Health Care

By: Taylor Clarke

If you knew that your mouth was headed for trouble, would you want to know? If you could apply the emergency brake and prevent yourself from having to undergo hours of dental work and the insertion of fillings as well as prevent the loss of teeth, would you do whatever it took? The answer is quite probably a resounding “yes!” To this end, the next question needs to be: Do you know what gingivitis looks like? If you do not, you should!

Little is more definitive of dental health than the absence, presence, or extent of gingivitis in your mouth. While the term is frequently bandied about in television commercials for a wide array of different dental hygiene products, very few actually know what gingivitis looks like. Generally speaking, gingivitis is best explained as being a noticeable inflammation – or reddening – of the gums (also known as the gingiva). The area of particular interest to the gingivitis detective is the gum line where gums and teeth meet.

A conspicuous reddening of this sensitive area occurs because of dental plaque that is sticks on to the various exterior portions of the teeth. Plaque itself usually cannot be seen – although there are some dental rinses available that help to color the plaque and thus reveal its locations on your teeth – but it is safe to say that each and every mouth contains it. Over time – within minutes and over the span of hours – it builds up and requires removal. Brought on by bacteria which reside in your mouth, plaque left on teeth will lead to tooth decay and finally necessitate the treatment of dental cavities. When left on the gums, this very same substance is at the root of causation of periodontal diseases, such as gingival recession, loss of connective tissues, and damage to the alveolar bone.

Take stock of the following symptoms that are almost always associated with gingivitis:

- Gums are swollen and bleed easily, such as when biting into a firm apple, while flossing, or simply when brushing with a soft bristled brush.

- The color of the gums is bright red, not the healthy pink that usually characterizes the inside of a healthy mouth, and occasionally may even shift to a more purplish or mottled appearance.

- One symptom sometimes associated with gingivitis is the presence of mouth sores, yet since they are a symptom linked with a large number of ailments and conditions it is wise to not rest a home diagnosis simply on the presence or absence of a sore or any number thereof.

Of course, the final determination about the presence or absence of gingivitis in your mouth should come from a trained dental professional, and visiting such an individual at least two times a year – although a higher frequency of such visits may be indicted if you have had dental problems or treatments in the recent past – will go a long ways to not only recognizing and dealing with gingivitis but to also remove the root cause: hardened plaque!

About the Author:

Taylor Clarke writes articles dealing with dental issues including Gum Disease Treatments, Receding Gums, Bad Breath and Gingivitis.

By: Andy Lim

When pus forms in your gums but not in the bone, you have gum or periodontal abscess. It ranks second in dental emergencies. It is the result of periodontitis, a severe gum disease. It usually needs to be treated immediately.

When inflammation spreads into the supporting structure of the teeth, it will result in periodontal abscess. This will subsequently destroy the supporting structure of the teeth,the bone and the tissue (periodontium). The destruction will then lead to the formation of pockets. Food particles will accumulate in the pockets to form plaque and tartar. This creates a conducive environment for the bacteria to live and multiply. In the end, infection sets in and pus develops in the gums.

Gum abscess can form around a living tooth. Beginning from the gum, the pus works itself into the bone by creating a hole in the bone around the teeth. This will eventually destroy the underlying bone. The problem can only get worse. That's why periodontal disease cannot be left untreated.

Unlike a toothache, you can't feel the pain when the infection sets in. When the pus begins to take form in the gum, you will experience continuous throbbing and burning sensations. Usually overnight, the infected area will swell. You may notice a white spot on the gum. If you push the gum around your teeth, it hurts. You may have difficulty in opening your mouth because of the swelling and inflammation of gums close to your teeth. Your taste bud will be affected also because of the draining of the pus. Bear in mind that the infection can spread to other gum areas if you don't get proper treatment.

You can use salt water and clove oil to reduce the pain temporarily before you seek dental help. Pain relieving medication with anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, motrin or acetaminophen may also help. Sometimes after using mouthwashes and peroxide flushes, the pus will form again. They can only relieve the pain but cannot treat the infection. You should see a dentist right away to have it treated.

Antibiotic therapy is the best temporary relief for periodontal abscess. It is administered during a dental emergency. You should get relief between 24 to 48 hours.

Dentists usually use scaling and root planing to remove the abscess. To get rid of the infection, they will thoroughly clean the canal system within the tooth. They also remove the debris to allow the pus to drain. But you may need periodontal surgery or even worse, selective tooth extraction if the gum disease becomes serious.

You need to keep your tooth and root surfaces clean. This can prevent the formation of pockets which gather bacteria. Then your risk of developing gum abscess is lower. You can also stop infection by removing plaque through proper oral hygiene.

Regular dental visits can help to control active gum disease by reducing the depth of periodontal pockets around the affected teeth. Regular dental cleanings can reduce bacterial growth in periodontal pockets to lower the possibility of developing periodontal abscess.

Gum abscess begins as an inflammation of the gum tissue (gingivitis). If you don't take immediate measures, it can destroy supporting structures and become periodontitis. If you need dental emergency treatment, you are already in the acute phase of gum disease. Proper dental hygiene and regular dental visits can stop gum abscess from developing.

Andy Lim gives away more tips on how totreat gum disease at his web site. You can prevent periodontal infection by applyingreversing gum disease strategies.

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