Dental Hygiene To Prevent Gum Bleeding

Painful or bleeding gums can have many causes but usually indicate that you already have or are at high risk for developing gum disease. In most cases, plaque at the gum line is causing irritation of the gums. From there, more serious problems can develop.

When plaque is not removed from your teeth it hardens into tartar. Tartar is difficult to impossible to remove at home. When you have plaque and tartar at the gum line it causes inflammation called gingivitis, and from there can progress to periodontitis, a serious gum and jawbone disease.

Good dental hygiene is critical to avoiding bleeding and sore gums, but sometimes it is not enough. Brushing too hard and improper flossing methods can actually create or worsen the problem. Ill-fitting dentures can rub and irritate your gums. Other health issues can also cause your gums to bleed, including:

• Hormonal changes
• Leukemia
• Vitamin K deficiency
• Scurvy
• Blood disorders

If your gums ache or bleed you should talk to your dentist right away. Gum disease is progressive, and once it gets started, no amount of brushing and flossing will turn it around.

In the initial stages, gingivitis, the plaque and tartar can be removed at your dentist’s office during a routine cleaning.

As gum disease progresses, your gums, irritated by the plaque and tartar, begin to pull away from your teeth creating pockets. Bacteria grow in these pockets, preventing your gums from healing, and perpetuating the problem. There is no way for you to clean these pockets in your gums at home. Your dentist, however, can safely remove the bacteria and allow your gums to heal again. Tooth planning is a procedure used to remove the bacteria from between your teeth and gums. If left untreated, gum disease will begin destroying tissue and even your jawbone.

Once the health of your gums has been restored, gum recontouring can be used to restore the beauty of your gums. An uneven gum line can be corrected, and any excess gum tissue can be removed. If you have lost gum tissue due to gum disease, aging, or injury, the missing tissue can be replaced.

Bleeding, painful gums can signify a more serious underlying health problem, and should not be ignored. Your dentist can help you determine if the problem is dental in nature, or if you should seek further medical attention.

Source: Why Do My Gums Hurt and Bleed?

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Dental Health Can Keep Heart Disease Away

Good oral hygiene is important for good general health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to various dental, as well as, medical problems such as gum disease (periodontitis), infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes, oral cancer and more. Regular tooth cleaning and check-ups can help prevent some of these problems and provide you with good oral hygiene as well. Daily brushing and flossing and regular dental check-ups is the best way to prevent gum disease.

Recent studies have found a correlation between heart disease and strokes to gum disease. A professional dental cleaning twice a year will help keep your teeth and gums healthy and could lessen your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Bacterial endocarditis is a common risk associated with gum disease. Bacterial endocarditis is an infection in the lining of the heart or heart valves. The bacteria from infected gums can migrate into the bloodstream and infect the heart.

There are two stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis refers to the early stage of gum disease which can be easily treated if diagnosed early. Gum disease at this stage is often undetected. Periodontitis refers to gum disease in its advance stage, which causes bone loss and is irreversible if left untreated. Studies have shown 80% of the population has some form of gum disease.

Some Symptoms of Gum Disease:

• Frequent bad breath
• Red and swollen gums that bleed easily
• Gums that separate from the teeth
• Loose teeth
• Tooth sensitivity
• Abscessed teeth
• Tooth loss

Source: Teeth Cleaning Helps Prevent Heart Disease

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Bad Breath Causes & Treatment

Latest Dental News: Tonsil stones can cause bad breath

Bad breath is a common health problem which greatly affects the day to day activities of so many people. The offensive odor from the mouth is unpleasant to those who come in close contact with bad breathers.

The problem will be doubled by psychological trauma leading to depression. The sufferers from this problem will be isolated from the society. This can even lead to marital disharmony.

Literally speaking all human beings are bad breathers. Oral cavity contains millions of anaerobic bacteria like fusobacterium and actinomyces which acts on the protein of food materials and putrefies them. This process results in the formation of offensive gases like hydrogen sulphide, methyl mescaptan, cadaverin, skatol causing bad odor. Most of us control this by regular brushing, tongue cleaning and gargling. Even after maintaining cleanliness in the mouth some individuals suffer from offensive smell due to various causes which has to be diagnosed and treated properly.

Here are the most common causes of bad breath.

1. Poor oral hygiene:
If oral hygiene is not maintained properly the mouth becomes the seat for millions of bacteria which produce offensive gases by degrading the food debris. Bad breath is severe in those who do not brush their teeth regularly and clean their mouth after every food. Snacks taken in-between meals can also produce bad breath because of improper cleaning.
Bad breath is common in almost all people in the morning on waking. During sleep there is less production of saliva .Saliva has got some antibacterial properties which help to keep the mouth clean. Saliva contains oxygen molecules which are needed to make oral cavity aerobic. So the reduction in it's quantity during sleep makes a favorable condition for anaerobic bacteria.

2. Food habits:
The main cause of bad smell is due to degradation of protein by the bacteria and hence all food products rich in protein favor bad breath. Meat, fish, milk products, eggs, cakes, nuts, pear can cause bad breath. Some food articles can produce particular type of smell which may be unpleasant. Raw onion can produce typical bad smell. It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a raw onion a day keeps everybody away. Eating groundnuts can also produce bad smell. However if proper cleaning is done smell can be reduced irrespective of the nature of food. Irregularity in timing of food can also produce bad breath. Small food articles taken in between the meals can also produce bad smell.

3. Biofilm:
There is formation of a thin sticky coating called biofilm on the tongue and oral mucosa. This coating is thick on the posterior aspect of the tongue where millions of gram negative bacteria are seen .The thick coating on the tongue is always associated with bad breath. Even a thin biofilm can make anaerobic condition favorable for bacterial proliferation.

4. Dental caries:
This is a destructive process causing decalcification with destruction of enamel and dentine resulting in cavitisation of the tooth. These are produced mainly by the lactobacilli. Food particles are deposited inside these cavities and are putrefied by the anaerobic bacteria producing bad smell. Normal brushing will not remove the food debris easily and hence they are putrefied completely. Caries are common in schoolgoing children and in those who do not maintain proper oral hygiene .Calcium and vitamin deficiency can also predispose caries.

5. Gingivitis:
Gum is a mucus membrane with supporting connective tissue covering the tooth bearing borders of the jaw .The main function of gum is protection .Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gum .Due to various causes gum tissue get infected resulting in swelling, pain and discharge. If the condition becomes worse the infection spread towards periodontal area leading to continuous discharge called pyorrhea. Some times the infection goes deep producing alveolar abscess with discharge of pus. Infection can even reach the bone causing osteomyelitis. All these conditions can produce offensive smell.

6. Gum retraction:
When the gums retract from the teeth a gap is developed which will lodge food particles and cause bad breath.

7. Dental plaques and tartar deposits:
Plaques and tartar is deposited mainly in the gaps between the teeth and gum. This will provide shelter for the food debris and bacteria causing bad breath.

8. Ulcerative lesions and coatings:
Almost all ulcerative lesions of the mouth are associated with bad breath. These lesions may be caused by bacteria, viruses, food allergies or due to autoimmune disorders. Apthous ulcer is the commonest among ulcerative lesions. Others are herpes, fungal infections, vincents angina, infectious mononucleosis, scarlet fever, diphtheria, drug reactions. Cancerous ulcers produce severe bad breath. All fungal infections produce white coating (candidiasis.. Leucoplakia is a white thick patch on the mucus membrane of the mouth and tongue. It is considered as a precancerous condition. Offensive breath is associated with these conditions.

9. Diseases of the salivary glands:
Saliva is very useful to supply oxygen to all parts of the oral cavity. Even a thin film of coating called biofilm can provide an anaerobic condition in the mouth. Saliva can wet these layers and make an aerobic condition which is unfavorable for the bacteria .Any condition which reduces the production of saliva can increase bacterial activity. Some times the salivary duct is obstructed by stones or tumors. Cancer of the salivary gland is associated with offensive odor. In suppurative parotitis purulant discharge into the mouth causes bad breath.

10. Tonsillitis:
Tonsils are a pair of lymphoid tissue situated in the lateral wall of oropharynx. Inflammation of the tonsil is called tonsillitis. Bad breath is seen in both acute and chronic tonsillitis. Quinsy or peritonsillar abscess can also produce bad breath.

11. Tonsillar plaques and tonsillar fluid:
If bad breath persists even after maintaining proper oral hygiene there is possibility of this condition. Serous fluid secreted from the folds of tonsil is very offensive. Some patients complain that they hawk some cheesy materials from the throat, which are very offensive in nature. These are formed inside the tonsillar crypts which contain thousands of bacteria. In such conditions tonsillectomy gives noticeable relief from bad breath.

12. Pharyngitis and pharyngeal abscess:
Pharynx is a fibro muscular tube which forms the upper part of the digestive and respiratory tract. Inflammation of the pharynx is called pharyngitis, caused mainly by bacteria and viruses. Bad breath is present in pharyngitis along with other signs like cough and throat irritation. Abscesses in the wall of pharynx can also produce offensive discharge of pus in to the throat.

13. Dentures:
Denture users may complain about bad smell due to lodgment of small food debris in between. Proper brushing may not be possible in denture users especially fixed dentures.

14. Tobacco:
Tobacco chewing is associated with bad breath. The smell of tobacco itself is unpleasant for others. Tobacco can irritate the mucus membrane and cause ulcers and coatings. Gingivitis and pyorrhea are common in tobacco chewers. Tartar is deposited on the teeth mainly near the gums. Tobacco chewers get gastric acidity with eructations. All these cause offensive smell.

15. Smoking:
Smokers always have bad smell. It can also produce lesions in the mouth and lungs causing bad breath. Smoking increases carbon dioxide in the oral cavity and reduces oxygen level, causing a favorable condition for bacteria. Smoking reduces appetite and thirst hence acid peptic disease is common in chain smokers.

16. Lesions in the nose and ear:
Bad breath is occasionally seen in sinusitis (infection of para nasal sinuses.. In case of post nasal dripping bad breath is common due to the presence of protein in the discharges. These proteins are degraded by the bacteria. Infection in the middle ear with discharge of pus in to the throat through the Eustachian tube (passage from middle ear to the throat. can also cause offensive odor. Chronic rhinitis (infection of mucus membrane of nose. and foreign bodies in the nose can also produce bad smell in the expired air.

17. Diabetes mellitus:
Mostly all diabetic patients suffer from bad breath. Coated tongue, ulcers and coatings in the mouth, increased sugar level in tissues are responsible for halitosis. Bacterial growth in diabetic patient is very faster than non diabetic individuals.

18. Fevers:
Bad breath is common in almost all fevers. Even an acute fever can produce bad breath. Severe bad breath is seen in typhoid .Other infectious diseases like Tuberculosis, AIDS produce bad smell.

19. Fasting and dehydration:
Dry mouth favors bacterial activity. So any condition which produces dryness in the mouth makes the breath offensive. Even though the food particles are known to produce bad breath, fasting can also produce the same. Production of saliva is also reduced during fasting. Chewing and swallowing also helps to keep the mouth clean.

20. Bedridden patients:
Bedridden patients suffer from offensive breath due to thick coating on the tongue. Water intake is also limited in these patients. Regurgitation of food aggravates the condition. Since they talk less aeration in the oral cavity is reduced which favors anaerobic bacteria to become active.

21. Diseases of stomach and esophagus:
Eructation of gas and food produce unpleasant smell. Abnormality in the function of lower sphincter can allow the food to regurgitate upwards causing bad breath. Bad breath is also common in gastritis, gastric ulcer and cancer of stomach.

22. Intestinal diseases:
Bad breath is common in patients suffering from ulcerative lesions of intestine like ulcerative colitis. Other diseases are malabsorption syndrome intestinal tuberculosis, peritonitis.

23. Diseases of lungs:
Lung diseases like pneumonia, lung abscess, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, lung cancer can produce bad odor during expiration.

24. Liver disorders:
Liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis, can cause halitosis. Gall bladder diseases with vomiting also causes unpleasant odor.

25. Psychiatric patients:
Bad breath is common in psychotic patients due to poor hygiene, irregular food habits, less water intake and.

26. Somatisation disorder:
This is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of a physical symptom that suggest a medical illness .These patients come with physical complaints like pain, nausea difficult respiration, bad smell. This condition is diagnosed after detailed examination of the patient with all investigations. Since this is a psychiatric disorder it has to be managed with a psychological approach.

Source: The most common Causes of Bad Breath

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Cosmetic Dentistry: Great Way to Improve Face Look

Discolored, chipped or missing teeth can affect self-confidence. A person may be reluctant to smile with parted lips if they feel their teeth are unattractive.

Cosmetic dentistry can make substantial improvements to every kind of smile. There are techniques to deal with discolored, chipped, gapped, crooked or missing teeth.

In severe cases, orthodontic treatment may be needed. This is a specialized branch of dentistry that corrects jaw and teeth misalignments with devices such as braces. You can simply ask your cosmetic dentist, or specialist for further information and advice on improving the look of your smile.

Many people ask me what exactly Cosmetic Dentistry is and what is consists of... Below is a little description:

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

This style of dentistry is any treatment which:

" Improves the look (or aesthetic aspect) of the teeth.

" The services available are bleaching for the front teeth.

" Reconstruction of the teeth with crowns or veneers

" Orthodontic treatment to change the position of the teeth.

" All of this is considered to be cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic Dentistry is a great way to improve the look of your entire face, your mouth is the focal point when you smile for photos, or simply when chatting to people.

Your smile is the first impression you make on others, so make it stand out. Many people are unaware that simple inexpensive procedures can be done that will dramatically effect your smile. the way you look also effects the way you feel. So truly this can be said that investing in a new smile could be one of the wisest investment you could make.

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Dental Problems May Affect Overall Health

For many people, the relation between oral health and systemic body conditions is abstract at best. Few of us know that dental problems have consequences that extend far beyond the mouth.

Most of us think that dental problems would result at worst in a few fallen teeth or some painful hours in the dentists’ chair. Yet, bad oral health can result in long-term health issues such as heart disease and stroke that can be potentially fatal. This article reviews the possible effect of oral health on general body health.

Dental problems arise as a result of poor oral hygiene. The accumulation of harmful bacteria in the dental cavities can result in formation of plaque and tartar. Tartar provides a very conducive environment for the development of bacterial populations, which as a consequence rise dramatically.

An infection arises, leading to conditions such as root decay and gum disease. If the bacterial growth is not checked, the infection can reach the bloodstream. This is when the real complications occur.

Dental Problems and Heart Disease

Harmful bacteria entering the bloodstream attach to fatty plaques already present in the arteries of the body. This hastens the formation of arterial blockages (blood clots) that result in thrombosis. The bacteria can also reach the chambers of the heart where they get lodged and start an infection. The result is infective endocarditis. After some time, this infection produces growths that break off into the bloodstream and attach to other critical organs, resulting in a generalized infection.

Dental Problems and Diabetes

Diabetes and dental problems are mutually reinforcing diseases. Dental problems result in the production of cytokines, which increase the body’s resistance to insulin and make blood sugar difficult to control. Diabetes, on the other hand, reduces the capacity of the body to heal itself and therefore increases the likelihood of dental infections and abscesses.

Dental Problems and Low Birth Weight

Internal infections in pregnant women, originating from the mouth, have been known to cause low birth weights and premature birth. Cytokines produced during infections cause the production of the hormone prostaglandin. This hormone acts as a trigger for labor and thus results in premature birth. Pregnant women with oral infections have up to seven times greater risk of giving birth to a premature baby than those with normal oral health.

Other conditions that have been linked to oral hygiene include Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis. So be very cautious with your dental health.

Glasgow dentist | Glasgow cosmetic surgery | Glasgow cosmetic dentist

Dental Problems Affect Overall Health

Dental Treatment Tips on Gum Disease

Gum disease has a two-fold effect on your life. Firstly, unchecked, it can cause plenty of pain and discomfort and eventual tooth loss and secondly, it can hurt your hip pocket and cost you thousands of dollars in treatment and maintenance costs.

The irony is gum disease doesn't have to be a major factor in your life. Proper dental hygiene and care with regular visits to your dentist can keep it under control.

Preventing Gum Disease

Effective tooth brushing techniques combined with a regular routine of flossing is a great start in keeping gum disease at bay. Plaque build up which is untreated will eventually lead to gum disease however, regular brushing and flossing can remove most of this plaque. Plaque build up between the teeth is hard to reach with a tooth brush. Dental floss can reach these areas and remove most of the plaque.

For complete peace of mind, schedule regular dental visits; these can be every three to six months and will involve clearing those plaque deposits which are unreachable by brush or lossing techniques and which settle under the gums.

What's The Cost Of Not Practising Good Dental Hygiene

It's amazing how quickly gum disease can wreak havoc on your teeth. Without regular brushing and flossing, gum disease can lead to major tooth loss in a matter of just a few years. The loss of teeth is bad enough but the pain and discomfort associated with it is an ugly price to pay for performing simple dental due diligence. Bleeding gums and the formation of abcesses are part and parcel of the process of gum disease however, the effect on your health should also be considered.

Another factor to consider is when gum disease is rampant and you decide it's time to take action the damage may have already been done. A dentist will certainly begin effective treatment methods to clear up infection however, for some teeth, it could be too late.

Gum Disease Prevention And Control Tips

It's not rocket science in maintaining good dental hygienge. The following four-step checklist will give you a good platform in which to keep gum disease in check.

1. Daily oral hygiene is a must. Regular brushing and flossing at least twice a day.

2. If you notice bleeding from your gums don't ignore it. Schedule an appointment with your dentist who will recommend a treatment program. Bleeding is usually the first sign of gum disease and if acted on quickly, can usually be cleared up without long, on-going treatment.

3. Regular dental visits at least twice a year should be maintained. Your cosmetic dentist will perform cleaning involving clearing plaque and calculus build up around and between the teeth and below the gum surface.

4. Gum pockets are an area most people are not aware of. Build up in gum pockets can lead to abcess formation and infection and only you dentist can identify and treat the areas affected

Source: How To Prevent And Control Gum Disease | Glasgow botox