Friday, March 19, 2010

Face It Friday: Adult Oral Health

Adult Oral Health 
With today's fast pace lifestyle, it often leaves little time for the
 daily oral health care routine needed to prevent cavities and periodontal disease.
 The most common cause of
tooth loss in adults is periodontal disease. An estimated 75% of Americans reportedly have some form of periodontal disease.
Early detection of periodontal disease reduces the risk of permanent damage to teeth and gums, and can prevent more extensive and costly treatment in later years. Regular professional visits, every six months or as scheduled by your dental hygienist, will help you learn more about proper care for your teeth and gums. Regular professional visits are important because gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease, is usually painless; you may not be able to detect it on your own.

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The link between gum disease
and heart disease.
Gum Disease can kill more than your smile
 Bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream when the gums are inflamed. The bacteria can attach to platelets. These clumps of platelets and bacteria can lodge inside the walls of blood vessels causing heart-stopping clots to form. These clots are what lead to heart disease. Keeping your gums healthy can reduce your risk for a heart attack.

Signs that you may have periodontal disease:

  • bleeding gums

  • red inflamed gums 

  • bad breath

  • headaches

  • bad taste in your mouth

  • teeth may be loose
Periodontal disease may effect
your health in other ways too.
Watch for future posts concerning other health concerns of  Periodontal disease.