Gum disease is the most common disease in the world, affecting a staggering nine of ten of adults. Despite being a common condition, very little is known about the cause and treatment of the disease which has been linked to other illnesses including alzheimer's, cancer and strokes.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is a buildup of plaque which contains bacteria. If left untreated, plaque can spread below the gum line. This can cause irritation your gums leaving you with a painful and sore mouth.
Spotting the symptoms and treatment
When you next brush your teeth spend some time looking at your gums. Healthy gums should be pink and firm and should not bleed when you touch, brush or floss them. As gum disease isn't always linked to painful symptoms, you should always been vigilant to check your mouth regularly.
Main types of gum disease
Early symptoms, known as gingivitis can include red or swollen gums, or bleeding gums after brushing or flossing your teeth. If untreated, these symptoms can develop into periodontitis which can cause bad breath, a continuous bad taste on your mouth, gum abscesses and can even cause tooth loss.
In very rare cases, you can develop acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis which can develop suddenly. If you experience any of these symptoms you should make an appointment with your dentist; bleeding and painful gums, painful ulcers, receding gums, bad breath, difficulty swallowing or talking, and a high temperature.
Prevention is better than cure
You can keep mild cases of gum disease at bay by maintaining good levels of oral hygiene, this includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and attending regular dental check-ups.
We recommend visiting a dental hygienist at least every six months to check up on your dental health. A hygienist will be able to remove any hardened plaque, which can cause gum disease; they'll also be able to show you to some great tips on how to clean your teeth properly in order to prevent gum disease.
Author Name : Dr.Vikas Jain(MDS)
He is the Chief dentist of SG Jain multispeciality Dental Clinic, Dr.Vikasjain completed his graduation (BDS) from the esteemed Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere in year 2008, in year 2009 Dr.Vikas Jain followed his passion to become a Periodontist (Gum Specialist) and completed his post-graduation in year 2012 from Sri Ramakrishna Dental College and Hospital, Coimbatore. Since then he has been into private practice and has been a consultant Periodontist and Implantologist in numerous Dental Clinics in and around Coimbatore. In year 2016 Dr.Vikas Jain was awarded fellowship in Dental Implantology from his alma mater Bapuji Dental College and hospital. Dr.Vikas Jain is one of the first few implantologist in Coimbatore to use the state of the art technology of Guided Implant surgery. His areas of expertise are Dental Implants, Cosmetic Periodontal Surgeries, and Periodontal Medicine.
We are all told that fizzy drinks, citrus fruit juices and other sugary drinks can cause tooth decay, but another cause of cavities is the dental erosion that occurs when teeth are exposed to acid. In order to decrease the chance of decay, sugar-free drinks have been sold as a tooth friendly product. But oral experts warn that sugar-free beverages and confectionery can be just as damaging as those products containing sugar.
Researchers at the Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), based at the University of Melbourne, Australia have tested 23 different types of sugar-free drinks and found those that contain acidic additives and those with low pH levels cause measurable damage to tooth enamel, even if they have no sugar.
When sugar forms plaque on the tooth surface, bacteria digests and converts to acid which dissolves tooth enamel. People are not aware that the chemical mix of acids in some foods and drinks can cause damaging condition of dental erosion and both sugary and sugar-free beverages cause a measurable loss of tooth enamel.
Regular check-ups with dentists can help detect early dental erosion and can help protect you from needing a filling or a crown.
Author Name : Dr. Snehal Jain (BDS)
She completed her graduation from prestigious VSPM Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur. Soon after her graduation Dr.Snehal Jain joined Jain Charitable Trust Hospital in Nagpur to serve the poor and needy. Dr.Snehal Jain holds a fellowship in endodontics, she has special interest in cosmetic and esthetic dental treatments for which she was trained under the legendary Dr. Deepak Mauchala, Mumbai. She has also completed her training in clinical research from Nagpur, which has made her a Researcher and a Clinician. Her areas of expertise are Endodontics, Aesthetic Dentistry and complete dentures.
Looking after our pearly white can sometimes be trickier than we imagine. Brushing our teeth is a sure way to prevent cavities and has even been linked to lowering the risk of getting dementia.
Over the years we all forget the tips and tricks that help keep your teeth healthy and clean. Read our handy top tips guide to help reduce your chances of developing tooth decay.
Change your toothbrush
Make sure you regularly change your toothbrush or toothbrush heads every 3 months. Once the bristles become frayed and worn they may lose their effectiveness and may put you at risk of plaque build-up.
Use a good toothpaste
There are many different varieties of toothpaste which are designed for different needs, including toothpastes designed to support sensitive teeth and for smokers. Fluoride toothpastes are recommended to prevent decay and have been proven to reduce tooth decay by at least 40 per cent.
Brush Position
Hold the bristle tips to a 45 degree angle and hold against the gum line, this angle will ensure you hit all the right places and give a proper clean.
Circular movements
At the 45 degree angle move the brush in small circular movements on all the surfaces of every tooth. Move on next to the outer surfaces of each tooth, keeping the bristles angled against the gum line, doing the same for the inside surfaces of your teeth.
Cleaning your front teeth
Make sure you give those front teeth some attention. When cleaning the inside surfaces of the front teeth angle your toothbrush vertically and make small circular strokes.
Don't forget the tongue
The tongue contains bacteria. Make sure you tongue freshen your breath and clean the inside of your mouth. Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath and clean your mouth by removing bacteria
Author Name : Dr. Snehal Jain (BDS)
She completed her graduation from prestigious VSPM Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur. Soon after her graduation Dr.Snehal Jain joined Jain Charitable Trust Hospital in Nagpur to serve the poor and needy. Dr.Snehal Jain holds a fellowship in endodontics, she has special interest in cosmetic and esthetic dental treatments for which she was trained under the legendary Dr. Deepak Mauchala, Mumbai. She has also completed her training in clinical research from Nagpur, which has made her a Researcher and a Clinician. Her areas of expertise are Endodontics, Aesthetic Dentistry and complete dentures.
Electric vs Manual Toothbrushes: Which should you buy?
To go electric or manual - that is the question! With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide whether to stick with a safe manual or explore the possibilities of an electric toothbrush. To help you decide, we have created this handy guide so you can make the right choice.
Effective cleaning
Manual brushing can be quite tricky when you cannot reach the back of your mouth or gums. With an electric toothbrush, the smaller heads are great for reaching those hard to reach places whilst giving an all-round good clean. You can buy a range of smaller heads for manual toothbrushes, however you can still be limited on reach and effectiveness without the rotating heads electric brushes offer.
Technique
The range of techniques can be restricting when using a manual brush, whereas an electric toothbrush is designed to suit all areas of the mouth whilst creating less work for better results. Though you cannot deny a manual brush still gives you the freedom to try new techniques, studies have also shown that electric brushes do a better job of removing plaque and combatting gum disease.
Timing
Brushing your teeth can sometimes feel like an endless amount of time! Many electric toothbrushes come with a built in timer which is useful when you want to make sure you are brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes. Manual brushes are less restrictive for time - you just need to be prepared to count to 90 seconds!
Cost
In comparison, the cost of an electric toothbrush can sometimes put off a potential buyer. Manual toothbrushes are very inexpensive with prices starting from around Rs.2 and electric toothbrushes ranging from Rs.20-Rs.100, not including brush heads which should be changed every three months.
Long term use
Despite studies that have shown electric toothbrushes are better than manual for combating plaque and gum disease, it is fair to say that whatever type of toothbrush you choose as long as you have good standards of oral hygiene, you can still maintain a healthy mouth.
Author Name : Dr. Vikas Jain (MDS)
He is the Chief dentist of SG Jain multispeciality Dental Clinic, Dr.Vikasjain completed his graduation (BDS) from the esteemed Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere in year 2008, in year 2009 Dr.Vikas Jain followed his passion to become a Periodontist (Gum Specialist) and completed his post-graduation in year 2012 from Sri Ramakrishna Dental College and Hospital, Coimbatore. Since then he has been into private practice and has been a consultant Periodontist and Implantologist in numerous Dental Clinics in and around Coimbatore. In year 2016 Dr.Vikas Jain was awarded fellowship in Dental Implantology from his alma mater Bapuji Dental College and hospital. Dr.Vikas Jain is one of the first few implantologist in Coimbatore to use the state of the art technology of Guided Implant surgery. His areas of expertise are Dental Implants, Cosmetic Periodontal Surgeries, and Periodontal Medicine.
We have all experienced the unpleasant odour of morning breath. Whether it's you or a partner, we would all appreciate a cure to that embarrassing problem.
Research published from the International Journal of Dental Hygiene has found that drinking or rinsing the mouth with a glass of water could be the cure.
When rinsing or drinking water, a study found this helped remove up to 60% of the substances which cause bad breath. This research shows positive steps towards a cure for morning breath, but we do also need to consider other alternatives that can help.
Michaela ONeill, President of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy explained: "A glass of water in the morning to help wash away bacteria that cause bad breath is a great way to start the day but people should not consider it the solution."
Other alternatives that can help cure morning breath include:
Effective oral health routine
Make sure you have a good daily oral routine that includes brushing your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste. Don't forget to brush your tongue, or use a tongue scraper, to help remove more bacteria.
Regular visits to the dentist
Dental hygienists can help give advice and tips on how to keep your mouth healthy. Regular cleaning to remove plaque and tarter can help keep your mouth healthy. We recommend visiting a dental hygienist at least every 6 months.
Keep a food diary
If you do suffer from bad breath, keep a diary of all the foods you eat and list any medicines you are taking. Show your diary to your dentist, who may be able to suggest ways to solve the problem.
Underlying medical condition
Bad breath can be a sign of other medical conditions. These include infections in the throat, nose or lungs as well as other conditions including sinusitis, bronchitis, diabetes, or liver or kidney problems.
Water is an essential part of the diet and has many benefits for oral health so having a glass of water in the morning is a good idea; some areas in the UK have fluoridated water which is hugely beneficial to oral health as it helps strengthen tooth enamel.
Author Name : Dr. Snehal Jain(BDS)
She completed her graduation from prestigious VSPM Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur. Soon after her graduation Dr.Snehal Jain joined Jain Charitable Trust Hospital in Nagpur to serve the poor and needy. Dr.Snehal Jain holds a fellowship in endodontics, she has special interest in cosmetic and esthetic dental treatments for which she was trained under the legendary Dr. Deepak Mauchala, Mumbai. She has also completed her training in clinical research from Nagpur, which has made her a Researcher and a Clinician. Her areas of expertise are Endodontics, Aesthetic Dentistry and complete dentures.