Gum Disease & Oral Health Websites
- Gum Disease - National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque - a sticky film of bacteria - to build up on the teeth and harden. In advanced stages, periodontal disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums; painful chewing problems; and even tooth loss.
- Gum Disease - MedlinePlus MedlinePlus provides information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues, including all aspects of oral health such as Gum, Hard Palate, Lip, Soft Palate, Tongue, Tonsil, Tooth, and Uvula.
- Gum Disease - WebMD Periodontitis, also called gum disease or periodontal disease, begins with bacterial growth in your mouth and may end - if not properly treated - with tooth loss due to destruction of the tissue that surrounds your teeth.
- Oral Health - World Health Organization It is a state of being free from mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit an individual's capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psycho-social well being.
- Oral Health - FDI World Dental Federation The Challenge of Oral Disease – A call for global action. The Oral Health Atlas. Geneva: FDI World Dental Federation; 2015.
- Oral Health - Harvard Health System Harvard medical school provides credible information on oral diseases and how to prevent them.
- A Kid's Guide to Great Dental Health Hygienists can help kids learn how to brush and floss their teeth properly. The best way to brush the teeth is in gentle circles across the teeth. This technique takes about two minutes. The mouth has an upper and a lower jaw. Brush both jaws for thirty seconds, and gently brush the gums, cheeks, and tongue as well.
Dental Care Tips
Tooth decay and gum disease are largely caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to accumulate on teeth within 20 minutes after eating. If this plaque is not removed thoroughly each day, tooth decay will flourish. Over time, plaque will harden into tartar. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, follow these steps:
- Brush your teeth twice daily, preferably after every meal and at bedtime, and floss at least once.
- Schedule an appointment with a dentist for a routine cleaning and examination. Many dentists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months.
- Keep dentures, retainers, and other appliances clean. This includes regular brushing and may include soaking them in a cleansing solution.
Ask your dentist:
- What toothbrush you should use, and where your problem areas are located.
- How to properly floss your teeth. Overly vigorous or improper flossing may injure the gums.
- Whether you should use any special tools, such as water irrigation. This may sometimes help supplement brushing and flossing.
- Whether you could benefit from particular toothpastes or mouth rinses.
Dental Hygiene Videos
- Dental Hygienist
Duties of an RDH include removing plaque and calculus from teeth, and polishing and flossing teeth. An RDH helps the dentist diagnose gum disease and cavities by taking and developing x-rays. An RDH must graduate from dental hygiene school and be licensed by the state. - Dental Hygienist: Career AdvantagesThe work schedule of a dental hygienist is fixed for the most part. Work satisfaction is immediate. Other settings may allow for flexible hours or part- or full-time work.
- Dental Hygienist: Duties and Work SettingsDental hygienists (DH), under the supervision of a doctor, help keep people's teeth and gums healthy by performing dental and therapeutic treatment. Most DHs work in private dental offices, but some work in research or as product reps, and more.
- Dental Care for KidsNothing can warm a parent’s heart like a child’s smile. But that beautiful smile needs help. Dental Care for Kids is an adult’s guide to children’s teeth: how they develop, the care they need, and the diseases that can spoil a child’s mouth. It gives useful information about proper dental care from the prenatal period through the development of primary teeth until permanent teeth come in. This program covers proper eating habits, brushing and flossing techniques, and when to visit your dentist. Parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone involved in child care is sure to benefit from this excellent program that helps children develop healthy teeth to last a lifetime.
- Importance of Mouth, Jaws, and TeethAn infant human uses its mouth solely for eating and communicating. At birth human lips and tongues are highly developed. Temporary teeth are lost as permanent teeth move in to replace them
- Modern Toothpastes and GelsToothpaste dates back to the Egyptians. The first modern tooth cleaning products were powders. Toothpastes arrived during the Victorian era. The first collapsible tube came in 1892. By mid 20th century Colgate was at the top of the industry.
- Oral Assessment and Dental Diseases in the ElderlyProper dental evaluations and hygiene are vital aspects of caring for an elderly client. Neglecting signs of oral health puts patients at risk for heart disease as well as more common problems like halitosis (bad breath), which can be embarrassing and could cause social and psychological problems. This program discusses specific conditions and diseases of the mouth, provides nursing and health care assistants with the procedures necessary for completing an oral exam, and presents ways to take action against oral problems. Viewers will learn how to recognize and manage a wide range of dental issues, including sores, dry mouth, problematic dentures, and oral cancer.
- Preventing DecayTeeth naturally decay, even when eating a healthy diet and brushing regularly. Drinking cold water causes pain and may alert someone of decay they are unaware of.
- Structure and Function of TeethTeeth are multilayered with enamel, dentin, and dental pulp, which forms the core of a tooth and is filled with capillaries and nerve endings. Teeth are connected to the jaw by periodontal membranes.
- Symptoms of Gum DiseaseSymptoms of periodontitis, or gum disease, include bleeding gums, bad breath, painful chewing, loose teeth, and the presence of pus. The early stages of the disease may not produce symptoms.