Gingivitis Gingivitis (jin-ji-VY-tis) is an early stage of gum disease. The bacteria in plaque make your gums red, tender and swollen. Your gums might also bleed at this stage. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more advanced stages of gum disease. But, the good news is, gum disease at this stage is usually reversible. If it is caught early enough (when it is gingivitis), you may simply need a professional cleaning and to keep up with daily hygiene: brushing and cleaning between your teeth. Your dental team can also give you advice for improving your daily oral hygiene. Red, puffy, swollen gums are a sign of gingivitis. However, you may have gingivitis and not have any signs at all. Image © Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Periodontitis If gingivitis is not treated, it can turn into periodontitis (perry-oh-don-TIE-tis). As plaque and tartar build up where your teeth and gums meet, the gum tissues and bone around your teeth begin to break down. Periodontitis is usually not painful, but it can lead to bone loss and, in more severe cases, teeth that may need to be removed. Effects of gum disease Using tobacco raises your risk of gum disease Using tobacco products of any kind, like cigarettes, dip, chew and hookah can increase your risk of gum disease. The disease can also get worse the longer you use tobacco. The connection between your mouth and body Diseases that lower your body’s ability to fight infections may raise your risk of gum disease. And, sometimes having gum disease is shown to raise the severity of chronic disease. While it may not be clear whether one drives the other, some of the chronic diseases that commonly occur at the same time as gum disease are: • • rheumatoid arthritis • • diabetes • • some forms of heart disease • • high blood pressure • • osteoporosis • • stroke Make sure to tell your dentist about any chronic diseases or changes in your overall health. Many of the medications used to treat other diseases can affect your mouth by causing dry mouth. These include medications used to treat blood pressure, allergies and pain. Dry mouth can make it difficult for your saliva to help keep your mouth clean, increasing the risk of oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. For this reason, make sure your dentist is aware of all the medications you are taking. Healthy gums and bone hold teeth firmly in place. Periodontitis happens over time, as plaque builds up along the gum line. Your body responds to the toxins that the bacteria produce, which may result in the breakdown of the gum tissues and bone around your teeth. Gums Ligament Bone Preventing gum disease In general, it costs much less to keep your teeth and gums healthy than to treat a problem once it happens. These healthy habits can help: Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time using a fluoride toothpaste Clean between your teeth every day using a between-the-teeth cleaner like dental floss, floss holders, water flossers, special picks or narrow brushes that reach between teeth Use a germ-fighting mouthrinse or other products if your dentist or hygienist recommends them Eat a healthy diet and limit snacking on sugary or sticky foods between meals Visit your dentist regularly and keep him or her informed about your overall health You may notice one or some of these warning signs, or you may not have any signs of gum disease at all. This is why it’s important to see your dentist regularly — treatment of gum disease is most successful when it’s caught early. Warning signs of gum disease • • increasing spaces between your teeth • • feeling that your teeth are loose • • gums that bleed when you brush or floss • • gums that are red, swollen, puffy or tender • • gums that no longer tightly hug your teeth • • bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that doesn’t go away • • a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite • • a change in the way your partial dentures fit Image ©Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Pricing for Insurance Brochure BEST SELLER Why Doesn’t My Insurance Pay for This? Use this easy-to-follow brochure to help your patients understand what their dental benefits plan covers and what it doesn’t. Explains that coverage is based on how much their employer pays into the plan and not based on what the patient needs or what the dentist recommends. Emphasizes that treatment decisions should be based on what’s best for their health and not just what is covered by their plan. A must-have for every patient! W265 English, 8 panels, 50 per pack W246 Spanish PERSONALIZE IT! DAB024 STANDARD BROCHURES PACKS MEMBER RETAIL 1 $28.00 $42.00 2-9 $23.80 $35.70 10+ $21.00 $31.50 PERSONALIZED BROCHURES QTY MEMBER RETAIL 150 $82.50 $124.00 400 $196.00 $300.00 800 $360.00 $540.00 REVISED BEST SELLER Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body: Making the Connection Show patients that their oral health is tied to their overall health with this revised brochure. Draw the connection between chronic diseases like diabetes and the need for stellar dental health habits. This brochure also features new clinical images of the stages of periodontal disease to help your patients have a clear understanding of warning signs and prevention. W20320 8 panels, 50 per pack PERSONALIZE IT! DAB021 REVISED Oral Health and the HPV Vaccine This revised brochure provides patients with basic information about how the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination helps protect against infection from a virus that may lead to cancer. The brochure explains that experts say the HPV vaccine, available since 2006, could prevent nearly 90 percent of HPV-related cancers in the United States. Understand who should get the vaccine, when and how many doses are needed based on most-current CDC recommendations. W15320 6 panels, 50 per pack STANDARD BROCHURES PACKS MEMBER RETAIL 1 $28.00 $42.00 2-9 $23.80 $35.70 10+ $21.00 $31.50 PERSONALIZED BROCHURES QTY MEMBER RETAIL 150 $82.50 $124.00 400 $196.00 $300.00 800 $360.00 $540.00 Pricing for Brochures ADA's brochure helps you talk to patients about the HPV vaccine. Show your patients the connection between oral health and overall health. PATIENT EDUCATION REGULAR VISITS | OVERALL HEALTH 54 55 ORDER BY PHONE: 800.947.4746 ORDER ONLINE: ADACATALOG.ORG