It’s a well-known fact in the world of dentistry that over 75 percent of people over 35 years of age in North America have some type of gum disease (also known as periodontal disease), and most aren’t even aware that they have it Yet the causes behind the disease and statistics are numerous and varied

Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the tissue that surrounds your teeth, and the traditional approach to removing the plaque, tartar and pockets of infection that are consistent with periodontal problems (gum disease) is to either scrape away the tartar and infection in a process called scaling and root planing or to cut into the gum tissue to be able to access and remove any infected deposits below the surface

It is common knowledge in today’s world that what we eat affects our physical health, but many of us don’t understand that the same direct connection exists between the foods we consume and the health of our teeth and gums Food containing a lot of fiber not only positively effects our digestive track, it is also a good ‘cleaner’ for our teeth because while being chewed, the fiber in food removes plaque that may be clinging to our teeth and takes it away from our mouth and into our digestive system where our bodies dispose of it

Anyone who has ever had a traditional treatment for periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) will quickly report that the entire process was relatively painful as it included sharp instruments, scraping, cutting and stitching in order to clear the infection and bacteria from the infected area

If you’ve ever had a toothache, you probably still remember the pain which often begins with mild discomfort in the mouth but can build until it feels as though it is affecting your entire body The basic reason for a toothache is simple—the nerve in your tooth has become irritated

No one likes bad breath and it can definitely be a cause for embarrassment or uncomfortable situations, but there is actually good news about bad breath Halitosis (another name for bad breath) is often an indicator or warning sign that there could be a problem with either your oral health or your health in general

Are your teeth sensitive Do you experience pain or discomfort when you eat or drink hot or cold foods or beverages

As we age, we may encounter different problems with our teeth just like we do with our bodies In fact tooth loss is more prevalent in older people than it is in younger people and statistics show that by the age of seventy-four-years-old, up to twenty-six percent of Americans will have lost all of their permanent teeth

Most people know that their teeth help them chew their food and that they can either add or detract from their smile, but beyond that their knowledge about their teeth is limited However, as in most areas of life, “knowledge is power” and the more you know about your teeth, the better you will be able to take care of them so that they last you for your lifetime

“Nice to see you Frank,” I said “Good morning dottore,” he replied