To understand its relationship with physical health and how to prevent gum disease, we’ll explore the basics of what you should know.

Your mouth plays host to numerous forms of bacteria. A combination of bacteria, mucus and minute food particles leave a residue called plaque on the teeth. Eventually, if left on the teeth, plaque hardens and forms a layer of tartar that dentists only can remove. The bacteria that results in plaque and tartar become increasingly harmful over time. Gum disease starts here and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), affects approximately 50 percent of American adults.

Gingivitis

The first and mildest form of periodontal disease, the term for gum disease, to appear is gingivitis. Gingivitis, while presenting little or no pain and discomfort, leaves gums swollen, puffy and irritated. Tenderness and a receding gum line may or may not occur, but gums frequently change color from pink to red and often bleed slightly when you brush and floss.

Unless treated, gingivitis turns into periodontitis.

Periodontitis

In periodontitis, the gums suffer inflammation and pull away from the teeth. Infection-filled pockets resulting from gum recession begin a battle between a body’s immune system and the toxins from the now harmful bacterial growth. Unfortunately, the bones and connective tissue that hold teeth in place become a casualty: The toxins and the body’s response to the toxins both break down the bones and tissue. When this occurs, teeth lose their support system and, unless treatment is sought, loose teeth and subsequent extraction may be required.

Swollen, tender to the touch and bright red or purple gums signify periodontitis. Additionally, periodontitis symptoms include teeth that appear longer due to receding gums, gaps between teeth and pus at the gum line. If you have periodontitis, you probably have very bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth.

Gum Disease and Health Problems

Researchers are quick to point out that although links between gum disease and certain health problems definitely exist, no conclusive evidence exists regarding cause. Determining whether health problems arise because of periodontal disease or another reason lies behind both issues’ development requires further investigation. Meanwhile, although evidence does not prove gum disease does cause other health problems, evidence also does not prove it exempt as the cause. Oral health aside, this uncertainty deems treating and preventing gum disease a wise precaution against the following conditions.

Heart Disease

The relationship between unhealthy gums and heart disease carries much debate. A good amount of research suggests that the bacteria that cause gingivitis and periodontitis enters the blood stream through the gums and travels to the cardiovascular system. It is suggested that the bacteria impacts coronary artery disease and, possibly, the formation of blood clots, among other cardiovascular diseases.

Stroke

Research presented at the International Association for Dental Research General Session and Exhibition showed startling numbers regarding the correlation between periodontal disease and stroke. The research, gathered from a study of non-fatal stroke patients, indicates gum disease has twice as much impact than does diabetes in contributing to strokes. Strokes provide another example of a definite link between oral and physical health, but, again, the exact nature of the link requires further research.

Diabetes

Gum disease and diabetes have a two-fold relationship. An increased susceptibility to infections leaves diabetics likely to develop gum disease, and gum disease, once developed, plays havoc with the regulation of blood sugar. When blood sugar rises, the door opens for diabetes-based complications.

Low Birth Weight

The exact nature and cause are undetermined, but studies show that women with gingivitis or periodontitis have a higher incidence of delivering premature and low birth-weight babies than do women without gum disease. This impacts babies and not solely mothers, so pregnant women and women trying to conceive are urged to have their dental health evaluated.

Erectile Dysfunction

Brace yourselves, men: Researchers in India, Israel, Taiwan and Turkey have found links between gum disease and erectile dysfunction. The link, which led to reports published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine and the Journal of Periodontology, was discovered during a study of men with erectile dysfunction. Gum disease was present in four out of five cases of men with severe ED and in two out of five cases of men with mild ED. Exactly how periodontal disease affects the inability to maintain an erection remains unknown, but Turkish researchers found that erectile function improved somewhat in men who treated their gum disease.

It cannot be stressed enough that no conclusive evidence points to gingivitis or periodontitis as definite causes of the mentioned health concerns. However, the existence of the links makes maintaining oral health a wise precautionary measure.

Prevention

Preventing gingivitis and periodontitis involves three easy steps.
1) Using fluoride toothpaste, brush your teeth twice each day; effective brushing includes changing to a new toothbrush every three months.
2) Thoroughly and regularly floss between teeth.
3) Visit a dentist for a cleaning twice per year.

Treatment

Gingivitis requires only mild treatment in the form of an in-depth cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar build up followed by a daily brushing and flossing regimen. Your dentist may suggest also an antiseptic mouthwash.

Periodontitis, depending on its severity, requires more in-depth dental work. Mild cases may be treated with scaling, which involves scraping the surface of teeth, and root planing, which smooths rough spots on the root in which bacteria accumulate, in addition to cleaning. Regular brushing and flossing continue the dentist’s treatment of gum disease.

Advanced, serious periodontitis may require surgical treatment. Treatment often includes flap surgery, soft tissue grafts, bone grafting and guided tissue regeneration.

As evidenced, preventative oral hygiene – brushing, flossing and visiting a dentist – helps you avoid more intense treatment once gum disease has developed, avoid loose and removed teeth and escape bad breath. It also may help you avoid some of the health concerns associated with gum disease, although evidence does not yet conclusively prove this. Following the adage promoting an ounce of prevention, oral maintenance offers no harm and may prove beneficial beyond the mouth.

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It is extremely common to find that your gums bleed more easily while you are pregnant. Many pregnant women experience this problem even when brushing or flossing their teeth very gently. In addition, you might notice that your gums are tender and slightly swollen, particular during (or after) eating harder foods. If your gums are causing you to experience substantial discomfort, your dentist can offer advice and professionally clean your mouth so as to reduce your chances of developing an infection in the areas that have been bleeding.

2.) Morning sickness increases your risk of tooth decay:
Morning sickness is extremely bad for your teeth, and it can lead to tooth decay if you vomit almost every day for several months. If you are plagued by particularly bad morning sickness, make sure that you always rinse your mouth with cold and clean water immediately after vomiting. This will help to wash away the stomach acid that might otherwise damage the enamel of your teeth.

3.) You should avoid elective procedures during pregnancy:
While most compulsory dental treatments are perfectly safe during your pregnancy, you should always make sure that your dentist knows you are pregnant when you discuss the possibility of undergoing any procedures. In addition, experts tend to recommend that you simply delay elective treatments until after your baby is born, as it is still unclear whether procedures like tooth whitening have any long-term ramifications for the health of unborn children. Similarly, you should not have any amalgam fillings replaced during pregnancy in case mercury inadvertently enters your child’s bloodstream.

4.) The second trimester is the best time to have dental treatment:
If you are going to undergo any compulsory dental procedures, you may want to try to schedule these for some time during the second trimester of your pregnancy. After this point, lying on your back for more than an hour at a time can prove to be uncomfortable or even painful.

5.) You should also avoid dental x-rays during pregnancy:
Since x-rays can harm your baby, your dentist will avoid using an X-ray in your mouth in almost all cases. Although data analyzed by the American College of Radiology suggests that a single x-ray does not have the power to damage your unborn child, dentists will typically abstain from ordering diagnostic x-rays unless your dental health clearly depends on information that only an x-ray can provide.

6.) There is no truth to the rumor that pregnancy directly causes tooth loss:
You may have heard people say that a woman will lose one tooth per pregnancy, but there is no data suggesting that this is anything more than a myth.

7.) Avoiding certain habits will promote your baby’s dental health while you are pregnant:
Although there are more important reasons to abstain from drinking or smoking during pregnancy, it is also the case that these habits can lead to problems with your child’s oral health. Drinking and smoking both make you more likely to give birth to an underweight baby, and underweight babies are at a higher risk of having brittle tooth enamel. In addition, recent studies show that the adult teeth behind your child’s milk teeth are typically weaker if you choose to smoke or drink during pregnancy.

8.) Your diet can also have a positive influence on your unborn baby’s teeth:
Finally, note that what you choose to eat can make your child more likely to be born with strong and healthy teeth. For example, if you make sure that you have a high calcium intake then your baby will probably have less brittle teeth (and bones). It is recommended that you get your calcium from milk and cheese, but all such diary products must be pasteurized. This warning is issued mainly because unpasteurized products may contain the bacterium listeria, which has been known to lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.

Next time you are planning your pregnancy, or if you are in pregnancy, make sure you take these tips into consideration. Knowing how to keep great dental care throughout your life (and life experiences), is a great supplement to your overall dental hygiene.

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2.) Poor brushing technique:
The way in which you brush your teeth can have a huge impact on your dental health. If you way to avoid damaging your teeth and effectively protect them from decay, you need to keep a few different things in mind. Firstly, experts recommended that you buy toothbrushes with soft bristles, as hard bristles can erode your tooth enamel. Secondly, you should brush your teeth slowly, using gentle but firm circular motions.

3.) Habitual wine drinking:
If you enjoy drinking wine with your dinner or when you are having drinks with friends, it is extremely important to brush your teeth as soon as you can. All wines contain acid that can cause tooth decay, and red wines can slowly turn your teeth gray.

4.) Bruxism:
Bruxism (or grinding your teeth) is generally involuntarily, and many people grind their teeth in their sleep without even realizing that this is happening. If you find out that you do grind your teeth at night, it is important to do something to reduce the damage that this unconscious habit can inflict on your teeth and gums. Your dentist can take an impression of your mouth and use this to create a custom-made mouth guard that will protect your teeth while you are sleeping. In addition, it is worth considering hypnotherapy for bruxism, as some people find that this process can help them to break the habit of clenching their jaw and grinding their teeth.

5.) Smoking:
In addition to increasing your risk of lung cancer and other potentially fatal diseases, being a smoker means damaging your teeth and gums. If you are a smoker, you are more likely to develop gum disease, suffer from some form of oral cancer, and lose teeth. In addition, smoking yellows your teeth and makes your smile look less attractive.

6.) Failing to protect your teeth during contact sports:
If you enjoy playing rugby or football, or if you regularly go to a boxing club, it is important to protect your teeth from the type of damage that such contact sports can involve. The best way to reduce your risk of suffering a cracked or lost tooth is to buy a mouth guard from a sports store.

7.) Using your teeth to open packaging:
When you are impatient to open a package, it can seem like a good idea to use your teeth to rip the packaging. However, this can lead to chipped or cracked teeth, so make a habit of looking for scissors or another sharp object instead of using your teeth in this way.

8.) Crunching ice:
It is perfectly healthy to add ice to your drinks in order to keep them chilled, but you need to avoid the temptation to chew on ice cubes if you want to preserve your dental health. Crunching ice can cause your teeth to crack, irritate the tissue inside your teeth, and promote problems with your jaw joint (such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction, which can be very painful).

9.) Excessive caffeine consumption:
Drinking too much coffee and tea can end up damaging your teeth for a couple of reasons. Most importantly, coffee is acidic, and regular exposure to acid eventually leads to tooth decay. Secondly, both coffee and tea can make your teeth take on a yellow coloring that can only be fixed by way of expensive whitening procedures.

10.) Eating too many sugary foods:
Foods that are high in sugar can cause cavities. While it is acceptable to eat sugary foods from time to time, it is important to brush your teeth soon after eating so as to reduce your risk of decay. In addition, remember that some foods contain more sugar than you might expect. For example, fruit juices often contain added sugars to improve the taste, so check the labels of your commonly consumed foods and drinks to make sure that they are safe for your teeth.

11.) Eating chewy candy:
Chewy candy can end up lodged between your teeth, where it often sits until it begins to lead to tooth decay. In order to avoid this, make sure that you carefully floss between your teeth after you have eaten some gummy candy.

12.) Drinking too much soda:
You should try to drink no more than a single glass of soda per day, as all sodas can have a negative influence on your dental health. You probably know that sugary sodas promote cavities, but diet sodas can damage the surface of your teeth due to the acidic sweeteners that they contain.

13.) Chewing on pens and pencils:
Finally, when you are writing in a journal or taking notes, you may be tempted to nibble on the end of your pen or pencil while you are thinking, but you need to curb this urge. This common habit can cause chipped teeth, so make a conscious effort to avoid chewing on the end of your writing implements.

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Insurance for your dental health covers most of the common dental problems and ailments. This type of cover is typically available only as a part of employee benefits programs.  The employer negotiates a deal with dental insurance companies to provide benefits to their employees.  Employees pay a part of the premium (with the balance being paid by their employer), and get to enjoy comprehensive dental cover.

As a beneficiary under a dental insurance program, you are entitled to 80% – 100% of your cost of treatment.  Just as with any other insurance, pre-existing conditions are excluded.  There is a minimum waiting period for certain expensive procedures, like root canals or braces.  To take full advantage of your dental cover, read the fine print in your dental insurance policy document.  Go through the exclusion clauses, and treatments that you are entitled to.  Do not assume that a certain treatment will be covered, or that you will be reimbursed for it.

Every form of treatment is subject to the UCR test.  UCR stands for “Usual, customary and reasonable”.  Under the UCR assumption, a dentist usually, customarily and reasonably charges a certain amount – say “$A” – for a dental procedure.  The insurance company will pay “B percent” of that fee.

What is a usual, customary and reasonable fee? That’s impossible to determine with any reasonable accuracy. It varies with location, patient, the level of a dentist’s expertise and his overheads.

Dental insurance companies are not very forthcoming with details about how they calculate UCR. If your dentist charges more than the UCR amount, you might end up paying the difference. To find out how the UCR rate is arrived at, call up your insurance agents. They will direct you to the relevant page in the policy document. Next, call up your dental office and ask them for a quote for the particular procedure. If there is a wide variation between the amounts, it means you will have to pay much more out of pocket.

Another restriction is the “least expensive alternative treatment (LEAT)” clause. Under this you cannot choose to opt for the best treatment option. The dental insurance company will pay for the cheapest alternate treatment available for your specific dental problem.

Understanding Dental Reimbursement Plans

These are simplified versions of dental insurance. According to the terms of these plans, you can undergo any type of treatment that you need and have the cost reimbursed by your employer. Of course, there are limits on the amount of money that will be paid for each procedure. There are also annual limits on the quantum of reimbursement you are eligible to claim.

With dental reimbursement plans, your employer will earmark a certain sum to fund dental treatment costs of all employees.  If you exceed the annual limit, you will have to bear the excess expenditure incurred.

The amount of paper work is minimal. The process of getting reimbursed is also simple and straightforward. It’s a form of dental cover with no hassles. There are no exclusions or waiting periods for any kind of dental treatment. There are no UCR or LEAT clauses to worry about. The only restriction is that you cannot be reimbursed beyond the limit set by your employer.

How Do Group Dental Insurance Plans Work?

Even if an employer does not offer dental insurance benefits, employees can opt to use their group power to set up dental insurance cover of their own. They can strike deals with a reputed insurance company, and bargain for lower premiums. They can also negotiate for extra benefits as a group. As an individual, your power to bargain is lesser, and you must settle for less than when you go in as part of a sizable group.

Group dental insurance plans are in effect at many companies, offering essential dental cover to their employees. Premiums for these plans are paid by the employees.

Discount Dental Plans Explained

Discount dental plans are not dental insurance. Dental plans are dental discount clubs. If you purchase a plan, then as part of the membership, you are entitled to certain discounts.

The dental plan provider typically contracts with dentists to offer certain discounts to members in return for referring patients to their dentists. A mutually beneficial relationship exists for both dentists and the plan provider.

If you don’t qualify for dental insurance, then discount dental plans are a useful alternative.  They cannot replace dental insurance, but for less than $200 dollars a year you can avail of a host of dental procedures at discounted prices. Preventive care such as dental cleanings, and a couple of routine dental visits every year, are offered free of charge.

There is no paper work or claim form to fill up and submit. You get the treatment needed, and enjoy any discounts offered. There are no waiting periods or annual limits to bother about.

The above-mentioned dental insurance options offer solutions for dental treatment to different sections of the population.  Pick the one ideally suited to your circumstances and needs.  Just make sure you choose wisely!

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2.) Watch your coffee intake. One reason for this is cosmetic, while the other is much more serious. The more superficial concern is that coffee drinkers often develop yellowed teeth, but of course this can be rectified with expensive whitening procedures. More importantly, coffee is acidic in a way that promotes serious levels of tooth decay over time.

3.) Take steps to break the habit of chewing your fingernails. Most people bite their nails as a response to nervousness or stress, so find a healthier outlet for your anxiety (such as breathing exercises, or going for a walk). When you put your fingers in your mouth, any bacteria on your skin are transferred onto your gums and onto the surface of your teeth. This can cause serious bacterial infections.

4.) Think twice before you decide to get a lip or tongue piercing. For one thing, having metal jewelry around and inside your mouth leads to cuts and grazes on the surface of your gums (which are then more susceptible to infection). Further, it is easy to bite down on your mouth piercing by accident, and this commonly leads to chipped or damaged teeth.

5.) If you like to drink wine, try to be diligent about brushing your teeth after you have finished. Red and white wines both contain acid that can damage your teeth, and red wine has the additionally unappealing property of dying your teeth a shade of gray or purple.

6.) If you enjoy iced drinks, do not crunch or chew the ice, as this can cause numerous dental problems. It may damage your jaw joint, crack a tooth, or cause irritation to the soft and easily damaged tissue that exists deep inside your teeth.

7.) Take action to limit the damage that can be caused by grinding your teeth. Not everyone knows that they grind their teeth, as it most often occurs during the night. However, it is a reasonably common response to stress, and it can cause extremely painful damage to your teeth and gums while you sleep. If you find out that you do grind your teeth, the main thing you should do is visit your dentist to acquire a custom-fitted mouth guard that can be worn to cover your top or bottom teeth. These mouth guards help to cushion the blows that your teeth receive when you grind them. Some people also find that hypnosis can effectively train them to stop unconsciously grinding their teeth.

8.) Do your best to snack on foods that are not too high in starch or sugar. Your saliva makes starchy foods break down into acids that can slowly damage your teeth, while sugar causes cavities. If you do eat particularly starchy or sugary foods on occasion, brush your teeth as soon as you can.

9.) If you smoke, try to quit. If you continue to smoke, you will develop brown or yellow teeth that look particularly unappealing when you smile. More significantly, you will be at a much higher risk of developing potential fatal cancers of the mouth. Smokers are also more likely to develop gum disease, and if gum disease is particularly serious then it can lead to lost teeth.

10.) Don’t give your child a bottle of milk or juice at bedtime. This can help soothe children and encourage them to sleep, but the sugar coats the child’s teeth. It will then stay in the mouth for the whole night, promoting tooth decay.

11.) Don’t give your child a bottle of milk or juice at bedtime. This can help soothe children and encourage them to sleep, but the sugar coats the child’s teeth. It will then stay in the mouth for the whole night, promoting tooth decay.

12.) Resist the temptation to use your teeth as a tool for opening things. Most people sometimes get impatient and use their teeth to rip open packages. If you do this, you run the risk of getting a cracked or chipped tooth, so it is always better to wait until you can find a pair of scissors instead.

13.) Examine the labels on fruit juices before you buy them. There are many important health benefits associated with having a high intake of fruit, but a lot of fruit juices have a lot of added sugars that are supposed to improve the way they taste. Try to pick out juices that specifically state that they have no added sugars.

14.) Minimize your intake of candy. In particular, gummy candy often sticks between your teeth, where it sometimes sits for up to several days and is likely to promote tooth decay. When you do eat chewy candy that sticks to your teeth, try to make sure that you floss and brush soon after.

15.) Protect your teeth if you play contact sports like boxing or rugby. It is vital that you buy a mouth guard from a sports store, or have a custom mouth guard made and fitted. Contact sports often result in teeth being cracked, or sometimes entirely knocked out.

16.) Think about your teeth even when you are ill. Large amounts of sugar can be found in the throat sweets that are designed to ease coughs and sore throats. As annoying as it is to get up and brush your teeth when you have a cold or a flu virus, you will be reducing your risk of forming cavities.

17.) Deal with writer’s block by taking a walk or squeezing a stress ball. All too many times, writers block can prompt you to chew on the end of your pencil or pen as you try to find the right word or idea. However, this is a fairly common cause of chipped teeth.

18.) Don’t make a habit of drinking many glasses of soda on a daily basis. Sugary sodas encourage cavities to form, and the artificial sweeteners in diet sodas are highly acidic in a way that can wear away at the surface of your teeth.

All of the above minor lifestyle changes can help you to keep beautiful and healthy teeth well your into old age. If you want to know more about any of the conditions or problems mentioned, speak to your dentist and mention that you want to be conscientious about your dental health.

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