And be gentle: If you're too rough, you can cut into the gum and cause bleeding or even a soft-tissue wound over time.

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Other research at the time pointed to the possibility that so-called active oxygen stimulates tissue growth at wound sites.

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Once the burn has cooled, health care professionals will clean the wound and remove all nonhealthy tissue in a process called debridement, Grossman said.

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In Peyronie's disease, problems in the normal wound-healing process result in permanent scar tissue.

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After the wound is washed out, doctors address any tears in the surrounding tissue.

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The junk bonds helped American Tissue continue on an acquisition rampage, but eventually the company did stop making interest payments and wound up in bankruptcy court in 2001, where creditors are facing severe haircuts.

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