Periodontitis is the inflammation of the periodontium or the tissues that hold the teeth.  This condition is often the result of a prolonged, untreated gum condition, like gingivitis.  As the condition progresses, teeth could become loose and will eventually detach from the socket, making periodontitis one of the leading causes of tooth loss.  Teeth loss is not the only thing you need to worry about with periodontitis.  Research has discovered links between periodontitis and medical conditions such as atherosclerosis, renal failure and stroke. That is why it is important to keep your gum’s health in check to avoid periodontitis and the complications it brings.

Caring for your teeth and gums does not involve rocket science.  It is much easier than it may seem.  It all starts with maintaining a good oral hygiene.  Brushing your teeth can be both a preventive measure as well as a periodontal disease treatment.  It keeps plaque and tartar from building up on and around teeth.  As you know, plaque is the sticky deposits on the teeth and gum line which houses the bacteria.  If not removed, plaque could solidify into tartar which is harder to remove and digs deeper into the gum line, causing serious gum problems.  That is why it is necessary to brush your teeth at least three times a day.

Apart from brushing your teeth, flossing in between meals is also a good practice.  This removes the food particles as well as plaque buildup between teeth.  However, you must be careful not to floss too hard or to allow the dental floss to reach your delicate gums as this could hurt your gums and make it susceptible to infection.  You can also follow up flossing and brushing with gargling with antibacterial mouthwash to kill and wash away the bacteria in your mouth.  It is much recommended that you choose an alcohol-free mouthwash as alcohol dries up your mouth, making it more vulnerable to bacterial infection.

Good diet and a healthy lifestyle can also steer you away from periodontal disease.  Eating food rich in vitamin A and C can boost your immune system which helps fight away bacterial infection, thus lessening the chances of gum diseases.  However, you can also take multivitamins to get the daily recommended dose of vitamins necessary to maintain your overall health.  It is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to strengthen your body and protect you against infections and diseases.  Exercising and getting an ample amount of sleep, as well as avoiding stress and certain habits such as smoking, drinking excessively can also strengthen your immune system.

Did you know that periodontitis affect pregnant women? Periodontitis greatly affects women carrying a unborn child in her womb.  The situation can be associated with preterm birth or fatal growth.  This would mean that the mother with periodontitis may give birth to a child unexpectedly.  Moreover, the baby’s growth in the mother’s womb can be very dangerous for both mother and child.

Pregnant women are asked to take extra care of themselves most especially if they have periodontal disease. It is recommended that they see their dentist on a regular basis. This is to ensure that their teeth and gums are well taken care of. At the first trimester is the most crucial situation of the baby’s growth. It is the time when the baby starts to develop parts of his or her body. Moreover, at this stage the mother’s body is adjusting to hormonal and physical changes of her body.

Seeing a professional dentist for a check up will not guarantee immediate treatment however; it will give you an overview of what is going on. Moreover, the dentist can give proper diagnosis and prescription of the matters at hand.  Thus, it will give you chance to correct your previous mistakes and save your unborn baby’s life.  Most likely a dental cleaning or commonly called prophylaxis is performed by the dentist to remove plaques or unseen dirt in the patient’s mouth.

Sometimes, pregnant women do not treat periodontitis or any gum disease simply because they see it as less priority. True, that when a woman gets pregnant there are other areas that she should look into such as seeing an obstetrician. However, everything should be equally seen.  Obstetrician is a doctor who takes good care of pregnant women’s health. They see the overall fitness of pregnant women and the baby she is carrying.

When periodontal disease is treated early, studies have shown that the risk of preterm and fatal growth is reduced.  Moreover, women who do not smoke cigarette have easier and faster recovery than those who chew or smoke. Smoking is bad for your health and your baby’s too. Furthermore, the habit of smoking cigarette aggravates your mouth disease.

Generally speaking, never practice mediocrity and procrastination especially when you are pregnant.  Always ensure that you and your baby are safe, healthy and secure at all times. Your unborn child is your top priority in life now. The baby is too fragile and young to take good care of his or her self.  It is your duty to do so.