Oral Health Awareness Month

More than 75 percent of Americans have some form of periodontal disease—the most common cause of tooth loss in adults—and don't know it. With proper tooth and gum care, this and other oral health problems can be prevented.

Gum/Periodontal Disease
Healthy gum tissue fits snugly around each tooth. Periodontal disease affects supporting bone and tissue around teeth, causing gums to stretch and bacteria-filled pockets to form. Over time, these pockets become deeper and more infected, causing more tissue and bone loss.

Periodontal disease is classified by severity into two major stages. Gingivitis, the mildest, is reversible. If untreated it may lead to a more serious and destructive form of the disease, periodontitis.

Regular dentist visits are important; you may unknowingly have periodontal disease. Some warning signs include:

• Gums that bleed easily.
• Red, swollen, tender gums.
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste.
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth.
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together.
• Loose teeth.

Treatment of periodontal disease includes antibiotics, along with a noninvasive therapy called scaling and root planing (SRP). More serious cases may require surgery.

Tooth Decay
Another preventable oral health problem is tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs because plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) constantly forms on teeth. Sugary or starchy foods spur production of acids that attack tooth enamel, eventually causing cavities.

Some cavities have no symptoms, but many do, including:

• Toothache/pain,
• Sensitivity to sweet, hot, or cold foods and drinks,
• Visible holes in the tooth, and/or
• Pus around a tooth.

Usually treated with fillings and/or crowns, more severe cavities may require root canals or tooth extractions. Dental sealants—protective plastic coatings applied to chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where decay often starts—are for prevention.

Dental Exams
Visit your dentist—every six months or as scheduled by your hygienist—for a professional cleaning.

Checkups can detect early signs of oral health problems. Prompt treatment can prevent further damage and even reverse some issues, so you won't have extensive, costly treatments in later years.

Good Oral Hygiene
Practice proper oral hygiene with these tips:

• Brush twice daily with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months; sooner if bristles are frayed.
• Floss between teeth daily. Bad bacteria linger where toothbrush bristles can't reach.
• Reduce bacteria and its activity in dental plaque (which can cause gingivitis) with antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes.
• Use fluoride mouth rinses to help reduce and prevent tooth decay.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit your between-meal snacks.
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
• Look for the ADA Seal, your assurance that a product has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.

These products can help you maintain good oral health

LISTERINE® ANTISEPTIC KILLS GERMS THAT CAUSE BAD BREATH, PLAQUE, AND THE GUM DISEASE GINGIVITIS

• The only national, over-the-counter mouth rinse that carries the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance for effectiveness against plaque and gingivitis.
• The number one dentist-recommended brand of over-the-counter mouthwash.
• Shown to reduce significantly more plaque and gingivitis when part of a routine of brushing and flossing.

COLGATE^® TOTAL: THE MOST ADVANCED TOOTHPASTE FOR YOUR SUPERIOR ORAL HEALTH

• The only toothpaste that's both approved by the FDA and accepted by the ADA to fight the gum disease gingivitis.
• Colgate^® Total has an antibacterial formula clinically proven to reduce gingivitis.
• Its unique, patented formula creates a protective barrier that fights germs for a full 12 hours.
• Helps to prevent and reduce gum inflammation from gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease which, if left unchecked, may lead to serious gum disease.