Health Tip: At Risk for Gingivitis

(HealthDay News) -- Gingivitis is a disease of the mouth that can damage the gums, ligaments and sockets that surround the teeth.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, people with these risk factors should be extra careful about preventing gingivitis:

• People with poor dental health or dental hygiene practices.
• Pregnant women, as certain hormonal changes can increase gum sensitivity.
• Diabetics who can't manage or control their disease.
• People with teeth that are poorly aligned, or with braces or fillings with rough edges.
• People taking certain medications, including birth control pills and phenytoin.
  

Health Tip: Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea

(HealthDay News) -- Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to stop breathing temporarily during sleep. When a person isn't breathing, even for brief periods, it can deprive the blood of oxygen and lead to serious complications.

Here are some common warning signs of sleep apnea that should be evaluated by your doctor. They're provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• A partner notices that you've stopped breathing for brief periods (often 10 seconds or more) during sleep.
• Feeling tired and lethargic during the day.
• Having headaches first thing in the morning.
• Poor quality of sleep, and waking often. Feeling depressed, having problems with concentration and noticing differences in your personality.
• Snoring loudly, especially as soon as you fall asleep.

Health Tip: Tobacco and Oral Health

(HealthDay News) -- You know that tobacco is bad for your health, and your mouth is no exception.

The American Dental Association says smoking or chewing tobacco can cause or contribute to:

• Cancers of the mouth.
• Gum (periodontal) disease, which can lead to lost or sensitive teeth.
• Bad breath, stained teeth, and even a stained tongue.
• Reduced ability to taste and smell.
• Slower healing after oral surgery.

Health Tip: Take Care of Your Teeth

(HealthDay News) -- If you've been diagnosed with periodontal disease, you're not alone. Some 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of the gum disease, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Our mouths are full of bacteria, which along with mucus and food particles form a sticky, colorless "plaque" on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque.




Plaque that is not removed can harden and form bacteria-laden "tartar." The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums, which is known as gingivitis.

When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to periodontitis, characterized by the gums pulling away from the teeth and forming infected pockets. Bacterial toxins and the body's enzymes fighting the infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place.

If periodontitis isn't treated, the bones, gums and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. At that point, the teeth may have to be removed.

Health Tip: Help Stop Thumbsucking

(HealthDay News) -- Many children suck their thumbs, but it can cause dental problems if children continue to suck their thumb beyond age 4.

Most children stop on their own, but continued thumbsucking could be a sign of a behavioral problem, such as anxiety or depression.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to help your child quit the habit:

• Ask your pediatrician about having your child use a thumb guard.
• Apply a bitter-tasting material on your child's thumb. But always check with the child's doctor to make sure it's safe.
• Make a deal with your child. If he or she agrees to stop sucking the thumb, offer a reward.
• Offer praise and attention when you notice that your child isn't thumbsucking.
• If your child's teeth have been affected by thumbsucking, talk to the child's dentist about what can be done to correct it.

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