Oral Care - Researched Articles on the Latest in Oral Care News

Written By Jennifer Raskin / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Seeing red when you brush your teeth? That’s generally not a good sign. While it’s true that sometimes the reason is that you’ve brushed too hard, especially if it seems to be a one-off, most of the time bleeding gums are a sign of something more serious.

Reviewed by Ray Spotts

The best way to prevent swollen gums is by eating a balanced diet and practicing good oral hygiene each and every day. Keeping oral bacteria in balance will prevent the body's need to respond to infection, omitting the symptom of swollen gums. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables and omitting sugar intake will reduce the bacteria in your mouth that causes swollen gums.

Reviewed by Ray Spotts

Brushing is something we all do, but do you do it the correct way? Using a soft-bristled brush isnt always someones first method of choice, but it is the gentlest, safest way to remove plaque deposits from along the gum lines without causing tooth abrasion or gum recession. Gently angle the toothbrush 45 degrees toward the gum lines, making short back and forth motions. You should focus on only two or three teeth at a time and apply just enough pressure that the tissue blanches, no more.

Swollen gums from braces are usually due to how difficult it is to keep the area thoroughly clean as well as a response to metallic appliances within your mouth. If you have swollen gums around wisdom teeth or erupting teeth, this tends to be a normal part of the eruption process although it could be an indicator of a cyst formation.

The intervention significantly reduced the number of plaque-covered teeth and improved denture hygiene. The reduction in the number of plaque-covered teeth was associated with functional ability and cognitive function. Despite the positive effect, nearly half of the teeth in the intervention group had plaque even after the intervention. In the control group, oral health habits deteriorated during the 6-month follow-up.

Anthropologists have long held that Neolithic humans transitioning thousands of years ago from hunting and gathering to farm-based diets often suffered from tooth decay and gum disease. This contributed to suggestions that humans are better off with a wild-food-based diet as opposed to one where staples might be foods like corn or potatoes.

Reviewed by Ray Spotts

Practicing good oral hygiene and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are the best ways to prevent oral thrush or yeast infections. Oral thrush treatment can be handled through conventional or home remedies. Natural, over-the-counter treatments to get rid of oral thrush are typically successful but professional intervention may be needed if the infection is too severe.

Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Oral health of children who receive dental care through Medicaid lags behind their privately insured peers, even though the children receive the same amount of dental care, according to a study from the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. The study was released recently by Health Affairs.

Reviewed by Ray Spotts

The prevention of dry mouth involves careful reading of prescription and over-the-counter medication labels. Literally hundreds of everyday drugs such as decongestant use may cause dry mouth. Use alcohol-free oral hygiene products. Many over-the-counter mouth rinses contain alcohol, which may kill of bacteria but also dry out your mouth. When the mouth is dry, there may be an increased risk of decay or infection due to the washing action of saliva.

When you suffer from gum disease, there is an active infection under the surface of your gums between them and your teeth. These bacteria are attacked by antibodies in your bloodstream, which creates inflammation, redness and destruction of the fibers that attach the gums to your teeth. As gum infections persist, the gums creep farther down the root surface due to destruction of attachment fibers.

Sore gums are a symptom of infected, swollen gums. This is usually due to existing gum disease on one or all of your teeth.

Reviewed by Ray Spotts

The importance of proper and thorough oral care is unprecedented. The health of our teeth, gums and mouth is essential for a myriad of reasons. While all of us do get plaque, our own dental hygiene regimen determines how easily that plaque can be eradicated.