Gum recession can give the undesirable impression of having long yellow teeth. Receding gumlines also has more serious consequences, making teeth very sensitive and exposed to cavities.
If you are already suffered from receding gums, then you may be hoping they’ll grow back.
Gum Recession – Not Reversible, But Still Preventable
Unfortunately, once your gums shrink down they don’t grow back. The best thing you can do is stop the recession by correcting or avoiding things that cause it, including:
How You Can Treat Gum Recession
While the gums don’t grow back, you can still do something to protect your exposed teeth.
Dental bonding is one option. Your dentist can apply a small amount of filling material to the exposed roots. This will make them look white like the rest of the tooth and protect them from decay. Dental veneers can play a similar role.
In more severe cases, your dentist may recommend gum graft to restore the lost tissue.
Oral Hygiene Considerations if You Have Gum Recession
Until you’re able to undo the effects of gum recession, it’s important to do all you can to protect your teeth and gums.
Switch to a soft- or extra soft-bristled toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are also good to use on delicate gum tissue and sensitive teeth.
Get plenty of fluoride through toothpaste and rinses. This mineral will strengthen teeth exposed by gum recession and increase their defenses against cavities.
See a dentist or gum health specialist as soon as possible to find out how you can repair the effects of gum recession.
Posted on behalf of:
Manhattan Dental Design
315 W 57th St Suite 206
New York, NY 10019
(646) 504-4377
Gum disease (periodontitis) is a serious condition affecting an estimated 85% of adults in the United States. The problem, however, is that most of those with gum disease don’t even realize they have it, making periodontitis a silent attacker.
How Gum Disease Destroys Your Smile
Periodontitis doesn’t strike overnight. Rather, it creeps up over the course of a few months.
Gum disease starts out as mild inflammation known as gingivitis. This infection is reversible but if you don’t treat it in time, the swelling can spread from the gums into the bone. The inflammation then causes the bone to disintegrate. As the jawbone shrinks, gums recede and teeth loosen.
The Connection Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease
Periodontitis is connected to other medical complications such as heart disease and stroke. The swelling in the gums triggers inflammation in blood vessels elsewhere.
Bacteria responsible for gum infections have also been found in some cases of pneumonia. This suggests that periodontitis can also cause serious respiratory infections.
Untreated gum disease can increase your risk for life-threatening conditions.
Gum Disease Linked to Premature Births
There’s a link between pregnant women with gum disease and premature births. That’s why it’s so important for women to pay attention to their oral health before and during pregnancy. Babies’ health depends on their mothers having a healthy body (and gums.)
Prevent the Silent Killer
The good news is that gum disease is avoidable. You can keep your gums healthy by:
Contact your dentist to learn more about maintaining healthy gums and preventing periodontitis.
Posted on behalf of:
Bayshore Dental Center
810 W Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd #2900
Seffner, FL 33584
(813) 330-2006
Your gums might seem to be the least important part of your smile. You probably never even pay attention to them until you get a popcorn kernel stuck between your teeth and need to floss, and then your gums bleed a little.
Why should you be concerned about your gum health?
Here are four important reasons.
Gum Health Is Connected to Heart Health
Gum disease is an inflammatory condition. The bacteria and inflammatory response associated with gum disease are also linked to problems such as stroke and heart health. Keeping your gums healthy can lower your risk for cardiovascular problems.
Healthy Gums Equal Healthy Lungs
Studies show that people with gum disease tend to be at higher risk for pneumonia. Healthy gums can even improve conditions for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Gum Health Affects Self-Image
You don’t always appreciate a good thing until it’s gone, they say, and that’s very true when it comes to your gums.
Receded gumlines can leave you with long yellow teeth that you may be ashamed to show off in a smile. Unhealthy gums can also lead to embarrassing tooth loss.
Healthy Gums Mean Good Nutrition
Having healthy gums is one sign that you’re getting plenty of vitamins in your diet. But healthy gums also do you a big favor by holding your teeth in place. As long as you have strong teeth to chew with, you can enjoy a varied and nutritious diet.
If you lose teeth to gum disease on the other hand, you may find it difficult to eat the fresh fruits and vegetables and chewy whole grains your body needs.
How are your gums doing? Find out by scheduling a checkup at your local dental office.
Posted on behalf of:
Riverwood Dental
3350 Riverwood Pkwy #2120
Atlanta GA 30339
(770) 955-2505
There’s nothing like a bad taste in your mouth to ruin your appetite. But worse than that, an odd taste can indicate a serious oral health issue.
Is that bad taste due to one of the following causes?
Tooth Decay
A simple cavity can cause a strange taste in your mouth. Cavities are spots in your teeth where the enamel is actively dying, so the decaying tissue does have a foul taste.
Abscesses
When a cavity grows too large, it can infect the nerve of a tooth and create a sack of foul-tasting fluid on the gums. If it ruptures, your mouth will suddenly be filled with a salty taste.
Chronically inflamed gums also give off a rancid taste as they break down. Strong breath odor coupled with a bad taste could signal periodontitis.
Plaque Buildup (Poor Oral Hygiene)
Don’t brush your tongue regularly? Bacterial plaque buildup can alter your taste sensation.
Tonsil Stones
Bacteria and food debris that collects in the pits on and near your tonsils can create a rotten-tasting, pebble-like formation.
Medications
Medications you take on a regular basis can cause a metallic taste in your mouth.
Acid Reflux
If you have stomach acid regularly washing back up into your throat, this can leave you with a particularly nasty taste in your mouth, especially first thing in the morning.
Thrush
You may have a treatable yeast condition called oral candidiasis if you notice white patches or sore red spots in your mouth along with an icky metallic taste.
Schedule a dental exam and talk with your local dentist to discover what’s causing bad breath issues for a fast solution to your halitosis woes.
Posted on behalf of:
Wayne G. Suway, DDS, MAGD
1820 The Exchange SE #600
Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 953-1752
Gingivitis is inflammation in the gum tissue. It happens when your gums react to an irritant, such as plaque bacteria. While this condition is easily reversible, it can progress to a more serious form of gum disease if you don’t stop it in time.
Do you have gingivitis right now that needs immediate attention?
Look for these four signs to find out.
When gums get inflamed, they swell up from expanded blood vessels and increased fluids in the tissues. This is a part of a natural reaction that delivers pathogen-fighting agents to the infection site.
Your gums should create a tight seal against the surface of your teeth. But if your gum line looks rolled or puffy, then that could be a sign of swelling from gingivitis.
Bleeding while brushing or flossing is not normal. If your gums do bleed that easily, it means their skin is swollen so tightly that the underlying blood vessels easily break when bumped.
Generally speaking, bright red gums are a sign of inflammation, so if your gums seem redder than usual, that could be a sign of gingivitis.
Gingivitis is most commonly caused by dental plaque. If you have a lot of soft pale plaque buildup along your gums, then that’s a sign you have gingivitis. Plaque left on teeth too long hardens into tartar or calculus that irritates gums.
Improving your oral hygiene routine can help you get rid of gingivitis. See a dentist to find out what other steps you should take.
Posted on behalf of:
Montevallo Family Dentistry
711 Wadsworth St
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 665-2224
Gum disease is bad news. It causes chronic bad breath, gum recession, and tooth loss.
But the worst part about gum disease may be the fact that you can have this infection and not even realize it.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is also called periodontitis. It’s an inflammatory condition in which the gums and ligaments around your teeth start to break down. This happens as a reaction to plaque bacteria left on the gums.
Periodontitis can even attack the bone around tooth roots. This loss of bone and ligaments around teeth cause them to loosen and fall out.
A Silent Disease
Periodontitis is usually a gradual disease. It doesn’t hurt in the beginning stages. That’s dangerous, since the infection can progress and permanently destroy tissues before you know it’s happening. Your gums may seem a little tender and swollen, but you might only notice this if you pay close attention.
In the later stages, gum disease will start to hurt as teeth lose gum support and start to loosen. But at that point, it’s too late to save the irreplaceable structures in your jaw.
Keep an eye on your gum health to prevent problems before they can start.
Signs of Gum Disease
You likely won’t feel pain if you have periodontal disease. So, you need to stay alert to other signs that your oral health is in danger.
Look out for:
To find out the state of your gum health, schedule a checkup with a dentist near you.
Posted on behalf of:
Gwinnett Family Dental Care
3455 Lawrenceville Hwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
(770) 921-1115
When you think about “brushing,” you automatically think “teeth.”
Brushing is very important for dental health. But did you know that it is equally as important for your gum health, too?
Here are some ways to show your gums a little more love while you brush each day.
45 Degrees at the Gum Line
Most importantly, make sure you’re brushing with the toothbrush bristles angled into your gum margin at about 45 degrees. This will ensure that you wick away all the plaque bacteria that accumulate there.
Germs are responsible for causing cavities, but other kinds of bacteria contribute to problems like gingivitis and periodontitis. Getting rid of this plaque film every day will lower your chances of gum disease.
Give Your Gums a Massage
While you brush along the gum line, wiggle the toothbrush in short and fast, yet gentle strokes. This jiggling motion is good for loosening plaque and it also stimulates healthy circulation in your gum tissue, which boosts your gums’ infection-fighting ability.
You can take things a step further by purchasing an electric toothbrush or a blunt-tipped gum stimulator. These make it easier to massage your gums to better health.
Rinse Out
An antibacterial rinse after brushing and flossing can slow down plaque growth for several hours. This has therapeutic benefits for your gums just as much as your breath.
Watch for Blood
Your gums should not bleed when you brush! If you see pink in the sink, that means you’re either brushing too harshly or there’s something more serious going on. You’ll need to see a dentist for advice.
Schedule regular oral health checkups at your local dental office to make sure your gums are in perfect shape.
Posted on behalf of:
Riverwood Dental
3350 Riverwood Pkwy #2120
Atlanta GA 30339
(770) 955-2505
Your nose and taste buds work together to help you enjoy the experience of eating. But they can work against you when you start randomly experiencing an foul taste or odor coming from your mouth.
What’s behind that bitter, salty, or metallic taste? Here are nine possibilities to discuss with your dentist.
Inadequate Home Care
Improper brushing and flossing could accidentally allow smelly bacteria and food debris to accumulate into a film you can literally taste.
Dry Mouth
Saliva naturally cleanses your mouth and reduces acidity. But if you’re suffering from xerostomia (dry mouth,) your mouth may taste unpleasant.
Dental Infections
Bacteria can infect teeth and gums to the point of releasing odors that both taste and smell bad. These symptoms could indicate tooth decay, a dental abscess, or gum disease.
Hormone Changes
Pregnant women and women experiencing menopause often complain of a bitter or metallic taste in their mouth.
Medications
A wide range of prescription medications can be to blame for a strange taste that just doesn’t go away.
Sinus Infections and Allergies
Sinus (and even respiratory) infections can cause a temporary unpleasant taste.
Acid Reflux
Suffer from GERD? When acid from the stomach makes its way to your mouth, you’ll notice a bitter aftertaste. This condition often causes a bad taste in the mouth when you wake up in the morning.
Yeast Infection
Thrush is a common type of yeast infection affecting denture wearers and people with compromised immune systems. The fungal growth will alter your taste until the infection clears up.
Stress
High levels of anxiety can cause unexpected changes in the way you taste things.
Still not sure what could be causing an odd taste in your mouth? Contact your dentist for a consultation.
Posted on behalf of:
Pure Smiles Dentistry
2655 Dallas Highway Suite 510
Marietta, GA 30064
770.422.8776
Gums usually swell up in response to irritation. Everyone has to deal with swollen gums at some point in their lives – whether it’s due to a piece of popcorn stuck along your gums or skipping a few days of flossing – if you currently have gum inflammation throughout your mouth, then these steps provide some relief.
Rinse with Warm Salt Water
For swollen gums that are tender and sore, a warm salt water rinse is a good thing to start with. Rinsing gently can bring down the inflammation and soothe painful tissues. Use about ½ teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water.
Brush and Floss
The next step is to physically remove any plaque or debris that could be contributing to the inflammation. You can do this best by brushing with a soft toothbrush and flossing, paying special attention to cleaning just under the gumlines. Daily brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent swollen gums before they start.
Use an Antibacterial Mouthwash
Mouth rinses containing ingredients like essential oils or cetylpyridinium chloride inhibit bacterial growth. Using these mouthwashes can prevent plaque from growing between tooth brushing sessions, giving your swollen gums a better chance to heal.
Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin C
Your body need lots of vitamin C to stay healthy. Gums may quickly swell up if your diet has been low in fruits and vegetables, lately. Load up on vitamin-rich fresh foods to boost your gum health.
See Your Dentist
Swollen gums can be a sign of gingivitis or periodontitis, a serious form of gum disease that leads to tooth loss. Don’t just ignore swelling; if it doesn’t respond to improved oral hygiene measures, then it’s time to periodontal treatment.
Contact a dentist or periodontist in your area if you have any other questions about your gum health.
Posted on behalf of:
Precision Digital Dentistry
674 US-202/206
Suite 7
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 955-6999
Are you suffering from gingivitis? Adding these seven steps to your evening routine could make a major difference in your gum health.
Vitamin C is essential to healthy gums. Get more than your daily recommended amount of vitamin C in just one serving of the right fresh fruits or veggies. Aim for guava, red peppers, strawberries, broccoli, kale, and oranges.
Acids and sugar from your meals linger long after you’re done eating. This process fuels the growth of bacteria that cause gum inflammation. You shouldn’t brush immediately after dinner since that can spread the acids around. Rinse well with water and wait about a half hour before you brush.
Pay special attention to brushing along the gum-line. Just scrubbing the front of your teeth isn’t enough. Take your time, brushing for at least two minutes.
Antigingivitis toothpastes contain an ingredient called triclosan, a mild antibacterial agent. While triclosan is no longer recommended in hand soap, it’s still very effective at controlling bacterial growth in the gums.
Flossing removes germs and debris from between teeth and gums where a toothbrush can’t reach. You may find it easier to floss at night versus in the morning when you’re busy.
A blunt-tipped gum stimulator rubbed along your gum-line encourages healthy circulation and toughens up delicate tissues.
Anti-plaque rinses contain therapeutic essential oils that inhibit bacterial growth. Rinsing for thirty seconds after brushing will help reduce gum inflammation.
Ask your periodontist for more tips on how to keep your gums healthy.
Posted on behalf of:
Group Health Dental
230 W 41st St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 398-9690
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