| is much that you can and should do to maintain healthy | | | | advances, the gums become swollen, painful and |
| teeth and gums. Tooth decay is the result of a build up | | | | bleed. Plus halitosis (bad breath) is also present. |
| of plaque on the surface of the teeth. Plaque | | | | Periodontitis has all the symptoms of gingivitis but teeth |
| comprises a coating of saliva that hosts bacteria. The | | | | may also be loose and abscesses may form in the |
| bacteria in turn create an acid that causes the enamel | | | | pockets between the gums and a tooth. |
| to decay. The plaque is also responsible for the two | | | | Gingivitis can be treated by scaling, a process in which |
| common gum diseases, gingivitis and periodontitis. | | | | the build-up of plaque and tartar is removed from each |
| However, proper dental hygiene can prevent the | | | | tooth. Periodontitis is not as easy to treat however. |
| formation of plaque. | | | | Scaling and planing are done to remove the calcified |
| Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth ideally | | | | deposits from the roots of the teeth. But if deep |
| after every time you eat but a minimum of twice a | | | | pockets have formed, the dentist may not be able to |
| day, morning and night. You should use a soft-bristle | | | | clean as deeply as required and surgery may be |
| brush and replace it every three to four months. You | | | | needed. The surgery involves cutting the gum to |
| should also choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride. | | | | expose the roots and bone. The root is then cleaned |
| And you need to floss every time you brush. Follow | | | | and sometimes the bone is reshaped. Then the gum is |
| the brushing and flossing with a mouthwash. If you use | | | | sewn back up, |
| a fluoride mouthwash it can help prevent tooth decay. | | | | A dental abscess is another problem that involves a |
| An antiseptic mouthwash will kill some bacteria. You | | | | pouch of infected tissue either between the teeth and |
| also need to schedule a visit to the dentist every six | | | | gums or at the root of a tooth. If the abscess is |
| months for professional cleaning and a routine | | | | between the teeth and gums it is called a periodontal |
| examination. | | | | abscess. If it is located at the root of the tooth it is |
| Everyone should be aware of some common dental | | | | called a tooth abscess. Dental abscesses are |
| problems and be on the lookout for their symptoms. A | | | | exceedingly painful and since an infection is involved |
| common gum disease is gingivitis. It is an inflammation | | | | you may have a fever. Dental abscesses are treated |
| of the gums and is primarily caused by a build up of | | | | by cleaning out the infected pockets. However, you |
| plaque on the surfaces of the teeth. Gingivitis, if left | | | | may need to take antibiotics for the infection prior to |
| untreated, leads to periodontitis. Periodontitis destroys | | | | any dental procedures. A root canal may be needed in |
| the bones and ligaments that support the teeth. In its | | | | the case of a tooth abscess. And sometimes a tooth |
| early stages gingivitis exhibits no symptoms. But as it | | | | may need to be extracted. |