999 Dental

Causes of bad breath ?

Bad breath is a common health problem which greately affects the daytoday activities of somany people. The offenssive odor from the mouth is unpleasent 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 wil be isolated from the society. This can even lead to marital disharmony.

Literally speaking all humanbeings are badbreathres. Oral cavity contains millions of anaerobic bacteria like fusobacterium and actinomyces which acts on the protein of food materials and putrifies them. This process results in the formation of offenssive gases like hydrogen sulphide,methyl mescaptan,cadaverin,skatol,putrescine ect causing bad odor. If oral hygiene is not maintained properly all will suffer from bad breath. Most of us control this by regular brushing,tongue cleaning and gargling. Even after maintining cleanliness in the mouth some individuals suffer from offenssive smell due to various causes which has to be diagnosed and treated properly.

Some 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 offenssive 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 inbetween meals can also produce bad breath because of improper cleaning.
Badbreath 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 conains oxygen molecules which is needed to make oral cavity aerobic. So the reduction in it’s quantity during sleep makes a favourable 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 favours bad breath. Meat,fish,milk products, eggs,cakes,nuts,pear and ect can cause bad breath. Some food articles can produce particular type of smell which may be unpleasent. 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 bacteriae are seen .The thick coating on the tongue is always associated with badbreath. Even a thin biofilm can make anaerobic condition favourable for bacterial proliferation.

4) Dental caries:

This is a destructive process causing decalcification with distruction 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 putrified by the anaerobic bacteria producing bad smell. Normal brushing will not remove the food debris easily and hence they are putrified completely. Caries are common in schoolgoing children and in those who donot 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 become worse the infection spread towards peridontal area leading to continuous discharge called pyorrhoea. 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 offenssive 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.

Ulcerative lesions& 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 amoung ulcerative lesions. Others are herpes,fungal infections,vincents angina,infectious mononucleosis,scarlet fever,diphtheria,drug reactions and ect. 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 & tongue. It is considered as a precancerous condition. Offenssive 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 unfavourable 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 offenssive odor. In suppurative parotitis purulant dischrge in to 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 & tonsillar fluid:

If bad breath persists even after maintaining proper oral hygeine there is possibility of this condition. Serous fluid secreated from the folds of tonsil is very offenssive. Some patients complain that they hawk some cheesy materials from the throat;which are very offenssive in nature. These are formed inside the tonsillar crypts which contain thousands of bacteriae. In such conditions tonsillectomy gives noticiable relief from bad breath.

12) Pharyngitis& pharyngial abscess:

Pharynx is a fibromuscular tube which forms the upper part of the digestive & respiratory tract. Inflmmation 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 offenssive discharge of pus in to the throat.

13) Dentures:

Denture users may complain about bad smell due to lodgement 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 unpleasent for others. Tobacco can irritate the mucus membrane and cause ulcers and coatings. Gingivitis and pyorrhoea are common in tobacco chewers. Tartar is deposited on the teeth mainly near the gums. Tobacco chewers get gastric acidity with eructations. All these causes offenssive smell.

15) Smoking:

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

16) Lesions in the nose & 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 offenssive odor. Chronic rhinitis(infection of mucus membrane of nose) and forign 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 &coatings in the mouth ,increased sugar level in tissues ect are responsible for bad breath.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 ect produce bad smell.

19) Fasting & dehydration:

Dry mouth favours bacterial activity. So any condition which produce dryness in the mouth makes the breath offenssive. Eventhough 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 offenssive 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 favours anaerobic bacteria to become active.

21) Diseases of stomach & esophagus:

Eructation of gas and food produce unpleasent 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 collitis..Other diseases are malabsorption syndrome intestinal tuberculosis, peritonitis ect.

23) Diseases of lungs:

Lung diseases like pneumonia, lung abscess,chronic bronchitis,bronchiectasis,tuberculosis, lung cancer ect can produce bad odor during expiration.

24) Liver disorders:

Liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis,can cause bad breath.Gall bladder diseases with vomiting also causes unpleasent odor.

25) Psychiatric patients:

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

26) Somatisation disorder:

This is a psychiatric disorder charecterised 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 ect. 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.

[ THE POINTS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION. ANY PERSON HAVING BAD BREATH SHOULD CONSULT A QUALIFIED DOCTOR ]

John Ugoshowa
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/bad-breath-76153.html

ad breath is a common health problem in the society.Offenssive smell from the mouth may be due to various reasons.The main reason is the presence of anaerobic bacteria in the biofilm formed on the tongue .These bacteria degrades the proteins present in the food resulting in the production of some offenssive gases like hydrogen sulphide,skatol ect.

Bad odor from the mouth in the early morning is seen in almost all individuals.This can be controlled by maintaining oral hygiene.Even after cleaning the mouth some individuals may suffer from bad breath due to some problem in the mouth or in the nearby areas.Some general disease condition can also produce bad breath.Exact cause has to be identified and should be treated accordingly.Some common measures to cure or reduce bad breath are discussed here.

1) Oral hygiene:

Mouth should be kept clean every time to reduce the bacterial action.After food gargling with lukewarm water is very essential.Even after small food articles like snacks,sweets,buscuits cleaning with water is needed.Brushing should be done twice daily.It is said that early morning brushing is for beauty and bed time brushing is for good health.

2) Brushing techniques:

Normal brushing technique should be followed for better result.Many people brush vigorously causing damage to the gums.Brushing after every food and drink can damage the enamel .Bristles of the tooth brush should be smooth but hard enough to remove the food particles from the gaps.The direction of brushing is the most important thing.The upper teeth should be brushed in a downward direction and the lower in upward direction.This is applicable to both inner and outer surfaces.Next comes the crown of the teeth;here brushing is done in anterior and posterior direction keeping the brush in same direction.This applicable to both upper and lower set of teeth.

3) Tongue cleaning:

White or yellowish coating on the tongue can cause bad breath.This is more well marked in the morning and should be removed twice daily with the healp of a tongue cleaner. Tongue cleaner must be used gently without damaging the taste buds on the tongue.

4) Tooth pick:

Tooth pick is a small strip of wood or plastic with a pointed end.This is used to remove food particles lodged between the gaps.Very useful after eating meat and fish.Should be used gently to avoid damage to gums.

5) Gargling:

After every meal gargling with lukewarm water is useful.For better result little common salt is dissolved in the lukewarm water .Different types of mouth wash is available in the market in different trade names.Gargling with mouth wash can also reduce bad breath.

6) Food habits:

Protein containing food articles are known to produce bad breath. Example; meat, milk, fish, egg etc. If these food articles are taken proper cleaning is essential.Some food articles are known to produce particular smell which may be unpleasent for others. Raw onion is the best example.It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away and a raw onion a day keep every body away.Small food articles taken in between can also cause bad smell(nuts,fried items etc).Maintaining regularity in food timing is the most important thing.

7) Water intake:

Dryness in the mouth can make a favourable condition for the bacterial activity resulting in bad odor.saliva is needed to keep the mouth moist and to reduce the bacterial proliferation.Production of saliva is closely related with water balance of the body and hence sufficient quantity of water should be taken to maintain the production of saliva.

Mouth freshners:

Natural and artificial mouth freshners can reduce the intensity of bad breath to some extent.Spicy articles are commonly used for this purpose.Chewing spices like clove,cumin seed,cardomom,cinnamon,ginger ect are useful. All citrus fruits can reduce bad odor.Mouth freshners and chewing gums are available in the market.these products are also helpful ,but some may cause damage hence should be used with caution.

If the above things doesn’t work then what to do ?

Consider the following:-

1) Remove the cause:

Bad breath is common in some general and systemic diseases like diabetes,fevers,gastric disorders,liver diseases and ect.By removing or reducing the primary cause the bad breath will go automatically.

2) Modern medicine:

If bad breath is due to any infection suitable antibiotics,anti fungal or anti viral medicines will help.If it is due to any autoimmune or chronic inflamatory conditions steroids may also be used.Saliva producing tablets can also be used.

3) Dental cleaning:

Dental cleaning done by a dentist can remove the dental plaques and tartar. This can reduce the severity of bad breath.Visit your dentist atleast once in a year.

4) Filling of caries:

Since caries are one of the main cause for bad breath it should be filled by a dentist.Earlier silver amalgam was used ,nowadays it is replaced by synthetic materials.If the pulp cavity is affected by the caries root canal treatment can be done.

5) Tooth extraction:

If caries are deep with destruction of teeth with bad smell extraction is the better choice and a dental implant can be kept in the gap.

6) Tonsillectomy:

Patients with recurrent tonsillitis can have bad breath due to offenssive discharges and release of pasty materials from the crypts of tonsils.Such patients get great relief after tonsillectomy(removal of tonsils).

7) Psychological counselling:

Those who suffer from bad breath may be very much depressed and they be away from the public .This isolation hampers their daytoday activities.Such people should understand the fact that all humanbeings are having bad breath, but with slight differences in intensities.Mostly all people control it by taking personal care.Every human body has got it’s own smell,that may or may not be tolerable for others.They should be adviced to do all hygienic meashures to reduce the intensity of smell.Improving the quality of life by all possible means can also help.Moral support from friends and family members are needed for such people.

Some individuals visit the doctor for bad breath without any real problem.It is included under somatisation disorder.They usually complain about pain, breathlessness,abdominal discomfort,bad smell ect.proper diagnosis is needed to rule out any real causes.These patients should be managed with a psychological approach.

Homoeopathy:

In Homoeopathy medicines are selected on the basis of physical ,mental,emotional,and social aspects of the diseased person.Considering the whole aspects a constitutional homoeopathic medicine is selected and given in suitable potency and dose.By this all health related problems including bad breath will be solved.On the basis of coating on the tongue,type of smell,cause for bad breath,and other associated complaints a medicine can be given to get relief from bad breath.In the homoeopathic medical repertory by Dr Robin Murphy there are 140 homoeopathic drugs mentioned for bad breath.On the basis of signs and symptoms of the individual a suitable medicine is given.Commonly used drugs are arnica, antim crud, pulsatilla, sulphur, psorinum, nux vomica, ars alb, merc sol, kreosot, hekla lava, silicea, asafoitida, graphites, kali bich, acid nitric etc.

Homoeopathic mother tinctures like cinnamon Q,kreosot Q,zingiber Q,rhus glabra Q,menthol Q and ect can be used for gargling after diluting in water.

[POINTS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE IS FOR GENERAL AWARENESS. ANY BODY SUFFERING FROM BAD BREATH SHOULD CONSULT A DOCTOR.]

John Ugoshowa
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/cure-of-bad-breath-76152.html

Everywhere we look now we see people with bright, luminescent smiles and teeth. Rarely do we see anyone with yellow, discolored teeth on TV anymore. Some of the actors have smiles so white and bright that it looks fake and you know they had their teeth whitened.

The popular sitcom Friends even did a spoof on teeth whitening where one of the characters teeth were so white after treatment that they glowed in the dark like they were irradiated. So, what actually is tooth or dental whitening, how much does it cost, why is it so popular, and what kind of results can one expect?

Basically, tooth or dental whitening is a controlled oxygen bleaching of the tooth enamel. As any good dentist will tell you it works better on some than others and not everyone is a good candidate (kind of like with laser eye surgery). It will not work on any fake teeth like porcelain veneers, ceramic implants, etc. It only works on real teeth. The main ingredient is either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide which are both oxidizers and will bleach tooth enamel.

Over the counter kits and products generally have a low percentage of the main oxidizing ingredient (usually in the range of 2 to 6%). This is minimally effective at best. Dentists, plastic and oral surgeons will use a 30 to 35% solution and will add to this a high power blue or white plasma or laser light to hyper increase the oxidizing activity of the treatment.

The difference is that the over the counter kits and products may, after many treatments, whiten your teeth 1 to 2 shades whereas the in office treatments like Zoom (one of the most popular name brands for professional teeth whitening today) will in a hour or so whiten the teeth 8 to 14 shades. This is an enormous difference, but also there is a big price that comes with this in office whitening (usually $400 to $500 and most insurance companies do not cover this treatment).

Also, another thing to watch out for is many dentists are using the whitening to lure customers into unnecessary and expensive treatments above and beyond the whitening. Many people are finding that when they make the appointment for the whitening that the dentist tells them they need their remaining wisdom teeth removed, cavities treated even when there are none, and numerous other non routine requirements like deep cleaning requiring anesthesia for someone whom has no cavities or gum disease.

Numerous people have found that each dentist they see in some areas like Chicago, IL and Charlotte, NC gives them a different story and different requirements.

David Maillie
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/why-is-tooth-whitening-so-popular-106530.html

We all want a perfect smile and know that it can definitely help land that big sale or contract or even get that pay raise or new job. But, except for a very few, most of us are not born with perfect or even anywhere near close to perfect teeth.

Most of us have some crooked teeth, a little discoloration, a chip or two, maybe a gap or even a missing tooth. Basically, 90% or more of us could really use a complete dental makeover and it is so expensive and so outrageous a concept that it really never crosses our mind as it is disregarded as an impossibility. That is now changing as dental porcelain veneers are quickly becoming cheaper and a great, quick alternative with massive life altering results.

It used to be that for people with crooked and bad teeth they either had to have extensive dental surgery, braces and orthodontics (which will not help as much in adults as it does in youth), or resort to going through life without smiling or hiding their teeth and having a much lower self esteem.

Dental surgery, braces and orthodontics are quite expensive and much of it is not covered under insurance plans. For less money, one can now have thin porcelain veneers applied to their teeth and this can instantly correct misaligned and crooked teeth. It can also whiten the frontal 16 to 20 teeth (what is usually treated) and make them look like a stars mouth with a perfect or near perfect smile.

Basically what a dentist or oral surgeon will do for cosmetic porcelain veneers is they will first do a thorough and deep cleaning of your teeth. After this they will use a grinding or abrasion tool and effectively remove about 1 to 2 mm of surface area on your teeth which are to receive the veneers (the back teeth will not usually be veneered as no one can see them when you talk or smile).

After this, and not before, they will make impressions of your teeth. There are several different methods and kits by different manufacturers used to do this but the results are the same. These impressions will be used to make the veneers. The reason for the grinding down of the surface of the teeth is to provide a better bonding surface and to provide room for correction of crooked or misaligned teeth.

The dentist or oral surgeon does not make the actual veneers. They are outsourced to medical companies that specifically specialize in dental veneers. It is quite interesting to note that the porcelain dental veneers are actually quite fragile until installed and properly bonded or cemented to the teeth. Then they are very strong and are pretty much as strong or even stronger than your original teeth.

It is far less often that a dental veneer gets broken or chipped than as with real teeth. So, once you have them installed you can pretty much enjoy your new smile and look without a whole lot of worries.

David Maillie
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/correct-your-smile-with-cosmetic-dental-veneers-107372.html

More than 75 percent of Americans over 35 have some form of gum disease. What is gum disease? The term gum disease or periodontal disease, describes bacterial growth and production of factors that gradually destroy the tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth.

Gum disease begins with plaque, which is always forming on your teeth without you even knowing it. When it accumulates to excessive levels, it hardens into a substance called tartar in as little as 24 hours. Tartar is so tightly bound to teeth that it can only be removed during a professional cleaning.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two main stages of gum disease. Periodontal disease may progress painlessly producing a few obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease.

Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease. They include:

1. Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing.
2. Red swollen or tender gums.
3. Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth.
4. Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums.
5. Loose or shifting teeth.
6. Changes in the way teeth fit together on biting or in the fit of partial dentures.

What you can do to prevent gum disease is brush teeth regularly. This removes plaque and food debris on a daily basis. Many people brush their teeth but they neglect to floss. Flossing is important because it gets into those hard to reach places and removes sticky food particles that a tooth brush just can not reach. Regular dental visits are important to stop any developing conditions that an untrained person cannot detect. In addition, any tartar build up from the hardening of plaque, can be removed and treated so that it does not advance to a more serious condition.

Smoking is one of the leading factors in the formation of periodontitis, which could serve as motivation for quitting.

Tracking It Down and Treating It
Gum disease can be sneaky, sometimes causing little or no pain or irritation before permanent damage is done to your teeth. That is why regular dentist visits are a must. With X-rays and a thorough examination, a dentist or dental hygienist can spot trouble before you know it is there.

The earlier that gum disease is caught, the better. Adopting better brushing and flossing habits can usually reverse gingivitis. Sometimes your dentist will also prescribe antibiotics or a special antibacterial mouth rinse to tackle the problem.

Once someone develops periodontitis, it is not as easy to control. Usually there is widespread infection of the gums that need to be treated. This may require several special treatments either by a dentist or a periodontist, an expert who specializes in the care of gum disease.

Some of the ways dentists and periodontists may treat periodontitis are:

1. Scaling or root planning. These deep-cleaning measures involve scraping and removing plaque and tartar from teeth above and below the gum line.
2. Antibiotics. These and other medications are often used together with scaling and root planning to stop the spread of infection and inflammation in the mouth. They come in several different forms that range from medicated mouthwashes to antibiotic-containing gels or fibers that are placed in gum pockets to slowly kill bacteria and help gums to heal.
3. Surgery. Advanced cases of periodontitis may require a dentist to open and clean badly diseased gum pockets, then stitch the gums back into place to fit more snugly around the teeth.
4. Gingival grafting. If gum tissue is too diseased to sew back together, a dentist removes healthy gum tissue from another part of the mouth and stitches it into place. The graft replaces the diseased tissue and helps to anchor the teeth, giving them an improved appearance.

While undergoing treatment for periodontitis, its especially important to take special care of your teeth and gums to see lasting improvement. This includes flossing and brushing every day and quitting habits that means bad news for the mouth, such as smoking or eating sugary snacks between meals.

Jim Martinez
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/fighting-gum-disease-95794.html

Periodontal diseases (diseases of the gum, including gingivitis and periodontitis) are serious infections of one or many teeth that can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection affecting the gums and the bones supporting the teeth. The word periodontal means “around the tooth.”

In the early stages of periodontal disease, your gums may be red and bleed easily. This is the stage called gingivitis, and is usually due to inadequate oral hygiene. Paying more attention to brushing and flossing your teeth, and regular visits to your dentist, can reverse this condition. Dr. Michael Iottâ??s staff is thoroughly trained and knowledgeable in the diagnosis and treatment of gingivitis. Click here to schedule an evaluation and discuss steps you can take to reverse the symptoms of this insidious disease.

Left untreated, gingivitis advances to periodontitis. As plaque spreads and grows below your gum line, the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, breaking down and destroying tissue and bone. As a result, your gums separate from your teeth, forming infected spaces between the teeth and gums. As the infection progresses, these spaces destroy more gum and bone. Although you may have very mild symptoms, the sad truth is that your teeth will eventually become loose and require removal.

Unfortunately, losing your teeth is not the only eventuality with periodontitis. Studies show a clear correlation between gum disease and heart disease, highlighting the fact that people with gum disease have a 25 percent greater risk of heart disease than those with healthy gums. Although scientists have just begun to understand how one disease affects another, they now believe that inflammatory gum disease releases pro-inflammatory chemicals into the bloodstream, triggering a systemic inflammatory response. In other words, inflammation in one area of the body can cause inflammation in another. Additionally, people with poor oral health that includes missing and decayed teeth tend to suffer from poor nutrition, because eating a nutritious diet high in fiber, fruits and vegetables is more difficult. This too can affect heart health.

How will Dr. Iott treat your gum disease? His goal is to remove plaque and make it difficult for plaque to reform. If your gum disease is mild, Dr. Iott may able to begin the healing of your gums with a good cleaning and instructions for more careful brushing and flossing at home.

However, once hard layers of tartar have formed, youâ??ll need Dr. Iottâ??s assistance to remove it with a special implement called a â??scaling toolâ??. Once all the tartar has been removed, the hygienist will polish your teeth, making it more difficult for bacteria to attach. An antiseptic mouthwash may be recommended by Dr. Iott to control plaque temporarily, but these should not be used for more than one month.

If you have developed the deep pockets typical of periodontitis, Dr. Iott will clean these as often as every two months until the infection can be brought under control. Additionally, root planning may be needed, where the infected base around the root of your tooth is removed.

Maintaining good oral hygiene at home and seeing Dr. Iott twice a year for cleanings will help you to avoid many of these unpleasant oral conditions. To avoid gum disease and keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape, here are a few tips:

· brush at least twice daily

· use a fluoride toothpaste to protect against decay

· use a toothbrush with soft or medium synthetic bristles that has a head small enough to comfortably reach all around your mouth

· use a gentle circular action and brush all surfaces of your teeth thoroughly

Patricia Woloch
http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/gingivitis-and-heart-disease-how-are-they-related-325775.html