problem for some people. In later stages of gum disease, a puss-like discharge can appear on the gums.

The causes of gum disease can vary. The number one cause is poor dental hygiene. What happens in this case is that plaque builds up from infrequent brushing, and in time, turns into tartar. The tartar is an irritant to the gums, which then causes the swelling and irritation. Smokers are at least twice as likely to get some kind of gum disease. Teenagers, pregnant women and women in menopause are at a higher risk as well. There are many other conditions that can contribute to gum disease, such as high exposure to metals, radiation, poorly fitted fillings, and others.

There are a lot of treatments for gum disease. The treatment method usually depends on what causes gum disease in the first place. Many vitamins are used in treating gum disease, such as vitamin E, vitamin A, copper, folic acid and zinc. These keep the mouth and gum line in good health. Some doctors recommend drinking a glass of warm lemon water every day to avoid gum disease. Liver cleanses are also done. There are many different herbal treatments for gingivitis, such as placing aloe vera on the swollen gums, or brushing with baking soda. Your dentist might advise you to rinse your mouth out with salt water to clear the infection. There are also anesthetic ointments that are used to help sooth the gums. In the worst case scenario, gum surgery must be done to fully erase the damaged gums.

What causes gum disease is known, as well as preventative measures. The best thing to do is to ensure proper dental hygiene and healthy gums with regular brushing and flossing. Of course, if you smoke, then you should be doubly careful about the health of your mouth. There are also many different treatment methods. It is important to be aware of such facts so that you can be better prepared to face the world.

Share This Post