If you’ve been skipping regular dental checkups because you don’t have any tooth pain, beware: you may have periodontal disease and not even feel it! Your gums and jawbone are just as important as your teeth for oral health.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial infection that attacks the gums and bones that support your teeth. If the disease is not treated, it can lead to tooth loss. According to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, 75 percent of Americans have some form of periodontal disease. Unfortunately, 50 percent of Americans do not receive regular dental care.

There are different types of periodontal disease:

1) Gingivitis: Gingivitis usually causes little or no pain. Your gums appear red or swollen, and they bleed easily. Fortunately, gingivitis can be reversed with immediate treatment at the dentist’s office and consistent homecare.

2) Aggressive periodontitis: The word "aggressive" is appropriate for this type of periodontal disease, because it quickly destroys the bones and gums that attach to and support your teeth.

3) Chronic periodontitis: The most common effects of chronic periodontitis are increased tissue inflammation, receding gums, deeper pockets at the gumline, and destruction of the bone and gums that attach to and support your teeth.

One of the major reasons for periodontal disease (and the most preventable one) is the lack of proper homecare for your teeth and gums. Periodontal disease also may arise from tobacco use, stress, clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism), diabetes, HIV/AIDS infections, malnutrition, and hormonal changes (such as during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause). No matter how it has occurred, periodontal disease requires regular dental treatments and rigorous homecare procedures.

What if your gums and teeth don’t hurt?

Periodontal disease generally is painless. So even if your gums and teeth don’t hurt, you should be on the lookout for signs of infection, including:

1) Gums that bleed, especially when brushing or flossing your teeth
2) Gums that are red, swollen, or unusually shiny
3) Receding gums
4) Persistent bad breath
5) Pus that appears between your teeth and gums
6) Teeth that feel loose or feel different when you bite together
7) Partial dentures that don’t feel like they fit right

Are you ignoring tooth pain?

As periodontal disease escalates, you may begin to experience increasing sensitivity in your teeth and gums. Don’t become a statistic of neglect! For example, in one study by the Centers for Disease Control, even if people feel pain, they don’t always seek dental care. Recent tooth pain was reported by nearly 22 percent of adults; 14.5 percent were 20-64 years old, and 7 percent were over 65 years old. Within these age groups, younger and older non-Hispanic blacks, and people with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to report pain but not have dental care.

In another study, researchers at the University of Florida have reported that rural residents and people who wait until problems arise are more likely to wait too long to get dental care. In contrast, urban residents or people who prefer to take a more proactive approach to dental care are less likely to ignore tooth pain.

Whether or not you and your family members are currently experiencing any oral pain, it’s important to have regular checkups. Although August is National Pain Awareness Month, you shouldn’t wait for a painful emergency. The best approach is to prevent dental problems now.

For information, contact Dr. Nguyen at drnguyen@softdental.com. SoftDental (http://www.softdental.com) is Houston’s Premier Laser, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.

Perhaps you’ve heard of something called the bad breath bible. There is, in fact, such a thing. It’s a book written by Dr. Harold Katz, a specialist in the treatment of halitosis and the developer of a line of products for doing just that (TheraBreath). Dr. Katz’s website tells us that he was a practicing dentist before he became interested in researching and treating bad breath. His book is a summary of his research and his understanding of the problem.

The product that Dr. Katz is selling is sometimes described as a bad breath natural remedy because it does not contain the antibacterial chemicals so common in over the counter mouthwashes (however, it does contain the chemical sodium chlorite). His approach, instead, is to deliver oxygen to regions of the mouth where there is little air circulation and anaerobic bacteria flourish. (Anaerobic bacteria live in the absence of oxygen and produce the foul odors that we associate with bad breath.) The bad breath bible explains not only where these bacteria are found, but how they cause halitosis and why Katz’s product should work to control them.

There may not be any really ground-shaking information in the bad breath bible: we have known for some time that foul breath odor is produced by bacteria and that these bacteria are anaerobes living on the surface of the tongue, between the teeth, in pockets and creases in the gums, and in the tonsillar crypts. People have used different approaches for eliminating these bacteria, particularly antibacterial mouthwashes, and sometimes even antibiotics. The delivery of oxygen to anaerobic areas in the oral cavity is one of several new approaches that seek a bad breath natural remedy. Though the treatment uses sodium chlorite, this is described as a very safe chemical that simply reacts in the mouth to release oxygen. Other natural ingredients in some of the products include zinc to reduce bad tastes and tartar, and tea tree oil as a natural antimicrobial.

Whether or not you’re keen on trying the line of products that the bad breath bible recommends, it will likely provide you with a source of information about halitosis and answers to many questions that you have. It is often available for download free from Katz’s website, and will doubtless clarify the question of whether there might truly be a bad breath natural remedy.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Bad Breath Guide, a blog dedicated to the treatment of bad breath.

Here’s news that may help take weight off your shoulders. If you experience common problems such as headaches, facial pain, neck, shoulder and back pain, jaw pain, sore or worn teeth, chipped or broken teeth, clicking or popping in the jaw or limited jaw movement, it could be due to a treatable condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) or sometimes incorrectly referred to as TMJ. In addition to pain, it can lead to snoring, grinding of teeth, and breathing problems.

In most cases, TMD is caused by malocclusion. Malocclusion means your upper and lower teeth do not close together in the correct way often causing underbites and overbites. When teeth are misaligned and the jaw is not in the right position, the muscles are stressed and can cause chronic pain.

Fortunately, the condition is treatable with the help of a neuromuscular dentist.

“Traditional dentists concern themselves with only the teeth bones and gums. Neuromuscular dentistry goes beyond that to address the dynamic relationships involving the muscles of the head and neck and the position of the bite,” says Dr. Bill Dickerson, founder of LVI Global, the leading post-graduate neuromuscular dental training center.

To treat problems such as TMD, neuromuscular dentists find the most comfortable muscle position of the lower jaw, Dickerson said. The dentist will then place a repositioning orthotic, usually on the lower teeth, to see if the pain the patient is having is related to their bad bite. Once the bite is realigned and the jaw is in place, pain that is a result of the imbalance will disappear. Then the dentist works to realign the bite and restore the teeth permanently to that optimal position.

Patients of neuromuscular dentists also report longer-lasting dental restorations. Learn more about eliminating jaw pain and locate a neuromuscular dentist in your area at http://www.leadingdentists.com

Bad breath is a problem that can affect anyone from time to time. It’s a very unattractive problem that can lead to a decrease in social standings. In this article, we’ll examine the problem posed by halitosis, work towards understanding the problem, and offer some solutions for solving the problem.

There are actually three different types of halitosis: they are known as transient bad breath, chronic bad breath and fetor hepaticus.

Transient bad breath occurs normally in most people, and is a temporary issue. It is most often caused by a dryness of the mouth, stress, a need to eat, odors left by certain foods, smoking, or not taking care of your dental health. This type of bad breath will disappear on its own eventually, but can be quickly aided by the presence of gum or a brushing of the teeth.

Chronic bad breath, on the other hand, is a problem that is faced by roughly twenty five percent of the population. Chronic bad breath can cause a person to feel stressed out and may make them have lower self esteem. Chronic bad breath may be caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth. In particular, the bacterium known as streptococcus mutans is most often responsible for a case of chronic bad breath.

Fetor hepaticus is a severe form of bad breath that is actually caused by a failure of the liver. This type of bad breath is especially excruciating, and the smell that it causes can be extremely foul.

While our mouths are home to many different forms of bacteria, there is a type of bacteria known as anaerobic bacteria that can really be the cause of bad breath. This type of bacteria lives on the tongue and continues to grow, using the food that we eat and dead cells to multiply. These types of bacteria undergo anaerobic respiration, which causes them to release sulfur compounds that can cause bad breath. Other health problems such as periodontis, helminthiasis, diabetes, and gastroesophageal reflux disease may also be responsible for bad breath.

When it comes to treating a bad breath problem , you have numerous options. While some opt for the quick fix of mints or mouthwash, these solutions only provide a temporary means for getting rid of the bad breath. Also, you should be cautioned to avoid the use of alcohol-based mouthwashes to treat your bad breath; they dry out the mouth, and may cause more trouble than they are worth. It is of the utmost importance to ensure that you are not leaving particles of food in your mouth that allow for the bacteria to multiply.

To that end, you are recommended to brush after every meal and floss on a daily basis. You may also want to consider purchasing a tongue brush, a specialized device that can help to remove the bacteria present on the tongue.

Now that you know some of the basics of bad breath, you are better suited to fighting the problem. Cleanliness and dedication are paramount to keeping your bad breath problem under control.

If you want to read more about your bad breath click over to Christain’s site at the-healthguide.com

Many people decide to have tooth whitening treatment everyday. But what’s the point of having your teeth whitened, if you’re not going to look after them properly once they’ve been whitened?

Also, it’s important to prepare your teeth properly before you try whitening treatments, and to set up the good dental hygiene habits early, so it isn’t a big change after you’ve had your teeth whitened.

The first thing you must do is brush your teeth regularly. If you’re considering tooth whitening treatment, then it’s important for you to keep your teeth clean before and after you have it done. Try to allow time to brush after every meal.

It may seem like a lot of hassle if you haven’t been doing this, but it will make the tooth whitening treatment more effective, and last longer, if you keep your teeth clean.

Next, you need to develop the habit of flossing your teeth twice every single day.

Why?

Because flossing helps to stop your gums receding, and it stops the build up of food that can develop if you only brush. Just because you brush your teeth regularly, doesn’t mean that your teeth are perfectly clean. If you do this, your tooth whitening treatment will keep your teeth white for longer.

Finally, you should make sure you’re using mouthwash regularly. This stops any harmful bacteria from building up and causing you problems with your teeth. It also keeps your breath nice and fresh.

It’s important to keep up with these dental hygiene necessities. They will stop you developing sensitive teeth (which can be very sensitive after you’ve had whitening treatment, by the way), and they will make sure you get the most out of your tooth whitening treatment.

After all, what’s the point in paying for expensive tooth whitening treatment, if you’re just going to neglect your teeth afterwards?

If you keep up with this daily routine, it will soon become normal to you. In fact, you’ll want to do these things rather than not do them, after a month or two.

Sarah Wright is the owner of the Tooth Whitening Blog, where she talks about the pros and cons of various tooth whitening treatments, as well as where to go for Chicago tooth whitening. For more helpful information on tooth whitening treatments, be sure to visit her blog.

Many people would like to have whiter teeth, but for whatever reason, whether it be money, time, or worry, don’t want to go to the dentist to have a professional tooth whitening treatment performed.

And while I recommend that you go to the dentist for the best possible whitening treatment, there are some other options that you may like to consider… if you really don’t want to go through the hassle of going to the dentist.

One of these options is the “paint on your teeth” whitening products that are available on the market today. These can be quite effective, especially compared to similar products like tooth whitening strips.

One of the advantages of using a paint on product, is that you don’t have to use the dental trays, which some people can find quite uncomfortable. As the name suggests, all you have to do is apply the product directly to your teeth. Another advantage this gives you is the ability to apply it to only a few teeth, if you only have a few teeth that you feel need whitening.

Some of the paint on products even contain the same chemicals that you find at the dentist. This chemical is called carbamide peroxide, and it is a whole lot more effective than hydrogen peroxide, which is commonly used in cheaper products like tooth whitening strips.

So what types of paint on tooth whitening product are there? Well, you have two main choices. The first choice is the “all night” type of product. With this, the chemical is put on before you go to bed, and left to do its work through the night. This can have good results, because the chemical has quite a few hours to work.

The other option is to use a product that is on your teeth for less time. Usually 30 minutes to an hour. These tend to be not as effective as the all night ones, but they still get good results. So it’s down to personal preference for which one you decide to go with.

Some problems that people have with the paint on products are that the “paint” can come off the teeth quite easily. You may or may not have a problem with this. If you eat or drink during the time that the product is applied, then it may come off very easily. It’s designed to come off when you brush your teeth, so it doesn’t take much to dislodge the paint.

Now if you decide to try out paint on tooth whitening products, I wish you luck. But remember that the best option is always to go to the dentist and have a professional tooth whitening treatment performed. Although it is more expensive, it’s much quicker and more effective.

Sarah Wright is the owner of the Tooth Whitening Blog, where she talks about the best methods of teeth whitening. For more information and advice, be sure to check out her blog and ask any questions you may have.

Neuromuscular dentistry places your jaw back into its correct alignment so as to relieve the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ (TMD).

TMJ/TMD is an illness that affects you when your jaw is structurally imbalanced. The symptoms of TMJ/TMD can cause pain, discomfort, and serious dental problems that can be treated with neuromuscular dentistry. Symptoms of TMJ/TMD include:

· Headaches
· Migraines
· Ringing in the ears
· Locking of the jaw
· Clicking/Popping of the jaw
· Limited jaw movement
· Worn Teeth
· Chipped Teeth
· Cracked Teeth
· Grinding/Clenching your teeth
· Sensitive/Sore Teeth
· Sore jaw muscles
· Pain in the head, neck, and shoulders
· Facial Pain

These symptoms arise when your temporomandibular joint is misaligned, giving you a bad bite and creating excess stress on muscles, joints, teeth, and bones in your face, head, neck, and shoulders. If you are suffering from one or more of these symptoms, a neuromuscular dentist may be able to relieve you of your TMJ/TMD symptoms by placing your jaw into its optimal position, giving you a better bite.

Neuromuscular dentists use state of the art computer technology to observe the movement of the temporomandibular joint when your jaw is being moved and when it is at rest to determine its optimal placement.

In order to treat you and alleviate the symptoms that you are suffering from, your neuromuscular dentist will work with you to design a treatment plan that is specifically designed for your wants and needs. In general, treatments follow three steps.

First, ULF-TENS technology is used to stimulate, massage, and relax the muscles in your jaw in order to rid them of waste and stop the pain and muscle spasms that are associated with TMJ/TMD. Next, your jaw will be stabilized so that the neuromuscular dentist can determine what the best treatment plan will permanently fix your bite. Lastly, your neuromuscular dentist will work with you to design and implement a long-term management process that will correct your bite.

For more information, feel free to contact a neuromuscular dentist by clicking here

Before I tell you how to remove Tonsilloliths and Tonsil Stones, I want you to understand what they are and where they come from. Tonsilloliths, or tonsil stones as they are also called, result from debris that gets lodged in your tonsillar crypts. In plain English, these crypts are pockets in your tonsils. Obviously, if your tonsils have been removed, you won’t have this problem.

Tonsils range from being relatively smooth, with shallow pockets, to very rough with deep pockets. When your tonsils are swollen regularly, as they are with chronic tonsillitis, the openings to these crypts or pockets may become wider, and the crypts deeper. This allows a greater quantity of debris to accumulate. New stones may begin to form on top of older ones.

The debris from which the stones are formed consists of food particles, dead cells from the lining of your mouth, mucous from post-nasal drip, and bacteria of various sorts, especially anaerobic bacteria from the back of the tongue. Keep in mind that the anaerobic bacteria are a primary cause of bad breath. All of this gets jumbled up together and attacked by white blood cells. The result is a white or yellowish, cauliflower-shaped lump that’s typically rock-hard and usually tastes horrible and smells atrocious.

As I’ve read what’s been posted around the Internet by people who suffer from this condition, it’s become obvious that most people know very little about tonsil stones. Those who have them but don’t understand what they are or where they come from worry that they have a serious disease, maybe even cancer. Relax! Nothing could be further from the truth.

Those of you who really suffer from this problem will probably find this difficult to believe, but for many people, tonsil stones are barely noticeable. The stones are small, the tonsil crypts not too deep, so the stones fall out on their own or as the result of a cough. But for others, tonsil stones may cause extreme discomfort. In addition to chronic bad breath, failure to remove tonsilloliths may result in the feeling that there’s an object lodged in the back of the throat. It could also cause a persistent sore throat as well as frequent bouts of tonsillitis.

Now that you have an understanding of what they are, where and how they form, you’re ready to learn how to remove tonsilloliths, and more importantly, how to prevent their return.

Many people remove tonsilloliths by poking at them and scraping them out with a fingernail. There are drawbacks to using this method. For one thing, it’s not very hygienic plus you could scratch your tonsil. If you insist on using this method, please wash your hands thoroughly with an anti-bacterial soap first.

Another low-tech method is to use a cotton swab to squeeze your tonsil until any stones come out. If you decide to try this, I recommend that you moisten the swab with water first. This will help prevent cotton strands from sticking to your tonsil.

If you’re one of those who insist on poking at their tonsils with a swab or finger to remove tonsilloliths, consider using your toothbrush instead. Although this method is more likely to make you gag, it’s also more effective, more sanitary, and safer than the first two. When using this method, be sure to use a soft toothbrush. Gently brush the part of the tonsil where you believe the stone is.

Maybe you’d prefer to remove tonsilloliths using a method that’s a bit more high-tech and accurate. Do you have an irrigating device such as a Waterpik Irrigator? If you do, you can use the tongue attachment to direct a spray into the crypt containing the tonsil stone. It’s important to use the device on its lowest pressure setting. Be aware that for some people, even the lowest setting is too strong. A spray that’s too strong is capable of tearing through tonsil tissue. If this is the case, you can modify the tongue attachment by using a small hobby drill to enlarge the tip slightly.

If you can’t get rid of them yourself, and they’re still driving you nuts, it’s time to see an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist, or ENT. Your dentist or doctor can refer you to a good ENT. There are a number of techniques available to an ENT, including surgical excision of the stones.

There is one more way to remove tonsilloliths that’s far more effective than any of the others, and that’s to have your tonsils taken out. I can’t recommend this method if you’re having it done just to eliminate tonsil stones. This surgery is risky enough for a child. For adults, the risk is higher and the pain following the surgery is guaranteed to be more intense. If your ENT recommends the procedure be done for other reasons, then it makes sense to consider it. Your ENT will discuss the benefits and risks with you to help you make the informed decision that’s best for you.

Gary Bucher is an editor and writer who has discovered in his advancing years that he has an ever-increasing (and perhaps even morbid) facination with health issues. For information on preventing tonsilloliths and tonsil stones as well as information on the causes, treatment, and prevention of bad breath, visit his newest web site >> http://www.kiss-bad-breath-goodbye.com

One of the most popular tooth whitening treatments available today is the “zoom” teeth whitening method.

So what exactly is zoom tooth whitening? And is it very effective?

Well, zoom teeth whitening is a method which is done in the dentist chair. It involves using gels containing whitening chemicals and a modern light wave technology to activate it.

Although it’s done at the dentist, (I know people can worry about going to the dentist sometimes) the treatment isn’t too uncomfortable. You will have to wear a special lip retractor device to keep your lips away from your teeth, but that’s the worse part (and it isn’t too bad).

Once you’re wearing the lip retractor, the dentist puts the gel onto your teeth, and then applies the light treatment. It can take awhile for the chemical reaction to be complete. It’s usually an hour, which goes by surprisingly fast.

I know sitting in the dentist chair for an hour may put some people off from this treatment, and I can sympathize with you if you feel this way. But it produces results, and it’s cheaper than laser treatment.

But the real question that is probably on your mind right now, is how well does Zoom teeth whitening work?

The results can be very impressive. You will definitely notice your teeth being much whiter, but obviously it’s down to you to look after them well from now on, so you can keep them whiter for longer. After awhile the treatment can fade (especially if you drink a lot of coffee or you’re a smoker).

Many people who prefer the Zoom teeth whitening methods will have this treatment done once a year, which helps keep them staying white.

Now the Zoom method may not be for everyone. But it does get results, and it’s cheaper than laser treatment in most cases. I’ve found it more effective than home treatments, but that’s just my personal experience.

Sarah Wright is the owner of the Tooth Whitening Blog, where she gives free help and information on all aspects of tooth whitening. She also offers advice on where to go for tooth whitening in Los Angeles

Most people today place high importance on appearance. For many, having a set of good, white teeth is vital for looking good in public. Just look at how many teeth whitening products are currently available on the market.

Teeth whitening is a great way to improve one’s appearance and smile. However, there are two questions that concern this issue: Who can have teeth whitening and who can reap the most benefits from it?

Teeth whitening is an absolutely painless and uncomplicated procedure, but there are limitations as to who can benefit from undergoing the teeth whitening process.

You must weigh the risks and benefits associated with teeth whitening. It is also extremely crucial to ascertain that using a teeth whitening product or undergoing a teeth whitening procedure is appropriate for you. You will not benefit from teeth whitening if it is not the right treatment for your teeth in the first place.

For more information on teeth whitening benefits and whether or not you would be a good candidate try visiting BrighterSmileWhiterTeeth.com, a website that specializes in providing helpful teeth whitenign information, tips and advice to include teeth whitening risks and popular teeth whitening methods.