Oral health

It is the main cause of adult tooth loss. The disease increases with age, from 15 percent at the age of ten and growing to over 50 percent by the age of fifty. It starts with gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), the early stage of periodontal disease. Plaque is the cause of gingivitis – deposits of bacteria, mucus, and food particles – that adheres to the teeth. The gums become infected and swollen due to the accumulation of plaque. When the gums swell, pocket openings form between the gums and the teeth and are a trap for more plaque. Breathing through the mouth, badly fitting fillings and prostheses, and a diet consisting of too many soft foods that rob the teeth and gums of “regular exercise” are the other factors that all contribute to the development of gingivitis. When the gums become red, soft and shiny and bleed easily, gingivitis is present.

When gingivitis is left untreated, the advanced stage of pyorrhea or periodontitis sets in. It is the result of the infection causing the erosion of the bone supporting the teeth. At this stage, abscesses are common. A person is more likely to develop pyorrhea, due to the following factors: poor nutrition, improper brushing and mouth care, wrong foods, sugar consumption, chronic illness, glandular disorders, blood disease, smoking, drugs, and excessive alcohol consumption. If there are missing teeth, food impaction, malocclusion, tongue-thrusting, tooth-grinding, and toothbrush trauma, periodontal disease can worsen.

Mouth health concerns are often reflections of underlying disorders or deficiencies in the body. Allergic reactions often result in dry or cracked lips. Signs from stress are raw, red mouth tissue; a smooth, reddish tongue can indicate anemia or poor diet. Sores under the tongue can signify an early warning sign of mouth cancer. Regular checkups with your dentist can help to detect these conditions early.

Recommendations:

• A mouth health supplement or herbal treatment such as Herbs Etc Mouth Tonic.
• Eating a good quantity of high-fibre foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, and legumes.
• Avoid sugar and all refined carbohydrates.
• Rubbing a capsule of vitamin E on the gums is very healing and will help to alleviate soreness.
• Prepare a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and smooth it at the teeth and gum junction before bedtime.