Acids likd acetic, lactic, and propionic acid and enzymes are two such byproducts. The enzymes break down the proteins that cover and protect your teeth, while the acids cause the calcium to be eaten away. This calcium, along with the other minerals, forms hard stone-like deposits called tartar. As the tooth surface is destroyed, cavities are formed on the visible areas of the tooth.

Also, as tartar begins to build up near the gum line, it begins to irritate the gum tissue. In response to this irritation, the gums begin to detach from the teeth and move away, leaving pockets and newly exposed surfaces that are quickly covered by plaque. As the process continues, the plaque bacteria eventually reach the bone of the jaw, which anchors the teeth.

Gerard Judd, PhD, is a chemist who has turned his lifelong interest in oral health into a program that gives results. Dr. Judd first came into contact with fluoride while he was working on the Manhattan Project during World War II.

When he heard about efforts to introduce fluoride into the water supply in his hometown of Phoenix, he felt he had to take action. Because acid is constantly being produced by the bacteria in your mouth, you need to rinse the acidity away as often as you can. Keeping acid away will keep your enamel from thinning, but it won't do anything to replace the minerals that are already gone.

The standard approach is to either add fluoride to the water supply or use a toothpaste that contains fluoride or both. In addition to the severe neurological damage and widespread destruction of enzymes, fluoride also results in more brittle teeth that tend to crack and break.

Commercial bar soap, on the other hand, is very effective for cleaning teeth. This may be because during saponification, the process of mixing an oil with a strong alkali compound to make soap, both soap and glycerin are created.

Dr. Judd also suggests buying powdered ascorbic acid in bulk. Then mix 1 teaspoon of the ascorbic acid powder with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a small amount of water.

Good oral hygiene includes regular flossing. A study presented at a recent American Heart Association conference looked at 300 patients in a lifestyle modification program for lowering cardiovascular disease risk factors. They found that those who flossed their teeth at least every other day for six months were able to lower their CRP levels into the normal range—and when they stopped flossing, CRP went back up. Another study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2007, found that aggressive treatment of severe periodontal disease resulted in marked improvements in the function and health of the arteries over six months.

Remember that staying active mentally is also required for healthy aging. Flexing your mental muscle, whether by playing card games, reading, doing crossword or Sudoku puzzles, or engaging in hobbies, is essential for maintaining cognitive function at any age.

Another dominant theme from healthy folks in their 80's and 90's is sound nutrition. They all recognize the benefits of paying attention to diet and taking supplements.

At best, they may help keep the problem in check and prevent further damage. When bacteria becomes established in gaps or pockets between a tooth and gum tissue, the tissue and the underlying bone that supports the tooth are gradually eaten away. This loosens the tooth, making it more likely that it will eventually be lost. It has proven almost impossible to rid the mouth of all offending bacteria, especially in individuals who seem to be more genetically susceptible to its effects.

Standard treatment for periodontal pockets involves gum surgery. The gum surrounding the tooth is cut and the dentist scrapes and deep-cleans the tooth beneath the gum line. The gum tissue is then stitched to close the gap. It is true that this procedure helps get rid of the pocket, but it does nothing to strengthen the support of the tooth. In more advanced cases, dentists or periodontists actually insert artificial bone fragments into the tooth socket, hoping they will take hold and help support the tooth.

Recently, Biora, a biotechnology company in Malmo, Sweden, has developed a gel product that may change the treatment. Emdogain® is used to coat the root of a tooth during routine flap surgery. Modeled after a polymer found in seaweed, Emdogain contains amelogenin, a structural protein that studies have shown reawakens the same process that regulates the growth of teeth in babies. Within two days of application, the gel biodegrades, leaving a layer of amelogenin on the root of the tooth.

Emdogain is not a product or a procedure you can use at home, but we think it's important for you to know about it. There are no other known treatments for periodontal disease that actually regenerates the growth of bone and gum tissue. Plus, Emdogain performs these feats without any adverse or allergic side effects. Based on the above studies, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Emdogain in the U.S. It is also sold in 12 other countries, including several Nordic countries, Canada, Italy, South Africa, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Germany. If you have problems with periodontal disease, be sure to ask your dentist or periodontist about Emdogain.

Did you know you should change your toothbrush every three months? Manual toothbrushes become worn out after about three months and are not as effective as they once were. If you have gum disease, you should change your toothbrush every 4—6 weeks because bacteria can live in the brush. You should always rinse your toothbrush with hot water after every use and discard the brush after you have been sick.

When you brush your teeth at least twice a day, you are removing the plaque that causes cavities. Plaque is the soft and sticky substance that accumulates on the teeth from food debris and bacteria. Flossing daily will remove the plaque between the teeth that the toothbrush cannot reach. Removing plaque from your teeth also helps prevent gum disease.

If your dentist gives you a treatment plan for dental work that needs to be done, you should focus on getting your teeth fixed as soon as possible. Even cavities continue to get bigger. If they get big enough to reach the nerve in your tooth, your only options would be to have a root canal or have the tooth extracted.