Show IL n Middle Ago Gum Problems Periodontal gum disease affects two out of three middle aged Americans accounting accounting accounting ac ac- ac- ac counting for about 75 percent percent percent per per- cent of tooth loss after aCter the age of 40 gum disease disease disease dis dis- ease is one of the easiest to control if detected early only 36 percent of all dental visits made during a year one-year pen period period peri peri- od were for gum treatment A problem that sometimes accompanies gum disease is dental hypersensitivity A dentist speaking at a symposium symposium symposium on pain and sensitivity said this may be related to the fear of causing pain or InJury Injury injury in In- jury with the toothbrush As Asa AB ABa a result plaque accumulates the gingival tissues s become more tender and tend to bleed and the teeth become more sensitive Dr Abraham AbrahamI I I. I Chasens of the Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry said Patients must be repeatedly assured that the little twinge of pain and bleeding that may accompany accompany pany brushing will cause no harm he said and if they endure endure en en- dure the initial discomfort the symptoms will soon disappear Other reports indicate that special therapeutic dentifrices are designed to relieve the pain of teeth that are overly sensitive and thus help patients patients patients pa pa- r return turn to a regimen of good d dental hygiene One of oV these has been reported to help nine out of often often often ten patients Good brushing is essential Dr Chasens said because keeping teeth free Cree of plaque is a common denominator to all other therapeutic efforts |