Plaque, a thin, colorless, sticky film containing bacteria, which constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria use carbohydrates—sugars and starches—to produce an acid that attacks the enamel covering the teeth. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel can be broken down and a cavity begins. Continued acid attacks eventually dissolve the enamel and penetrate the softer, inner layer of the tooth, where decay can spread rapidly throughout the tooth’s structure.

Teeth can be protected from acid attacks by removing plaque, reducing the number of times and the amount of sugar and starches eaten, using fluorides, having plastic sealants applied to teeth, and by regular professional cleaning of teeth by a dental hygienist.

The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal diseases are serious bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. Left untreated, these diseases can lead to tooth loss. There are many forms of periodontal disease:

Genetic diseases result from mutated genes, which are genes that have been altered in some way. Thousands of these genetic diseases are presently incurable. Among other things, genomics research will help scientists understand mutation and hopefully prevent or even cure genetic diseases. (Source: Your World, Biotechnology & You (published by the U.S. Biotechnology Institute, Vol. 10, issue No. 2)

The major cause of periodontal disease is the buildup of plaque, which results from the overgrowth of the mouth's naturally occurring bacteria. In order to prevent the development of periodontal disease, an individual needs to maintain sound hygiene practices by brushing his / her teeth and flossing daily.

Standard dental cleaning for a healthy mouth: In dental terms, a regular cleaning is known as prophylaxis. The American Dental Association describes prophylaxis as scaling and polishing procedures that remove plaque, calculus (tartar), and stains from the exposed areas of teeth. bull; Scaling involves the mechanical use of a dental instrument that scrapes away bacterial plaque and calculus from the tooth. Sometimes this device may be electric, known as an ultrasonic or sonic scaler.

Waterborne diseases are caused by a variety of micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The bacterium or organisms are able to live in water and therefore can be transferred by way of water.

Recent research suggests that a prolonged QT-interval could be an important cause for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Mutations in the KCNJ2 gene are associated with Andersen syndrome (AS). AS is a rare, inherited disorder characterized by periodic paralysis, skeletal developmental abnormalities and a prolonged QT-interval (see point 2) with ventricular arrhythmias. Because of the prolongation of the QT-interval, AS is considered a subtype of long QT syndrome.

The following is an excerpt from a pamphlet on Athlete's Foot by the American Academy of Dermatology, April 1994: Athlete's foot does not occur among people who traditionally go barefoot. It's moisture, sweating and lack of proper ventilation of the feet that present the perfect setting for the fungus of athlete's foot to grow.

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New treatment options using refined techniques can be performed comfortably as office procedures. Improvements in medications, local anesthesia, anxiety and pain control, and, in some cases, conscious sedation are available to make your treatment more pleasant and comfortable.

Periodontal disease is when the ligaments that hold the tooth and gum together break down. The ligaments don't grow back so this is an irreversible condition.