Posts Tagged ‘periodontal disease’

Calcium Intake and Its Effects on Oral Health

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

As the threat of periodontal disease becomes increasingly alarming, a lot of types of periodontal disease treatment have been coming up here and there.  This means that the said condition is started to be seen at a more serious light.  As more and more innovations come, solutions against the effects of periodontal disease become more convenient and accessible.  One research from the American Journal of Periodontology has shown that calcium intake is valuable against this kind of dental condition.

A lot of studies regarding the importance and impact of calcium as a periodontal disease treatment have been surfacing.  Researchers from the New York State University in Buffalo have also showed studies proving the importance of calcium as a cure for this dental health condition.  The Oral Biology Department of the said university has conducted a research and has concluded that 500 milligrams or lesser calcium intakes make humans more prone to dental health complications.  Therefore, it is really important to incorporate calcium to one’s daily intake.  Sources of calcium would include milk, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.

What makes calcium an effective periodontal disease treatment then?  This nutrient is substantial in maintaining our bones and other supporting body parts stable and sturdy.  In the case of our oral cavity, calcium has been seen as important factor in making the jawbones and teeth sockets strong.  With the deficiency of calcium, these parts will start to be less durable, making it more prone to the entry of various kinds of oral health diseases, with periodontal disease as one of the worst types.

So how much calcium is needed to assure that you are kept at a consistently good level?  According to the National Osteoporosis Society, at least 1000 milligrams of calcium is recommended for adults and older people.  For the younger ones (particularly from ages seven to twelve), 800 milligrams of calcium is suggested.  The amount of calcium intake actually depends on the type of person.  For example, pregnant women are obliged to have 1500 milligrams of calcium intake.  The levels may indeed vary depending on the needs.

Apart from calcium intake, it is oral hygiene that can really help people get away from the perils and risks of periodontal disease.  Along with a healthy diet, oral hygiene is considered to be one of the easiest ways to cure any forms of diseases that involve the mouth.  However, it entails the person to be committed enough to their dental health responsibilities.  By the simplest act of brushing your teeth after every meal, any oral health problems are not an issue.

Periodontal Disease: The Most Common Oral Health Problem

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Periodontal disease, which is commonly known as gum disease; is one of the most common oral health problems in adults these days. It is also one of the leading causes of loss of their teeth. This disease is manifested by the infection of the tissues and bones supporting the teeth and holds them in place. When neglected and left untreated, the condition can become more severe causing the teeth to become loose and fall out.

There are factors that make you susceptible to develop periodontal disease. For some people, the tendency to acquire the disease may have been inherited from their parents. Eating snacks puts you at high risk of contracting this disease of the gums especially when you are unable to brush your teeth after eating. The sugar contained in foods is bad for your teeth as well as the starchy foods which also feed on the acids that eat into your tooth enamel. Fighting off plaque can be difficult also if you wear braces.

Certain medications can also increase the risk of developing periodontal disease. Some medical conditions including Down syndrome and diabetes also increase the likelihood of acquiring the condition. Lifestyle habits like not having adequate sleep, eating a lousy diet, and too much stress also makes you vulnerable to infection throughout your whole body and so with your gums. It can be observed that girls have a higher risk of gum disease than boys because during puberty, there is an increase in the level of their sex hormones. It is noticed that the gums of girls are easily irritated. In addition, bleeding of the gums is also observed days before their periods.

Tobacco is attributed to the early and more severe problems on the gums. Smoking not only lead to bad breath and yellowed, stained teeth but recent studies show that smoking is now the leading cause of gum disease. People who chew tobacco and smoke cigarettes are more prone to develop buildup of plaque and tartar and often show signs of gum disease that is already in the advanced stage. These are also the people who are more likely to develop mouth cancer in the future.

The disease slowly develops in stages and nowadays, about half or more of the population of teenagers has some form of this gum problem. When your gums bleed especially after brushing and flossing your teeth, it is more likely that you already have gingivitis which is gum disease in its mildest form. Symptoms of this condition include redness, tenderness, and puffiness of the gums aside from the usual bleeding.