You probably have periodontal disease! However, so does approximately 80% of the American population. Periodontal disease is easily one of the most common afflictions affecting people today. Most everyone has heard of plaque, tartar, gingivitis, and periodontitis. The are the forms of periodontal disease that most people experience at some level throughout their lives. The good news is, treating periodontal disease is easy. But before we tell you how to treat it, we had better tell you what these diseases are and the importance of prevention and treatment.

Plaque is the sticky material that develops on the exposed tooth. It primarily consists of mucus, food debris, and bacteria. If left on the teeth for as few as three days, the plaque begins to solidify into hard deposits called tartar. Tartar becomes trapped as the base of the tooth causing irritation and infection. If left untreated, the infection can spread deep into the area between the tooth and gum forming a pocket. This pocket provides a nice comfortable home for more bacteria to grow. The gums become swollen, tender and often prone to bleeding. This condition is known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the outermost tissue of the gums. Normally this condition is not serious, but if left untreated, gingivitis can lead to acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. A long medical way of saying that the tissue surrounding the teeth dies. However, a more common progression of gingivitis is periodontitis. Periodontitis is a condition in which gingivitis has extended down to the supporting bone structure of the tooth. The tooth becomes loose and will eventually fall out.

If periodontal disease is left untreated, a host of health problems may surface. It may seem that the most detrimental problem would be loss of teeth, but more significant problems have been associated with periodontal disease.

• Stroke – Advanced periodontal disease can increase the risk of stroke by as much as 50%
• Heart Disease – Many studies have found a link between untreated periodontal disease and hart disease. The risk for a heart attack may be double for those with periodontal disease.
• Diabetes – Diabetics are 3 times more likely to develop a periodontal disease and periodontal disease disrupts the glycmic control, increasing the risk of developing diabetes.
• Spontaneous Pre-term Birth – Women with severe periodontal disease are 7 times more likely to have a premature baby.

Treating periodontal disease is simple if the proper steps are taken. Plaque can be removed with regular brushing and flossing along with daily use of a good dental product. OraMD® is formulated of all natural oils that penetrates deep into the gums and mouth, killing bacteria before it has chance to grow into a more serious problems. Tartar, once it forms, can only be removed through professional dental cleaning. Cleaning will remove the source of irritation that causes gingivitis, giving the gums time to heal themselves. If periodontitis has caused damage to bone structure, oral surgery and antibiotics are necessary. Following any treatment of periodontal disease, good oral hygiene is tanamount to preventing recurrence. Brush, floss, use OraMD® everyday, and see your dentist twice a year; this is the most effective treatment for periodontal disease. Your teeth are as important to your overall health as they are gulping your favorite cheeseburger. Use effective prevention methods and they will last you a lifetime.