What You Need To Know About Gingivitis

To make a bit of a play on words, it's fair to say that gingivitis is the plague of plaques! As many as one out of two Canadians have gingivitis that could potentially lead to tooth loss. Are you one of them?

Gingivitis is more than just bad breath. It is an inflammation of the gums caused by a build-up of plaque which can lead to periodontal disease.  Periodontal disease is a serious and chronic bacterial infection that affects gums and the bones that support the teeth.  If left unchecked periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss.

The good news though is that gingivitis is completely curable. The bad news is that the damage caused by periodontal disease is not.

What you need to know:

Anyone can get gingivitis.  In fact research indicates that as many as 16 million Canadians both young and old alike have gingivitis. Unfortunately many do not even know it.

The symptoms can be found both in your mouth and in your sink. Signs of gingivitis include red, swollen or tender gums that may bleed when you brush or floss.  If you see blood in your sink after brushing or flossing, consider that you may have gingivitis.

There is an established, scientific link between your oral health and your overall health. Specific associations have been made between the two that includes:

• Heart disease - If you have periodontal disease, your chance of developing heart disease may jump as much as 19 percent!
• Diabetes - If you have diabetes, you may be at greater risk of developing periodontal disease. Dental hygiene and mouth-rinse/antibiotic treatment for periodontal disease may help reduce blood sugar levels n people with diabetes by as much as 11 percent.
• Lung disease - Patients in long term care facilities or hospital intensive care units who are able to practice good oral hygiene care may reduce their risk of developing pneumonia by 58 percent.
• Preterm low birth weight (PLBW) - This accounts for about 80 percent of all infant deaths that occur around the time of birth and may cause long term disabilities for survivors.  Dental hygiene services for pregnant women with periodontal disease (including gingivitis) may reduce the risk of PLBW by 50 percent.

These percentages are significant and hopefully convincing in terms of the importance of dealing with gingivitis and periodontal disease.

You can fight back!

Good oral hygiene can keep gingivitis in check.  The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association recommends a simple, four-step program:

1. Brush your teeth with a power toothbrush that offers rotation/oscillation.
2. Floss between your teeth to remove plaque. You can use floss on its own or in a holder or a flosser, interdental brushes (for bridges and braces), picks or irrigators.
3. Rinse using an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce the accumulation of plaque and to prevent gingivitis.
4. Get regular check-ups. Your biggest weapon of defense in the battle with gingivitis is a regular visit with your dental hygienist.  Book an appointment while you have a fighting chance!

Remember: Brush, floss, rinse and regular check-ups!

How a Dental Hygienist Can Help You

Your dental hygienist can help you by ensuring that you are taking good care of your teeth. Remember that you want your teeth to last you for your lifetime! That requires on-going maintenance on your part and regular professional care.

A dental hygienist's assistance may take many forms in both a clinical setting and in the community. Dental hygienists help in the dental hygiene clinic by:

• Assessing your health history
• Examining your head and neck
• Checking your mouth, gums and teeth
• Screening for oral cancer
• Developing a care plan with you that includes both prevention and treatment therapies to achieve and maintain your best oral health
• Referring you to other health-care providers as required
• Teaching you about proper mouth care

Dental hygienists help in the community by

• Teaching students and/or counseling families about oral health care
• Reviewing dental related literature and conducting research
• Teaching long-term care staff about mouth care for their patients
• Manufacturing mouthguards and working with coaches, school staff and others to prevent sports and playground injuries
• Screening seniors for signs of oral cancer
• Acting as health-care advocates on issues such as tobacco control and other dental related topics

Your dental hygienist is your partner in mouth care AND overall health!

Dental Hygiene Clinics and Mobile Practices

For people who are unable to travel, are restricted financially or for health reasons require in-home oral healthcare, dental hygienists can work independently. Moreover people in this situation can choose how and where they want to receive their preventative oral care.

As a result, some dental hygienists are willing to take their services to select (meaning properly screened) clients.  As well as improving public access to oral care, the cost for professional services provided by independent dental hygienists may be considerably lower than those same services provided in a traditional dental office.

Dental hygienists are regulated healthcare professionals. They must follow strict standards of practice set by their regulatory college to ensure that the public receives safe and ongoing comprehensive oral care.

If you are in a long term care facility or for other reasons are unable to come into a clinic for dental hygiene services contact me to discuss the potential of home treatment.

I provide dental hygiene care for retirement residences, nursing homes, long term care facilities and group homes.

The Do's and the Don'ts of Mouthguards

A properly fitted mouthguard can protect against a wide range of injuries. It can, for example, prevent broken teeth in both adults and children. But what many people do not realize is that a mouthguard can prevent a whole range of sport-related mouth and facial injuries.

The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association recommends mouthguards be used by athletes and anyone who plays sports both in actual game play and practices, in contact and non-contact games and competitive and non-competitive sports. This would include but is not limited to:
* basketball   * bicycling   * boxing   * field hockey   * football  
* ice hockey * in-line skating   * lacrosse   * martial arts   * rugby   * skiing   * soccer   * softball  * skateboarding   * wrestling

It's clear that a properly used mouthguard can prevent injuries.

Photo courtesy of MartialArtsNomad.com Peter Gordon

The Do's and Don'ts of Mouthguards

Do's

• Use a properly constructed mouthguard fabricated by a dental hygienist
• Consider using a coloured mouthguard as it may prove easier to find than a clear one
• Rinse your mouthguard with cold water or with a mouthwash both before and after use
• To properly clean your mouthguard, use toothpaste and a toothbrush or clean it with cool, soapy water and make sure to rinse thoroughly
• Store and transport your mouthguard in a firm, perforated container to prevent damage and to allow air to circulate
• Remove retainers and other removable dental appliances such as orthodontic retainers, removable bridges or dentures (both partial and complete) before inserting your mouthguard
• Replace your mouthguard every two to three years under normal use. If your mouthguard becomes cracked, torn or split, or if the fit is compromised, if significant wear appears or if there is unsatisfactory retention, replace the mouthguard. If your mouthguard absorbs a strong blow, it may need replacing immediately. 
• Bring your mouthguard to your dental hygienist to have it evaluated every time you have an appointment.

Don'ts

• Don't chew on your mouthguard or use hot water to clean it
• Don't leave it in direct sunlight or alter the mouthguard in any way
• Don't share your mouthguard
• Don't close your mouthguard container until your washed mouthguard is dry