Periodontitis is a disease of the gums. Inflammation and infection forms in pockets at the gum line causing serious health problems.
Periodontitis is a disease of the gums, where inflammation and infection forms in pockets at the gum line adjacent to teeth. Once gum disease advances into periodontitis, dental intervention may be necessary to scale away the tarter under the gum line.
Dentists and hygienists have tools they can use to measure the size the size of the gum pockets. Dental professionals are able to keep track of tooth and gum health using these pocket measuring tools. . The dentist is the best source of information about dental care. Following are some suggestions that may be useful at some.
Prevention Tips:
- Choose the right toothbrush: Choose a toothbrush with soft, round ended bristles. Soft bristles are less likely to injure gums. The size and shape of the toothbrush should allow you you to reach every tooth. It's the tips of the brush that do the cleaning so don't exert extra pressure. The brush should be replaced at a minimum of every three to four months. If the brush bristles are splayed the brush needs to be replaced. Some dentist recommend electric toothbrushes with vibrating or rotating bristles.Electric toothbrushes can be more effective at removing the plaque than manual toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes can be especially helpful for people with mobility problems caused by conditions such as arthritis or Parkinson's disease. Electric toothbrushes are nice, however, A properly used manual toothbrush can give excellent results.
- Brush properly: It is important to brush correctly. Proper brushing includes brushing the outer surfaces of the teeth and gums using short back-and-forth and then up-and-down strokes. Use vertical strokes to clean inner surfaces. To clean between the teeth an gums, hold the brush a 45 degree angle to the teeth
- Floss: Flossing is an important part of good oral care. Many dentists say that patients don't floss often enough. Use a length of about t6 inches and waxed or unwaxed floss. Hold the floss tautly and bend around each tooth in a C shape. Scrape up and down along the side of each tooth. Each stroke should go slightly beneath the gum line to remove plaque between the teeth and massage the gum.
- Toothpaste: The truth is that the toothbrush and brushing technique is more important to type of toothpaste. No product can remove tartar beneath the gum line. Used properly, any toothpaste can work effectively to clean the teeth.
- Regular Dental Visits: Visit the dentist as often as recommended.
- Healthy Diet: Eat a healthy diet containing fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Vitamins: Vitamin supplements including Vitamin C and calcium can help with tooth health. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant which helps the synthesis of collagen. Vitamin C is essential for healthy gums. Calcium is essential for bone health. Many experts recommend getting 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium daily.
Complementary and Alternative medicine:
- Co enzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Powerful antioxidant which is many times more potent than vitamin C. CoQ10 applied to pockets of diseased gum tissue appears to reduce infection. There have been no studies to measure the effectiveness of oral CoQ10.
- Connective tissue nutrient formula (CTNF): Homeopathic formula which combines vitamins, minerals and plant extracts that are believed to enhance the integrity of gum tissue.
- Grapefruit seed extract: Natural extract which has antibiotic properties. Some people recommend adding a drop to regular toothpaste every time you brush your teeth.
- Cranberries: Cranberries work to treat urinary tract infections by prevented the bacterias from adhering to cells that line the bladder. It appears that cranberries also keep the bacteria from sticking to the teeth and gums. Unfortunately, most cranberry products have sugar added. Look for products that are sweetened with fruit or fruit juices rather that sugar. People with certain medical conditions should talk to their doctor before starting a cranberry regimen.
Information subject to change. If you have a medical condition, consult your physician.
The copyright of the article Prevent Periodontis in Vitamins & Minerals is owned by Christine Nyholm. Permission to republish Prevent Periodontis in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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