Dental Health	Plaque	Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Diabetes and Dental Health		Additional Resources

Plaque

Know the Facts
Know Your Risk Factors
Manage Your Risk Factors
Work with Your Dentist

Know the Facts

• Plaque (Plak) is made up of invisible masses of harmful germs that live in the mouth and stick to the teeth.
• Some types of plaque cause tooth decay.
• Other types of plaque cause gum disease.
Red, puffy or bleeding gums can be the first signs of gum disease. If gum disease is not treated, the tissues holding the teeth in place are destroyed and the teeth are eventually lost.

Dental plaque is difficult to see unless it's stained. You can stain plaque by chewing red "disclosing tablets," found at grocery stores and drug stores, or by using a cotton swab to smear green food coloring on your teeth. The red or green color left on the teeth will show you where there is still plaque and where you have to brush again to remove it. Stain and examine your teeth regularly to make sure you are removing all plaque.

Know Your Risk Factors

• Poor dental hygiene.
• Eating sugary or starchy foods.
• If you have diabetes, poorly controlled blood sugar.

Manage Your Risk Factors

• Thorough tooth brushing and flossing to reduce dental plaque can prevent gingivitis - the mildest form of gum disease.
• Floss
  Use floss to remove germs and food particles between teeth. Rinse. Ease the floss into place gently. Do not snap it into place-snapping floss into place could harm your gums.
• Brush

  Brush your teeth after each meal and snack. Use a soft toothbrush. Turn the bristles against the gum line at a 45? angle to the teeth and brush gently. Use small, circular motions and back and forth motions. Brush the front, back, and top of each tooth. Do not scrub hard back and forth. Rinse.

  To prevent decay, it's what's on the toothbrush that counts. Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is what protects teeth from decay.

  Brush your tongue for a fresh feeling and to fight bad breath! Rinse again.
• Remember: Food residues, especially sweets, provide nutrients for the germs that cause tooth decay, as well as those that cause gum disease. That's why it is important to remove all food residues, as well as plaque, from teeth. Remove plaque at least once a day-twice a day is better. If you brush and floss once daily, do it before going to bed. After bed time brushing, do not eat and only drink water.
• Drink fluoridated water and use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride's protection against dental decay works at all ages.
• If you have diabetes, you should work to maintain control of your disease. This will help prevent the complications of diabetes, including an increased risk of gum disease.

Work with Your Dentist

Visit the dentist regularly. Check-ups can detect early signs of oral health problems, can lead to treatments that will prevent further damage and, in some cases, reverse the problem. Professional tooth cleaning is also important for preventing oral problems, especially when self-care is difficult. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist if your plaque removal techniques are o.k.

At your dental visit:

• Your dentist will ask about your medical history to identify underlying conditions or risk factors (such as smoking) that may contribute to periodontal disease. Tell your dentist about any medical conditions you have (including diabetes) and about all the medications you are taking.
• Your dentist or dental hygienist will examine your gums and note any signs of inflammation.
• Your dentist or dental hygienist will use a tiny ruler called a 'probe' to check for periodontal pockets and to measure any pockets. In a healthy mouth, the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters. (There are 25 millimeters in one inch.)
• Your dentist or dental hygienist may take an x-ray to see whether there is any bone loss.
• Your dentist may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist who treats gum diseases.

Work with your doctor to manage and control any medical conditions that you have, especially if you have diabetes. Ask your doctor whether any of your medications can affect your oral health.

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