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If you are concerned about the high cost of dental care and the almost complete lack of cost coverage – even when you have insurance – you are definitely not alone. One thing we should not overestimate is the importance of our dental health.

You may scarcely notice your teeth when everything is fine. However, when something hurts, you have a cavity or perhaps need a root canal, you do notice. Most likely, at that point, you are willing to pay the price to get this dental work done. That price, as you undoubtedly know, can be very high, depleting your savings or causing you to ‘make payments’ to your dentist or credit card company.

What if there were some simple things that you could do to actually prevent expensive treatments in the first place? Here are some things to keep in mind.

1. The pH balance of your mouth is extremely important. Bacteria multiply more rapidly in an acidic environment and foods and beverages that are acidic can leach the calcium and phosphate right out of your teeth causing them to weaken and be more susceptible to – you guessed it – cavities!

Beverages like soda and coffee can drive the pH balance to the acidic side. You can sip on milk or water while eating or drinking such things. That will help, but you really should consider a pH balanced rinse or chewing xylitol gum after eating such meals.

2. Plaque build up – This is an amazing simple, yet complicated problem. It should be obvious to you that brushing and flossing are not a fool-proof method of avoiding dental problems. If there were, there would not be a need for so many dentists. The key here is that plaque is actually relatively easy to disrupt. No need to brush hard, just often! Consistency can help you win the fight against plaque.

3. The same acidic foods and drinks can increase plaquing as well. Even some ‘healthy’ foods can do this. Blueberries are one of the worst foods that contribute to plaquing.

Is the answer to avoid all ‘bad’ foods. That, in my opinion would be impossible.

As I write this, I am situated inside a coffee shop in Kansas City. There is literally zero healthy food here. When I get hungry, I end up eating a cookie or piece of cake or an unhealthy sandwich loaded with meats and cheese – it doesn’t even taste good. But, when you are hungry, you will eat anything!

Therefore, to counteract the effect of acidic foods and beverages, I try to keep some xylitol gum on hand. Xylitol has a powerful pH balancing effect. But not all xylitol gums are created equal. Some barely have enough put in by the manufacturer simply so that they can claim it on the label. It is virtually useless and because of the other ingredients in it, it could very well be harmful!

Xylitol, pH balanced mouthwash, milk and water can all help you avoid the long term damage that can come from exposing your teeth and gums to harmful, acidic foods. Do not be the person who sips on soda or coffee all day. You are constantly putting acid in and doing nothing to change your mouth pH, you are doing this all day long! What do you think will happen long term – after years of this behavior?

The same conditions that improve your chances for dental caries also can contribute to the development of gum disease. Both conditions can be expensive to treat.

Read more on the topic of prevention.

Author: You can learn more about prevention at http://www.Gingivitiskiller.com . David Snape is the author of the book: What You Should Know About Gum Disease.

This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have a health condition of any kind, visit your dentist or doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

There is an incredible misconception that you must have broken and crumbled teeth and receding gums as a consequence of aging. Is this really the truth?

I remember a coworker who broke a tooth while eating. The tooth split in half on some morsel of food that may or may not have been very hard. Even in the worse case scenario a piece of the tooth may have chipped, but for the tooth to split in half means there must have been some underlying weakness that allowed this to happen.

Our teeth are very important to us. We need them to eat - that is obvious. But we also need them to insure that our jaw does not deteriorate. You can lose bone mass when the jaw has no tooth to support. In addition, a lost tooth can cause your teeth to shift creating an uneven bite which in turn can cause uneven wear and tear on your teeth.

Therabreath makes a line of products that may be helpful to your dental health.

Oramd is an essential oil blend that is used as toothpaste.

The Hydro Floss is an oral irrigator - irrigators can help you in your efforts to reduce plaque build up between office visits

I will theorize for the rest of this article. I would speculate that my friend’s problem may have had two components. One would be nutritional and the other would be repetitive failure to maintain proper pH of the mouth.

Much depends on both - as I continue to speculate. You can imagine the teeth as being made of calcium and phosphate ions. When there is a more acidic environment those ions can be dissolved or ‘pulled’ right out of the enamel of your teeth, thereby weakening them. You could imagine that over time, this could be a problem.

Energy drinks, coffee drinks and fruit juices can all lower the pH of the environment in your mouth, making it more acidic. What if you consistently were to raise that pH back up after eating or drinking an acidic food or beverage?

Author:  David S.

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Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

The symptoms and treatment of gingivitis is such that it could be handled by any individual regardless of your financial status. Very many people get concerned when they begin to notice the symptoms but are not informed about how to treat it. Let us get it straight first; gingivitis is associated with the inflammation of the gums caused by some bacteria that feed on food debris in the teeth. When this intensifies, it leads to some other stages of gum bleeding, severe pains and this could cause pain.

Some believe that one of the major causes of gingivitis is due largely to poor oral hygiene such as not maintaining a regular brushing habit and negligence but that is not always true. Some symptoms start to develop such as gum bleeding. These are sure symptoms which should never be taken lightly as they may indicate gingivitis.

As part of the treatment, effort should be made to ensure the use of a tooth brush that is not so hard but adequate for the activity. Daily brushing should be utilized after meals as this will help to prevent food particles from collecting around the gums and being infected by bacteria. Proper rinsing of the mouth after brushing is also necessary. An oral irrigator can be helpful.

Many people avoid their dentist. This is not a good idea. Regular visits and checks by a certified periodontist is a good preventive measure. An ozone generator may be of use as you can make an oxygenated mouthwash with it. The proper treatment of gingivitis is very much within the reach of everyone if adherence could be given to practicing good oral hygiene and also seeing a dental specialist for dental check ups.

Once you have identified the symptoms at the early stage, get started with the treatment and see your dental specialist to avoid the chronic stage.The hydro floss, not to be confused with the hydro pulse is a very good tool to start with. Get basic training on the use of this device from your dentist or hygienist.

*Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to advise, treat or diagnose any health condition. If you have or think you might have a health condition, visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment.

Whether you would like to use dental tape or dental floss, using one or the other is importanl to your oral health. Flossing and using tape will help to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This can work to prevent or help end gum disease such as gingivitis and the more advanced periodontitis. The latter is an especially damaging problem, as it can result in tooth loss if left untreated.

To a large extent, the choice between dental floss or tape is a personal one. It all depends on which you like best. It depends, as well, on which you feel works best for you. The important thing is that you use one or the other each day, in conjunction with regular brushing. An oral irrigator is also a great tool. 

The advantage of dental tape, is that it is thicker and bigger. In my opinion, just the pure physics of it, makes it the clear winner to do a better job.

You are, of course, supposed to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Some dentists will tell you to floss twice a day as well, while others say that once is fine. Typically, if you have sensitive gums, you do have a problem. Healthy gums are not sensitive. Another good tool is an ozone generator. With this you can make an oxygenated mouthwash.

Now, what are the differences between these two dental tools? Well, as most of us know, floss is a thin, waxed string substance which fits between the teeth. It is ideal for getting pieces of food and plaque from between them.

Tape tends to be wider and thicker. Floss can be a bit too thin. That can be a problem for people whose teeth are closely crowded together. Floss tends to work more easily between crowded teeth. Some people even say that it has the ability to remove stains from the teeth.

Whether you decide to use tape of floss, make sure you do it regularly. Further more, if doing this makes you gums bleed, talk to your dentist right away. Bleeding whilst flossing is often a sign of gum disease.

Author: Scott Wells

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about any products mentioned in this article.

We typically think of our mouth as a vehicle for talking and eating. We overlook caring for it while attracting bacteria day in and day out. Some bad bacteria can attack your gums and teeth. This could start the early stages of gum disease, also medically termed periodontal disease, if not looked after.

Gum disease starts out with plaque build up. The plaque sticks to your teeth and at first is not visible to you. If you don’t make regular trips to a dentist who will usually scrape it off during cleaning, then it can build up over time at extreme stages. When this happens it turns into a hard substance known as tarter. When tarter builds up it can only be removed during a cleaning as it is too hard for you to scrape away.

In the early stages of gum disease, you will experience swelling of the gums, and maybe light bleeding as you brush. This stage is called gingivitis. Overtime, if you haven’t sought treatment, the bone and tissue deteriorate, and teeth often become loose and may need to be removed, or they eventually fall out. This stage is called periodontitis. Another sign that goes along with this is bad breath. To prevent this from happening, the starting place is protecting your gums.

In most cases you can prevent gum disease. The rule of thumb for good oral hygiene allows you to take matters into your own hands. Brush after every meal, include flossing. Maintain a regular schedule for cleaning with your Dentist, twice a year is the norm. Even if you have noticed early stages of gum disease , a quick trip to your Dentist who will begin the necessary diagnostic in treatment will help you fight this off.

The good news is that gum disease is preventable. Attention to everyday oral hygiene including brushing, flossing and cleanings by your professional two times a yearly may be the only steps necessary to prevention.

With these measures, you’ll be successful keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

Author: Scott W.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to give advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have a health problem or think that you might. Visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diangosis or treatment.

Definition- Gum disease also known as Periodontitis refers to infection in the area in and around teeth specifically the tissue and bone. The main cause of infection is bacteria found in the tartar and plaque build-up caused by a lack of oral hygiene. Large amounts of toxins are found in the bacteria, having an irritating affect on sensitive tissue.

Targets- No person or even animal is exempted from getting gum disease. However some persons are more susceptible to the condition. Teen females are the first target group identified by researchers and medical professionals. This can be attributed to hormonal activity during the puberty phase making the body more susceptible to bacterial attacks. Smokers fall in the second target group, suffering more from this condition than non-smokers. Your risk for getting gum problems is also greater when you suffer from certain illnesses, take specific medication and wear braces.

Symptoms- You will certainly know if you suffer from gum disease as the condition is very painful and clearly visible in the from of bleeding gums during and after flossing or brushing teeth and gums, gums are unhealthy in colour, sensitive or swollen, gums will pull away from teeth, breath will be very unpleasant and teeth loose or falling out.

Preventing-Keep in mind that prevention is better than cure. Prevention in terms of the disease is so very easy. Proper oral hygiene is the one and only requirement. Teeth should be brushed and flossed regularly, in other words twice per day or after sugary and acidic food or drink consumption, if possible. Floss will reach the impossible to access spaces between teeth, where normal bushing won’t reach.

Treatment- Treatment will be dependant upon the severity of the disease. scaling and root planing are popular methods of both treatment and prevention as tartar and plaque is removed to cure present infection as well as to prevent further or future infection. Antibiotics are very popular in the treatment of gum diseases, taking the form of mouthwashes, gels, fibres or capsules. In extremely severe periodontitis, surgery and gingival grafting should be considered for cleaning infected area.

Author: Scott W.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to advise, diagnose or treat any health condition. If you have or think you might have a health problem, including but not limited to dental health, visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment.