Gum disease in teenagers is very dangerous to oral health. The disease progresses quickly and may be advanced before it is discovered. It can result in bone and connective tissue loss, which leads to tooth loss.

There are several causes linked to juvenile periodontitis, a disease which may afflict as many as ten percent of teens. The main cause is a bacterial infection to which teens may be more susceptible because of hormonal changes. A genetic link through the X chromosome may explain why the disease is more prevalent in girls than in boys. Less-than-adequate oral care and too few dental checkups are other contributing factors.

Fortunately, when detected early, juvenile periodontitis can be successfully treated. When teens get regular x-rays, the disease can be discovered before it has caused significant damage. Once a diagnosis is made, scaling and

root planing will probably be recommended. An antibiotic course is sometimes recommended as well.

Ever use cola to clean pennies?

It's easy, just throw some dirty pennies in a container with some cola and let them soak overnight. In the morning, you'll have clean pennies. The phosphoric and carbonic acids in the soda are responsible for the change. Ever wonder what those same acids do to your teeth?

What those acids do is damage dental enamel, and the sugar in those same sodas promotes dental caries (tooth decay). Couple this with caffeine to keep us all jittery and the empty calories to fill us up without providing necessary nutrients, and you have a receipe for nutritional disaster.

Begin by cleaning the area around the sore tooth as best as you are able. Use dental floss if it's not too painful, and/or rinse with warm salt water to remove any

debris around the tooth. Applying a warm, wet compress to the outside of your cheek or jaw where the pain is located can be helpful. In addition, taking an analgesic -- like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen -- may help relieve the discomfort. If you suspect there's a cavity in the tooth, a drop of Oil of Cloves applied directly to the tooth with a dropper or a bit of cotton can sometimes help.

As soon as you can, seek professional treatment. A toothache can be the result of a bacterial infection which may spread if left untreated. Prompt professional diagnosis and treatment of any tooth pain is the best course of action to avoid further dental problems.