Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
Taking good care of your teeth and gums is more just about preventing cavities or bad breath.
The mouth is a window into the health of the body. It can show if you are not eating foods that are best for you or if you may be at risk for a disease. Diseases that affect the entire body (such as diabetes) may be noticed because of mouth sores or other oral problems.
The mouth is filled with many bacteria. Some of these bacteria are linked to tooth decay and periodontal (or gum) disease. Periodontal disease may be connected with diabetes, heart disease and stroke. The exact connection is not yet known.
Periodontal Diseases: What You Should Know
Periodontal disease is an ongoing inflammation caused by bacteria that live in plaque. Plaque is the sticky, colorless film that forms constantly on the teeth and tissues in the mouth. The bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, making them red, tender and likely to bleed. This condition is called gingivitis, and it can lead to more serious types of periodontal disease.
Gingivitis can be reversed if you remove plaque before it builds up. You can do this by brushing twice a day, flossing daily and having your teeth cleaned regularly in the dental office.
If you do not get rid of gingivitis, it can turn into periodontitis, an infection in the spaces between the teeth and gums and around the teeth. Periodontitis is usually not painful. Even so, it can damage the attachment of the gums and bone to the teeth. It can even lead to bone loss. If the disease is not treated at this stage, your teeth may become loose, fall out or require removal by a dentist.
What can you do?
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is very important.
- Brush your teeth well twice a day. In addition, you should floss and even use another between-the-teeth cleaner once a day. Consider also using an antimicrobial (germ-fighting) mouthrinse every day.
- Schedule regular dental visits. Professional cleanings are the only way to remove tartar (or calculus), which traps plaque bacteria along or below the gumline.
- Tell the dentist about changes in your overall health, like any recent illnesses or ongoing conditions. Provide an updated health history including medication use-both prescription and over-the-counter products.
- Don't smoke or chew tobacco. If you use tobacco, talk with us about options for quitting.
- Manage dry mouth. Too little saliva in the mouth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Many medicines cause dry mouth. If you think you may have dry mouth, talk with us about ways to manage it.
Dr. Kurt Hulse and his staff have been providing excellent preventive dental care to patients in Onalaska and the surrounding communities for over 20 years! The team of experts at Hulse Dental care about you, your dental health, and your overall health. Together, they work hard to provide high quality patient focused dentistry to keep your smile healthy and bright. If you need a dentist, contact Hulse Dental by emailing kurthulsedental@gmail.com or call us at 608.783.1306 We would love to have you as our patient!