Thursday, April 29, 2010

Relation Between Smoking And Gum Diseases

Smoking is mostly associated with lung cancer and breathing related problems says a dentist from Shimla, but there is also a strong link between smoking and gum disease. Tobacco is a natural plant, but it doesn’t burn naturally and there are many chemicals added to it to make it burn with consistency. This factor, the natural chemical make up of the plant and the other problems it causes in the body, all add to the contribution that smoking and also chewing tobacco make towards gum disease. One thing that is known about smoking is that it poisons the blood flow, our gums need a good flow of blood to get Oxygen and vitamins so that they can do their job properly. The lack of these substances is a major cause of gum disease, and that usually goes hand in hand with the fact that smokers are in general, poor in oral hygiene care.

Lots and lots of opinions have come out regarding the connection of smoking and gum disease. The nicotine and smoke of tobacco can cause constriction of the blood vessels, thus, reducing the distribution of oxygen and nutrients to the gum tissue.Cigarette smoking or chewing spit tobacco can also reduce the ability of the body to fight infections. Another study also proves that smokers are more prone to specific bacteria that can cause more aggressive gum disease.

When it comes to dental health, smoking is one of the major causes of serious oral problems such as mouth cancer as well as smokers gum disease. Smokers gum disease is the infection of the gums, which is aggravated by smoking. While gum disease will affect almost everyone at some point in life, smokers are over five times at risk of acquiring gum disease or periodontal disease than non-smokers.

Smoking causes a very high tendency of tartar formation, gum tissue destruction and bone loss. Even a person not suffering from gum disease can have receding gums and lose the teeth’s supporting bones because of smoking.The toxins and chemical in tobacco weakens a person’s immune system and blocks the production of antibodies, which is our body’s natural defense against bacteria and other disease-causing agents. When the immune system is not functioning well, it is easy for infection to grow. Smokers gum disease, an infection caused by bacteria in plaque, is a likely example.


The current smokers that average more than one to one and a half pack of cigarettes per day have six times more apt to have gum diseases than the subjects who do not smoke. And those who consume less than a pack a day have three times more probability to have gum disease.

Quit Smoking Is The Only Way To Prevent

The best way to prevent or reverse smokers gum disease is to quit smoking. While gum health depends greatly on a person’s dental hygiene and routine dental checkups, prevention and effective treatment of gum disease should include a smoke-free lifestyle.

Quitting smoking is important to allow the body to respond completely any dental treatment and restore the health of your gums. Smoking is an addiction and quitting is a challenge but one that is well worth the benefits.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Brushing Helps Protect Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is by far and away the most important way of keeping them clean, healthy and free from decay. Effective brushing is the first line of defense against a whole series of nasty and unpleasant dental health concerns that could cause you a lot of pain, embarrassment and expense throughout your life.

Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day for three minutes. It is recommended to use a soft-bristled brush, unless told otherwise by your dentist for specific reasons, as they are the best at removing plaque and ultimately that is the number one aim of tooth brushing. Plaque is the sticky, filmy substance that coast teeth and releases acids which eventually break down enamel and cause cavities. If left untreated, dental cavities will worsen until the enamel is breached and the sensitive inner part of the tooth including the dental nerve is exposed to bacteria and infection. This can be very unpleasant and the source of severe pain and ultimately tooth loss.

When brushing it is important to angle the brush at 45 degrees to the gums so that they are also gently cleaned. This helps to keep plaque off the gums and prevent gum disease, the number one cause of tooth loss in India. Using a small-headed toothbrush is also recommended because it allows easier access to more parts of the mouth.

Although brushing is very important, it is also still a good idea to floss your teeth at least once a day as this helps to remove plaque and food debris from between the teeth. As well as this, it is also highly important to make sure you keep up six-monthly appointments with the dentist as even the most rigorous brushing can still be affected by decay and disease.

Monday, April 26, 2010

FAQs About Dental Implants

Q. What exactly is a dental implant?

A. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root replacement and is used in prosthetic dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth.

Q. What advantages does an dental implant have?

A. Dental Implants can improve your quality of life.

Improve your appearance - Implants can offer you the smile you have lost or the smile you have always wanted

Eat the foods you enjoy - You will eat lettuce , apples, steak and even corn on the cob with confidence and enjoy flavours of your favorite food with less plastic covering the roof of your mouth.

Permanent solution for tooth loss - Only a dental implant can replace the root of missing tooth and eliminate the need for sticky denture adhesives and even for dentures themselves.

Aesthetically Pleasing - they look like real teeth.

Maintain Bone Structure - Implants can help maintain your bone structure and support your facial tissues. They can reduce or eliminate bone atrophy, which causes "shrinkage" or facial cosmetic changes

Alternatives will fail in comparison - Implants eliminate the need for cutting natural teeth to replace one missing tooth and offer a permanent solution, that cannot decay.

Q. Is it as expensive as plastic surgery?

A. when it comes to our teeth price shouldn’t be a problem, fortunately dental implants aren’t too expensive like plastic surgery, which often needs to re-done every few years. A dental implant should last you for decades.

Q. Is it painful, during the procedure and afterwards?

A. Not especially so, pain management methods these days are quite incredible. All most patients suffer is a little discomfort for a few days while the mouth heals, and they adjust to the new tooth.

Q. Why have Dental Implants become so popular?

A. As our life span increases, the need for some type of permanent dental replacement system becomes very important to our overall health. Dentures and removable bridges are loose and unstable; causing many problems for wearers. Dental Implants provide patients with both functional and esthetic benefits and can dramatically increase a patient's quality of life.

Q. How do I clean around the Implants?

A. You will definitely need to clean daily around the Implants. Brushing as well as flossing is of great importance. There may be the need for a prescription mouthrinse which can further help you keep your Implants healthy. Electric toothbrushes can also be helpful for cleaning around Implants. Other cleaning aids may be recommended during your consultation.

Each case is different and it is determined upon your individual needs. Your age as well as the quality and quantity of bone in the Implant site , are all assessed. After consultation we will provide best treatment alternatives for you.For more information call Goma Dental at 177-645-0704.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Bad Breath Can Be Embarrassing

Bad breath can be an embarrassing hygiene problem that unfortunately affects others probably more than it affects you. In fact it is often very difficult to know that you have bad breath unless someone tells you, which can in itself be very embarrassing, especially if is happening on a regular basis.

The fear of bad breath can often lead people to take action in an effort to stop it but in doing so they may not be addressing the cause of the problem, and in certain cases even making it worse. Using mouthwash, breath sprays or gum can temporarily cover the smell of bad breath but it will not stop it and at best will only mask it for a few hours. Furthermore, mouthwashes can disrupt the regulation of bacteria in the mouth and result in bad breath coming back time and time again. This happens because it kills bacteria in the mouth and changes the saliva production levels. Saliva is the body’s natural defence against oral bacteria and regulates it to keep it at a healthy level.

The only real way to beat bad breath for good is to improve your general standard of oral hygiene. Improved brushing and flossing can help to remove bacteria, plaque and food debris that stick to teeth causing decay and the breakdown of particles which cause bad breath. It is also recommended by dentists to use a tongue cleaner to remove bacteria form the grooved surface of the tongue.

Dentists can give you further advice on the most successful ways to improve cleaning and beat bad breath. By following their advice and sticking to a through cleaning routine, you should be able to leave the anxiety of bad breath behind once and for all.