What is gum disease exactly?- Gum disease can be but is not often an extremely painful and uncomfortable infection affecting the tissue and bone area around teeth. Bacteria found in plaque and tartar build-up is the one and only culprit causing the infection. Bacteria in turn is caused by a lack of proper oral hygiene.

Who’s likely to get the disease?- If you have teeth and gums you are likely to get gum disease. However certain persons have been identified as having a greater tendency to develop gum problems. These persons include teenage girls suffering from hormonal fluctuations that make them more susceptible to diseases, smokers also have higer risk of getting the problem and certain conditions, medication and brace wearing can also increase your risk.

Identifying the disease- Gum disease is easy to identify with gum bleeds while flossing and brushing teeth and gums, gums have overall unhealthy appearance and colour, gums will pull away from teeth, breath will be unpleasant and teeth loose or falling out.

Can I preventing the condition?- Prevention is always the preferred choice. This is easily achieved by just following a proper oral hygiene regime. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily as well as after eating and drink sugary and acidic foods or drinks. Toothpaste containing fluoride is recommended. Flossing is also essential as the fine thread will reach areas your toothbrush is unable to.

Is it easy to treatment?- Treatment is not always quick and easy depending on the severity of the condition. A scaling and root planing is used for treatment and prevention, the bacterial build-up is scraped away to cure present infection and to prevent further or future infection. Antibiotics is another common treatment method in mouthwash, gel, fibre or pill form. Surgery and gingival grafting may be required in extreme cases.

Definition- Gum disease also known as Periodontitis refers to infection in the area in and around teeth specifically the tissue and bone. The main cause of infection is bacteria found in the tartar and plaque build-up caused by a lack of oral hygiene. Large amounts of toxins are found in the bacteria, having an irritating affect on sensitive tissue.

Targets- No person or even animal is exempted from getting gum disease. However some persons are more susceptible to the condition. Teen females are the first target group identified by researchers and medical professionals. This can be attributed to hormonal activity during the puberty phase making the body more susceptible to bacterial attacks. Smokers fall in the second target group, suffering more from this condition than non-smokers. Your risk for getting gum problems is also greater when you suffer from certain illnesses, take specific medication and wear braces.

Symptoms- You will certainly know if you suffer from gum disease as the condition is very painful and clearly visible in the from of bleeding gums during and after flossing or brushing teeth and gums, gums are unhealthy in colour, sensitive or swollen, gums will pull away from teeth, breath will be very unpleasant and teeth loose or falling out.

Preventing-Keep in mind that prevention is better than cure. Prevention in terms of the disease is so very easy. Proper oral hygiene is the one and only requirement. Teeth should be brushed and flossed regularly, in other words twice per day or after sugary and acidic food or drink consumption, if possible. Floss will reach the impossible to access spaces between teeth, where normal bushing won’t reach.

Treatment- Treatment will be dependant upon the severity of the disease. scaling and root planing are popular methods of both treatment and prevention as tartar and plaque is removed to cure present infection as well as to prevent further or future infection. Antibiotics are very popular in the treatment of gum diseases, taking the form of mouthwashes, gels, fibres or capsules. In extremely severe periodontitis, surgery and gingival grafting should be considered for cleaning infected area.

Author: Scott W.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to advise, diagnose or treat any health condition. If you have or think you might have a health problem, including but not limited to dental health, visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment.

Whether you decide to use dental tape or dental floss, using one or the other is importanl to your oral health. Flossing and using tape will help to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This can work to prevent or help end gum disease such as gingivitis and the more advanced periodontitis. The latter is an especially damaging problem, as it can result in tooth loss if left untreated.

To a an extent, the choice between dental floss or tape is a personal one. It all depends on which you like best. It depends, as well, on which you feel works best for you. The important thing is that you use one or the other each day, in conjunction with regular brushing. An oral irrigator is also a great tool. 

The advantage of dental tape, is that it is thicker and bigger. In my opinion, just the pure physics of it, makes it the clear winner to do a better job.

You are, of course, supposed to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Some dentists will tell you to floss twice a day as well, while others say that once is fine. Typically, if you have sensitive gums, you likely have a problem. Healthy gums are not sensitive. Another good tool is an ozone generator. With this device can make an oxygenated mouthwash.

Now, what are the differences between these two dental tools? Well, as most of us know, floss is a thin, waxed or unwaxed string substance which fits between the teeth. It is ideal for getting pieces of food and plaque from between them.

Tape tends to be wider and thicker. Floss can be a bit too thin. That can be a problem for people whose teeth are closely crowded together. Floss tends to fit more easily between tight teeth. Some people even say that it has the ability to remove stains from the teeth.

Whether you decide to use tape of floss, make sure you do it regularly. Further more, if doing this makes you gums bleed, talk to your dentist immediately. Bleeding while flossing is often an indicator of gum disease.

Author: Scott Wells

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition.