Did you know that your child's favorite sippy cup could be bad for those tiny little teeth? Beware all of these dental-health troublemakers.
A child’s dental health is set in motion before her first baby tooth sprouts. That means you should start promoting healthy dental habits for your kid from day one — and keep on encouraging her until she leaves for college (or, hey, even longer).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 19 percent of kids between the ages of 2 and 19 have untreated cavities. However, childhood tooth decay can be prevented in the first place when parents help their kids avoid bad dental habits (and foster good ones). "Oral and dental health habits, both good and bad, are formed early,” explains Richard P. Dugas, DDS, a pediatric dental specialist in Bourne, Mass.
To get your kids’ teeth off to a healthy start, avoid these dental-health no-nos.
Neglecting the Dentist
The No. 1 no-no is waiting until there is a problem before bringing your child to the dentist. The American Dental Association suggests that kids visit the dentist within six months after their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. During that first visit, your baby’s dentist will look for cavities and other oral problems, assess tooth decay risk, and instruct you on the proper ways to clean your baby’s teeth.
After the first visit, your child should continue to have regular check-ups at least every six months. If he is at increased risk of tooth decay, his dentist may recommend more frequent visits.
Middle-of-the-Night Breastfeeding
When you’re nursing a newborn, around-the-clock feedings are more than OK — they’re necessary for the baby’s health. However, once your baby’s teeth begin to show, you may want to avoid those middle-of-the-night feedings.
Lactose, which is the main sugar in breast milk, provides about 40 percent of a breastfed baby's calories. Baby teeth can become decayed if overexposed to breast milk at night because of that sugar. "Mothers who continue to breastfeed when baby teeth come in must be willing to clean their baby's mouth after feeding," explains Dr. Dugas. In fact, he recommends that you wash or wipe away the milk left in the baby's mouth after every feeding.
Sucking a Baby Bottle at Night
Called “bottle mouth” by some doctors, pitting and discoloration on the teeth can be a result of nighttime bottle-feeding. If the mouth isn’t cleaned, sugar from the milk or juice will remain on the teeth for a long time at night and can eventually eat away at the enamel. So think twice before lulling a baby to sleep with a bottle full of milk or any liquid containing sugar.
Sippin' On Sippy Cups All Day
Once your child graduates to a sippy cup, avoid this bad oral health habit: Letting him carry it around all day or take it to bed at night (for the same reasons that using a bottle this way is unhealthy). "Constantly sipping milk, juice, or any sweetened liquid does not give a child's natural saliva a chance to rinse away sugars that cause tooth decay,” Dugas says. In fact, New York legislature was recently approved for adding warnings about childhood tooth-decay to sippy cups.
For the best dental health, limit sippy cups to mealtime and snack time — and have your child swish and swallow with water after drinking any sugary drink.
Swallowing Toothpaste
Fluoride — the natural cavity fighter — is good for your kids' teeth. In fact, in communities that do not have enough fluoride in the water system (which can be determined by contacting the local health department), dentists may suggest fluoride supplements starting at six months old.
But too much fluoride can cause fluorosis, a condition that creates white or brown spots on kids’ teeth. So while gooey toothpaste can be fun to play with, it’s important to teach your children not to swallow it — especially if it contains fluoride.
"Until your child is old enough to be able to spit after brushing, you can use non-fluoride toothpaste specially made for kids’ teeth,” says Dugas. “Just make sure they’re getting the right amount of fluoride with a fluoride supplement."
Thumb Sucking With Big-Girl Teeth
For babies and small children, a little thumb sucking is normal — and it probably won’t cause any damage until permanent teeth have replaced the baby teeth.
However, once the permanent teeth start coming in — usually somewhere between the ages of 4 and 6 — thumb sucking can cause a misalignment of the teeth, which can lead to a number of issues, such as difficulty chewing. If your child won’t stop sucking her thumb, you should let your dentist know. "Most children will grow out of it by about age 4, but if your child continues, behavior modification with a reward system will usually break this habit," Dugas says.
Giving Pacifiers to Preschoolers
Just like thumb sucking, sucking on a pacifier is a perfectly normal and healthy baby habit. However, pacifier use (just like thumb sucking) can also affect a child’s oral health by interfering with normal tooth and jaw development.
Pacifying into the toddler years can be a tough habit to break — the best time to stop allowing your baby to use a pacifier is at about age 1 to safeguard baby teeth, says Dugas.
Gnawing on Pencils
Once your child’s off to school (she grew up so fast!), don’t be surprised if you see her with a No. 2 pencil in her mouth — this bad dental habit is all too common in school kids.
"In addition to introducing bacteria into the mouth, this habit can cause wearing away of tooth surfaces and can lead to dangerous oral trauma if a child falls while having a pen or pencil in the mouth," warns Dugas. Most children can break this habit once they are old enough to understand the dangers.
Chugging Sugary Sodas
Carbonated sugary colas and soft drinks are bad for everybody's teeth, but they are particularly hard on newly erupted kids’ teeth. Unfortunately, statistics show that about 20 percent of 1- and 2-year-olds are exposed to these drinks every day. Don’t let your child develop a soft drink habit.
"Good parenting is the key to a child's dental health,” says Dugas. “Give your child a healthy start to oral health with safe and nutritious food and beverage choices."
Toothaches often cause discomfort, as well as difficulty with eating and speaking, however, with the help of a general dentist, the toothache can be remedied. General dentists offer routine dental care to patients of all ages, which makes them experts at dealing with things, such as toothaches.
About general dentists
Choosing to see a general dentist is not only important when in need of dental services, but they are also considered to be one’s primary care dental provider. This means that everyone needs to make regular checkup appointments with a general dentist in order to ensure that oral health is in good shape. Regular checkup appointments allow for routine exams and cleanings to be done.
When toothaches happen
According to Healthline, a toothache is a pain that someone feels in or around a tooth. When individuals experience toothache pain, it means that there is something wrong with either the tooth or the gums. Since a toothache should never be ignored, understanding some beneficial tips from a general dentist helps patients know what to do if they ever happen to experience a toothache.
Apply a cold compress to the affected area
Applying a cold compress helps to reduce any inflammation, which in turn helps to reduce the amount of pain one feels when experiencing a toothache. Cold compresses help to minimize the blood vessels in the area, which then interrupts the signal to the brain telling the brain that something is wrong. The compress can be held on the area for about 20 minutes at a time and can be used every few hours to address toothache pain.
Rinse the mouth with warm salt water
Rinsing the mouth using warm salt water is a natural way for someone to minimize toothache pain. Salt water is a natural anti-bacterial agent, which means that it helps protect teeth from infections. Additionally, it helps reduce any inflammation present in the mouth. Salt water should be swished around in the mouth for at least 30 seconds in order for a patient to experience its beneficial effects. Salt water is simply a mixture of salt and water, making this an easy treatment option recommended by general dentists.
Use peppermint oil or clove oil
Both peppermint oil and clove oil have anti-bacterial properties, as well as numbing properties, which is why a general dentist recommends the use of it. This means that these two essential oils can be used to treat a toothache by improving the overall health of one’s mouth and minimizing any associated pain. The oils can be applied directly to the painful area using a cotton swab or a cotton ball. Additionally, peppermint tea can also be made and used as a mouth rinse.
Suffering from toothache pain?
When suffering from any level of toothache pain, it is necessary to consult with a general dentist. General dentists can carefully evaluate the pain and determine what course of action is necessary. To learn more about toothaches and what a general dentist recommends, reach out today.
Mouth infections are the worst. They often lead to unbearable toothaches that leave you unable to get any sleep at night and unfocused during the day. It does not stop there, though. A mouth infection can spread to other areas of your body if it enters your bloodstream, including vital organs like the brain and liver.
Understanding mouth infections
Mouth infections are usually the result of tooth decay making its way into the pulp chamber of a tooth. Once this occurs, the pulp and the nerves inside become exposed to bacteria, food particles and other debris in the mouth. This usually ends up causing an infection.
Let us take a look at seven common types of mouth infections:
1. Dental cavities
Also known as caries, cavities are typically the result of tooth decay. According to research conducted at A.T. Still University, it is the leading cause of tooth loss for children under the age of 12. Dental caries are caused by bacteria called Streptococcus mutans.
2. Gingivitis
Gingivitis can be caused by different species of bacteria and is the earliest stage of gum disease. When bacteria gets into the crevices of a person's gums, toxins that irritate the surrounding gum tissue are created. This leads to inflammation. Once the gums become inflamed, it often leads to bleeding when brushing teeth. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, about 50 to 90 percent of adults in the U.S. have gingivitis. The infection can still be reversed at this point, but it will lead to periodontal disease if left unchecked.
3. Periodontal disease
With periodontal disease, pockets of pus begin to form underneath the gum line, leading to more inflammation and bone tissue loss. This eventually leads to teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out. It is actually the most common reason for tooth loss in adults.
4. Hand, foot and mouth disease
Children under the age of 12 are most likely to develop this disease. It is caused by the virus known as Coxsackie A16. It usually starts with a sore throat and fever, and then moderately painful blisters begin to develop on the tongue and cheeks. This infection typically lasts no more than a few days.
5. Herpangina
This disease is related to hand, foot, and mouth disease. It affects mostly children under the age of 10 during the summer and fall months. Sore throat, difficulty swallowing and feeling feverish are common symptoms of this infection. It is often accompanied by blisters that develop in the back of the child's mouth. Herpangina normally lasts for about three to five days.
6. Thrush
An overgrowth of Candida Albicans fungus leads to this infection. It is most common in people diagnosed with HIV.
7. Canker sores
These are lesions in the mouth and gum tissue. It is more common in teenagers and children and can take a few weeks for the sores to heal.
Brushing properly is one of the most important tasks we have to learn, as it is something we will do every day to take care of our pearly whites. Getting the basics down is something we want to talk about in this article for your brushing technique.
As such, we have asked our Los Algodones dentists about what we should take into account, how we should brush, and what tools to use to carry out this important task.
Is there a right way to brush?
This is a question that is on our minds constantly: does a superior brushing technique exist? Sure you must have heard about holding and using the toothbrush the same way, but does that really do it?
Our Los Algodones dentists say that in order to achieve a good oral health, it is important to nail down the basics, regardless of how you brush you should always aim to do it right and without harming your mouth.
As such, without dwelling too much onto how you should hold that toothbrush or what exact brand you should get, it is more about being mindful and being through with all the brushing surfaces of your mouth.
What should I take into account every time I brush?
It is important to know the basic tasks you want to accomplish with your toothbrush and toothpaste.
To brush the outer surface of your upper and lower teeth. Do not forget to also brush the inner side of them, too!
Brush the chewing surfaces of all of your back teeth and molars. Be mindful about the nooks and crevices there might be as food usually gets stuck there.
Make sure to scrub the your tongue, inner cheeks and gums. This is a good way to also deal with bad breath, as bacteria and food can be stuck in there without your knowledge.
Picking a good toothbrush for the job
Getting a trusty tool is an important asset towards achieving a good brushing technique. There are many different kinds and styles of toothbrush out there, and knowing what is good for your everyday life is what we seek to know here.
There are a few rules of thumb in order to pick just the right toothbrush for the job:
Soft-bristles all the way. You wish to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth while limiting the damage you might inflict to your . A soft-bristled toothbrush accomplishes that and more. It is also easier for the bristles to bend and reach small places.
Make sure it is of the right size. A toothbrush too big can make it difficult for you to reach certain parts of your mouth. Likewise, one too small can be a pain to use as it does very little to cover all the areas. Find one that is the right size for you!
Replace when necessary. Usually a toothbrush is good for about three months. If you notice the bristles of yours are bent and frayed, consider replacing it earlier.
Tips toward a good brushing technique
Each brush session should be 2 minutes long. This not only gives you time to brush and get all the spots in your mouth, but also helps giving the toothpaste some time to work on your teeth as well.
Tilt your toothbrush 45° against your gumline. This helps a lot in dislodging and brushing away all food and plaque stored inside.
Brush gently, not hard. You want to remove plaque and bacteria, not your enamel.
Clean between the teeth by holding the brush vertically. This helps getting food out from between the teeth as well as cleaning more deeply in each session.
Remember to visit a dentists twice a year. They help keeping track of your mouth’s health as well as offer good advice and guidance.
Dental health is a daily chore. But even after years of brushing and flossing, thousands still experience dental health issues due to extremely common mistakes! There’s a good chance you don’t have a dentist looking over your shoulder every day, so you could be making these mistakes too!
Read on to learn about some of the most common oral care mistakes and how they can impact your short-term and long-term dental health.
#1. Brushing Too Hard
Brushing your teeth sounds like one of the simplest things you can do. But did you know that it’s possible to brush your teeth incorrectly? It’s true!
If you use too much force when brushing your teeth, you won’t just remove plaque and bacteria – you’ll also remove your tooth’s enamel. This protective shield on your teeth can’t be regenerated, so once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Extremely abrasive brushing wears away at this enamel over time. You won’t destroy it just because of a few days spent brushing too hard. But over the years, aggressive brushing can make your enamel erode earlier than it otherwise would, leaving your teeth vulnerable to cavities and decay.
#2. Overbleaching
Are you whitening your teeth with a bleaching kit? Be careful about using too much of a good thing! Whitening strips and bleaching trays use harsh chemicals to restore your teeth to their natural whiteness. The more you use them, the more damage the chemical can do.
Over time, overbleaching will lead to several potential dental health issues, such as:
Heightened tooth sensitivity
Irritated/receding gums
Translucent/chalky tooth appearance
Don’t go overboard with your home whitening solutions! If you want whiter teeth, speak with your dentist to find out about better options, such as in-office whitening.
#3. Brushing After Soda or Juice
By now, it’s no secret that sodas and citric juices are harmful to your teeth. These acidic beverages wear away at your enamel and leave your teeth vulnerable. That’s why it may come as a surprise that one of the worst things to do after enjoying these drinks is to brush your teeth!
It may sound counterintuitive, but the problem is simple: the acid weakens your teeth. If you brush right after a pop, your brushing will push the acid deeper into the enamel or dentin and lead to additional wear.
A scientific study found that brushing up to 20 minutes after an “acidic attack” on your teeth lead to more enamel loss than waiting 60 minutes. So, if you have a pop or morning orange juice, wait an hour before brushing!
#4. Trying to Whiten with Apple Cider Vinegar
If soda or citric acid are dangerous to teeth, then apple cider vinegar should be considered catastrophic. Unfortunately, countless articles recommend apple cider vinegar as a natural option for whitening teeth. Like many natural alternatives, such as charcoal toothpaste, there isn’t much science to back these claims.
On the scale of acidic substances, apple cider vinegar is often nearly as acidic as battery or stomach acid. There’s a reason that even health gurus recommend you dilute it with a significant amount of water! But no matter what you do, this popular health craze will lead to more damage done in less time than other acidic substances like soda.
If you want to whiten your teeth, stick with ADA-approved methods, or speak with your dentist for their recommendations.
#5. Avoiding Your Dentist Appointments
Unfortunately, this dental care mistake is all too common. No matter how good your home care routine is, nothing can circumvent the need for a professional to help examine your teeth and gums to identify potential issues.
The longer you delay your next dentist visit, the more likely you are to allow underlying decay to worsen and lead to bigger problems – like losing a tooth! Early gum disease and minor cavities are easier to deal with than advanced periodontal disease and damaged roots.
If you want to avoid the most damaging dental health issues, don’t skip your regular dentist visits!
The Best Way to Avoid Common Dental Care Disasters? Ask Your Dentist!
Your dentist can help you with more than cavities, gum disease and tooth whitening! If you’re not sure that you brush your teeth properly or make the best of your time spent flossing, ask them for help! At your next visit, they can evaluate your brushing technique to ensure you’re taking the best care of your teeth that you can.
You wake up, feel something strange in your mouth, look in the mirror, and think, “Oh no! Why is there a bump in the mouth.” Well, don’t stress. First, there are some normal bumps that you can fill in your mouth. One of those is a flap found on the side of your cheek.
This little pad or flap covers the place where saliva comes out from the parotid gland, a salivary gland in the cheek. This is called parotid papilla.
Yet another example of normal bumps is the bumps on the tongue, particularly the ones all the way back at the base of the tongue. The big ones are called the circumvallate papillae. These are located in a v-shape in the back of the tongue.
Papillae are normal anatomical features of the tongue. They play a large part in tasting food.
A common soft tissue bump can occur on the lips or in the mouth known as a mucocele. These occur when the ducts that help to drain the mucus in the lip and cheeks get injured. They are very common and are typically benign. Most of the time they burst on their own and that’s the end of it. If it persists, then a surgeon may have to lance it.
Another type of bump can come from dental infections. If the nerve of a tooth dies, the area around the root of the tooth can get infected causing swelling, usually in that area.
The swellings can get extremely large and even life-threatening. If this is the case, it is important to schedule an appointment withyour dentist.
A common soft tissue bump can occur on the lips or in the mouth known as a mucocele. These occur when the ducts that help to drain the mucus in the lip and cheeks get injured. They are very common and are typically benign. Most of the time they burst on their own and that’s the end of it. If it persists, then a surgeon may have to lance it.
Cancer is another area that can cause bumps in the mouth. There are many types of this disease that manifest in the mouth. As with any cancer, these can be very difficult to treat. Early detection and treatment are most important to give the patient the best chance of a full recovery.
A recent study has shown high blood pressure and gum disease to have an unfortunate “symbiotic” relationship. In fact, avoiding gum disease and maintaining good oral hygiene has shown to be crucial in preventing and treating high blood pressure. To do our part, we want to educate you on how to maintain proper oral hygiene while avoiding gum disease with these 5 tips that can save you from high blood pressure!
1. Don’t Underestimate the Necessity of Your Daily Routine
Brushing and flossing are essential. For this reason, be sure that you are brushing twice a day for 2-3 minutes each time. We recommend using fluoride toothpaste as this helps to prevent bleeding gums and other risks associated with your blood and heart. Rinsing thoroughly and using fluoride toothpaste can aid in reducing bacterial which ultimately reduces exposure to hypertension or high blood pressure.
2. Consider a Good Mouth Wash
Did you know that mouth wash can reduce plaque by 20%? Using a good mouth rinse is never a substitute to brushing and flossing, but it will greatly benefit your oral hygiene. This helps to reduce chances of periodontal disease which can ultimately blood pressure increase or heart disease.
3. Avoid Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco
Doing this is beneficial in avoiding both gum disease and high blood pressure. Tobacco can immediately and temporarily raise your blood pressure. It can also weaken the lining in your artery walls, which vastly increases the risk to your circulatory system. Even second-hand smoke can cause risk to your artery health. Cigarettes and chewing tobacco are also known causes of gum disease and oral cancer. Each step away from tobacco is a beneficial step for your oral and cardiac health.
4. Visit Your Dentist For A Routine Screening
Routine cleanings are important for combatting plaque build up and monitoring the state of your oral health. So for the sake of your health, we always recommend that each person visits their dentist for a thorough cleaning once every 6 months.
5. Make Sure You Ask Your Dentist the Right Questions
While visiting your dentist for a routine cleaning and oral screening, we suggest discussing the following topics:
Talk about any blood pressure or heart-related diseases you may have been diagnosed with if applicable
Ask your dentist about the state of your gum health
Request a personalized program of home oral care to meet your specific needs
Ask about recommended steps to properly take care of your children’s oral health
Ask if you exhibit any of the warning signs of gum disease:
After work you head to the local pharmacy to pick up some toothpaste. You just ran out and are considering a change of pace for your oral regimen. As you walk down the aisle, you find a brand that contains teeth-whitening agents designed to remove stains.
You wonder, “How well does it work? Is it even worth it?” In a new blog post, your dentist discusses the effects toothpaste with whitening agents have and what alternatives currently exist that can do better.
What is Teeth-Whitening Toothpaste Designed For?
Standard stains caused by smoking or foods like soda, coffee, and wine can be removed with teeth-whitening toothpaste. This form of whitening creates an appearance of whiter teeth before stains permanently set into your porous teeth. However, it can take 2 to 6 weeks for your teeth to become noticeably whiter.
If you’re looking for an immediate solution to yellow teeth, look for toothpaste containing blue covarine. While this method doesn’t create results as long-lasting as other methods of teeth-whitening, blue covarine diminishes the yellow appearance on the surface of your tooth right away. Be sure to spend time comparing the active ingredients in toothpaste to discover the right choice for you.
What to Look for in Teeth-Whitening Toothpastes
While reading the ingredients on teeth-whitening toothpaste products, you’ll likely see these abrasives and bleaching agents on the label:
Hydrated aluminum oxide (abrasive)
Calcium carbonate (abrasive)
Magnesium carbonate (abrasive)
Carbamide peroxide and Hydrogen Peroxide (bleaching agents)
Furthermore, look for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance on the back to ensure it’s safe to use. Products with this seal have undergone thorough evaluation and demonstrate safety and efficacy.
Keep in mind, even if these toothpastes carry the ADA Seal, it doesn’t mean that teeth-whitening products don’t carry risks. Because these whitening agents are abrasive, side effects like mild irritation of the gums/mouth and tooth sensitivity can occur. Your tooth’s enamel could also be worn down unintentionally. To avoid this, you’ll want to look at alternative whitening methods that don’t cause these side effects.
What’s the Better Alternative for Whiter Teeth?
Dentists hear it all the time. A patient comes in for their checkup and mentions how over-the-counter methods of teeth-whitening don’t give them the pearly-white smile they expected. That’s why many dental offices offer 1-hour, in-office, teeth-whitening treatments and take-home kits.
These treatments contain much higher concentrations of active bleaching ingredients. For example, over-the-counter treatments contain 10 percent of carbamide peroxide, while a professional grade applications contain between 25 and 40 percent of hydrogen peroxide. Protective gel is also used on the gums to prevent irritation when using these treatments. Toothpastes just can’t compare in terms of effectiveness for whitening your teeth.
Toothpaste shouldn’t be your only method for whiter teeth. Schedule a visit with your dentist today to find the best treatment for you!
If you're experiencing bad breath, irritation, or can see a white-colored dot at the back of your throat, you might have tonsil stones. It's rare to develop tonsil stones and even rarer to develop serious problems from them, so don’t worry. We're here to walk you through what exactly they are and what you need to know about them.
What Causes Tonsil Stones
First off, how do you find your tonsils? Just look into a mirror (or camera phone), open your mouth, and say "ah" like you're at the doctor's office. You should have a great view of the back of your throat, and two glands called the tonsils.
Surprisingly, the tonsils are part of your body's defense system. They assist the immune system by blocking unwanted viruses and bacteria from entering your body through your mouth and throat. The same layer of mucous that protects your mouth covers your tonsils to help them do their job.
Around the tonsils are pits and crypts (small crevices) that sometimes get clogged with bacteria, food, or other material. If this material gets stuck and hardens or calcifies, it can turn into a tonsil stone.
Some people are more likely to develop tonsil stones than others, especially those whose tonsils are inflamed.
Are They Causing Your Bad Breath?
Bad breath, also called halitosis, is the most common complaint of those with tonsil stones.
Tonsil stones smell bad for some, but others don't cause any symptoms. In most cases, they aren't of concern to your health. Some people may never get a tonsil stone, while others may get several a week without issue.
Remember that just because you have bad breath doesn't mean you have tonsil stones. There are many causes of bad breath, and tonsil stones are among the less likely reasons. So, just because you have bad breath doesn't mean you have tonsil stones.
Other Tonsil Stone Troubles
Tonsil stones, also called tonsilloliths, can lead to a sore throat, swelling, or even difficulty swallowing.
The stones vary in size, from barely noticeable to several centimeters large. The smaller they are, the less likely they are to cause problems. Doctors even removed one that was 3.1 x 2.3 cm large from a 45-year-old man. It's highly unlikely that yours are anywhere close to as large, so don't worry!
If you're experiencing any severe symptoms, be sure to check in with a doctor.
What You Can Do About Them
We know that tonsil stones can cause stress, but remember, they don't require treatment in most cases. If you're still worried, we're got your back with some tips for treatment and prevention.
How to help get rid of tonsil stones:
Warm salt-water can free tonsil stones and help discomfort
Use mouthwash to help manage bad breath
In rare cases, doctors recommend surgical removal
Most cases don't require you do anything at all
How to prevent tonsil stones:
Brush your teeth twice daily and floss once to minimize bacteria
Avoid smoking and other tobacco products
Stay hydrated
If your tonsil stones are causing extreme discomfort, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or any other symptoms, be sure to talk to a doctor.
If you have tonsil stones, take heart in the fact that they often require no treatment. You can minimize your chances of getting tonsil stones with easy steps like practicing proper dental hygiene, gargling with a salt-water rinse, and avoiding tobacco products. Luckily, these tips will also help out with any bad breath you might be experiencing.
Over 60% of adults in America have gingivitis or a more acute form of gum disease, which is the inflammation and infection of the soft tissue inside the mouth. What does this mean for the rest of the population? Are they at risk of being infected with the condition from other people? A local dentist answers and explains how to fortify your gum health.
Understanding Gum Disease
The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. At this point, any damage that is incurred can be reversed. However, if ignored, gingivitis can soon morph into periodontal disease and, eventually, the more devastating periodontitis. Ongoing neglect can further lead to permanent damage to the connective tissue and bone that lie beneath the gum line, tooth loss and infection that spreads to other parts of the body.
Is Gum Disease Contagious?
Gum disease can be contagious. However, in comparison to the common cold, flu, stomach viruses, COVID and other illnesses, its contagiousness pales in comparison. Still, it’s better to err on the side of safety.
The primary way that gum disease can be transmitted from person-to-person is through saliva. Here are specific situations to be mindful of:
Kissing – While it’s not typical to develop gum disease by kissing, it’s still a possibility, as billions of bacteria can be found in the saliva. Babies are the most susceptible to complications from adults with gingivitis kissing them, as their immune systems aren’t completely developed.
Sharing Drinks – When a person takes a sip of a beverage, saliva can be left on the cup or straw. If another person with already compromised health takes a sip, there is a much greater chance of him or her developing gum disease.
Sharing Toothbrushes and Utensils – It’s also best to avoid using someone else’s toothbrush or eating utensils, as the left behind saliva can contain billions of germs and bacteria that could lead to gum disease.
Preventing Gum Disease
While periodontal therapy in Belchertown, which ranges from a scaling and root planing procedure to the usage of the antibiotic Arestin, can be used to restore gum health, prevention is the most effective form of treatment.
It starts with limiting your consumption of sugar, as it attracts bacteria. It’s also of the utmost importance to practice excellent oral hygiene, which should include brushing and flossing at least two times a day. The final way to protect your teeth and gums is to visit a dentist every six months for cleanings and examinations.
The sooner any signs of gum disease are noticed and treated, the less problems you’ll have to endure. And by taking the more proactive route, you can enjoy healthy teeth and gums for the rest of your life!
