Too much or too little gum tissue can cause the gums to appear uneven. Some people will have this issue present their whole lives, while others may have it develop later in life. A crooked gumline has many causes from genetics to gum disease to hormone changes during pregnancy.

But what can be done about an uneven gumline? Here are your treatment options based on what could be causing this issue!

If Your Gums Are Receding

If your gumline is uneven due to receding gum tissue, you may see areas where the gums appear to pull back from the teeth, giving some teeth a longer appearance and exposing tooth roots. A receding gumline can also be caused by:

• Brushing your teeth too aggressively
• Gum disease
• Smoking and tobacco use

You’ll need to visit your dentist to know for certain what the cause is. If your gum recession is the result of advanced gum disease, you may need a gum graft to repair missing gum tissue [1].

However, if the appearance of your gums is caused by aggressive brushing, switching to a softer toothbrush may be able to help.

If You Have Gummy Smile

Your uneven gums could be caused by gummy smile, a condition in which gum tissue covers too much of the teeth. Gummy smile could also be caused by the muscles in the upper lip exposing too much gum tissue when smiling, in which case, dental treatment may not be appropriate.

While gummy smile typically doesn’t affect oral health, it can be treated in a cosmetic procedure called gingival contouring, or gum contouring, which can be done with a laser to essentially reshape the gum tissue to permanently improve appearance [2].

If the Cause is Genetic

When uneven gums are caused by genetics, gum reshaping is usually the best treatment option to give you a smile that looks natural and healthy.

This form of cosmetic gum surgery will require that you treat any underlying issues beforehand—for instance, if you have a mild form of gum disease, it’ll need to be addressed before the procedure.

A gum contouring procedure can be done at your dentist’s office with local anesthesia and requires minimal recovery time, for some patients a few days and up to two weeks depending on your unique smile [3]. Your dentist can let you know more about what to expect during your consultation.

Are You Experiencing Uneven Gum Tissue?

If you have uneven gums, there is treatment available to help restore your appearance based on what’s causing the issue. Your dentist can further evaluate your gums to determine how best to treat your irregular gumline and give you a beautiful smile.

Schedule an appointment with your oral healthcare professional today to learn about your options!

Sources:
1. https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-graft-surgery
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4672859/
3. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gum-contouring-procedure#2-6

The post What Can Be Done to Treat an Uneven Gumline? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Here are some common tooth staining causes which your dentist can evaluate when
determining the cause of your discolored teeth.

Intrinsic Discoloration

Intrinsic tooth discoloration happens when the cause of the different color is coming from inside the tooth and is not affected by exterior factors.

When it’s cosmetic: Children whose mothers took the antibiotic tetracycline while they were pregnant or children who were given this antibiotic while their adult teeth were still developing may have darker teeth as a result [1].

There are other medications that can cause teeth to be darker, including antihistamines and blood pressure medications. If you received medications that caused your tooth discoloration, then the discoloration is likely cosmetic and not harming your dental health.

When it’s related to dental health: If you have a single discolored tooth or even several
discolored teeth that have a grayish appearance, this could mean the nerve tissue inside your tooth is dead or infected. This is absolutely related to dental health and will need to be evaluated by your professional dentist.

Extrinsic Staining

Extrinsic tooth staining is related to external factors and is not caused by anything within the body.

When it’s cosmetic: Extrinsic staining is usually cosmetic as it can happen from the foods and drinks we consume, such as wine, coffee, or tea. Staining from foods and drinks typically doesn’t affect the health of your tooth enamel, although it can impact your appearance over time.

When it’s related to dental health: If you have widespread tooth discoloration, this could be a sign of enamel damage. If your teeth have a more yellowish appearance and are sensitive, these could be signs your tooth enamel has worn away and is exposing the softer tissue beneath, called dentin, which has a more yellow color [2].

Missing tooth enamel increases your risk for tooth decay and sensitivity, so be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist to see what can be done for your oral health.

Concerned about Tooth Discoloration?

If one or more of your teeth are discolored, schedule an appointment with your dentist. While professional teeth whitening can help some discoloration, you’ll only know the most effective options for improving your smile by uncovering the cause of the staining.

For instance, if one of your teeth is discolored and your dentist finds the nerve tissue is dead, a professional whitening won’t help restore the color—you’ll need to remove the affected tissue first. If you have enamel damage and have yellowish teeth, a professional whitening could cause even more discomfort, so you’ll need to consider other treatment first.

Regardless of what’s causing your tooth discoloration, your dentist can help you find the cause and choose the right treatment option so you can see your best smile again!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4109251/
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10958-tooth-discoloration

The post Is Tooth Discoloration Related to Dental Health or Simply Cosmetic? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The causes of tooth discoloration are numerous and may be influenced by an internal or
external factor. Here, we’ll see how tooth enamel can be influenced by several elements to
make your teeth turn an unattractive yellow color.

Certain Foods

One external factor affecting tooth color is certain foods and drinks. Tooth enamel is porous
and can easily be stained, although fortunately, many of these stains are just on the surface and can be removed through regular brushings and professional teeth cleanings.

Coffee, tea, and wine are the worst offenders for making teeth turn a yellow or brownish color, but in truth, any food that has a deep hue has the potential to stain your teeth. These surprising tooth stainers include berries, beets, and tomatoes.

Acidic foods and drinks are also culprits when it comes to staining teeth. The acid in foods such as lemons and drinks such as soda can wear away the tooth enamel, making it easier for staining to occur and also allowing the yellowish color of your dentin—the softer layer beneath your tooth enamel—to come through.

Not Getting Professional Cleanings

Since professional cleanings can remove most surface stains, skipping those dental
appointments can cause buildup of stains and plaque which can result in teeth appearing more yellow. In addition, if you’re not brushing and flossing regularly at home, you’re allowing your teeth to accumulate more stains, plaque, and bacteria that can affect your tooth color.

Getting a professional teeth cleaning at least once a year or as recommended by your dentist can help prevent the build-up of surface stains to prevent your teeth from turning yellow. If you have deeper stains, you dentist may suggest a professional whitening to help remove them.

Antibiotics During Tooth Formation

Your tooth discoloration may be coming from an internal source—for instance, when the dentin turns a brownish yellow color. This typically happens in children who take antibiotics while their teeth are still developing, namely the antibiotics tetracycline or doxycycline.

If you had antibiotics younger than age 8, you may have teeth that are naturally darker. In
addition, women who take antibiotics during their second trimester of pregnancy and later can cause their child to have discolored or darker teeth.

Genetics

Genetics may also affect your tooth color. You may naturally have tooth enamel that’s thinner, which can allow the dentin to show through. This can not only make for weaker teeth that are susceptible to sensitivity and decay, but can also cause teeth to have a yellower appearance.

People who have naturally thicker and stronger tooth enamel may have brighter and healthier teeth. Since tooth enamel can be affected by oral care habits and the foods we eat, genetics is only partially responsible in many cases. Your dentist can help you have a stronger, whiter smile!

Are you worried about your teeth turning yellow? When teeth begin to take on a more
yellowish appearance, it’s time to seek professional help. Contact your dentist today to learn how you can make teeth appear brighter and whiter in just a few simple steps!

The post Why Are My Teeth Turning Yellow? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

When you want to have a beautiful smile but aren’t thrilled about the idea of getting orthodontic work done, you can talk with your dentist about the following options to finally get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted!

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin, sturdy shells that cover the visible surfaces of your teeth. Veneers are versatile and can help fix a variety of issues with your smile. Whether you have crooked teeth, stained teeth, chipped teeth, or gapped teeth, veneers can provide a beautiful, long-term solution for you.

Veneers are often considered to have the most impact on your smile for the least amount of work. You can customize the look of your veneers including the shade to target and fix your alignment problems so that all people see when you smile are your beautiful teeth!

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding consists of using a composite resin material much like the one used in non-mercury fillings to help fill gaps in the teeth and also to remedy spacing issues. The composite resin matches your natural teeth and is used to cover any alignment problems you may want to hide, or if you want to fix gaps or even the shape of your teeth.

Although dental bonding is effective when it comes to shaping teeth and filling gaps, it’s best used for minor dental problems rather than a complete smile makeover. Your dentist can better help you determine if dental bonding would be a good fit for what you’re looking for!

You and your dentist can discuss porcelain veneers or dental bonding would work as an alternative for braces, whether you want to delay your orthodontic treatment by a few years or if you want a permanent solution for your
smile!

You deserve to have the smile you’ve always dreamed of. If you need orthodontic work done but don’t want to have braces, consider these alternative cosmetic treatments. In just a couple dentist visits, you can improve the look of your smile and enjoy the benefits of beautiful, healthy-looking teeth!

The post ​Need an Alternative to Braces? Check Out These Cosmetic Dentistry Options appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

It’s likely that your overbite is a combination of features that were inherited from your parents.
Of course, it might not seem like a big deal that your bottom row of teeth is covered. However,
you might want to reconsider getting your overbite checked out after reading about these oral
health problems it might cause.

Tooth Decay

Overbites can cause your teeth to wear down in ways they wouldn’t normally if the overbite
wasn’t present. What this means is that your teeth may be rubbing against each other and
wearing down your tooth enamel without you even realizing it. This could result in an increased
risk for tooth decay as well as tooth sensitivity in the areas with damaged enamel. Your
overbite may just be the cause of your cavities!

Jaw Pain

Since overbites are something of a strain on the teeth, they can cause persistent jaw or facial
pain similar to that of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Your symptoms may be worse
when chewing food or when attempting to open the mouth fully, such as while yawning. If
you’re experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder, it could be your overbite! Your dentist or an
orthodontist can assess your jaw to discover what the problem is and come up with a
treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms.

Gum Disease

It’s estimated that over 45% of Americans have gum disease! Damaged gums can come from
teeth hitting the gum tissue in a way they’re not supposed to, especially in abnormal bites. If
you have an overbite, your lower teeth may hit the gum tissue behind the front teeth. This can not only cause gum damage and inflammation, but could be a contributing factor to gum
disease, especially if you already are at risk for the disease or have gingivitis, the beginning
stage of gum disease.

What You Can Do

Fortunately, correcting an overbite is often something that can be done simply and
permanently with orthodontic treatment. You can visit your dentist to get a referral to an
orthodontist in the area. Often braces alone can correct the problem by shifting your teeth into
their proper positions. If you need further treatment such as surgical intervention, you can talk
about this with your orthodontist, however, this method of treatment is rare.

Do you have a noticeable overbite? Overbites not only make your face look shorter, they can
also be responsible for numerous oral health problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and
jaw pain. The only way to properly and permanently correct an overbite is with professional
treatment. Visit your dentist today to discover if an overbite could be causing your oral health
problems, and if so, what you can do about it!

The post Top Oral Health Problems Caused by Overbites appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Snap-On Smile

Snap-On Smile can be completed in just two visits and is completely reversible, meaning the change won’t be permanent. It’s also non-invasive, so you won’t need any type of altercation to your natural smile in order to take advantage of this smile improvement.

Your Snap-On Smile will be thin yet strong and will have all the advantages of your real smile. It’s made of a durable dental resin and fits right over your natural teeth. It can hide many imperfections such as staining, chips and cracks, gaps in your teeth, and missing teeth.

Snap-On Smile is for both upper and lower rows of teeth and can be used as a short-term or long-term solution for your smile. You can even eat and drink with it in, so you don’t have to worry about taking it out in public. You and your dentist can talk about whether Snap-On Smile is right for you!

Implants in a Day

Dental implants are an excellent replacement for your missing natural tooth or teeth. They’re permanent, they’re sturdy, and they’re easy to care for. However, dental implants are part of a restoration process that’s known for taking months to complete. What if you knew you could get dental implants in just one day?

For people who qualify, you can get dental implants in just one appointment. With a carefully planned procedure and the right technology, you can go home that day with your new teeth. A consultation with your dentist can determine if you’d be a candidate for dental implants in just one day.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin yet strong shells that go over your natural teeth. Veneers can address a variety of cosmetic dentistry concerns, such as deep staining, gapped or pointy teeth, and in some cases, even crooked teeth. Dental veneers are typically made of ceramic and are resistant to stains and chips. Veneers should be considered a permanent replacement to your natural smile.

The good news about dental veneers is that they can be placed in as little as 1-3 visits, depending on the type of veneer you choose. If you have any oral health concerns such as tooth decay, they’ll need to be addressed before your restoration is complete.

Are you ready to have a brand-new smile? Regardless of what’s holding your smile back, you can have a beautiful new smile in less time than you think. You can make an appointment with your dentist to discuss all these treatment options that take less time than traditional cosmetic procedures. Happy smiling!

The post Want to Improve Your Smile in Less Time? These Options May Be for You appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Since it can take a couple weeks for your dental crown to be ready for your smile, your temporary crown serves an important function—it helps to protect your damaged tooth from pain and discomfort. Your temporary crown will help stop food from entering the cavity of your tooth and protect it from chewing, food temperature, and further injury.

Without a temporary crown, your tooth will be open and could be painful. Food debris and bacteria could further harm the tooth without some type of protection there. With a temporary dental crown, you can keep the space protected and prepare it for the restoration when the time comes.

Prepare Your Mouth for the Permanent Crown

A temporary crown helps hold the space for your permanent dental crown. Your gum tissue will adjust to the shape of your crown and create a more comfortable, healed space for your permanent crown. Since teeth are also susceptible to shifting, the temporary crown helps keep everything in place until the permanent crown is ready.

Your temporary crown will also help you adjust to the look and feel of your crown. Your final restoration will look very similar to your temporary crown and will help you see what your smile will look and feel like when the restoration is done. Your mouth should be comfortable and healed with your temporary dental crown by the time your new, permanent crown arrives.

Brush and Floss

Fortunately, your temporary dental crown will be relatively easy to care for. You’ll need to brush your teeth as normal, but pay special attention to the area near the gumline in order to keep the space between your crown and your gums clean and free of debris.

You can and should continue flossing your teeth. Again, pay close attention to the gumline where your temporary crown meets your gum tissue. You’ll want to floss this area carefully, and floss out rather than down toward the crown of your tooth. You want to keep the crown intact while also removing plaque and food particles.

Beware of Sticky Foods

During the time your temporary dental crown is in place, you’ll want to be wary of any sticky foods, especially foods that are both sticky and hard. They can attach to your temporary crown and threaten to pull it loose! These foods include:

 Caramel
 Candy
 Chewing Gum
 Popcorn
 Nuts
 Peanut Butter

Don’t worry, you don’t have to avoid these foods forever —just until your new permanent crown is set in place! When your dentist fits you with a temporary dental crown, this is an excellent opportunity to adjust to your new smile. Allow your gums to adapt to the new addition. Take care of your crown by continuing to brush and floss, but try to keep sticky foods out of the picture. Your new crown will be in place before you know it!

The post Temporary Crowns: Why You Need Them, How to Care for Them, and More appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.