An antioxidant known as Catechins was identified as responsible for resolving symptoms of periodontal or gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the gums and bone supporting the teeth and has been known to become a precursor of cardiovascular disease, lung disorders as well as diabetes.

So how does Green Tea help?

The way it works is it prevents the growth and sticking of disease-causing bacteria or virus to teeth and gums. Antioxidants are substances that protect our cells against the effects of free radicals which are molecules produced when our body breaks down food or by being be exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation.

Not a lot of tea is required for general oral health. Just about 1 cup of tea per day gives indication of healthier gums and teeth.

Aside from watching what you eat and increasing the foods that maybe good for your teeth, such as Green Tea, visiting your dentist for regular cleanings and dental checkups are important steps to maintaining good oral health. If you are looking for a dentist in the Minnetonka area, why not consider our office, Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. We are innovative – just take a look at our office – and will lead you to dental success!

Plaque Refresher
Plaque forms constantly on teeth and can build up if it is not removed through daily cleaning. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins that can irritate your gums. You may have heard it called gingivitis — when gums swell, turn red and bleed easily. When your teeth gets to what is called periodontitis, the bone and soft tissues that support the teeth can be destroyed causing loss of teeth.

Why Women?
Periodontal disease is not an older person’s problem. It can occur at any age and to men and women. Women, however, seem to get it worse. Hormonal changes can affect blood supply to the gums and the response to irritants from plaque may be heightened. If you are a woman and already prone to periodontal disease, you may find the problem worsening during hormonal changes.

Also, during menstruation, women may notice changes in their mouth, including swollen gums, lesions, canker sores and swollen salivary glands. Gums may also bleed more. This should not be ignored. Your family dentist may prescribe special cleanings, treatment or anesthetics to ease any pain.

Pregnancy and Oral Health
During pregnancy, your body’s hormone levels rise considerably. Your dentist may recommend frequent cleanings during the last few months to avoid problems. Occasionally overgrowths of tissue may appear on the gums during the second trimester. These localized growths are usually found between the teeth and are believed to be related to excess plaque. They are often removed after the baby is born. Research has shown to suggest that pregnant women with periodontal disease may increase their risk for delivering a pre-term baby and having complications during their pregnancy.

Every day, research finds correlations between your overall well-being and the health of your teeth. Women need to be careful in maintaining healthy teeth, not only to get that pretty smile, but to keep physically healthy for themselves and even their children. Contact Wayzata Dental and SmileSpa to arrange a visit to speak about pregnancy and oral health for women.

Gum disease comes in two major forms, gingivitis and periodontitis. Of the two, gingivitis is the easiest to treat, and while it may cause some discomfort, does no long-term damage on its own. However, untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, a much more serious problem that can be painful and can lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis can also lead to general health problems including heart disease and problems with the digestive system.

These gum diseases have obvious symptoms so if you notice any of them, consult your dentist immediately. These symptoms include:

• Red and swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Soft gums
• Prolonged bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Pus between your teeth
• Sensitive gums
• General discomfort around your gums

Brushing your teeth twice a day and rinsing between meals can help to prevent gum disease. Keeping your mouth hydrated is also important as it dilutes the amount of bacteria in the mouth. If you are diagnosed with gum disease, there are a range of treatments which may include antibiotics and antibacterial mouthwashes. Be sure to follow the dentist’s advice on any treatment plans – the sooner you bring gum disease under control, the fewer long-term effects there are on your teeth and overall health.

Any form of gum disease (or periodontal disease) is serious. In simple terms, periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues and bone that support the teeth. The cause is a buildup of plaque containing bacteria. This then produces toxins and calculus (also known as tartar) that irritate and damage the gums. While poor dental hygiene is not the only cause, it is a major contributor.

Other causes include poor diet, being run down (which teenagers often are), tobacco, and medical conditions such as diabetes and overactive hormones. Female teenagers are more likely to suffer from gingivitis than males because of those rampant hormones. Add tobacco to the mix and there are real problems.

The only solution is a tight dental hygiene routine that also involves close monitoring by a dentist or dental hygienist. Brushing several times a day together with regular flossing is a must. A regular visit to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned is also a must. A dentist may also prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash and/or antibiotics in severe cases.

Gum disease is a serious issue and should be managed carefully. Left untreated it can cause teeth loss or reach a stage where a dentist has to use surgery to clean gum pockets. Very badly infected gum tissue may need replacing using a gum graft. If you have a teen that has bad breath, get them to see a dentist as soon as practical. It could save a lifetime of problems.

Bad breath, or halitosis, can mar your smile when you see people returning a frown. While one instance of bad breath may be caused due to consumption of pungent food, another instance may have a deep rooted dental cause. If bad breath is a constant problem with you, seek your dentist’s help for remedies.

Cavities are known to be a nasty dental problem. Do you know that cavities can happen at any time? Even an infant feeding on milk can be affected by cavities. Teeth cavities are caused by the bacteria that flourish in the plaque in our mouth. Thus, it is important to keep the mouth absolutely clean in order to prevent cavities. Make sure you do not skip your regular appointments with the dentist.

The toothache is also a dental problem but it is more an indication of a bigger problem. It is important not to take a case of toothache lightly. If toothache persists for more than two days, visit your dentist at once.

Gingivitis and periodontitis – the two deadly gum diseases – originate from the plaque present in the mouth. An inflammation and tenderness of the gums indicate a gum disease. It is advisable to control the gum disease when it is still at the gingivitis stage. Visit your dentist if you notice symptoms of a gum disease.

There is another dental problem which is not obvious when it begins. I am referring to teeth erosion. Caused by acids produced by the foods we consume, teeth erosion refers to the washing away of the enamel of our teeth. Avoid excessive intake of acidic foods and keep away from beverages like carbonated drinks. It is important that the mouth is thoroughly rinsed after consuming any kind of acidic food. Also, it is important not to brush immediately after a meal but to wait at least an hour before picking up the toothbrush.

If you do have any of the afore-mentioned problems, discuss it with your dentist. Get it treated before it takes a monstrous avatar.

Start with following a proper dental care routine. The routine will keep bacteria at bay.

Cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke everyday. Tobacco not only makes your smile look bad but also makes you prone to deadly diseases.

Reduce your sugar intake. Avoid snacking on sweets between meals. Eating sweets during meals does not damage your teeth and gums too much. And yes, do clean your teeth thoroughly and after you have had your meal.

Keep a check on your blood sugar level. Diabetics are more susceptible to getting gum diseases than others. If you are a diabetic, you have to take extra care of your dental and overall health.

Try to beat that stress. You will be surprised to know that gum diseases attack you more if you are stressed. This happens because stress makes your immune system weak, making you unable to fight infections of any kind.

Women are more prone to gum diseases than men because of all the hormonal changes they have to undergo from puberty to pregnancy to menopause. Therefore, they need to pay more attention to their dental health.

Hope this information helps. Do write in if you would like to learn more about gum diseases.

What causes the periodontal disease?

Well, poor dental hygiene is probably the biggest factor causing this disease. Let’s look at all the factors that cause periodontitis:

• Tartar and plaque

• Smoking or tobacco consumption in any other form
• Teeth grinding
• Hormonal changes in women
• Deficiency of vitamins A and C

How can you prevent the disease?

The simplest way to prevent periodontitis is to take proper care of your dental health. You have got to maintain high standards of oral hygiene. And, yes, you have to cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke everyday. Stop grinding your teeth. And visit your dentist at least once every six months.

What are the symptoms of periodontitis?

Here are the warning signs of periodontitis:

• The gums appear swollen.

• The gums become noticeably red.
• The gums become soft.
• The teeth loosen.
• The gums sag, giving more space to the teeth.
• There is pus between the teeth and the gums.
• The gap between teeth starts widening.
• The breath smells bad.

What would happen if you don’t treat periodontitis?

If the periodontal disease is left untreated, here’s what you may face:

• You may lose teeth.

• You may lose bone.
• You may have difficulty in speaking.
• You may become prone to cardio-vascular diseases.
• You may suffer from frequent infections.

Now, if you don’t want to get to the point where your dentist looks at you in wonder, start paying attention to your teeth and gums.

Happy smiling!

Here are a few simple way to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis.

Follow a proper dental care routine. This one is the most basic thing you can do if you love your smile. The routine will keep bacteria at bay.

Cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke everyday. In fact, don’t consume tobacco in any form.

Reduce your sugar intake. Avoid snacking on sweets between meals. Eating sweets during meals does not damage your teeth and gums too much. And, yes, do clean your teeth thoroughly and after you have had your meal.

Keep a check on your blood sugar level. Diabetics are more susceptible to getting gum diseases than others. If you are a diabetic, you have to take extra care of your dental and overall health.

Take measures to beat that stress. Stress makes your immune weak, making you unable to fight infections of any kind.

If you are a woman, you are more prone to gum diseases than men. This is because of all the hormonal changes you have to undergo from puberty to pregnancy to menopause. Therefore, you need to pay more attention to your dental health.

A little care will preserve your smile for a lifetime.

Happy smiling!

Do you have poor oral hygiene? If you don’t take care of your teeth and gums, you are making home for bacteria. A dirty and dry mouth gives way to the two dreaded gum diseases.

Do you smoke? Smoking is a bad habit, people. You’ve gotta admit that. Apart from giving you serious problems like cancer, it ruins your smile. Smoking stains your teeth, makes them stink, and also makes you prone to gingivitis and periodontitis.

Do you have diabetes? You cannot avoid diabetes once you have got it but you can definitely control it. And you have gotta keep your blood sugar levels within limits if you want to keep the gum diseases at bay.

Do you get stressed often? You may find this unbelievable but stress makes you prone to gingivitis and periodontitis. This is because stress makes our bodies too weak to fight infections.

Are you a woman? Now, that’s not really a problem, but since women are more susceptible to gum diseases, you have to take more care of yourself. Women undergo hormonal changes several times in their lives including puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

If your answer to one or more of the above-mentioned questions has been in the affirmative, start paying a little more attention to your oral health.

Happy smiling!

You can identify gingivitis if you notice the following conditions:

• Your breath smells bad.

• Your gums appear swollen and red.
• The gums bleed frequently when you brush.
• When you feel the gums, they feel softer than usual.
• Applying a little pressure like pushing with your index finger makes your gums bleed.
• Your gums have changed their color from pink to red.
• The gums sag and appear loose, giving more space to the teeth.

Periodontitis occurs if gingivitis is not treated in time. Here are some of the common symptoms of the disease.

• Your breath smells foul all the time.

• You get a sour taste in the mouth.
• Your gums appear swollen.
• You realize that your gums have become noticeably red.
• The gums are soft.
• Your teeth have loosened.
• You gums have started sagging, giving more space to the teeth.
• There is pus between the teeth and the gums.
• The gaps between your teeth have started widening.

Don’t panic if you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Get your dentist to look at your gums and treat you. Take care.