| Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue, | | | | these particles, but flossing can expose and get rid of |
| it is a serious condition that starts as gingivitis and can | | | | them, reducing gum inflammation and eventual infection. |
| progress to periodontitis. According to the British Dental | | | | Use an eighteen-inch piece of dental floss, with the |
| Health Foundation "19 out of 20 people suffer from | | | | ends wrapped around each forefinger and grasped by |
| gum disease (gingivitis) at some point in their life making | | | | the thumbs. Push it up and down between teeth, |
| it the most common disease in the world | | | | moving along the length of the floss for a clean section |
| During a typical checkup your dentist or dental hygienist | | | | each time you clean another tooth. |
| will remove the plaque and tartar from above and | | | | Use a mouth rinse. An antimicrobial mouth rinse can |
| below the gumline of all your teeth. If you have some | | | | provide extra help in controlling plaque. Listerine is a |
| signs of gingivitis, your dentist may recommend that | | | | good choice and has been approved by the American |
| you return for future cleanings more often than twice | | | | Dental Association. |
| a year. Your dentist may also recommend that you | | | | Medications may be used with treatment that includes |
| use a toothpaste or mouth rinse that is FDA-approved | | | | scaling and root planing, but they cannot always take |
| for fighting gingivitis. | | | | the place of surgery. Depending on the severity of |
| The gum infection treatment for a gum ball, the patient | | | | gum disease, the dentist or periodontist may still |
| is numbed and the gum boil is cleaned out and drained | | | | suggest surgical treatment. Long-term studies will be |
| of pus. An antibiotic chip is placed in the remaining | | | | needed to determine whether using medications |
| pocket and the patient is given a Tetracycline 500mg | | | | reduces the need for surgery and whether they are |
| prescription to take for a week. This causes swelling | | | | effective over a long period of time. |
| and the opposing tooth starts biting down into the | | | | Osseous (bone) surgery sometimes accompanies flap |
| swollen gums. In most cases with Pericornitis, the | | | | surgery. In osseous surgery, some of the bone around |
| patient is placed on Keflex 500 mg for three to seven | | | | the tooth is reshaped. In certain cases, a bone area |
| days and the wisdom tooth is removed. | | | | may be employed to replace lost bone. Splints or other |
| Prevent gum disease by flossing between your teeth | | | | appliances may be used to stabilize loose teeth |
| each day to remove plaque from areas in your mouth | | | | temporarily and may be necessary after completion of |
| that the toothbrush can't reach. To prevent gum | | | | periodontal therapy as well. |
| disease, avoid smoking and using tobacco, limit sweets | | | | Chlorhexidine is a commonly used antiseptic |
| and sugary foods to meal times, and drink lots of | | | | mouthwash. You should rinse your mouth well with |
| water to keep yourself well-hydrated. Avoiding | | | | water between brushing your teeth and using |
| frequent intake of acidic black cola type soft drinks will | | | | chlorhexidine. This is because some ingredients in |
| also help to prevent gum disease. | | | | toothpaste can inactivate chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine |
| Flossing removes food particles from between and | | | | may also stain teeth brown when used regularly. |
| around your teeth, including debris that has gotten | | | | Read about Herbal Remedies and Natural Remedies. |
| wedged into the gum. You may not be able to see | | | | |