Considering that 90% of adults suffer from gum disease at some point in their lifetime, it's advice you probably should pay attention to. For this reason, it is obvious that proper dental hygiene is an important part of maintaining good dental health. Since gum disease does not discriminate by age, teaching your children proper dental hygiene will help set them up for a brighter dental health future.

Gum Disease

The leading cause of gum disease is plaque. Plaque is a film that builds up along the gum line and traps food and germs. Once settled in the germs attack the gums themselves, causing soreness and bleeding. If the plaque is left on the gum line for too long, a harder more substantial film called tartar will form under the gum line. The key to controlling plaque and tartar build up is a daily dental hygiene program that includes brushing and flossing. To reinforce your daily dental program, visit your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings.

There are two stages of gum disease. The first is gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when plaque has built up enough to cause tenderness and bleeding when brushing and flossing your teeth. To prevent gingivitis, follow a good dental hygiene program as suggested above.

The second and much more serious stage of gum disease is called periodontitis. Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis has been left untreated and has progressed to this next level. This will not only cause sore swollen gums, it will cause your gums to pull away from the teeth creating pockets that collect food particles and may become infected. If left untreated, your teeth will begin to loosen, resulting in tooth loss. The key to preventing gum disease is following a daily home dental hygiene program and regular visits with your dentist. If you suspect you have gum disease, see your dentist immediately. If left untreated, it will only get worse.

Proper Dental Care

Since proper dental hygiene is the key to preventing gum disease, let's review the tools and proper procedures to accomplish this. First and foremost, brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Since a toothbrush can only clean one tooth at a time, spend at least three minutes brushing your teeth each time. Using a soft-bristle toothbrush, angle the brush along the gum line where your teeth and gums meet. Use a back and forth brushing motion on the outside and inside of all your teeth, paying particular attention to reach all the back teeth and chewing surfaces. Remember to brush the entire gum area as well as the surface of the tongue. Doing so will help to alleviate germ buildup and bad breath. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.

The next step to maintaining proper dental hygiene is flossing. Flossing will help enhance your brushing by removing food and plaque from between teeth and along the gum line where your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing should be done once a day. To floss properly, begin with a strand about eighteen inches long. Wrap the ends of the floss around the middle finger of each hand until there is about one inch of floss between each hand. Gently maneuver the floss in between your teeth using a sawing motion until you reach the gum line. When you've reached the gum line, use the floss to scrape the side of each tooth in an up-and-down motion. As the floss becomes worn, use a new section of the floss that is already wrapped around your fingers. Repeat this process until the gums around each tooth have been cleaned. Follow up your home dental care with regular trips to the dentist office for a professional cleaning.

Diabetes and Dental Diseases

Although good dental hygiene can help prevent many dental diseases it may not be enough if you suffer from diabetes. Gum disease is the most common oral disease that affects people with diabetes. Unfortunately, it is not the only one. Diabetes also makes you m