Puffy gums usually happen as a reaction to an irritant like bacteria or dental calculus. Your gums may be particularly prone to swelling due to:
What can you do if your gums often look puffy?
Improve Your Oral Hygiene
Reassess how well you clean your teeth. The less debris there is in your mouth, the less likely your gums are to swell up.
An effective routine focuses on gently brushing along the gum line at least twice a day. You should also floss once a day to keep plaque bacteria from irritating the gums between teeth.
Whether your swollen gums are directly related to oral hygiene or not, it never hurts to improve in your brushing. But if your gums are very uncomfortable, you may need some more immediate relief.
Ice Your Gums
Cool your gums and bring down the inflammation with ice water or a popsicle. The cold will constrict blood vessels and soothe puffy tissue.
Take a Painkiller
You should only medicate against gum pain if your doctor says it’s okay. But most over-the-counter painkillers can help dull strong pain caused by swollen gums.
Topical Numbing Gel
A numbing spray or gel used to treat oral sores can also work on sore gums. If your swollen gums have become so tender that it hurts to brush or eat, then numbing them up beforehand may be helpful.
Some kinds of gum inflammation are a sign of serious infection that could put your health at risk. Talk with your dentist to get an idea of what’s causing your gum tissue to puff up and to discover an effective solution, especially if symptoms don’t clear up in a day or two.
Posted on behalf of:
Manhattan Dental Design
315 W 57th St Suite 206
New York, NY 10019
(646) 504-4377
Toothpaste advertising often touts anti-gingivitis benefits. Your dentist talks about preventing periodontitis.
Is there a difference between these two words… or are they the same thing?
Gingivitis: The Beginning
Gingivitis is inflammation of gum tissues. Your gums should hug your teeth tightly, but they get rolled, puffy, and red when you develop gingivitis. This inflammatory process is an immune response to plaque bacteria near the gums. You can develop mild gingivitis within a couple weeks of inadequate brushing and flossing.
The good news is that gingivitis is reversible within about 10-14 days with good oral hygiene.
For some people, they never experience anything worse than a little gingivitis. But inflamed gums can also open the door for a much more serious infection.
The Dangers of Periodontitis
Periodontitis refers to the inflammation and immune response in the bone and deeper gum tissues around your teeth. There’s a network of ligaments that attach your gums and teeth to the bone in your mouth. Bacteria can cause them to detach, with the bone shrinking away during the process; unfortunately, the damage is often permanent.
Untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontitis. When periodontitis is left unchecked, it can cause tooth loss.
Do You Have Gingivitis or Periodontitis?
Gingivitis and periodontitis can share some of the same symptoms:
Gingivitis may be a less serious infection, but the symptoms are often so similar that you can’t afford to ignore any sign of gum inflammation.
Get to a dentist right away if you notice any signs of bleeding, swollen gums. A periodontal evaluation may be just what you need to prevent the consequences of gum disease.
Posted on behalf of:
Montevallo Family Dentistry
711 Wadsworth St
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 665-2224
So you’re one of the lucky few who’ve never had a dental filling.
Whether you attribute your stellar teeth to diet, genetics, or a great flossing routine, you’re grateful you don’t have steep dental bills.
But your dentist still wants to see you on a regular basis. That’s because white teeth are nothing without strong gums to hold them in place.
The Role Gums Play
Your gums protect sensitive tooth roots, but they also are unique in their ability to nourish and cushion teeth. They contain a rich network of blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments. Tooth roots connect to the gums at special junctures which help anchor teeth in place.
Gums are irreplaceable. If something happens to them, your teeth lose valuable support.
How Is Your Periodontal Health?
Your gums and the ligaments that lie beneath are classified as periodontal tissues.
Periodontal damage often happens gradually and it’s usually painless.
Some signs of gum disease are easy to pick up on:
But if periodontal disease sets in, it destroys those ligaments long before you’d notice any of these signs.
Here’s where your dentist comes in.
Only a dental professional can detect and measure periodontal damage before you notice the signs. X-rays and other tools can determine the level of healthy gum tissue you have left.
Regular dental visits aren’t just for the benefit of your teeth. A checkup at the dentist’s is also a chance to find out how your gums are doing.
Besides that, you’ll also get valuable tips from your dentist on how to treat or even avoid gum disease.
Don’t wait! Call today to schedule your periodontal health evaluation.
Posted on behalf of:
Dunwoody Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
1816 Independence Square, Suite B
Dunwoody, GA 30338
(770) 399-9199
You may have heard the term “periodontal pockets” thrown around once or twice by a dental hygienist during your cleaning.
What exactly are they?
How Periodontitis Affects Your Teeth
Gum disease (periodontitis) starts out as an accumulation of bacterial plaque on teeth. If this plaque isn’t removed, it causes inflammation in the gum line. If this swelling isn’t reversed, it can spread and involve the ligaments that anchor teeth in place (periodontal tissues).
Your body reacts to the infection by sending out chemicals. Unfortunately, this reaction causes more damage to ligaments. Eventually, the gums pull away from your tooth roots entirely.
The bacteria multiply and invade the new empty space and the process continues. As things progress, even the bone surrounding teeth can start to break down. This results in a distinct gap, or “pocket,” between the tooth and your tissues.
Periodontal pockets are bad news. Not only do these gaps signify a loss of attachment for your tooth, but they are nearly impossible to keep clean. You’ll never be able to control the bacteria and tartar settling into those pockets with a toothbrush and floss, alone.
Do You Have Periodontal Pockets?
Your dental hygienist will do routine gum measurements to see whether any of your teeth have lost their gum and tooth support.
These measurements are recorded in millimeters on a chart. Measurements of 3mm or less are within the healthy range of snug gum tissue. A few 4mm areas suggest some gum inflammation. But areas higher than 5mm are a definite sign that your mouth needs periodontal treatment.
Call your local dentist to schedule a gum health evaluation and find out how you can prevent gum disease.
Posted on behalf of:
Springfield Lorton Dental Group
5419-C Backlick Rd
Springfield, VA 22151
(703) 256-8554
Having a bout of bad breath is embarrassing enough. But it gets even more frustrating when it won’t go away no matter what you do.
Your chronic halitosis could actually be a sign of a very serious issue like gum disease.
Why Gum Disease Causes Bad Breath
Gum disease, also called periodontitis, is an infection in the gums. Bacterial overgrowth trigger inflammation and the ligaments and bone around teeth start to break down. These decaying tissues give off quite a foul odor.
If you have gum disease, you may notice a strange taste in your mouth or others may comment on your foul breath.
Signs You Might Have Gum Disease
Bad breath is one indicator of periodontitis, but it’s not the only one. You may have gum disease if you also notice:
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath Cause by Periodontitis
If you struggle with bad breath, then popping a piece of mint gum may not be enough to mask the smell. Proper oral hygiene is essential for preventing both halitosis and the gum infections that may cause it.
Maintain fresh breath by cleaning your tongue, flossing every day, and brushing at least twice a day. Use toothpastes and mouthwashes that target gingivitis and plaque. Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water is also effective in keeping breath sweet.
To get rid of the stench, you’ll have to treat the cause of your bad breath. A periodontist or general dentist can examine your gums for signs of disease and let you know what treatment is necessary.
Posted on behalf of:
Montevallo Family Dentistry
711 Wadsworth St
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 665-2224
Gum disease, or periodontitis, is triggered by bacteria.
If gum disease is a bacterial infection in the gums, why can’t you just take an antibiotic to treat it?
Why Antibiotics Aren’t Recommended
In some emergency situations where a patient comes in with an abscess, a dentist will most likely prescribe an antibiotic before doing anything else.
But if you just popped a pill to deal with a typical case of periodontitis, you’d actually risk antibiotic resistance. This happens when the medication isn’t strong enough to kill off all the bacteria, but it temporarily weakens the infection. The germs can then come back “bigger and badder” and tougher to fight off.
Frequent antibiotic use can also disrupt the bacterial balance in other parts of your body, leading to more problems.
Best Way to Treat Gum Disease
Periodontitis usually responds best to special dental cleanings followed up by antibiotic medication, if necessary.
As a similar example, let’s imagine you got something like a splinter or metal nail stuck in your hand. You’d definitely need an antibiotic for an infected wound, and possibly even a tetanus booster. But would that make it okay to just leave the debris in your hand? Of course not! You also need to have the object removed.
Gum disease is aggravated by collections of bacteria that live in dense gooey plaque and tough dental calculus. Unless you get rid of that debris, your gums will always be ripe for infection.
There’s no replacement for trusted periodontal therapies and a great flossing routine!
Schedule a gum health evaluation with your dentist if you suspect that you may have periodontal disease. You’ll then find out which treatment options are best for you.
Posted on behalf of:
Gold Hill Dentistry
2848 Pleasant Road #104
Fort Mill, South Carolina 29708
(803) 566-8055
Brushing your teeth isn’t just good for your mouth. It could even have a beneficial effect on your long term memory, according to one study.
Researchers in Taiwan have recently made an interesting observation about gum disease and Alzheimer’s.
While we can’t say for sure that there is a direct link between the two conditions, there’s a definite pattern. Statistics show that older adults who have lived with gum disease for ten years or more were 70% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
This figure already accounts for other factors known to contribute towards Alzheimer’s such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
Does this mean that if you have gum disease you’ll develop Alzheimer’s?
Not necessarily. In fact, for all we know, a genetic inclination towards Alzheimer’s may be what predisposes someone to periodontitis.
But some experts suggest that having a chronic low-grade inflammation – like gum disease – raging in your body may play a role in the onset of other serious conditions.
Alzheimer’s disease is difficult to predict and prevent and impossible to reverse. But gum disease, on the other hand, is highly preventable. It usually responds well to straightforward treatment right in your local dental office.
As more research unfolds on the connection between gum disease and other illnesses, now is the best time to get your gum health under control.
Get started by:
As your local dentist to evaluate the condition of your gums. Keeping them healthy is a great way to lower your risk for many other potential problems.
Posted on behalf of:
Manhattan Dental Design
315 W 57th St Suite 206
New York, NY 10019
(646) 504-4377
Gum disease has been associated with conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, heart disease, and erectile dysfunction, just to name a few. But now researchers are wondering about how chronic gum disease could affect a person’s cancer risk.
What the Study Found
Researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo took a look at medical data collected over the course of eight years. The subjects of the data were postmenopausal women, most of them white.
The research findings showed an interesting pattern: women with periodontal disease (gum disease) were 14% more likely to develop cancer than those without gum disease. Whether the women smoked or not didn’t make a difference.
Site-specific cancers noted in these women’s health histories included lung, breast, skin, and gallbladder cancer. But the highest risk was for esophageal cancer.
What This Could Mean
Since gum disease has established links to other health problems, there may be some connection to cancer risk. Scientists have to study further what those connections may be and who are really at risk.
What This Doesn’t Mean
Not all older women with dental problems will develop cancer. This study was limited in scope. All though the finding was significant, it proved no direct connection between gum disease and cancer.
Keep Your Gums Healthy!
Good oral hygiene doesn’t just prevent tooth – loss; it could lower your cancer risk. A healthy diet rich in vitamins is also key to gum health. Lower your chancer further by reducing stress and avoiding tobacco use.
No matter age or gender, gum health is important to all. Regular gum health evaluations are an important part of oral hygiene. Schedule a checkup with a dentist near you.
Posted on behalf of:
Mitzi Morris, DMD, PC
1295 Hembree Rd B202
Roswell, GA 30076
(770) 475-6767
Gums are touchy and sensitive. They can even be a little moody. They don’t like sharing their space with anything.
When new braces come into town, gums can overreact by swelling beyond their normal size.
Some people’s gums are more sensitive than others. For the most part, however, you may be able to pin your swollen gums on a specific cause.
Put a Little More Work into Your Brushing!
Braces provide more surface area for plaque bacteria to collect on. These germs cause gum irritation (gingivitis), so getting braces increases your chances of angering your soft tissues.
This situation is easily remedied by taking your tooth-brushing game to the next level.
Your gums could benefit greatly from:
Hormones Turning Up the Volume on Gum Inflammation
In some instances, you aren’t entirely at fault for swollen gums. Sometimes it can be your hormones.
People usually get braces while in their teens. This is a time when hormones wreak havoc all over the body. It can be the same when you’re expecting; if you’re pregnant, you might see the same effects of how your situation starts to affect your gums.
Those picky gums respond in dramatic fashion to hormones with swelling and bleeding. Even so, this is still a good time to improve your oral hygiene.
Swollen gums can lead to serious gum disease later on, but they don’t have to, as long as you practice diligent oral hygiene. You can keep wearing your braces by doing your best to keep your teeth – and gums – clean. If swelling has you nervous about your braces, talk with your dentist or orthodontist.
Posted on behalf of:
Gwinnett Family Dental Care
3455 Lawrenceville Hwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
(770) 921-1115
Gingivitis is inflammation of your gums. It’s a very common condition affecting people of all ages. If you’re dealing with it now, then you want to know how to get rid of it before it turns into something worse.
Fortunately, you can take measures here and now to start reducing the inflammation.
It’s as simple as getting a more effective toothbrush. Look for one with soft bristles and a head that’s small enough to access all of your teeth. Many people with gingivitis like a powered brush because it’s good at removing the bacterial plaque that causes inflammation.
Flossing is good for preventing cavities. But it’s also essential for removing the plaque in between teeth that trigger gum inflammation. Flossing every day should eventually help your gums to bleed less.
Look for an ADA-approved mouthwash that claims to kill bacteria. When used along with brushing and flossing, a rinse can prevent plaque buildup from recurring for long periods throughout the day.
Your gums can benefit a lot from just a little extra vitamin C in your diet. A strong immune system empowers your gums to fight off bacterial infections. Get lots of this water-soluble vitamin in strawberries, oranges, red peppers, kale, and other vegetables.
Fighting gingivitis is important because it can advance to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. Periodontitis attacks the bone and ligaments that keep your teeth in place. It can also increase your risk of developing other health problems.
After doing what you can at home, make sure to schedule a checkup with your local dentist. Professional dental cleanings will help you maintain the best gum health possible.
Posted on behalf of:
Buford Family Dental
4700 Nelson Grogdon Blvd. NE #210
Buford, GA 30518
678.730.2005
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