There’s a reason why, in days of yore, people would check the teeth of a horse before a purchase. The saying was, “no teeth, no horse” and the same is true for human beings. A person’s oral health has more to do with his or her overall health than most people realize! The Centers for Disease Control estimates that over 90% of adults in America older than 40 have tooth decay. Furthermore, over half of the adult population is in the early stages of gum disease! Both tooth decay and gum disease can lead to heart disease and circulatory system problems. Diabetics are at an increased risk for oral issues as there is a correlation between gum disease and the inability to regulate blood sugar. Regular visits with a dentist in Stockertown can help.
In order to achieve optimal oral health, a person must begin where they are, whether they simply need to schedule a cleaning with a dentist in Stockertown, or whether they have missing teeth and need dental implants. The average person has more bacteria inside of his mouth than there are human beings on the planet. This bacteria likes to combine with saliva and the starch and protein in the food you eat and create a film that sticks to your teeth and gums known as plaque. If not eliminated in a timely fashion with routine tooth brushing and flossing, this plaque will harden into a hard, yellowish layer called dental calculus, or tartar. Click here for more
Tartar is plaque that has mineralized on the surface of the teeth. Often the tartar accumulates both above the line of the gums, where it is unsightly, and also below the line of the gums where it lurks and continues to harbor acid secreting bacteria and plaque. It takes just over 24 hours for plaque to harden into tartar. Tartar irritates the gums, and if not removed, over time can lead to an inflammation known as gingivitis, and still later, full blown periodontal disease, which is characterized by red and swollen gums, bad breath, pockets of pus that collect between the gums and teeth, and teeth that are loose and which may fall out. Tartar can only be removed by a dental hygienist or dentist with the tools necessary for its removal.
Brushing and flossing teeth regularly as well as regular visits to your dentist in Stockertown are necessary to both oral health and overall health!
