Healthy Sports Tips

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues and bones that support the teeth.  It is caused by plaque which is derived from the food that you eat and the bacteria that reside in the mouth.  The bacterial plaque forms on the teeth, which, when not removed by brushing, flossing and regular dental cleanings; causes infection and inflammation.

Researches have been conducted to establish whether there is a link between periodontal disease and other diseases that affect the entire body.  As a result, several have found links between periodontal disease and heart problems, stroke, stomach problems and diabetes.  It is because the bacteria in plaque that builds up between the teeth and gums can enter into the bloodstream.  Such bacteria can then travel throughout the body and cause serious health problems.

Heart disease – Periodontal disease has been linked to an increase risk of developing heart disease.  It happens when bacteria from the mouth get into the bloodstream by the time the gums are inflamed.  Bacteria can get mixed up with blood clotting cells called platelets.  Once clumps of cells and bacteria get lodged inside the walls of the blood vessels, it can cause heart stopping clots to form leading to heart disease.  Keeping the gums healthy helps reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Stroke – An increase risk of developing a stroke has also been linked to periodontal disease.  A new study about fatty deposits lodged in the carotid arteries of stroke sufferers shows that if gums are inflamed, up to 40% of the bacteria that cause the deposits come from the mouth.

Diabetes – Diabetes and periodontal disease problems are closely interrelated.  A gum inflammation can make it much more difficult for a diabetic to control their blood sugar.  A high blood sugar encourages and helps the bacteria in plaque to thrive.  Getting a periodontal disease treatment can significantly improve diabetic control.

Ulcers – Ulcers in the stomach are often attributed to bacterial infections in the stomach lining.  The bacteria that collect in the mouth when periodontitis is present are the same bacteria that cause gastric ulcers.  If bacterial count in the mouth is high, bacteria continuously travel to the stomach causing recurrence of infection and a return of ulcers.

There is a great demand to prevent periodontal disease from developing in order to reduce the risk of developing serious systemic disease as well.  Maintaining a good oral health is the main line of attack in responding to such demand.  To keep teeth and gums healthy, the following tips are recommended:

1. Brush your teeth meticulously at least twice a day.

2. Floss between teeth before bedtime.

3. Eat a healthy diet and avoid junk foods

4. Avoid tobacco cigarette smoking

5.  Visit your dentist for regular check ups and professional cleaning twice a year.

There are tell-tale signs which tell that a person has a bad dental habit, and one of which is the prevalence and of teeth and gum problems. From tooth decay to periodontitis, there are a variety of oral issues that can build up the more you continue to treat your teeth and gums poorly. Remember that in the case of gum problems, prevention is better than cure, and it would be wise to opt for prevention  rather than have to let things get out of hand and for singularly depend on treatment for periodontitis. Don’t let things escalate, here are several things you should look into if you want to keep in control of your dental health:

Keep an Everyday Habit – A daily, thorough routine to clean your mouth is the basic thing you should ensure. Brushing two to three times a day is the key to keeping away bacteria and strengthening the teeth. The problem with bacteria that it is ever-present in the mouth, so the only way we can make sure that it doesn’t cause a problem is to enforce population control by eradicating millions more bacteria by daily brushing and purging of any substance that can cause plaque, tartar, cavities and ultimately, periodontitis.

Know What You’re Up Against – The adage “what you don’t know won’t kill you” can never apply when it comes to dental problems. The less you know about it, the more that you allow the disease from taking over or going haywire. A lot of times when you don’t know that the things you’re not doing or the things that you’re ignoring are the ones that bite back the hardest.

Make Time – Because of being too busy, we chalk it up as the main reason why we can’t overlook even the most basic routine. There is not a good excuse for poor hygiene, because there is no reason to put health on hold just because you’re too preoccupied on different things just to make time for it. Remember that there is no other way to keep yourself in the pink of health, except to micromanage the important aspect of your body, and that includes your teeth and gums.

Go to the Dentist – There no one else that could care more about the status of your teeth and gums or give you the best periodontitis treatment than you friendly dentist. Picking and prodding your mouth is the professional’s specialty and only your dentist can get you the exact treatment that you need.