Gums
Your mouth is like an open wound and the gums are like muscles that hold bones in place.
The gums are connected to the circulatory/vascular system -(the blood). When there is inflammation in the mouth, that means there is inflammation else-where in the body
This means, the plaque on your teeth can be absorbed into the blood stream; impacting your heart, immune system, brain, therefore contributing to many other diseases.
Goal: remove the plaque before it turns into tartar/calculus, or causing infections
Healthy
● Pink, firm gums – no bleeding upon brushing/dental cleanings
Gingivitis
● Oral infection of the tissue
● Can be reversed to healthy state in 2 weeks with routine care
● Red, puffy/soft gums – bleeding upon dental cleanings
Periodontitis
● Oral infection spread to the bone, causing bone loss/loss of teeth
● Cannot be reversed or regrow bone back
● Can be stabilized with routine care
● Red, puffy/soft gums – bleeding upon dental cleanings/brushing/flossing
● Bad breath
Treatment
● Flossing/water pik consistently (recommended 1x/day – preferably at night)
● Changing your toothpaste
● Mouth rinses
● Well balanced – non inflammatory diet
Cavities
Your teeth are ALIVE!
They are like skin with pores and have a pulp/roots to get nutrients, this means it has the ability to excrete and absorb.
Cavities are a type of infection causing decay(rot). This is not related to gum disease
Cause: Typically when there is acidity in the mouth that weakens the tooth enamel; processed foods, sugar, dry mouth, GERD are the typical causes of acidity.
If cavities are not maintained/treated, there is an increase chance for a root canal
incipient
● Less than half way through enamel (first layer of tooth)
● Can re-mineralize using fluoride/hydroxyapetite toothpaste
moderate
● More than half way through enamel (first layer of tooth) – entering dentin (2nd layer)
● Recommended to get a fill in
severe
● Close to nerve/pulp
● Recommended to get a root canal
Treatment:
● Use a toothpaste with fluoride/hydroxyapetite
● Drink lots of water
● Healthy-balanced diet
● Reduce sugary/processed foods
○ If eating candy – eat at once versus throughout day
● If prone to acidity – use baking soda mouthrinse to balance pH
Sensitivity
As mentioned above, our teeth are like our skin and porous. Sensitivity occurs when those pores have essentially enlarged, allowing stimulus to penetrate through.
Typically, sensitivity occurs with recession (when the gums have peeled back) exposing a weaker, more porous structure of the tooth – the dentin + cementum.
Sensitivity can also occur with moderate-severe types of cavities that have gotten close to the nerve.
Treatment:
● Use a toothpaste for sensitivity
● Brush gently to reduce recession
● Alleviate clenching/grinding causing abfraction/attrition/recession
● Consult with your doctor if gets worse
Dry Mouth
Causes:
typically a lack/reduced of saliva production. This can be from medications, stress, systemic health problems such as diabetes, dehydration, drug use, mouth breathing and more.
dry mouth increases chances of cavities as saliva acts as a barrier protecting teeth against infections, as well as creates a balanced pH in the mouth.
Treatment:
● Ask your doctor for any medication alternatives
● Drink plenty of water and eat slowly allowing your body to metabolize in the mouth
● Lozenges
● Oil pull – swish 1/2 – 1 tbs of coconut oil in mouth – build up to 5-15 min. Spit in trash!
● Acupuncture treatment
● Here is a link that provides exercises/massages to stimulate saliva flow
○ Treating xerostomia/dry mouth
Bad Breath
Causes:
● Neglecting of tongue brushing
● Poor oral hygiene/ gum disease
● Sulphur producing bacteria in mouth
● Dry mouth
● Health conditions
● Certain foods/coffee
● Medications
Treatment:
● Brushing of tongue
● Good hygiene home care
● Drinking fluids
● Switching medications
