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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – According to the American Dental Hygienist’s Association, around 80 percent of the American population has some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal diseases are those which affect the gums, and ligaments and bones of the jaw. They begin with an excessive build-up of plaque on the teeth, which eventually creates an environment where bacteria can thrive and attack gum tissue.
What is Plaque?
Dental plaque is a soft, sticky, colorless substance that clings to the surface of the teeth. It is a breeding ground for millions of bacteria. If not removed on a regular basis, the bacteria in plaque will soon lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Each time you eat or drink a beverage, plaque bacteria uses the sugars in your food to make acids that dissolve your tooth enamel. Continual bacterial attacks cause the enamel to deteriorate until there are cavities in the surface of the tooth.
When plaque is not removed on a daily basis, it will form a thicker layer and harden into tartar. As they collect at the gum line, tartar, plaque and bacteria will begin to affect the health of the gums. Gums will appear swollen and red. They will feel tender and may bleed when you brush your teeth. These are signs of the early stages of periodontal disease. This condition is known as gingivitis.
What Can Be Done About Gingivitis?
With good oral hygiene, gingivitis can be reversed. However, if you don’t get it treated as soon as possible, it will quickly advance into periodontitis. If you have been suffering from gingivitis and you begin to experience severe pain in your teeth, jaw and gums, you may need to look for a walk in emergency dentist in your area.
If you seek professional treatment in time, you can avoid periodontal disease. This is a very harsh form of gum disease which occurs when a bacterial infection becomes severe and causes your gums, ligaments and bones that support the teeth to deteriorate. Eventually it will lead to tooth loss.
Keeping Plaque At Bay
The most important thing to remember about fighting plaque is to make regular dental visits for check-ups so that you can get your teeth cleaned professionally. This is one of the most effective ways to remove plaque and tartar. Your dentist will use a specially designed instrument to scrape the plaque from your teeth, particularly where the tartar has begun forming calcified spots, which are visible as yellow or white marks on the teeth.
Fighting Plaque At Home
As well as regular dental visits, there are things you can do at home to keep plaque at bay.
· Regular brushing: This is the main form of plaque prevention. You should brush after every meal (wait for twenty minutes after you have finished eating). Ideally you should be brushing for three minutes, two if you use a sonic toothbrush. Use an even amount of pressure and make sure to cover all your teeth. Don’t forget to brush your gums.
· Don’t forget to floss: Flossing is almost as important as brushing, and brushing is certainly not as effective if you don’t floss. Brushing is effective for reaching the surface of the tooth, but there are other areas, such as the corners, where your toothbrush cannot reach. Cleaning with dental floss, or a water pick, can clean these areas thoroughly.
· Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash: A mouth wash that has a hydrogen peroxide base is excellent for controlling plaque and tartar. If you are unable to find this kind of mouth cleanser in your pharmacy, you can easily make it at home. Simply take one tablespoon of your regular antiseptic mouthwash and add three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide solution.
· Drink plenty of water: Fresh water is one of the most natural things for your overall health. To get the maximum benefit, you should drink at least eight glasses every day. Drinking water on a regular basis throughout the day will help wash away plaque and debris before it can latch on to your teeth.
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy not only makes it easier for you to eat, it is also important for your overall health. Though you may not realize, gum disease can lead to other serious health problems including heart disease and dementia. If you care for your teeth and gums properly, they will stay healthy throughout your life and you will have less chance of developing gum disease and tooth decay.
Mike Plambeck is a dental marketing professional who writes about the world of online dental marketing as well as educational dental health topics. He lives in Lincoln, NE and raises 2 kids, Noah and Dani, along with his wife Marissa.
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