Skin Alive And Well

There are a lot of causes why an individual can have bad breath like poor oral hygiene, gum diseases, smoking, intestinal disorders, dry mouth, and many more. Few people are aware of the fact that this can also be caused by tonsillolith or tonsil stone. These stones are formed when bacteria and food debris folds in and around the tonsil area. These will later form into whitish or cream-colored calcified mass that slowly develops in size.

The main reason why people get tonsil stones is because of the practice of poor dental hygiene. There is a need to have regular dental checkups so that the likely presence of such stones can immediately be treated. However, most tonsil stones are harmless except in severe cases. They don’t cause discomfort unless these become too large in size but if often ignored, allow the person to suffer from bad breath. Regular visits to your physician when you feel throat discomforts may lead to the detection of such stones.

It is not that difficult to treat tonsil stones when you want to. You can even do it at home but you need to consult your physician in extreme cases. The stones can simply be dislodged and forced out easily and gently with the use of your toothbrush. Since these stones consist of calciferous material, these can be dissolved with the use of vinegar. Gargle vinegar diluted with water for about 4 to 5 times. Another effective substitute is lemon juice instead of vinegar.

The tonsil stones can also be extricated with the use of a clean cotton swab or Q-tip. However, care should be taken in keeping the fingers and hands clean especially when these are used in poking the stones. The surface of the tonsils around the stone must be pressed upwards and squeezed. This process is repeated until the stone is fully exposed but this must be accomplished with extreme caution. The stone will not be difficult to remove by this time and depending on its size, can be easily sucked away with the use of a medicine dropper.

When an individual gets the stones too frequently, it is advised that the surface of the tonsils be smoothened out so that the places or crevices where tonsils grow are removed. This method is known as laser cryptolysis which takes only about half an hour to complete and the individual does not need to be hospitalized. After the removal, the individual is advised to practice good oral hygiene to avoid getting the tonsil stones again.

Periodontal disease or more commonly known as gum disease affects about 85 % of adults every year.  This usually starts off as an inflammation of the gums and eventually escalates into a full-blown infection which affects the bone and the gum tissue surrounding the teeth (provided this inflammation was not treated right away).  Gum diseases also increase the likeliness of developing other serious medical complications such as heart failure, stroke and renal failure.  It’s also one of the top reasons for early teeth loss among adults below 60.  While tartar and plaque build-up due to poor oral hygiene is usually blamed for periodontal diseases, there are other factors which could lead to gum infection.  For starters, certain medical conditions and lifestyle options can lead to mild to severe gum infection.

Smoking and the use of tobacco products can cause or increase the likeliness of getting periodontal disease.  Research shows that tobacco users and smokers are more likely to have plaque and tartar build-up.  As we all know, plaque and tartar build-up provides shelter and food to bacteria which causes the infection on teeth.  As bacteria feeds off plaque and tartar, it excretes acids which help deteriorate teeth and the bone and gum tissue surrounding the teeth.  If left untreated, this could lead to pocket formation between teeth and gums as well as infection affecting the entire area surrounding teeth and could eventually lead to the loosening of teeth.

Apart from cigarette and tobacco consumption, stress can also increase the chances of periodontal disease.  While a certain amount of stress can be tolerated by the body, an excess will have detrimental effects on your dental and overall health.  According to studies, cortisol or the hormones released when people become stressed can weaken immune system and contribute t o the diminishing health of your gums.  This makes your teeth and gums susceptible to infection, hence, the increased likeliness to periodontal disease.  In addition, stress can trigger cravings for cigarettes or alcohol which could, again, compromise your body’s natural ability to fight off infection.

Hormonal changes brought by pregnancy or puberty, as well as certain medical conditions can also make anyone susceptible to periodontal disease.  The changes in hormones during pregnancy or puberty make the gums sensitive and appear inflamed, thus making them vulnerable to infection.  On the other hand, those suffering from diabetes and autoimmune diseases have increased plaque build-up as well as inflamed gums due to their body’s response to heal the damaged tissue.  This inflammation exposes the gums to further infection and eventually, tooth loss.  That is why it is important to include periodontal disease treatment and prevention in the care for pregnant women as well as those suffering from certain ailments.

A lot of people think that gum disease in just an adult problem. This is not true because studies have shown that nearly all of the children and adolescents suffer from gum problems, especially gingivitis. These can be painful and worrisome to these kids. Most kids get swollen gums when an adult tooth is coming or it can be due to the tooth brushing habits of kids.

The problem usually starts when the child experience swollen gums caused by the bacteria in the mouth. This can be distinguished by its appearance, bright red and puffy gums. Some may be pock marks or depressions in the gums caused by the infectious bacteria growing beneath the gums. If these harmful bacteria are present in the gum line, then these may lead to bleeding gums.

Hormonal changes are also one of the causes of gum disease in children. When puberty comes, there is an increased level of sex hormones in the body, such as progesterone and possibly estrogen. This causes an increased blood circulation to the gums which makes the gums more sensitive. This leads to a greater reaction to any irritation on the gums, including any food particles and plaque. This is characterized by swollen gums that become red and feel tender.

Some researchers suggest that gum disease can be passed on to kids through saliva. Other causes may be due to some medications the kid takes. A lot of medications can dry out the mouth or can pose other threats to oral health. This is why it is recommended for parents to bring their children to the dentist. One can have a general medical evaluation to give a thorough check on the child’s dental health. It is also best to inform the dentist or dental hygienist about the medications the kid is taking to verify if it is giving some side effects that affects the child’s dental health.

The most important and preventive step against gum disease is to help the child establish good oral health habits. Once a child reaches 12 years old, he can begin to use toothpaste when brushing the teeth. Only a pea sized portion is recommended and must be pressed into the bristles of the toothbrush so that the child will not eat it. Children always look up to adults on what they do that is why parents must also serve as  good role models and practice good oral health habits. One can also schedule regular dental visits for the family for dental health evaluation and tooth cleaning.

Good oral health and keeping up with oral hygiene has a huge effect on the overall health of a person. Taking care of the teeth and gums is more than just ensuring that your one-million-dollar smile looks perfect as a healthy mouth and a healthy body should always go together. Without gum disease like inflamed gum tissue or receding gums, it does wonders as well to your personal impression of yourself and boosts your mood whenever you feel good and you feel good about yourself.

A rigorous daily regimen is all it takes to ensure that you are on the right path to a gum disease-free mouth. Brushing the teeth using fluoride toothpaste helps strengthen the teeth’s initial defense against plaque and tartar. But brushing alone doesn’t necessarily complete the regimen. Make sure you add flossing and gargling to the everyday routine. Flossing helps take out the food debris lodged in between the teeth and gums, thereby removing the possibility of it becoming the host for the bacteria that will attack the entire mouth.

Decaying teeth and prevalent gum disease does not boost one’s confidence and happiness levels in oneself. Knowing that you have receding gums doesn’t really evoke happiness in you right? Keeping ourselves healthy pays off in the long run, as it gives a huge boost in self-image, which in turn gives us renewed self-esteem.

If you are not experiencing severe pain from tooth decay or severe sensitivity because of receding gums, you will feel more focused and will have a better time concentrating on doing the things one likes and going to places instead of being miserable at home nursing a painful tooth. There has been a study as well that revealed people who have ginigivitis do not perform well.

When you are gum disease-free, you are free to enjoy a cold glass of lemon juice without wincing like someone experiencing tooth decay. For students, it becomes easier to study if you don’t have pain from gum problems distracting your studies every day. For those working, you can become a lot more focused than if you had a tooth abscess that is a pain to go through. You can travel without worrying that you won’t get to enjoy it because you’re not feeling well due to your teeth. As you can see if gum problems are ensured to be eliminated, you can really enjoy life to the fullest extent!

Periodontal disease occurs when the tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth become infected. This disease is caused by plaque which is formed by bacteria that lodges in the mouth and the food that is left on the teeth after eating. This sticky plaque will form and will later harden to form tartar on the teeth. The bacterial plaque that is not removed by brushing, flossing and regular dental cleanings will later irritate the gums and cause it to become inflamed and infected.

There are current research made that suggests the link between periodontal disease and other diseases affecting the whole body. It has been found out that periodontal disease is related to stroke, heart problems, diabetes, stomach problems, and pregnancy. Studies made on the bacterial plaque show that buildup between the teeth and gums can enter into the bloodstream. The bacteria can then travel throughout the body which can cause serious health problems.

With the disease linked to risk of heart disease, this occurs because bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream. When the gums are inflamed, the bacteria can get mixed up with the platelets or the cells causing blood clotting. These clumps of bacteria and cells can lodge in the interior walls of the blood vessels which form clots. These clots cause the heart to stop working leading to heart disease and even heart attack. Keeping your gums healthy reduces your risk of a heart attack.

Developing a stroke has also been linked to periodontal disease. There are studies made where fatty deposits are seen in the carotid arteries of patients suffering from stroke. This occurs when the gums are inflamed where up to 40% of the bacteria that cause the fatty deposits come from the mouth.

Bacterial infections in the stomach lining cause ulcers in the stomach. This is again attributed to bacteria that collect in your mouth. These same bacteria when periodontal disease is present are the same bacteria that cause the gastric ulcers. When there is a high bacterial count in the mouth, this will travel continuously to the stomach resulting to frequent infection leading to recurring ulcers.

Periodontal disease is also related to diabetic problems. The presence of any gum inflammation will make it harder for the diabetic patient to control his blood sugar. Besides, the increase in blood sugar level encourages and helps the bacteria in plaque to multiply. Reduction of the inflammation of the gums can greatly improve the control of diabetes.

Pregnant women and their developing child are seven to eight times more likely to give premature birth and low birth weight infants when they have gum disease. Gum inflammation causes the body to release chemicals causing the link to premature birth and the gum inflammation.

To reduce the risk of developing systemic diseases and reducing the risk of serious complications, it is important to maintain oral health. Brushing and flossing the teeth daily, eating a healthy diet; avoiding tobacco, and visiting your dentist at least twice a year is a must.

There are a lot of things we can do to ensure that we preserve the health of our enamel and gum tissues, but not everyone follows it rigorously. There are a lot of tips about strengthening teeth for various gum disease symptoms and it’s important to look into it, after all we only get 3 sets of teeth in our lifetime, and once we reach a specific age range, our teeth remains permanent. From that point on any damage that the enamel may suffer will last for a lifetime or at least until the tooth chips away. What’s unfortunate about that is you can’t count on the tooth being replaced with a new one anymore.

Adult Members of the Family

For the adult members of the family, they need to recognize that they, too, have to visit the dentist once in a while. At that point of anyone’s life, there is a big chance of a weakened enamel or vulnerable gum lining or general how-to’s for simple toothache remedies and even cures for gum disease.

If you have other adults in a household, someone should oversee not only their body’s well-being but also their dental health as well. In a given age range, vulnerabilities surface that didn’t used to before, that’s why it’s important to stress that one becomes vulnerable even to gum disease as we get older and our body loses its vitality to fight against bacteria.

Young members of the Family

For the younger members of the household, including the very young children, when it comes to treating gum disease, all you have to ensure is that you seek professional help as early as possible. Gum diseases starts small, a bacterial infection in the far reaches of one’s mouth that gradually attacks the gums and goes into the bones and nerves, and finally into the ligament that holds the teeth in place. If treated early, you could save yourself from a whole lot of trouble, pain and waiting.  The problem is that most people are not able to detect the budding signs of gum disease because of very little to no contact with any dental specialist. At the early stages, gum disease is void of pain, but as the disease progresses, it begins to reveal itself through a sharp pain in the teeth. Without dental examinations, you will only feel that you have a problem when it is already settled leaving you throbbing and in pain.