Archive for December 2011
Removing tonsil stones in a safer way
Tonsil stones, also called tonsilollith, are white bumps in the throat caused by a build up of sulfur-producing microorganisms and food fragments that get stuck in the crevices of the tonsils. These are just the by-product of the filtering of the tonsils and the lymph fluid. These tonsil stones are mainly little more than nuisances. Some people may just cough them up when they are dislocated from the tonsils. For those unlucky ones, there are still other methods that can be used.
Removing these stones manually can be quite tough and some people try to do it by dislodging them with a toothbrush or a finger, while others use a Q-tip. These can be a bit harmful for your throat if done the wrong way. It is best to go to one’s dentist and use a water pik, which is a pressurized dental irrigator, to flush out these tonsil stones. These are less likely to cause the gag reflex and can also be used to get food stuck in tonsils, and rinse food particles from between the teeth.
Gargling is another method of removing tonsil stones. It can dislodge the stones from the throat allowing it to be spit out. Salt water and a mouthwash can be used for this stones and kill the bacteria as well. The vibration from gargling helps to pop out the stones from the tonsil crypts, and the salt water helps to dissolve any new stones from forming. This is basically cleaning the tonsil crypts.
A more permanent remedy for removing tonsil stones is to take Vitamin C and Sulfur. These two substances are very important when it comes to the functioning of the tonsils. These are needed to be able to clean the lymph fluid. Tonsil stones form because of the deficiency of one or both of these and can be the result of too much garbage to clean out with no new supply. Eating foods rich in Vitamin C and Sulfur can help replenish these substances, thus helping your tonsils to work better.
Prevention is really better than cure that is why it is best to know how to prevent tonsil stones from forming and not experience the bad breath associated with them. Having proper oral care can help in the prevention of these stones because it will clean the mouth from any harmful bacteria. Oxygenating toothpaste and mouthwash is best recommended together with a tongue scraper to effectively neutralize the anaerobic bacteria at the back of the tongue.
Tell Tale Signs of Gum Disease
Symptom #1 – Your gums bleed easily.
It’s easy to sniff out the first cause of periodontal disease with this first symptom. When you brush your teeth and spit the paste out, you can tell from there that there is a slight line of blood or a pinkish tint to it. The cause is most likely bleeding gums due to incorrect brushing of the teeth and gums or extra sensitivity of the gums due to a gum problem.
If the problem is the toothbrush you are using, make sure to replace it as soon as possible. Replace the old brush with a soft bristle brush that is gentle on the gums and yet can clean out plaque and food debris. If the problem persists even with a better brush, you may consider getting checked by a dentist to oversee if the cause for bleeding gums is gum is actually a serious gum problem like periodontitis.
Symptom #2- Your gums are very red, tender and / or swollen.
Aside from the bleeding, an infected gums do not look like healthy ones. Instead of soft, coral-coloured firm tissues, the gums look red and feels swollen and tender to the touch. This means that the gums have become irritated due to the bacterial infection. So long as the bleeding and infection continues and it goes untreated, the gums will stay like this until then.
Symptom #3 – You can see pus in between your teeth and gums when they are pressed.
Once the periodontal disease infection settles and treatment is prolonged, the gums may become even more aggravated and may produce pus due to insistent bacterial attacks. At this rate, you will need to see a dentist to remove the pus within the gums, which is not healthy for your teeth and gums. This means that the bacteria have spread to infiltrate well within the tissue walls and inside it.
Symptom #4 – Your gums seem to be pulling away from your teeth.
Gum recession is considered one of the ultimately manifestations of periodontal disease. Due to consistent bacterial infection, the gums look like they have been pulled from the back and expose the sensitive roots of the teeth that were supposed to be hidden and protected by the gums. This is accompanied by pain that is felt once the teeth are exposed to extreme food temperatures. Once your gum recede back, it does not grows back on its own.