Healthy gingiva holds teeth in place at the root, as well as attaches at the gumline to create a seal which blocks bacteria from penetrating sensitive tissue below.

To maintain healthy, well-functioning teeth and gums and to guard against disease, daily brushing and flossing are essential. Depending on the condition of your teeth and gums, a dental professional may also recommend the use of an anti-plaque, anti-cavity or anti-bacterial rinse, a plaque-fighting toothpaste, a specialty toothbrush, a specialty floss, an irrigator or a power-assisted plaque remover.

Gingivitis (Gum Disease)

Many of us will experience gingivitis at some time in our lives.* Fortunately, with immediate proper care, this type of gum disease is completely reversible.

Gingivitis is caused by infrequent or incorrect brushing or flossing which results in plaque build-up on tooth surfaces, between teeth and under the gumline. Symptoms occur when bacteria in the plaque produce toxins that irritate gum tissue, causing gum tenderness, inflammation and pain.

If the disease is allowed to progress, gum infection will occur, accompanied by a tendency to bleed during brushing. In cases of acute gingivitis, more severe symptoms occur.

PREVENTION OF GINGIVITIS: Proper brushing and flossing, and use of an anti-plaque rinse and plaque-fighting toothpaste, help inhibit the plaque build-up that causes gingivitis.

*Nearly 75 percent of people over age 35 now have gum disease or have experienced it previously.

Periodontitis (Gum Disease)

Periodontitis is a disease that occurs when bacterial toxins penetrate the gingiva and cause inflammation of gums, ligaments and the bone structure which support teeth. Although the effects of this inflammation may be irreversible, the disease's progress can be halted and controlled.

Because periodontitis may occur without visible symptoms, it is important for your dental professional to examine regularly for increased gum pocket depths, one of the earliest signs of the disease.

Early periodontitis may be associated with tooth sensitivity; throbbing or tightness may be felt in the gum tissue. Periodontal disease can, however, progress slowly without any visible signs or symptoms.

Moderate periodontitis may cause loosening of teeth, and an intensification and increased incidence of early periodontal symptoms.

Advanced periodontitis is associated with gum recession, root decay, pus between teeth and gums, and loosening or loss of teeth.

PREVENTION OF PERIODONTITIS: Proper brushing and flossing, and use of an antibacterial rinse, help to inhibit the penetration of bacteria below the gumline, which is the primary cause of periodontitis.

Dental Caries (Cavities)

Dental caries is the disease process of tooth decay. It occurs when bacteria (which accumulates in plaque) consume sugar and produce acid that can dissolve tooth enamel and tooth dentin. Immediate treatment in the form of restoration is essential.
 

	Fissure caries occur because plaque becomes trapped in the bottom of fissure grooves where enamel is very thin and easily penetrated. This is the most common form of caries in children.
	Proximal caries occur when plaque is allowed to accumulate between teeth. These areas are difficult to reach with a toothbrush, and caries often occur here in people who do not floss.
	Root caries occur following bone loss and gum recession (which most commonly result from periodontitis). Because roots are not protected by enamel, caries can progress quickly.

HOW TO PREVENT DENTAL CARIES: The best protection against dental caries is daily brushing, flossing and use of an anti-cavity rinse. Regular in-office fluoride treatments - together with at-home prophylaxis - are essential with caries-prone patients. In cases of high susceptibility to tooth decay, fissure sealing is often recommended.

Brushing and Flossing

HOW TO BRUSH PROPERLY: Clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45 degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Do this for about 10 seconds. Use the same brushing action on all inner and outer tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed for reaching the insides of smaller front teeth.
 

 

HOW TO FLOSS PROPERLY: Take about 18 inches of floss or tape, and wrap it around your middle fingers until you have a two-inch length between them. With the thumb and forefinger of each hand, guide the floss gently and carefully between upper and lower teeth, using a back-and-forth motion. Avoid "snapping" the floss against delicate gum tissue. Curve the floss around each tooth in a "C" shape, and gently guide it up and under the gumline. Move it up and down the side of each tooth to remove plaque. Use a new section of floss for each tooth. With gingivitis, flossing may initially cause bleeding. If bleeding persists, immediately consult your dentist or hygienist.








Glossary

Appliance - any removable dental restoration or orthodontic device
Calculus - tartar; plaque which has become calcified or hardened
Cavity - the space inside a tooth that remains once decay is removed
Cheek pouch - the area of the mouth inside the cheek
Crown - portion of tooth covered by enamel; also refers to a dental restoration shaped like the tooth it covers
Deciduous teeth - "baby teeth;" the childhood set of 20 teeth
Dental caries - decay of teeth; commonly known as "cavities"
Dentin - the core of the tooth, covered by enamel
Dentin hypersensitivity - the painful sensation resulting from exposed dentin in your mouth
Dietary sugar - sugar occurring in your diet, including sugar found in sweets, fruits and processed foods
Enamel - extremely hard, protective coating of tooth
Eruption - when teeth first peek through gums
Explorer - a probe used to detect cavity growth
Fissures - cleft-like grooves in the chewing surfaces of back teeth
Fissure sealing - a procedure that protects fissures against decay, using a sealant
Fluoride - a chemical compound that helps strengthen teeth as well as reduce tooth decay and sensitivity
Gingiva - the gums; tissue that supports teeth and covers jawbone
Gingival - of or pertaining to the gums
Gingival pocket - see gingival sulcus
Gingival sulcus - gum pocket; space between tooth (including root) and gum tissue
Gingivitis - a reversible gum disease which causes gum tenderness, inflammation and pain
Gum disease - see periodontal disease and gingivitis
Gum pocket - see gingival sulcus
Implant - a device implanted within the jawbone to attach a permanent restoration such as a crown, bridge or denture
Irrigator - an appliance for cleaning above and/or below the gumline, and for distributing therapeutic solutions
Interdental - between teeth
Malocclusion - misalignment of upper and lower teeth
Molars - large, broad multi-cusped teeth at back of mouth
Mouthguard - a soft fitted device that protects teeth against impact or injury
Orthodontics - an area of dentistry concerned with the correction of malocclusion and the restoration of teeth to proper functioning
Orthodontist - a dental professional who specializes in and corrects irregularities of the teeth
Periodontal - of or pertaining to the tissue and bone that support teeth
Periodontal disease - see periodontitis
Periodontal probe - an instrument used to measure pocket depth
Periodontist - a dental professional who specializes in the treatment of disease of the supporting structures of the teeth
Periodontitis - a gum disease that causes inflammation of gums, ligaments and bone structure that support teeth; can lead to tooth or bone loss
Plaque - a sticky, bacteria-containing film which forms on tooth surfaces
Premolars - two-cusped teeth immediately in front of molars
Proximal surfaces - areas of tooth adjacent to other teeth
Pulp - soft, sensitive tissue chamber below the crown, which contains nerves and blood vessels
Restoration - any replacement for lost tooth structure or teeth; for example, bridges, fillings, crowns and implants
Sensitivity - see dentin hypersensitivity
Subgingival - below the gumline
Supragingival - above the gumline
Systemic - affecting the body as a whole
Teething - baby teeth pushing through gums
Topical - applied to teeth, gums or oral tissue