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Don't give in to gum disease
The phases of periodontal
disease
Periodontal (gum) disease
is caused by food particles and the sticky,
colorless film that adheres to your teeth
called plaque. Because it's usually painless
and slow to progress, periodontal disease
can easily reach an advanced stage, resulting
in deterioration of gums and bone structure
and then tooth loss. So how do you know
if you have periodontal disease?
- Healthy
gums and bone anchor the teeth in place.
- If plaque builds
up on teeth, it hardens and becomes calculus,
or tartar. In gingivitis, the early stage
of periodontal disease, warning signs
may include swollen, bleeding gums or
persistent bad breath. However, most people
notice no symptoms at all.
- Periodontitis is
a more advanced stage of gum disease and
often results from untreated gingivitis.
Tartar irritates the gums and causes them
to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets
that fill with more plaque.
- In advanced periodontitis,
the pockets grow deeper, and plaque moves
further down toward the tooth root, destroying
supporting bone. The affected teeth may
become loose and eventually fall out.
- Prevention starts at
home
While regular dental exams
are necessary to remove tartar and detect
early signs of periodontal disease, you
play the major role in preventing tartar
from forming. Here are some measures you
can take to keep your teeth for a lifetime:
- Brush
for five minutes, twice a day, with
fluoridated toothpaste.
- Floss
daily to remove plaque from places
your toothbrush can't reach. Don't like
to floss? Try a floss holder, which can
make it easier to insert floss between
teeth.
- Although not a
substitute for brushing and flossing,
a mouth rinse can reduce plaque up to
20 percent. Toothpicks are also helpful
in fighting gum disease -- ask your dentist
about special types designed to keep gums
healthy.
- Eat
right. Starchy and sugary foods increase
plaque, and only a healthy diet provides
the nutrients necessary (vitamins A and
C, in particular) to prevent gum disease.
- Avoid
cigarettes and chewing tobacco, which
may contribute to gum disease and oral
cancer. Certain medications can also aggravate
gum disease, including oral contraceptives,
antidepressants and heart medicines.
- Have your dentist
correct problems, such as faulty fillings,
crowded teeth or teeth-grinding.
- Exercise
preventive care and schedule regular
checkups -- the surest way to detect early
signs of periodontal disease.
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