GINGIVITIS (Periodontal Disease)

You CAN Do Something About It WITHOUT DRUGS

Unlike most diseases that give us early warning signs, gingivitis progresses silently, often without pain. It may develop slowly or progress quite rapidly. More than half of all people over 18 have at least the early stages of periodontal disease. Even more frightening, after the age of 35, three out of four people are affected to some degree. Periodontal disease is an infection that destroys the gum surrounding your teeth and also destroys the supporting bone that holds your teeth in place. AS an infection, gum disease causes inflammation and in recent years inflammation itself has been identified as one of the most important underlying cause of many serious illnesses. Those hoping to live a long, healthy life have to take gum disease seriously and do everything they can to prevent it - and get it under control when it strikes.

What Other Health Concerns Are Related To Gum Disease?

• Inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels that is known to lead to constriction in the arteries.
• Infective endocarditis, a potentially fatal disease in which the inner lining of the heart becomes inflamed.
• Lung infections in people with chronic lung diseases.
• A weakened immune system that can slow wound healing and diminished response to hepatitis B and flu vaccines.
• A higher risk of delivering premature, low birth weight infants.
• Tooth loss.
• The ADA Early Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease
• Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth.
• Gums that are red, swollen or tender.
• Gums that are pulled away from teeth.
• Pus between teeth and gums when gums are pressed.
• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating.
• Change in the way your teeth fit together when biting.
• Any changes in fit of partial dentures.
• Persistent bad breath.
• Even healthy looking teeth may have gum disease.

Of course, the best way to deal with gingivitis - gum disease - is to not get it at all. Once you have it you'll need to be more aggreessive and treat it quickly. Gingivitis won't kill you "overnight" but the diseases it can cause are real killers.

Brushing is important, of course. So is what you put in your mouth. When it comes to brushing, though, most of use the toothbrush that's been standing in the holder - in the bathroom - for the last few years. Bathrooms are notorious for being places where bacteria thrive - and bacteria can CAUSE infections. Use a clean toothbrush.

Toothpaste. To complicate the situation, many people use the standard toothpastes on every drugstore shelf. I encourage you to think twice before you do that. Toothpaste itself can be irritating to sensitive tissue in the mouth and around the gums - it's the fluoride and a substances known as SLS (sodium laruel sulfate). Those chemicals coiupled with a contaminated toothbrush can stimulate the growth of bacteria in your mouth. I don't think either of those chemicals should be used to clean the teeth. In addition, most toothpoaste contqains glycerin, a substance that makes the paste feel smooth, yet leaves a film on the tooth that can attract and hold bacteria. If your teeth feel filmy in the morning it's because of the glycerin.

Treatment. What is a person to do? You should have your teeth cleaned professionally and brush often, but not with any of the commercial toothpastes (and many of the powders). Take a look at using plain sodium bicarbonate. Even better, use soap. While any pure soap is probably fine, I can recommend something far better. It's a soap product that was specifically designed for cleaning the teeth. It's called Perfect Prescription Tooth Soap. Use it at least twice daily - rinse twice after each brushing - and you and your dentist will notice that your teeth are clean and free of gingivitis.

As an added aid, think about using a special mouthrinse called Peri-Gum. It's a concentrated liquid made from peppers. Mix a few drops with water and swish it in your mouth for two minutes after brushing. It seems to wipe out any remaining bacteria that make be hiding out of the reach of your brush. The pepper content also has a healing property.

This is not just theory or marketing hype. I have personal experience that the soap and rinse work. At a visit to the dentist the hygienist remarked that my indicators had improved dramatically from a previous visit. My teeth were also less sensitive and they feel smooth in the morning. The only differnces I made in my dental care was to use soap and Peri-Gum.

I started to sell Peri-Gum at The Compounder after one of our customers asked for it. SHe explained how using it daily helped her more than periodontal surgery. The surgery was fine but the inflammation returned. After beginning Peri-Gum the inflammation has not returned.

Perfect Prescription Tooth Soap contains: Specially formulated soap made from coconut, palm, and olive oils and essential oil. NO added glycerin, sweeteners, silicates (sand), fluoride, dyes, stabilizers or other materials that can damage teeth.

Peri-Gum contains; Cayenne, Bloodroot, Echinacea, Bayberry, White, Oak Bark,Tea Tree Oil, and Peppermint Oil