Most people know that accumulating too much plaque and tartar in the mouth can raise the risk of gum disease. However, this isn’t the only way this problem can arise. Keep reading to learn five other factors that can contribute to the development of gum disease and how your dentist can customize your preventive dental care.

When you’re pregnant, your body can go through many changes, including a few inside your mouth. That’s because as your estrogen and progesterone levels increase, so too can inflammation  in your gum tissue. This can cause what is known as pregnancy gingivitis, a temporary but risky condition. Here’s what you need to know about it, and how you can manage it if it occurs.

Are you missing one or more permanent teeth, but don’t want to deal with dentures or bridges? Dental implants could be the perfect solution. But before you head off to your dental implant consultation, don’t forget to jot down some questions for your dentist. Here are a few important queries you may want answers to before your dental implant journey begins!

If you have dental anxiety or sensitivities that make lengthy treatments unpleasant, you might like the sound of being sedated for your appointment. Many patients do find dental sedation methods to be effective at improving their experience. As the strongest option available at most practices, IV sedation can be particularly helpful for severe cases.

But there is one thing you need to know before committing to the idea: is IV dental sedation right for you? There’s one way to find out – read this post to learn more!

Missing teeth negatively impacts numerous aspects of your life. In addition to lowering your morale, gaps in your smile can make it difficult to chew your food, speak clearly, and feel confident. The good news is that there are options for even the most advanced stages of tooth loss. All-on-4 dental implants are a long-term solution for patients who are missing all of the teeth on one or both arches. This treatment requires a surgical procedure to complete. Here’s what the recovery period will look like.

Gum recession can be caused by a variety of different factors. Whether you have struggled with gum disease or you have a tendency to brush too hard when you are cleaning your smile, gum recession can occur. This issue is not reversible and exposes the roots of the teeth, leading to sensitivity and other oral health issues. This is when your periodontist may recommend a gum graft, but is this procedure painful? Continue reading to learn more about gum grafting and what you can expect.

Does the thought of sitting in a dentist’s chair make your heart race? You’re not alone. Dental anxiety and phobias affect many patients, keeping them from getting the care they need. Understanding what causes this fear can be the first step toward overcoming it. So, continue reading to explore the most common reasons behind dental anxiety and how you can face them.

Learning that you have gum disease can sometimes come as a shock. While this ailment can usually be reversed if it is caught in its early stage called gingivitis, treating it requires professional intervention if it has advanced to the later and much more destructive stage of periodontitis. Here are a few excellent questions to raise when you see your periodontist to discuss your upcoming gum disease treatment.

Tooth decay isn’t the only thing that can harm your dental health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that at least 50% of adults have a form of gum disease. Not only is it a leading cause of tooth loss, but researchers have found that it can affect your general health. The infection has been connected to many health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s. Studies have found an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia in patients with advanced gum disease. Here’s how to keep your gums healthy and your mind sharp.

(more…)

Our oral health is just as dependent on our gums as our teeth because they play a major role in keeping our pearly whites safe and secure. Sometimes gum disease results in a receding gumline which can damage teeth if left unaddressed. Our gums don’t grow back naturally, so it’s important to call your dentist if you’ve found yourself in this circumstance. They can bulk up your gums with a procedure called gum grafting. If your dentist has recommended this treatment and you don’t know what to expect, keep reading to learn more about what it is and how it works.