When was the last time that you changed your brand or type of contact lens? If you have been using the same brand and type of contact lenses for several years, it may be time for you to learn about the newer versions that are on the market today. You may find that there is no longer the need to struggle with putting your lenses in each day, cleaning them, and messing around with those little storage containers. Extended wear contact lenses may be an option for you like they are for me. After being told five years ago that I could not wear extended wear lenses, the design of them have changed and I now wear them for an entire week before removing them! Learn more about the various contact lenses on the market today to help yourself, find some that are perfectly comfortable and less of an inconvenience!
You've likely heard time and time again from your parents growing up and your dentist as an adult the importance of daily brushing, flossing, and oral health care-- but did you ever stop to wonder what might happen if those things were ignored? Of course, issues with your teeth like cavities and decay can form, causing painful and expensive treatments like root canals, but did you know that being lax on your oral health can lead to a severe disease called periodontitis? Furthermore, you could be within the very first stages leading to periodontitis (called gingivitis) without even realizing it. As you strive to live a healthy life and avoid sickness and disease, be sure to stay on top of your teeth and gums-- before early stages of gingivitis set in:
A Mild Beginning
While the later stages of periodontitis are obvious and severe (continue reading to gain an understanding of those symptoms), the beginning of gingivitis can be so mild that you might not even be aware that it's present within your mouth. Of course, your dentist will be able to alert you to the situation upon inspecting your gums, so be sure to keep up with your scheduled appointments to avoid this stealthy start to the gum disease. As gingivitis develops, you may become aware of some (or a combination of) the following symptoms:
If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to a dentist or periodontist as soon as possible to avoid the risk of periodontitis.
Aggressive Progression
Although the process may start innocently enough with some of the symptoms above, gingivitis can progress over time into periodontitis-- a much uglier successor. Periodontitis is still classified as a gum disease, but it's severe and can lead to the following problems: