Daily oral and dental care is essential for all of us, and especially when the mouth area is affected by therapy. Chemotherapy for tumors in any part of the body can affect the mouth, (whereas radiation therapy affects the mouth only when applied directly). Brushing and flossing natural teeth should be brushed daily (and preferably after each meal, large or small) with the use of a soft-bristle toothbrush. A small amount of toothpaste is useful when brushing, excessive amounts of toothpaste actually does not make up for inadequate brushing and flossing. Flossing is an effective way to clean between the teeth, but your doctor may decide that it would be too irritating for your gums. Ask his or her advice also about massaging the toungue and gums, another element in mouth care.

Inadequate oral hygiene leads to bad breath, gum irritation , pyorrhea and tooth decay. Since the effects of tumor therapy can limit the extent of your mouth care, it is very important to take care of this area before the therapy is begun. Denture Care Dentures, just like natural teeth, should be cleaned at least once a day. Remember to brush inside and out with a denture brush, no toothpaste is necessary. Do this over a sink or bowl containing a few inches of water -if the dentures are dropped, they’re less likely to be damaged.If you are in home health care, then you can have your caregiver help you. After brushing, soak the dentures in water, or in a commercial denture cleaner if you wish, however, always remember that soaking does not take the place of the thorough brushing. With the dentures removed, rinse your mouth vigorously with water or, again, a commercial mouth rinse. These simple procedures, when done daily after every meal or snack, will keep your mouth in the best possible health. Mouth Sores Some types of therapy, however, cause mouth sores and irritated gums (mucositis), and measures beyond simple home care hygiene may be needed. Once you have mouth sores, stay away from irritating or spicey foods. Eat a bland, soft diet. Remove your dentures until the sores heal. Rinse four times daily with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution diluted to half strength with water.

If you find this solution irritating to your mouth, continue diluting the solution until it no longer has this effect. You may also try a commercial mouthwash (such as Cepacol®). If your gums bleed very easily or are tender, use swabs, Toothettes®, or a damp cloth to clean your teeth and gums. Other non-irritating appliances are also available commercially.  Dry Mouth If dry mouth is a problem, your doctor may suggest an artificial “saliva” (such as Zero-lube®, or Saliva-aid®) but these products are not always successful. Another solution may be a saliva stimulant (such as Pilocarpine®). A simple and often effective remedy for dry-mouth is frequent rinses with water and sucking on ice chips. Sugarless tart candies or chewing gum may also help. The problem should not be ignored; keeping your mouth moist is essential both to oral care and to comfort if you are in homecare.

I recently heard from a woman who told me that her gums bled often. She told me that she has blood in her mouth when she wakes up in the morning. She also said she couldn’t afford to go to the dentist.

I told her that she must go. Chances are she has gum disease, but she needs a dentist or doctor to diagnose the situation and rule out anything more serious.

This brings up an important point. Bleeding gums are not normal at all. Usually, if your gums bleed while brushing or flossing it is probably indicative of gum disease.

One device that might help is the hydrofloss . It works by using a stream of water to help reduce bacterial and plaque accumulation.

Those crazy little bacteria might find their way into the bloodstream via those openings. Whether that situation can lead to something worse or not is still being researched.

The hydro floss is actually an oral irrigator with special properties. It uses a patented technology that allows it to do a more effective job than a ‘regular’ irrigator

In any case, the possibility of losing one’s teeth is real. And that is a situation that should be avoided.

In my personal experience, I was a patient of the same dentist for years. I knew my gums bled during those every-six-month cleanings but I didn’t know that meant I had gum disease. They didn’t tell me that. I thought it was normal, as do a lot of people. Then one day they suggested that I have a scaling and root planing treatment. They also told me that I had lost bone mass and that if things progressed I could lose my teeth.

Fortunately, I had enough sense to do a little research. This is why I like to write about the about the hydrofloss . I believe it is a powerful tool for dental health

This article is for information purposes only. If you have gingivitis, gum disease or think you might, go to your dentist right away for advice,diagnosis and treatment. Keeping your teeth is important. Getting rid of gum disease is desirable. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

I recently saw a product for gum disease that had a testimonial that said, “My gums look better after one brushing”. That is total nonsense – sorry to say.

There is not a miracle cure that works after one application. I would RUN, not walk, away from any website that promises such nonsense.

As a matter of fact, when it comes to gum disease, there is not a single product that will work for everyone who tries it. Every body’s chemistry and ever body’s situation is different.

This is the same reason that medicine is an art and not a science. here is no medication that works for everyone hands down. There are exceptions.

Sometimes it requires several products in combination to do the job. Or perhaps the right training and techniques are needed. At any rate, gum disease is not really a problem that is so easy to solve. Try Ora-Md as one possibility

I’ve studied this subject for a while due to the need to solve my own problem and now I study it because it interests me. The body is a complicated organism and what works for one may not work for another.

I’m definitely an advocate of products that I have personally found to be useful, such as an ozone generatorfor ozonating water. But there is also some basics that need to be understood about gum disease. You need to understand what you are fighting so that you can be sure that it doesn’t come back. You also need to be effective in what you are doing.

Sure you can throw a board over a broken window. But a bit more skill is needed to repair that window properly. Look to the links below for more information on what you can to do to stop gum disease and prevent it from coming back. Some products, like therabreath may have more value than others. Again, one size does NOT fit all.

Be advised this article is for information purposes only and does not intend to offer diagnosis or treatment advice. There is not a miracle cure that works after one application.

History- Patients with a history of Gingivitis are advised to follow immaculate oral hygiene routines and to keep a close eye on any symptoms that the infection may be recurring.Try therabreath products.

It is also important to keep your dentist or physician in the loop on past attacks and other related information which may be important in terms of diagnoses and treatment.

Definition of this disease- Gingivitis is a medical term which refers to initial stages of gum inflammation caused by bacteria and toxin producing plaque build-up on teeth and underneath the gum line. Some have found relief via oramd.

Contributing factors- There is a variety of factors which contribute to the development of gum disease including poor oral hygiene, smoking, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, puberty, menstruation and menopause, nutritional deficiencies, medication, diabetes, HIV and stress. Men also have a bigger tendency to develop gum diseases. Ozone generators can create ozonated water that may be helpful in stopping bacteria cold.

Symptoms- Symptoms of Gingivitis include but are not limited to painful, puffy, blood-red, shiny, bloody, swollen, painful and itchy gums, bad breath and mouth ulcers.

Prevention- The prevention of gingivitis may be fairly easy to achieve by merely following a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis which includes brushing and flossing in a manner and frequency recommended by your dentist or physician, twice yearly check-ups by your dentist as well as teeth cleaning by an oral hygienist comes highly recommended. Not everyone can stop the disease even with the most ideal brushing and flossing habits.

Treatments- Antibiotics in the form of mouth wash, gels, pastes, pills or capsules will be prescribed by your physician to fight the infection while also reducing plaque. Natural remedies may be effective not to mention inexpensive treatment options.

Medical advice- Should you have a history of this disease it would will be advised to you seek medical attention as soon as any of the mentioned symptoms appear or an already existing infection becomes worse. Your dentist or physician will diagnose and treat the condition with a medication or other therapy. Next, follow the links below to learn what you can do to help stop gum disease at home and prevent it from coming back again

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition. In addition, the USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

If you ask most people, they’d tell you that the whiter the smile, the better – as shelves of tooth whitening solutions in stores will attest to. For those with less pocket change, low cost teeth whitening is a great way to go – and luckily there are a number of methods out there. Read on to learn about low cost tooth whitening methods that you can start using at home, right away.

There are quite a few cost-effective systems to choose from.  Many options from kits for tooth bleaching to whitening gel and trays  However, teeth whitening strips are always one of the most popular and effective ways to whiten your teeth without breaking the bank. Expect to wear a teeth whitening strip for up to 60 minutes at a time for the most benefit and fastest results. Although you can get some moderate results within the first 3 days, expect to wait about a week or two to see the most benefit from teeth bleaching kits. It makes a excellent source for tooth whitening that’s simple, easy, and most of all – low cost. Get in the habit of using teeth whitening tooth paste to enhance the whitening effects of the white strips – and a brighter smile will be yours sooner than you know it.

Another option is hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening. This is a true homemade tooth whitening method.  It’s not going to give you the very quick results of whitening strips, but it’s a great option for those on strict budgets.  Overall, it’s is a great way to start whitening your teeth on a very minimal budget. This method is comprised of a combination of regular baking soda with drugstore hydrogen peroxide. Combining these ingredients will form a thick paste-like consistency, which you’ll use to brush your teeth as normal. Get a little more oomph out of this method by following up with a homemade mouthwash of 3% hydrogen peroxide. While hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening may not produce the quickest results, it is an effective way to whiten your teeth over time.It’s also ideal for maintaining the whitening effects of other solutions.

If you have more money to spend, go straight to the source and ask your dentist to compare teeth whitening plans that will give you options within your budget. Other options include a specialty tooth whitening tray that’s formed to your mouth structure, as well as laser whitening.

With these ideas, you’ll be on the way to a stunning and dazzling white smile before you know it!