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The symptoms of gum disease can vary from one person to the next, but one telltale sign is usually swollen, tender and red gums. If your gums bleed when brushing or flossing, that can be a warning sign, as can receding gums, bad breath that won't go away, loose teeth or a change in your jaw alignment. If you're having any of these symptoms, be sure to tell your dentist. A dentist or a periodontist can tell you if you have gum disease or gingivitis (a type of gum disease) with an exam and usually an x-ray. Treatment usually involves plaque removal, medication and, in the worst cases, surgery. Cavities You probably already know a little about cavities, and chances are, you may have even had one or two. Cavities are a sign of tooth decay, which is a breakdown of a tooth's structure. The decay can affect the enamel of the tooth and the inside of the tooth, and is caused when sugary and starchy foods like soda, breads, baked goods and candy are left on the teeth. Your dentist will be able to tell if you have a cavity during your regular exam, but in the advanced stages of a cavity, you may get a toothache, especially after having sweet, hot, or cold food or drinks. You may also be able to see pits or holes in your teeth. A cavity is treated by a dentist. He or she can remove the decayed portion and replacing it with a filling. If the tooth decay is advanced and the tooth structure is affected, your dentist may have to put in a crown. Another good reason to avoid sugary foods, right? Teeth Spacing You may think that the spacing of your teeth is just a cosmetic issue, but it affects the health of your mouth, too. Teeth that are spaced too tightly together can create gum problems, just as teeth that are spaced improperly can allow food to get stuck between the teeth, therefore increasing the risk of gum disease. An orthodontist can help straighten out your teeth (yep, even as an adult) with braces, invisible retainers, or other treatments for optimal oral health. Other Issues If that wasn't enough, poor oral health has also been shown to cause sleeping issues, hurt your self-esteem, and diminish your ability to chew and digest food properly. And if you smoke (hopefully you don't!), it can be horrible on your teeth. Tobacco smoke and chewing tobacco are both very harmful to your gums, and toxins within these drugs can cause oral cancer, damage the bones around your teeth and result in tooth loss. Continued › |
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Health & Wellness Articles › Healthy LifestylesHealthy Smile, Healthy BodyHow Your Teeth Affect Your Health-- By Jennipher Walters, Health and Fitness WriterSparkPeople advertisers help keep the site free! Learn more
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Jennipher Walters
Jennipher is a certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and lifestyle and weight management consultant. She blogs regularly about her own fitness adventures at www.fitbottomedgirls.com. See all of Jenn's articles. |
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Member Comments
Good reminders of how to care for our oral hygiene!
- 4/12/2012 10:38:33 PM
and as for traditional toothpaste...why! just brush with water and rinse good, or use baking soda with lemon juice or strawberries(citr
ic acid) like once every week or two weeks. most folks have no clue what healthy is anymore and there is so much to learn. the solutions are always so profound yet so simple. - 10/26/2010 1:21:03 PM
As well as a two way co-relation between gum disease and diabetes, bacteria in ones mouth may affect the heart, can be breathed in to the lungs to increase chances of pneumonia especially in the elderly, and may lead to underweight and premature babies in preganant women. Talk to your dental hygienist in her own practice, or as part of a team of caring dental professionals in a dentist's office, to answer questions and assess your risk of this very common disease. By removing the build-up of plaque and calculus (tartar) on ones teeth by scaling, inflammation will disappear. Then by learning specific, proper techniques for cleaning your teeth and soft tissues of the mouth you will be able to maintain good oral health and overall health.
Muriel Laughton
Registered Dental Hygienist
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - 10/26/2010 11:51:17 AM
http://www.west
onaprice.org/ - 10/26/2010 11:35:36 AM