Month: January 2019

You should know a few important facts about gum disease. The word “disease” suggests impairment in the normal state of a living thing, or any abnormal condition that interferes with physiological processes. Since healthy gums are important to healthy teeth — and healthy teeth are important to the process of feeding your body the nutrients that keep it healthy — you can see how gum disease quickly has the potential to influence your overall quality of life.

Gum Disease Affects Millions of People

A recent study revealed that a whopping 65 million American adults have mild, moderate or severe periodontitis, the more advanced form of periodontal disease. In adults 65 and older, prevalence rates increase to around 71 percent.

How Gum Disease Impacts Quality of Life

When gum diseases are left untreated, they often become major sources of discomfort and pain. Over time, abscesses and ulcerations may form, causing swelling, bleeding, pain and even tooth loss. The first signs of having gum disease mean that the tissue that supports your teeth is infected. This infection is dangerous to the body and can potentially lead to tooth loss and other health risks. The bacteria cause gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums, leaving them red, swollen and likely to bleed.

But if gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to inflammation around the teeth called periodontitis, which is when gum disease starts to get scary. The gums pull away from the teeth, which leaves pockets that become infected.

Get the Treatment You Need

As soon as you notice a gum infection, you should consult with a periodontist. Once gum infection is diagnosed, you will have numerous treatment options that will vary based on the severity of the gum infection. Here are some common methods of treatment for gum infection:

• Antibiotic Therapy
• Root Planning and Scaling Treatment:
• Gingivectomy
• Flap Surgery

Since prevention is the best way to avoid gum infection, it’s important to make caring for your teeth and gums a top priority. Take care by brushing and flossing daily, use mouth wash and have regular dental visits.

Tooth extraction is a very painful affair. But sometimes extractions are unavoidable. And sometimes you have to go for self-care post tooth extraction as it ensures that you heal as quickly as possible. Here are a few things you do to recover quickly:

Reduce Pain and Swelling

Pain is the part and parcel of tooth extraction. With so many modern equipment and talented dentists the pain is very less but still if somebody gets too much pain then they can do some self-care. Deal with any pain or swelling by applying ice packs to your face and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Apply ice for 20 minutes and then remove the ice pack for at least 20 minutes before reapplying it.

Let it Clot

Let the clot be formed on the tooth extraction site, which covers it and allows it to heal. After the procedure your dentist will give you a piece of gauze to bite on near the extraction site. Keeping the clot in place for longer time is best, but make sure to change the gauze after roughly every half hour, depending on the amount of bleeding. If the bleeding persists for a few hours after the procedure then try putting a wet tea bag on the site. The tannic acid present in black tea helps to aide in the clotting process.

Practice Good Oral Care

You can begin brushing your teeth the next day after your extraction. When you brush, stay away from the extraction site for two or three days.

Rest Up

Your body needs rest after any kind of surgery as rest makes the healing process easy and faster. Make sure you are rested enough for fast recovery.

Watch What You Eat

After tooth extraction any food you have should be very, very soft and at a reasonable temperature. Drinks should be at a reasonable temperature, too, and all food and drink should stay on the side of the mouth that did not have a tooth extracted. Don’t drink alcohol. Don’t use straws, smoke, or suck on candies.