If you grind your teeth during sleep, it is known as sleep bruxism. But if you do that in an awake state of mind, you might have awake bruxism.

Signs & Symptoms of Bruxism

There are certain apparent teeth grinding symptoms you should look out for in yourself or a family member. Be alert if you or your family member makes loud noise due to teeth grinding during sleep. Broken, damaged or chipped teeth can be a result of clenching teeth. If you feel pain and sensitivity in your teeth and see the damaged enamel, contact your dentist immediately.

Some painful symptoms can be felt around your jaw, ears, head, neck and other parts of the face. Be alert if you feel unexplained pain in these areas. Damaged inner cheeks and disruption in sleep can also be a symptom of bruxism.

Adverse Effects of Bruxism

There are various short term and long term effects of teeth grinding. But they should be treated as early as you spot the teeth grinding symptoms. Let’s look at 4 common adverse teeth grinding effects.

1. Depleted Condition of Teeth

The condition of your teeth will reveal whether you have a teeth grinding disorder or not. Your teeth become flat and square-shaped due to regular clinching. Some can be smaller than others and in a depleted condition. If your bruxism went undetected for a long time your teeth may appear more damaged.

You might also notice increased cavities in tour mouth as the cavities grow in the cracks of your teeth. You will likely need a filing and maybe even a root canal. But these dental restorations won’t last long with teeth grinding.

2. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) Disorder

TMJ is the joint which enables your jaw to move freely. Gnashing teeth puts pressure on your jaw and ultimately on the TMJ. Because TMJ is the connecting joint between your jaw and your skull, the pressure on TMJ can lead to TMJ disorder. This is a condition where the patient feels immense pain and discomfort in their jawbones and surrounding areas.

If you face trouble moving your jaw when speaking and chewing and feel immense pain in your head, neck, and shoulders, get yourself tested for TMJ disorder.

3. Disturbed Sleep

Sleep bruxism is a common disorder. You might or might not remember waking up from sleep at night due to teeth grinding. But if you wake up tired you might have sleep bruxism. This lack of sleep gives birth to many other health issues down the road if not treated on time.

4. Damaged Gums

Your jaw connects with your teeth through soft tissue. The soft tissue gets damaged when you gnash your teeth and you will be able to spot redness and inflammation on your gums as a result. Your teeth may also get loose or disconnect from your gums because your injured gums can’t hold your teeth together.

Parting Words!

Bruxism can affect adults as well as kids. Contact your dentist as soon as you spot any of the symptoms explained above. This will help to prevent teeth grinding at an early stage. It is a curable disorder, provided you go to a reliable and experienced dentist. Don’t ignore this condition, otherwise, you will do tremendous harm to your teeth and gums.

Author: Shen Chao – Online Marketing Manager for Joshua Hong DDS in Goodyear, AZ.

Gingivitis is an infection of the surface layer of your gums, an early form of gum disease. While noticing that your gums are inflamed, or bleeding, can cause alarm, you do not need to panic. Gingivitis can, most often, be treated at home.

The Signs and Symptoms of Gingivitis

Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, which can result in tooth loss. Inconsistent care of your teeth and gums can cause gingivitis. Some medications and medical conditions can increase your risk. The symptoms of gingivitis include:

• Gums are swollen or inflamed
• Bleeding after brushing or flossing
• Gums are easily irritated
• Receding Gums
• Bad breath

Prevention of Gingivitis

Gingivitis can be prevented and eliminated with active daily oral Care. To prevent gingivitis be sure to engage in the following recommendations:

• Brush Your Teeth Twice Each Day
  Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use short strokes without applying too much pressure. Using an antibacterial toothpaste can help neutralize plaque along your gumline. You should brush for two minutes twice each day. It may be helpful to set a timer to be sure you get a thorough clean.
• Floss Once Each Day
  Flossing begins by winding most of an 18-inch length of floss around your finger of one hand with a small amount of floss around the finger of your opposite hand. You should unwind and use fresh floss between each of your teeth. Slide the floss gently between your teeth, curving the floss into a c shape at the gum line. You want the floss to get between your teeth and gums.
• Use Mouthwash After Bushing
  Mouthwash kills the bacteria that brushing and flossing leave lingering in your mouth. Mouthwash alone will not prevent gingivitis, but when combined with brushing, flossing and regular dental cleaning, mouthwash can help keep your smile infection-free.

Home Care For Gingivitis

Since gingivitis is typically a minor infection, you may not even be aware of symptoms. Prevention is often the best defense. Even if you have noticeable symptoms, you can treat mild gingivitis on your own with these simple home remedies:

• Salt Water Rinse
  Salt is a natural disinfectant that is easy to use. Simply dissolve ½ to ¾ of a teaspoon in warm water, then Swish the salt solution in your mouth for 30 seconds (then spit it out). Use this solution two or three times a day. This mixture is quite acidic, so you will want to resist the urge to use it for too long or too often.
• Lemongrass Oil
  Lemongrass oil kills bacteria, including the bacteria that can cause gum disease. Add two or three drops of lemongrass essential oil to a cup of water and swish the lemongrass solution in your mouth for 30 seconds Then spit it out). You can use your lemongrass oil mouthwash up to three times per day. Be sure this essential oil is always well diluted, so it does not cause additional irritation.
• Pulling with Coconut Oil
  The lauric acid in coconut oil is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. A 2015 study finds that oil pulling significantly reduces plaque deposits and reverses gingivitis. The directions for oil pulling include:
• Put 2-3 teaspoons of coconut oil in your mouth
• Swish the oil in your mouth for 20 minutes
• Do not spit the oil into your sink (clogs pipes)
• Spit the coconut oil into a paper cup or towel and throw it away
• Rinse your mouth with water
• Brush as usual

Knowing the signs and symptoms of gingivitis can reduce your risk of periodontal disease. With home treatment, your gingivitis symptoms should improve within a few days. Typically the condition should clear within two weeks. If your symptoms persist, it is best to contact your dentist’s office or schedule an appointment.

Joe Humphries is a contributing writer and media specialist for Denture Helper. He regularly writes for health blogs with an emphasis on oral care for adults and seniors.

The majority of the issues that we will be exploring are off of  most peoples’ radar. They are not discussed,very much, if at all, in the print and television media or even on social media. When you are suffering from any symptoms that are related to these conditions and diseases, you might feel like you are out on an island, alone. Don’t feel that way. Dental.Net is here to inform and your Dentist is always there for you,to help.

In some instances, medical researchers are still trying to discover a cure for these mysterious diseases. All too often, leading experts in the field of Dentistry are not even sure how or why a particular condition develops in a person. In Dental offices and medical labs across America;there is an ongoing process consisting of research and clinical trials  in an effort to combat these issues that quietly affect millions of men and women.

One of the worst of these conditions is BMS. BMS is medical shorthand for an extremely painful and  stress-inducing condition  known as Burning Mouth Syndrome. Burning Mouth Syndrome is not something that you can really talk about with friends or family, like cavities and tooth whitening. Most people will have no idea what you are talking about.

They will look at you ,wide-eyed, as though you are describing a disease from a science-fiction movie. But  BMS is,unfortunately, all too real. People who have BMS often describe it as a burning pain in their mouth. The primary source of pain is usually the tongue. But, Burning Mouth syndrome can also affect ones’ lips, inner cheeks,gums and the upper portion of the mouth ( your Palate).

Patients report that the onset of pain  can be very swift and sudden. There are no minor, preliminary warning signs or symptoms. The pain just seems to appear,one day, on the tongue,on the palate and doesn’t go away. Sometimes, the pain is so bad,it feels as though the patient has gulped down a mouthful  of steaming hot coffee or tea. Others report a more moderate, but still , annoying pain.

BMS is a chronic condition. Once most people get it, the symptoms persist every day and can last for months or years. Symptoms can vary from person to person. Some patients report a tingling feeling or a sensation of numbness on their tongue. Frequently, BMS patients tell their dentist that  food tastes differently ,now. Some patients   have a  strange  metallic taste in their mouth. Others just lose their sense of taste. Dry mouth and increased thirst are  quite common among people with BMS.

Damage to ones’ sensory nerves of both the peripheral and central nervous system  is thought to be  partially responsible for what is known as PRIMARY  Burning mouth syndrome. When every lab test comes up negative and your dentist and physician cannot positively identify any abnormality , your BMS will be classified as  idiopathic or primary.

SECONDARY BMS is attributed to  an underlying medical condition; one which you and your doctor already know you have or a complication or disease that  is discovered through specific tests. Whichever form of BMS that you may have, this condition doesn’t cause any physical changes to your tongue or other areas of the mouth.

Burning Mouth syndrome is extremely hard to diagnose,simply because  there are no specific tests for it.  No one is sure what causes this condition,hence the mystery attached to BMS.  At one point in time, Dental professionals theorized that BMS might be   caused by eating really hot, spicy foods. This did not prove to be the case,although, if you do have BMS, it would certainly be wise to eliminate such foods from your diet.

Experts believe that  oral and physical issues that may be linked to Burning mouth syndrome are  acid reflux, fungus infections such as oral thrush, diabetes and  certain thyroid conditions.

Blood pressure medications are also in the BMS-trigger loop as are Vitamin deficiencies like Vitamins B-1 Thiamin, B-2 Riboflavin, B-9 folate. A lack of iron  in your system could also present a potential problem.

If you wear dentures, there is cause for concern regarding possibly  developing BMS. Dentures that are too tight or tend to be lose and slip around in your mouth when you eat and speak  can irritate your tongue.  For those people who brush their tongue and  are too abrasive with their hand action, a bout of BMS could be in their future. 

Metal based dental materials could serve as a trigger mechanism,especially if you have had a lot of  involved dental work done recently. Some patients are allergic to the metals that are used in dentures or implants.

BMS is “Silent” when it comes to making a diagnosis because there are no visual cues or symptoms that a dentist or physician can see when conducting an examination.  The process of elimination worked wonders when Sherlock Holmes  had to solve a mystery . Dentists utilize this criteria and  methodology when dealing with Burning Mouth Syndrome.

Your dentist will review your medical history to look for clues and will probably have you undergo a series of tests, before making a final diagnosis.  The most important of these tests are salivary flow, Imaging,( which includes an MRI or CT scan), oral swab ( the cultures taken from your mouth will tell the lab if you have a fungal, bacterial or viral infection), as well as  Allergy testing.

Dentists can treat the symptoms of BMS with a variety of medicines, so,eventually, you should obtain the relief from pain that you seek.  To help alleviate the burning sensation, most dentists advise their patients to sip a cold drink such as fruit juice or ice water.  However, it’s best to avoid juices such as orange and grapefruit,or Lime that are  high in acid content. Lemonade makes the list, as well. Avoid soda or even lightly carbonated drinks like Seltzer water.

If you are suffering from BMS, you CAN do Brunch. But, skip those very popular bottomless brunch options. Any kind of alcoholic beverage, from Margaritas to Mimosas, will only serve to irritate your symptoms. 

Don’t underestimate the psychological impact that BMS can have on you.   Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand with this  condition. You may have difficulty in falling asleep.

There’s no real pattern to Burning mouth syndrome.  For some people, the pain starts early in the morning and subsides towards nightfall.   For others , the morning is a time of  relief from the unrelenting pain, which grows worse as the day progresses.

Seek the support of those who are close to you and don’t be afraid to reach out to a mental health professional, if you feel that it’s all getting to be a little too much to handle. Until the pain finally goes away, use all of the tools at your disposal to manage BMS and its’ insidious effects.

Above all, don’t  allow BMS to destroy the quality of your life. Together with your Dentist ,take the fight to BMS and   discover the winner within you.

There are several kinds of common dental diseases. Dry sockets and dental abscesses are extremely painful and demand expensive procedures. Other common dental ailments include gum recession, swollen gums, bleeding gums, dental sensitivity, cracked tooth syndrome and dental erosion. Here are some tips which will help you prevent common dental diseases.

Regular dental checkups: Regular dental checkups mean regular medical and dental care. Regular care will help you control dental plaque. This is done by cleaning free floating oral bacteria before they build huger colonies in form of plaques. Dental plaque are responsible for absorbing sugars and producing acids.

These acids bring about change in tooth structures by reducing calcium levels from the enamel. This calcium deficit causes cavities. Cavities are craters that are created on the tooth surface. The presences of cavities mean there are openings on the tooth surface and provide and entry points for bacteria. Cavities can be prevented by regular dental cleaning and checkups.

Treating dental bacterial infections: Bacteria enter through the cavities and affect the dental nerve and gum tissues. They are responsible for causing gum inflammation, swelling, bleeding, and tartar deposits. These conditions can be prevented if you regularly clean your teeth with anti-bacterial mouthwashes and going to the dentist for dental aches.

Paying attention to dental problems: Not preventing and curing dental diseases will allow the bacteria into your blood stream. There may be serious hazards of this. You may suffer from blocked arteries, oral and neck paralysis and several kinds of cancers. Preventing common dental diseases will help you prevent other health hazards. Basic dental regimens will help you prevent major dental and health problems.

Caring for your teeth: Even before you take any other step, make sure you take regular care of your teeth. Constant chewing and grinding may result in cracks and chips. These make further aggravate and cause dental erosions. Dental erosions exfoliate teeth and reduce them in size. The best way to prevent dental and gum erosion is not to chew or break hard substances with your teeth.

Dietary changes: Dietary changes are majorly effective in preventing basic dental diseases. Sweet and starchy foods are harmful for your teeth. Sugars and starches accelerate acid attacks and quicken teeth disintegration. These damages are visible in due course or age. Common dental diseases can take a toll on your health, budget and lifestyle. The easiest way of treating common dental diseases is to prevent them. Basic dental hygiene is extremely important in preventing common dental diseases.

Usually, the tubules become exposed when the gum tissues recede and hot and cold or even overly sweet food can reach the nerve and cause pain. There’s many reasons why you may have sensitive teeth – it could be because the enamel has worn out due to brushing too hard, or eating too much acidic foods like citrus fruits, tea or tomatoes; it can be cause by gum disease or other gum-related conditions; it can even be caused by using the wrong kind of mouthwash or toothpaste. Whatever the cause, these are just some ways you can help with the pain of sensitive teeth.

Use Special Toothpaste and Toothbrush:
There are several types of dental toothpastes on the market made especially for sensitive teeth. Usually, these work to desensitize your teeth, as well as help build up the lost enamel and cover up those tubules. Try different brands to find one that suits you best. Usually, whitening toothpaste and tartar control toothpaste can worsen the situation, so use fluoridated toothpaste instead. Also, before you go to bed, apply a layer of toothpaste on the exposed roots of your teeth.

Check your toothbrush – are the bristles too hard? This may cause the enamel to wear thin, so make sure you only use soft bristled brushes.

Watch Your Diet:
Certain foods can wear down your teeth enamel. Highly acidic foods are the main culprit that dissolved the enamel and exposes your dentin. Starch and sugar left over in your mouth reacts with plaque, creating more acids. So, if you do eat any of these acidic, sugary or starchy food, make sure you brush your teeth as soon as possible.

Other Ways to Help Sensitive Teeth:
Depending on the cause of your sensitive teeth, there may be other ways to deal with it. If you grind your teeth when you sleep, go to your dentist to get a mouth guard. If you live in a place that doesn’t have fluoridated water, use special mouthwash and other products to compensate. Over-all, maintaining good oral hygiene habits is the best way to prevent sensitive teeth and other dental problems. Brush at least three times a day and floss regularly to maintain healthy teeth and gums. You should, of course, also visit your dentist to maintain your teeth and gums.

Chipped or Knocked-out Tooth:
If you’re in an accident and you have broken or knocked-out teeth, you’ll have to see your dentist for dental treatment ASAP, within the next few hours at the latest. Pick up the pieces or teeth and rinse it off with dirty water. Store it in a clean container with milk or water milk some salt and bring it with your to the dentist. You’ll also have to clean your mouth with a warm water rinse, and if there is any bleeding, apply some cotton gauze to the area. If you did get your teeth knocked out, try to put it back carefully into the socket. You can get some special cell growth mediums at your drugstore to help save it, but your best chance of putting it back is to see your dentist within the hour.

Gum or Tissue Injuries:
If it’s the gum or tissues (cheeks, lips or tongue) around the teeth that are a problem, then treat it right away with a warm saline solution. If there’s bleeding, press a gauze or tea bag to the injured area for about 20 minutes. To relieve pain, use a cold compress outside of the mouth over the affected area. If the bleeding continues, see your dentist or go to the emergency room right away.

In an emergency, it’s best to be prepared, so make sure your first aid kit at home also contains items for dental emergencies. If you can’t reach your dentist, check if there are any hospitals that offer emergency dental care so you can have your problem taken care of right away.

Underbite:
The underbite is a condition in which the lower teeth land in front of the upper teeth when the jaws are closed. Ideally the lower front teeth are supposed to lie behind the upper teeth. The underbite affects the molars as well, in addition to the upper incisor teeth. People with underbite have a more prominent lower jaw than normal.

Underbite results mostly due to genetic reasons. However, children who have had prolonged pacifier use may also develop an underbite. Other habits like thumb sucking and bad chewing habits can worsen the condition. The condition may also develop in children with adenoids or allergies that cause them to breathe through the mouth. Underbites should be treated immediately as the condition can deteriorate quickly if not cared for properly.

Symptoms of an underbite include primarily difficulty in chewing. Over time headaches may develop and eventually temporomandibular joint syndrome may develop. This condition is an inflammation and arthritis of the joint near the temples which connects the lower jaw with the rest of the head.

Overbite:
An overbite is the term that refers to the overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth. In normal humans the overbite is about 3-5mm between the teeth. Overlaps greater than 5mm are classified as an abnormal overbite. The overbites make up about 70 percent of the dental disorders in children making it the most common malocclusion.

Like the underbite, overbites are also related to genetics. The condition is inherited from the parents. The condition can be worsened by extensive pacifier use, thumb sucking and tongue thrusting at a young age. The jaw bone is tender at this age and can be easily deformed by such habits.

The main symptoms of an overbite are of course visually obvious. In addition to that, there are difficulties while chewing. Chewing can especially be painful for chewy foods like pizza. Over time headaches may develop and the temporomandibular joint may suffer extra stress. The extra stress can lead to damage and wear of the jaw bone joint.

Crossbite:
A crossbite is a condition that arises due to irregularities of the occlusal surface of the tooth. One or more teeth may be tilted toward the cheek (known as buccal) or toward the tongue (known as lingual) as compared to the tooth above it. The crossbite can be on one or both sides of the jaw. The condition causes excessive stress on the jaw bone.

A crossbite is mainly due to heredity. The shape of the tooth and the jaw bone are governed by genes. Crossbites can also form if there is a delayed loss of baby teeth or an irregular eruption of new teeth. The condition can worsen due to careless chewing habits and thumb sucking.

Dental disorders are very painful and can deteriorate over time. It is important that they be treated at once. Most of the treatment will include braces and jaw retainers. In some surgeries, the jaw bone can be modified and improved as well. Consult your dentist on which dental treatments would suit you the best.

There are fewer things worse in life than a painful, throbbing cavity.  A severely abscessed tooth, however, is hands down one of them. The pain, swelling and overall discomfort is something that no one should have to deal with ever! Unfortunately, like many other dental maladies and conditions, abscesses are a part of life. The idea of practicing good oral hygiene is to make our encounters with abscesses of the teeth and gums, as few and far between as possible. While a typical abscess of your tooth or gum area may start off slowly; it can very swiftly pick up a head of steam. The infection can ravage your mouth and spread to other parts of the body. In certain cases, especially for those people who have compromised immune systems; what began as a “simple” abscessed tooth can turn into a deadly, life-threatening attack on your entire system. Infections from an abscessed tooth can, in very rare instances, spread to the brain.

In this article we will take a general look at dental abscesses and how you can treat them at home or on an emergency basis.

What is a dental abscess?

An abscess is a small pocket of pus (a thick, yellow unpleasant looking fluid), that is the result of an infection. By and large, abscesses infect the teeth or gums, but they have also been known to affect the jaw area, tongue, cheeks, throat and the face area. Swelling occurs on the face when the skin that is directly over the abscess becomes red and inflamed. The tooth where the infection is located can even become loose. It is fairly common for people with a serious abscess to run a fairly high fever and suffer nausea, flu-like chills and feel light headed. You can also develop a really bad taste in your mouth, which could be residue from the pus.

There is not one culprit who we can blame regarding conditions that can cause an abscess. While most abscesses are the result of severe tooth decay (our old ” friend”, the cavity), other causes include periodontal disease, trauma (severely cracked or chipped teeth can let the infection enter the pulp of your tooth) and extremely poor oral hygiene. When you don’t brush and floss on a regular basis, it sets the stage for some bad things to happen. Abscesses create openings in the tooth’s enamel, which allows the pus and bacteria to pass through the dentin and infect the pulp. The Pain that you feel from an abscess comes from the center of your tooth. The pain and throbbing is caused by your tissues becoming inflamed and also by a buildup of pressure within the area of the abscess. The entire area will usually swell up, if the infection spreads to your gum tissues.

There are two types of dental abscesses. Which one do you have? (hopefully, none!)

A Periodontal abscess looks rather like a boil on your gums. These abscesses develop from gum diseases, like Gingivitis, that have not been properly treated by a Dental professional. It usually starts in the supporting structures between the teeth and spreads into the gum tissues. Pockets of bacteria and germs form and eventually turn into a full-blown abscess. If particles of food get trapped between your teeth and are not removed by brushing and flossing, then the debris could become the trigger for an abscess.

A Periapical abscess is the most common type. They occur entirely inside the tooth structure. This kind of abscess shows up at the tip of your tooth’s root and then spreads like a spider web to the surrounding bone area. Cavities cause abscesses, but they can also develop if the nerve dies inside your tooth. Trauma, such as a fall or punch can ” kill” the nerve. The dead tissue that is in your tooth is more prone to infection.

Both the Periodontal and Periapical varieties of abscess are buzz-kills. You do not want either one of them to develop. Both can, if left untreated, leave you in pain that is so bad, even some over the counter pain-killers cannot provide relief. In some cases, you may lose your tooth if oral surgery does not work.

What are my treatment options? Can I do anything to help relieve the abscess?

Due to the nature of the condition you have (a really bad infection), there Is not much you can do, except get to your dentist asap! Hygienists and dentists recommend that at the first sign of a pimple-like swelling on your gum surface, you should rinse out your mouth with a salt-water solution, about three to four times per day. This might help to draw out the pus build up and relieve some of the pressure that is mounting in the abscess. Home remedies to relieve the pain from an abscessed tooth are very popular, but before trying anything of that nature it is best to consult with your dentist by phone or email. Peppermint oil has been known to help reduce discomfort from a toothache. Some dental professionals believe that the antiseptic properties in peppermint oil can even reduce gum inflammation caused by a periodontal abscess.

How will my dentist treat an abscess?

As soon as you get in the dental chair, your dentist will conduct a thorough examination and clean the infected area. In order to begin the healing process, the dentist will then drain the pus from the abscess and then either lance the abscess in order to allow the pus to escape or drill a tiny hole in the tooth, if it is a periapical abscess that he is dealing with. Sometimes, the abscess may have already ruptured before you can get to the dentist’s office. Do not try to perform any kind of at-home oral surgery on your abscess. Your dentist may also prescribe a regimen of antibiotics, if the infection has already spread. It is vitally important that the infection not be allowed to reach your brain or your heart area. This eventuality is extremely rare but it can happen.

Periapical Abscesses are most commonly dealt with by a root canal procedure. If the infection is too far gone and has damaged the inner portion of your tooth, a root canal is necessary in order to have any chance at saving the tooth and restoring it. The dead pulp tissue has to be removed and the site cleaned out or the infection can and will return, causing yet another abscess. Sometimes the dentist has no choice but to pull the tooth. It cannot be saved. In those instances, you will need a new tooth to be made.

When dealing with a Periodontal Abscess, your dentist’s challenge will be to close the pocket where the abscess developed. This is done by by smoothing out the surface of the tooth’s root. The mission here is to make the gum tissue that had been affected by the pus and abscess fold back onto the underlying part of your tooth.

Who is most at risk for developing complications from an abscess?

Men and women who have medical conditions such as Diabetes, autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren’s syndrome, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS can all potentially suffer from complications related to tooth or gum abscesses. If you have had your spleen removed, are undergoing chemotherapy or are taking steroids, then you could also be at risk. Some people in these groups could even develop dental abscesses more easily than others. Your immune system will try to fight off the pus and accumulated bacteria, but it will not always win the fight. Even if you feel that the pain has gone away from the abscess; do not be fooled because If left untreated by a dentist, the infection will come back. Septicemia, which is an infection of your bloodstream, can kill you if it spreads to a vital organ. No matter how busy you may be or how afraid of the dentist you are, do not take chances because your life could be at stake. Seek professional help immediately!

The obvious factors also apply; smokers and people with poor oral hygiene or lifestyle habits are very likely end up with stained teeth. Keep in mind: many factors, including diet and smoking, contribute to stained teeth. There are many things we do on a daily bases that can cause our teeth to become stained and discolored. Over time, the problem can grow worse. Here are the most common causes of tooth discoloration.

Food:
Foods and beverages that can stain your teeth include soy sauce, berries, black tea, coffee, red wines, curries, colas and red fruit juices. Acidic foods and beverages or extreme changes of hot and cold can cause teeth pores to expand, which also may allow stains to penetrate. Avoiding or limiting how often these foods are consumed is one way of protecting against staining.

Tobacco:
In addition to serious health complications, tobacco products cause yellowed and stained teeth. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chew are the most common uses of tobacco, all of which will stain teeth with continued use. Bottom line: don’t smoke.

Water:
If a significant amount of water containing high levels of fluoride is consumed, brownish stains on teeth may appear. This is especially true for those who drink water with high levels of fluoride during childhood.

Medications:
When used in excess, fluoride can cause tooth discoloration in children, as can tetracycline and derivative compounds of tetracycline such as minocycline and doxycycline. Minocycline has also been reported to cause teeth discoloration in adults.

Other Factors:
Aging, tooth decay and tooth trauma are also common causes of discoloration. Additional attention to cleaning may be necessary to maintain white teeth in later stages of adulthood. Any trauma, illness or disease that affects enamel development in children— in the womb or while teeth are developing— can lead to discolored teeth. Trauma to adult teeth can also cause discolored teeth. In addition, a number of diseases and disease treatments can cause discolored teeth.

Maintain Clean Teeth:
The good news is that maintaining a clean, plaque-free smile is possible. Keep a few tips in mind to maintain clean teeth. First, remember to rinse away stains by brushing your teeth. If you are unable to brush your teeth after consuming food or beverages that may stain your teeth, preserve clean teeth by rinsing your mouth with water or a dental rinse. Next, eat right. Eating a balanced diet including the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables will help promote clean teeth. Finally, if you have not already done so, quit smoking. Smoking is one of the top factors that undermine clean teeth. And of course, visit your dentist regularly to ensure that you are on the right path in your oral health plan.

There is surprisingly little pain associated with periodontitis, unless you also have a tooth abscess.

Periodontitis is the main cause of tooth loss in adults, so it is important that you see your dentist if you have any of these symptoms. Children and adolescents can also have periodontitis, but it is not as common in these age groups. Approximately 15 percent of adults between 21 and 50 years old and 30 percent of adults over 50 have the disease.

Your family dentist will perform an exam to see if you have periodontitis. The symptoms sometimes mimic gingivitis. In addition to a visual exam, your periodontist will use x-rays to see if you have lost any of the bone mass that supports your teeth and also to detect any plaque deposits under your gums.

Dental treatment will reduce the inflammation, heal any pockets of infection and clean your teeth and gums thoroughly. Your dentist will also help you develop a program of self care to prevent recurrence of this disease, and you will be urged to visit your dentist regularly to have your teeth professionally cleaned. Often dentists recommend you have your teeth cleaned three or four times a year if you have had periodontitis. Periodontitis is sure to recur if you do not change your oral hygiene practices.

If this condition is left untreated for a long time, the consequences can be quite serious. You can lose your teeth, or need to have oral surgery to clean deep pockets in your gums or to construct supports for loose teeth. Other possible conditions include infections and abscesses in the tissue around your mouth, infection of your jaw, and trench mouth, a painful bacterial condition that includes swelling and gum ulcers.

If that weren’t enough, periodontitis may put you at risk for heart disease. A widely-reported study in the Journal of Periodontology and a related study by the University of Buffalo showed a link between periodontitis and heart disease. Evidently, the bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums can seep into your bloodstream. The blood then carries these harmful bacteria to other organs, including the heart. In the liver, they may trigger the production of C-reactive proteins. C-reactive proteins are a predictor for increased risk for heart disease.

The success of treatment for periodontitis depends on how advanced the condition is. The good news is, with regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene practices, the condition should never reoccur.