Category Archives: Dental Care Tips
Gum diseases – Causes and Preventive measures
If I ask ‘how many of you take care of your teeth’, then most of you readily answer with positive replies but what about gums? Do you really care to look after your gums? Good oral hygiene is not only about cleanliness and good hygiene of teeth but it also includes good hygiene of gums, tongue, palate and inner aspects of lips and cheeks. When you become careless in oral cleanliness then problems like gum diseases arise.
So What is Gum Disease and its causes?
Gum disease (Periodontal disease) is caused mainly by bacteria from present in ‘plaque associated with gums’. These bacteria in plaque produces acids and other toxins which destroy bones and tissues surrounding and supporting teeth.
There are numerous other factors causing gum diseases such as
- Hereditary and genetic factors
- Tobacco and Gutka chewing
- Ciggarette smoking
- Excessive masticatory (chewing) forces on teeth
- Certain medictions
- Some conditions like Pregnancy and Puberty.
- Certain diseases.
There are two types of gum diseases gingivitis and periodontitis (pyorrhea).
Gum disease start with ‘redness’ and ‘inflammation’ of gums (gingiva) which is known as gingivitis. ‘Bleeding through gums’ while brushing can be observed mainly in moderate to severe gingivitis. In severe cases gums become swelled and inflammed. Gingivitis is reversible condition which can be preventable and curable.
In advance stages, gingivitis convert into periodontitis (pyorrhea) which further involves periodontal tissues and alveolar bone supporting tooth. Due to loss of periodontal structure teeth become loose and roots of the teeth can be seen. Periodontitis is irreversible condition and major reason of loss of teeth in adults. So it is better to take preventive measures to avoid it. Though in old age periodontitis is almost unavoidable but we need to take preventive measures to avoid periodontitis in early ages.
Preventive Measures -
Though type of gum diseases caused due to hereditary and genetic factors, old age etc are almost unavoidable but taking some preventive measure we can prevent almost all other gum diseases.
Those preventive measure includes -
- Regular brushing and flossing of teeth to remove plaque from teeth which helps to minimise chances of gum disease to occur.
- If tartar (calculus) is present in teeth then the only way to remove it is to visit your dentist office and get teeth cleaned professionally by dentist.
- Regular dental check up is very essential.
Treatment of gum diseases may include oral prophylaxis, medication such as oral rinses and medicated gels or may require periodontal surgery in advance stages.
So keep Gums healthy and Stay away from gum diseases..
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How to prevent tooth decay
In last article we have discussed about ‘What is tooth decay (cavities in teeth) and process of tooth decay. Here, we will discuss how to prevent tooth decay.
As we know tooth decay is bacterial process which cause mainly due to accumulation of food debris and tartar (plaque, calculus) on surface of tooth. So it is necessary to keep your teeth clean and prevent accumulation of food on surfaces of teeth. By maintaining good oral hygiene habits and proper eating habits anyone can prevent tooth decay.
So here are some basic things and oral hygiene methods to follow which helps preventing tooth decay.
1. Brushing and flossing your teeth -
Brushing your teeth by using proper brushing techniue twice a day using toothpaste containing fluoride helps to clean food debris accumulated on tooth surface.
Flossing everyday is best way to remove food debris in between our teeth.
2. Using mouthrinse -
Using antimicrobial mouthries prescribed by dentist for specific time period can help to reduce plaque accumulated on surfaces of teeth.
Daily use of warm gargle is best practice which is proven advantageous medically for various conditions.
Water gargles after every meal helps to prevent food lodgement on teeth.
3. Eating Habits -
Eating habits have an effect on tooth decay and plays very importaet role in process of tooth decay.
Sticky food and food containing large amount of sugars such as chocolates, cakes, jelleys, soft drinks need control and limiting intake of such type of food minimises chances of tooth decay. Sticky food remain glued to tooth surface and helps plaque to grow.
Fibrous food such as green vegetables, carrots, roots, etc should be included in every meal. Fibres are natural cleansers of teeth they helps to maintain teeth clean. So prefer fibrous food over highly cooked food which definitely help to reduce caries incidence. Consult you dietician for having diet chart and take balanced diet.
4. Visit your dentist -
Regular check up and treatment is helpful in for preventing tooth decay. Some cavities in teeth especially cavities between two teeth i.e. proximal caries are not visible to naked eyes or with diagnostic hand instruements, in such situation you might need radiograph/Xray of teeth.
Dentists may place sealants on chewing surfaces of teeth which act as shield against bacterial process of tooth decay, this sealant placement is done mostly in children in the area of deep fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth which are difficult to clean.
These are some basic method to follow to avoid cavities in teeth.
5 things to remember to keep good oral hygiene
Do you know most of the dental problems/diseases caused due to poor oral hygiene. So it is necessary to keep good oral hygiene to avoid such conditions. Here are ’5 things to remember to keep good oral hygiene’.
1. Brushing your teeth regularly -
Brushing your teeth by using ‘proper brushing techniue’ twice a day using toothpaste containing fluoride helps to clean plaque and food debris accumulated on tooth surface.
Brushing twice a day is is recommonded but thorough cleaning once daily in the morning is also sufficient. Remember it is not important ‘how many times you brush teeth’ or ‘how long you brush your teeth’, what important is ‘how cleanly you brush your teeth’.
Clean brushing never mean that you need to brush very hard giving lot of pressure against tooth surfaces. You need to give gentle strokes while brushing your teeth. Usually ‘soft’ to ‘medium’ type of brush is recommonded for brushing but you need to consult your dentist for ‘type of brush you need’.
Improper brushing technique may injure or damage your teeth. There are some guidelines to know ‘How to Brush teeth’ properly.
2. Flossing your teeth -
Flossing everyday is best way to remove plaque in between teeth, which is very difficult to remove by toothbrush. Floss may come as waxed or unwaxed/plain thread. It is necessary to know ‘How to floss’ properly.
3. Use of mouthrinse -
Using antimicrobial mouthrinses prescribed by dentist for specific time period can help to reduce plaque accumulated on surfaces of teeth.
Daily use of warm gargle is best practice which is proven advantageous medically for various conditions.
Water gargles after every meal helps to prevent food lodgement on teeth.
4. Eating Habits -
Eating habits have an effect on tooth decay and plays very importaet role in process of tooth decay.
Sticky food and food containing large amount of sugars such as chocolates, cakes, jelleys, soft drinks need to be controlled. Limiting intake of such type of food minimises chances of tooth decay. Sticky food remain glued to tooth surface and helps plaque to grow.
Fibrous food such as green vegetables, carrots, roots, etc should be included in every meal. Fibres are natural cleansers of teeth they helps to maintain teeth clean. So prefer fibrous food over highly cooked food which definitely help to reduce caries incidence. Consult you dietician for having diet chart and take balanced diet.
5. Visit your dentist for regular check up and follow-up -
Regular check up and treatment is helpful in for preventing tooth decay or most of the oral diseases. Dental check-up for every 6 months is recommended. And after dental treatment follow-up is essential.
