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What’s Going On In Your Mouth? By: Jonathan Bille  |
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 When we were kids, they used to warn us about the cavity creeps to get us to brush our teeth. For most of us, that was enough to establish good brushing habits, but as we age, a good healthy mouth takes more than good brushing habits, it takes a commitment to good nutrition and an active involvement in the conditions of the teeth and gums.
We’ve all heard the term Gingivitis used in effort to sell some product in TV commercial, but Gingivitis isn’t just a marketing idea, it’s a real problem and the beginning of a serious illness called pyorrhea.
In its early stages, Gingivitis is recognized by red, shiny and soft gums that can bleed easily. As it progresses into the more advanced Pyorrhea, the bones supporting the teeth begin to erode and abscesses become common. In addition, Pyorrhea is characterized by the presence of halitosis and bleeding and painful gums.
The causes of Gingivitis and Pyorrhea are numerous, but certainly the most common are, improper brushing, poor diet, excessive sugar consumption, tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic illnesses. But many times, Gingivitis is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C.
So how do you prevent Gingivitis and Pyorrhea? Well the first place to start is with the obvious. If you practice good brushing habits and have no history of chronic illness, consider your intake of vitamin C.
Most of us don’t get enough vitamin C anyway, so when looking for a cause of Gingivitis, vitamin C intake is a great place to start. Consider supplementing your diet with around 8000 mg of vitamin C a day. Don’t take it all at once, but rather take several doses several times a day. As with any vitamins, you should consider taking vitamin C with meals.
If that doesn’t seem to do it, you may also want to supplement your diet with calcium and magnesium, which helps prevent the loss of the bone around the gums.
If your Pyorrhea is more advanced, you may want to apply aloe vera gel directly to the infected areas to help control pain and to sooth the affected area.
If the mouth is terribly infected, you may want to consider using a extract of Goldenseal, which is done by placing one or two drops and swishing the extract around in your mouth for a few minutes. Goldenseal destroys bacteria, and can be very effective in some cases.
Ultimately, nothing works better than having a good relationship with your dentist. If you have any questions about the health of your mouth and teeth, ask your dentist. Most keep up to date on the latest information and may be able to help you design a plan to prevent any serious problems.
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