I am 19 years old and my gums bleed when I brush. I read online that it could be because of dental plaque and tartar. What is dental plaque? What should I do to prevent bleeding?

Plaque is a biofilm, meaning collection of microorganism (bacteria) in an organized fluid forming a thin layer of film over teeth and oral surfaces. Plaque is constantly forming on teeth. If it is not cleaned by brushing, particularly in the difficult to reach areas such as between teeth, at the back of the mouth and near the gum-line, it hardens to form tartar (calculus). Tartar irritates gums and causes inflammation and consequently bleeding. Since tartar cannot be removed by regular brushing and flossing you need cleaning by professionals such as dental hygienists, dentists or in severe case a specialist (periodontist).

How frequently should I visit the dentist?

Removal of plaque with brushing and flossing on a twice daily basis and removal of tartar by a dentist and dental hygienist is the first step towards oral health. By the time teeth problem begins to hurt, it may be too late. Seeing a dentist regularly can help prevent this and many other problems. Under normal circumstances, we ask our patients to visit every 6 months but some may require visit more frequently like every 3 months depending upon oral health status.

My father has heart disease. His dentist has told him to keep good oral health. Are heart diseases related to dental health related?

Yes, heart diseases and oral health are related. Bacteria found in dental plaque release chemicals that are toxic and irritate the gums. Gradually, these bacteria cause the underlying bone around the teeth to be destroyed, a condition known as gum disease. Study shows that professional teeth cleaning (scaling) is linked to lower risk of heart attack and stroke. Recent research suggests that gum disease is linked to other health problems including heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and some pregnancy complications such as preterm delivery, low birth weight.

DrSujaya Gupta is Periodontist at Kantipur General & Dental Hospital, Basundhara, Kathmandu

Having a romantic partner present – even in your mind – can help you keep blood pressure down in daily stressful situations, say researchers. When faced with a stressful situation, thinking about your romantic partner may help keep blood pressure under control just as effectively as actually having your significant other in the room with you, according to a study by University of Arizona psychologists.

“This suggests that one way being in a romantic relationship might support people’s health is through allowing people to better cope with stress and lower levels of cardiovascular reactivity to stress across the day,” said psychology doctoral student Kyle Bourassa.

“It appears that thinking of your partner as a source of support can be just as powerful as actually having them present,” Bourassa added. For the study, published in the journal Psychophysiology, 102 participants were asked to complete a stressful task – submerging one foot into 3 inches of cold water ranging from 38 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Researchers measured participants’ blood pressure, heart rate and heart rate variability before, during and after the task. The participants, all of whom were in committed romantic relationships, either had their significant other sitting quietly in the room with them during the task or they were instructed to think about their romantic partner as a source of support during the task. In third scenario, they were instructed to think about their day during the task.

The effect on blood pressure reactivity was just as powerful whether the partner was physically present or merely conjured mentally.“The findings may help explain, in part, why high-quality romantic relationships are consistently associated with positive health outcomes in the scientific literature,” said Bourassa. If replicated, the findings could have implications for those facing everyday stressful situations, the researchers added.

(Agencies)