As a young mother, I was reasonably ignorant when raising my firstborn. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her take better care of her teeth. Like many people, I didn't realise the importance of baby teeth, resulting in long-term dental problems. Recently, my daughter got married and some of my tears were for the beautiful, glistening smile she presented to the cameras. Ever since I realised the dental damage I had caused, I had been saving for my daughter to have cosmetic dentistry. The results are remarkable. During the course of this journey, I have learnt a lot about caring for children's teeth and corrective procedures that can be undertaken when issues arise. I am sure many of you would be interested in the latest knowledge and techniques that are available to prevent and repair dental complications. I'm Margret Devlin - thanks for visiting.
Gum disease is a dental condition where the gums become red, inflamed, and can bleed easily. Severe gum disease can cause substantial loss of bone and tissue that hold the teeth in place. Most people are familiar with the common causes of gum disease. They include poor oral hygiene such as not brushing and regularly flossing the teeth, and failure to visit the dentist regularly for checkups and plaque removal. However, did you know there are other factors other than oral hygiene that may contribute to gum disease? Read on to find out.
Inherited genes
Did you know that some people are genetically prone to gum disease? If there is a history of gum disease in your family, it could be genetically inherited. In such a case, you need to pay more attention to routine brushing and flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly. Also, check out for any early signs of gum disease such as bleeding after brushing or flossing and red gums. You can get treatment before the condition advances.
Uncontrolled diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes leaves patients vulnerable to other infections, including gum disease. On the other hand, gum disease contributes to increasing blood sugar and may cause diabetes. Since these two conditions are correlated, it is necessary to have them contained. If you suffer from diabetes, ensure blood sugar levels are kept under control and practice good oral hygiene to avoid chances of gum disease. If you suffer from gum disease, you should get treatment before the condition raises sugar levels in the blood.
Certain medication
There are particular types of medication that can reduce the flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva protects the teeth and gums by preventing the mouth from drying. If your mouth remains dry for extended periods, you can be at high risk of suffering from gum disease. Such medication includes anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antacids, and some vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements. While taking these drugs and supplements may be inevitable, you can take some measures to prevent drying out of the mouth. They include drinking water regularly throughout the day, chewing gum to stimulate saliva production, or using mouthwashes that treat a dry mouth.
Gum disease is a serious dental condition that should be addressed before it advances to bone loss around the teeth. If you are exposed to these three factors, you should take extra oral hygiene to ensure you don't suffer from gum disease. Also, you should get checked regularly for any signs of gum disease for prompt treatment by a periodontist.
Share20 June 2016
