The American Academy of Periodontology (http://www.perio.org/) says, “Research suggests that the bacteria causing periodontal disease can pass through saliva. This means that common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member.”

Exchanging medical and criminal records are old news when getting serious about a relationship. Does this mean we have to exchange dental records before dating someone new?

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
For more information, please visit http://www.gotteethguide.com/ and get your Free Tips.

Approximately 20 million teeth are pulled annually leaving millions of people with less than perfect smiles, social embarrassment, and emotional and psychological issues. Over 75% of the population suffers from periodontal disease in varying stages.

These staggering statistics give way to difficult and sometimes no choices: at least 1-1/2 million people get dentures every year.

Depending on how many teeth are lost in each jaw, millions of people have to make choices ranging from partial dentures, full dentures, and bridges, to the ever-expensive dental implants to improve their self-esteem, appearance, and over-all health.

Focus on the positive changes that will occur in your life with proper periodontal maintenance procedures and necessary replacement teeth.

I know. It happened to me.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
For more information, please visit http://www.gotteethguide.com/ and get your Free Tips.

I’ve seen people whose teeth range in color from shades of yellows and browns to myriad shades of white. I’ve seen people whose teeth have round, dark spots on them. This leads me to wonder why so many people don’t get their teeth cleaned at least twice a year by their dental professionals.

Before you spend hundreds of dollars on extreme tooth whitening products that may strip the enamel off of your teeth, I suggest that you schedule a visit to your dental professional for a check-up and cleaning.

You might be surprised by the improvement that will leave your teeth clean and whiten them to their natural color.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com for your Free Tips.

Brushing your teeth dislodges and removes decomposing food and plaque accumulated since your last brushing.

It does that with the digging action of the bristle ends when you apply the brush firmly against the places to be cleaned and move the brush up and down with short strokes.

Press hard enough to force some of the bristles into crevices and pits without injuring your gums.

Dental professionals recommend a toothbrush with soft, round bristles that can clean out plaque without damaging gums.

Brush all of the surfaces of all of your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes each brushing.

Brush your gums, your tongue, and the roof of your mouth for good circulation.

Brushing every surface of every tooth and your gums after eating are your primary defenses against periodontal disease. Seeing your dentist or periodontist regularly is your next best defense.

What I know for sure is that it's all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/ for your Free Tips.

The goal of periodontal treatment is to control and stop the infection. It can’t always save the affected teeth. If you follow these steps, you have a better chance of controlling gum disease and saving your teeth.

1. See your dental professional for a periodontal cleaning at least twice a year.
2. Establish a daily dental routine and follow your dental hygienist’s advice.
3. Brush all of the surfaces of all of your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time.
4. Dental professionals recommend using a toothbrush with soft, round bristles that can clean out plaque without damaging your gums.
5. Brush your gums, your tongue, and the roof of your mouth for good circulation.
6. Eat healthy, nutritional meals at least three times a day.
7. Floss after every meal.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguidecom/ for your Free Tips

Your gums are telling you that you have one or more of the varying stages of periodontal disease when the following warning signs appear:

1. You see pink in your toothbrush after brushing your teeth.
2. Your gums hurt when you brush your teeth.
3. You see “pink in the sink” when you rinse your mouth after brushing.
4. Your gums are sore, red, and swollen when you’re not brushing or flossing.
5. Your gums hurt when you floss your teeth.
6. Your gums hurt when you eat.
7. You have consistent bad breath.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguidecom/ for your Free Tips

This quote from former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop demonstrates the power of dental health and it's relation to our overall health.

What I know for sure is that it's all connected.

Keep smiling.

Saundra
Got Teeth? A Survivor's Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
Visit http://www.gotteethguide.com/ to sign up for your Free Tips.

In 1960, Squibb introduced its Broxodent electric toothbrush to the United States. In 1961, General Electric launched its cordless, rechargeable toothbrush, which was "more popular with consumers because of the lessened risk of electric shock."

More than 50 styles of electric toothbrushes have been marketed. Clinical tests continue to maintain that electric toothbrushes are no better at cleaning teeth than properly used conventional toothbrushes (but it feels like it).

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor's Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com

You'll get better results for energy expended if you brush your teeth for two full minutes at least twice a day.

Use a kitchen timer. Two minutes is longer than you think. This tiny change can improve your dental health.

If you have a full upper or lower denture, you only need to brush for one minute.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

You have the right to be treated respectfully.

If you’ve had a bad dental experience, if you feel you are not getting proper treatment, are being treated roughly and/or disrespectfully, or you have any reservations for any reason about your dentist, your periodontist, or your prosthodontist, get another opinion but don’t put off treatment.

Be as proactive with your dental professional as you would be with your doctor, lawyer, or broker and tell him or her about any symptoms you’ve noticed. You may be able to save your teeth and a great deal of money and heartache if you act immediately.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

“I was blessed! I read Got Teeth? at the very time I was awaiting surgery to remove my natural teeth! If it were not for Saundra and her keen wisdom about adapting to change, I would have gone in blind because NOBODY TALKS ABOUT IT. Armed with this knowledge and knowing which questions to ask made all the difference in the world. I recommend this book to anyone facing dental trauma, or especially if someone you love is dealing with it.”

Linda S.

My hope is to be as much help to others as I was to Linda.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

Stroke has multiple risk factors that you can control:

1. Gum disease
2. Poor diet
3. Obesity
4. High cholesterol
5. Diabetes
6. Cigarette smoking

Assess your risk for stroke by being aware of risk factors that you cannot control:

1. Age
2. Genetics
3. Gender

There are certain risk factors for stroke for women under the age of 55 that are not widely known:

1. Taking birth control pills
2. Using hormone-replacement therapy
3. A history of migraine headaches

Visit your dental professional at least twice a year for check-ups and dental cleanings.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

Woven floss is more effective than regular floss in the fight against periodontal disease. If you can’t find woven floss, double your regular floss to get more results for the energy you expend.

Floss at least twice a day, after meals.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com

If you have periodontal disease, you may have been told to increase your calcium intake. People who are allergic to milk products should speak to their health professionals.

This quote is from the April, 2008, AARP Bulletin.

Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is an antioxident dietary supplement originally recommended for the treatment of gum disease, cardiovascular conditions, and a wide range of other conditions.

Normally, when something is recommended for everything, I know that it cannot do a good job on one thing. CoQ10 is now primarily marketed as being beneficial for our gums and hearts.

I learned about it when I was interviewed by Dr. Meg Jordan on NPR, May 23, 2007. A listener called in asking about it and I hadn’t heard of it at that time. Dr. Jordan challenged me to research and blog about it, so I did some research and began to take it, hoping for healthier gums and a healthier heart.

Information is everywhere now. People are blogging about it, vitamin stores are pitching it, and it’s on the vitamin supplement list my periodontist hands out to his patients with a recommendation of 30MG, 3 times a day.

I began with 30MG once a day and cut down to every other day because it’s expensive. I admit that I haven’t seen visible results in my gums, but my hygienist says they look better, so I continue to take it. I bought into the marketing because, like so many others, I want a magic pill.

There is no magic pill. It’s about a healthy lifestyle with two annual visits to your dental professional and one to your doctor. My lifestyle isn’t perfect, but it‘s better than it used to be.

CoQ10 is not approved by the FDA. Speak with your physician about CoQ10 lessening the interaction with prescription drugs you are taking, which may lessen the effects of CoQ10.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

Heart disease is as related to periodontal disease as it is to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Over 40 years ago, Congress declared February to be American Heart Month. Heart disease and periodontal disease are preventable, so make an appointment with your doctor and your dental professional now.

Studies by the American Academy of Periodontology, the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research show that people with adult periodontitis may have an increased risk of having a fatal heart attack. They are more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease caused by bacteria from the mouth increasing clotting problems in the cardiovascular system.

The February 7, 2002, issue of the Journal of Periodontology announced a study linking periodontal disease and heart disease via high levels of bacteria pumped from diseased gums into the bloodstream. This finding was confirmed by researchers at the University of Buffalo who suggest that periodontal disease may cause oral bacterial components to enter the bloodstream through the mouth and trigger the liver to produce C-reactive protein (CRP).

C-reactive protein can create fatty deposits that put you at risk for blood clots; it is a predictor for increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association reports that high levels of C-reactive proteins increase heart attack risks by two to five times.

Bacteria can enter the body through failed natural barriers, which include skin and gums. Healthy gum tissue is an effective barrier; unhealthy gum tissue is a less effective barrier. I asked my doctor for a CRP blood test, which is inexpensive ($25 to $50) if your insurance doesn’t cover it. He wrote the prescription and I had the test, which was negative.

Frederic Pashkow, M.D., University of Hawaii’s School of Medicine, says that periodontal disease is now considered the second leading risk factor for heart disease after smoking.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

This article is excerpted from:
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

Dentists and periodontists are trained to recognize periodontal disease when they see it, which means you have to see them to have your teeth checked at least twice a year.

Get dental check-ups every three months if you’re prone to periodontal disease, alternating between your dentist and periodontist.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com

You know when you need a dentist. Something feels wrong, maybe a little tender, and then you see blood (pink in the sink) when you brush or floss your teeth.

And as soon as you walk out of the bathroom, you put it right out of your mind and pretend it didn’t happen or that it will go away by itself. Dental problems never go away by themselves.

Avoiding the dentist and hoping periodontal disease will go away by itself is a vicious and damaging cycle. When you begin to lose your teeth, nothing else will be as important to you as the time you spend trying to save them.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com

Take your kids to the dentist, and make an appointment for yourself while you're there.

What I know for sure is that it's all connected.

Saundra
Got Teeth? A Survivor's Guide
How to keep your teeth or live withouth them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

Don’t put off going to the dentist because you hate going. You know you do. Going to the dentist takes too much time, you have more important things to do, it costs too much, it will hurt, or the problem will go away by itself.

People are afraid of the dentist, they’re not aware of their oral health problems (so many others have the same problems they think their problems are normal), and most people don’t realize how important their oral health is to their general health.

I see my periodontist every three months. See your dental professional at least once a year because dental problems do not go away by themselves.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com
www.gotteeth.blogspot.com

My heart goes out to everyone suffering from periodontal disease, the fear of tooth loss, the experience of tooth loss and denture gain, and the accompanying self-esteem issues.

I was terrified while experiencing the dizzying vortex of periodontal hell with deep root planings and scalings, periodontal surgeries, bone grafts, and a bone transplant. I searched bookstores and libraries for information looking for someone to tell me how to live through it with my self-esteem intact.

There were no books written about it from a patient’s perspective, and certainly not from a woman’s point of view. Nobody talked about it.

Now I’m talking about it and you are not alone. You are welcome to post your questions, concerns, and comments here and begin your own support community. I swear, I’ve been there and I’ll be here with you.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com
www.gotteeth.blogspot.com

I am pleased to announce that an excerpt from my book is featured in the January/February issue of Me* the Menopause Musical Magazine. Go to http://www.memagazine4u.com/ and click on Articles. Scroll down to Chew on This to read more and take the quizz.

If you see the musical, please be sure to pick up the magazine. The article begins on Page 15.

What I know for sure is that it's all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor's Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

Each tooth has one root. When your gums deteriorate, there’s nothing left to hold your teeth in place.

Most people do not take action until not taking action is too painful. If you are experiencing gum disease and beginning to lose your teeth there are three action steps to take:

1. Go to your periodontist for a periodontal cleaning.
2. Be aggressive taking care of your oral health.
3. Buy my book.

One-half million people get dentures each year. My book will help you get through the experience with laughter and hope. A great smile, even with replacement teeth, is sexy.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

Flossing at least twice a day is one of the best ways to repair your oral health and remove harmful plaque that can cause tooth loss.

G-U-M, Equate, Crest, Johnson & Johnson, and other brands constantly offer new choices of dental floss to gain our business dollars. Experiment until you find the one you like best or use different floss daily to keep it interesting.

I own the following ten (10) types of floss, many of which were donated by my periodontist:

waxed, fine waxed, unwaxed, fine unwaxed, mint waxed, fine mint waxed, fine mint unwaxed, better weave waxed, better weave unwaxed, comfort plus mint, menthol for extra comfort, and the new Fluoride woven floss in the classic colors, blue and white. The woven floss is like yarn, so if you don’t like it, you can knit something useful.

My hygienist told me that unwaxed floss has the best “drag.”

Cost has nothing to do with quality and trial sizes are available for tryouts. Use what feels best.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/

Missing teeth can detract from your appearance, make chewing and speaking difficult, and place stress on your bite.

Missing teeth can also cause your mouth to sink and your lips and cheeks to collapse. Your chewing ability can decrease and your face can acquire more than normal aging lines and wrinkles.

Without necessary replacement teeth, teeth with open spaces beside them can drift causing your bite to change, your remaining teeth to become loose, and your jawbone to be sore. With drifting, you may have additional decay and possible gum and jawbone problems that necessitate extractions.

Replacement teeth improve your appearance, maintain the shape of your face, make chewing easier, and preserve your remaining teeth and a correct bite.

Bridges, dentures, and implants are designed to replace missing teeth for health and cosmetic reasons. They keep your remaining teeth in their original position, redistribute chewing pressure, and help maintain the natural shape of your face while supporting your lips and cheeks.

Dentures are a positive step in improving your health, appearance, and confidence. Dentures are effective and the least expensive replacement teeth available.

Don't let marketing tell you that your smile is not good enough.

What I know for sure is that it's all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com
www.gotteeth.blogspot.com