Even if you clean your teeth so that they are “squeaky clean” (run your finger across your front teeth after thoroughly cleaning the area and it will feel squeaky clean it only takes 30 minutes for the saliva in your mouth to begin coating your teeth with what is called an “acquired pellicle”. This is a kind of skin which bacteria called “streptococcus mutans” use to adhere to the tooth surface. As the streptococcus mutans find sugars to metabolize in the mouth, they produce plaque and acid, which then begins the cycle of tooth decay. Dentists now recommend that teeth should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every 24 hours to prevent the build up of plaque and dangerous levels of acid. Of course, it is extremely unlikely that a person could remove ALL plaque in one brushing. That is why they recommend brushing twice a day to ensure that most plaque is removed over a 24 hour period.
As people get older, their gingival (gum) health diminishes. Gums become less able to heal themselves and lesions and infections may stay in the mouth longer in adults than they do in children. That is why it is vital that adults floss between their teeth at least once a day. Without flossing, food can become impacted, affecting the periodontal ligaments that hold the teeth into their sockets. Old vagrant people often have the appearance of having extra “long” teeth. This is simply the gums receding away from the crown of the tooth and revealing part of the root of the tooth that is usually covered by the gum. When gums are being affected by acid from plaque, they begin to recede. If this is not checked and reversed, the teeth become loose and eventually fall out.
A condition popularly known as “trench mouth” (severe ulcerative gingivitis) was the scourge of land armies around the world during World Wars 1 and II, and many men lost their teeth through this acute disease of the gums. Their diet of Anzac-type cookies, bread and pre-packaged and canned foods were high in fermentable carbohydrates (sugars) and conditions in the trenches precluded regular brushing. Poor oral hygiene and a diet high in sugar soon produced thick wads of acidic plaque that lay around the mouth and burnt into gums. Soft gums are highly susceptible to acid attacks. The first sign of poor gum health is bleeding and swelling. The gums lose their “stippled” effect and become shiny and red. It they are not cleaned at this point, they become ulcerated and painful. Trench mouth, however, is not just a condition that affected men in wars past. Even today, if oral hygiene is neglected, trench mouth can affect anyone. It is a highly contagious condition and should be referred to a dentist who can prescribe an oxygenating mouthwash and antibiotics.
Article by health writer Kate Wiley of href=http://www.healthy-shopper.com
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