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Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body

The mouth is a window into the health of the body. Keeping good care of your teeth and gums not only prevents cavities and bad breath, but reduces the risk of possible links to other diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke).

The mouth is filled with countless bacteria, which is linked to tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease is inflammation caused by bacteria that is active in plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that forms on the teeth and tissues in the mouth. Plaque that is not removed can irritate the gums, making them red, tender and likely to bleed. This condition is called gingivitis, and can lead to more serious types of periodontal disease.

Gingivitis is reversible if you remove plaque by having your teeth cleaned regularly by your hygienist and by brushing and flossing well every day. If you do not take care of the gingivitis than it can turn into periodontitis, a lasting infection in the gum pockets around the teeth. This can damage the attachment of the gums and bone to teeth. If your teeth comes to this stage, treatment by a dentist is needed. When you do not treat this disease properly, teeth may become loose, fall out, or require removal by the dentist.

If you experience any of these signs, see your dentist immediately:

gums that bleed during brushing and flossing
red, swollen or tender gums
gums that have pulled away from your teeth
bad breath that doesn't go away
pus between your teeth and gums
loose or separating teeth
a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
a change in the fit of partial dentures

Posted on Jan 31 2012 by lynn

How To Keep Your Mouth in Shape

Follow these surprising steps for your teeth's long and healthy life.

Posted on Apr 27 2011 by lynn

The Bionic Mouth

Tooth loss is an epidemic. Tooth loss can be caused by a variety of things, tooth decay, gum disease, or simple genetics. An astonishing one-fourth of Americans over the age of 65 have no teeth at all. With this, comes a feeling of loss, you have lost your appearance you have been used to for these 65 years, and you have lost your ability to eat the things you once could. This can have a detrimental impact on your health because some of these foods, such as vegetables and nuts, contain healthful things to your diet. Thus, you want to fix this somehow to restore your appearance and your health.