You can prevent gum recession, but first, you need to know what causes it in order to prevent it. Think about it—you can’t prevent your house from getting dirty if you don’t know where the dirt is coming from! Here’s how you can prevent gum recession.

Focus on Preventing Gum Disease

Gum recession is commonly a result of gum disease [1]. When bacteria and plaque aren’t properly and consistently removed from around the gumline, they can build up and begin to irritate the gum tissue. This can result in the gum tissue receding from the teeth.

Gum disease can be influenced by many factors, among them crooked teeth and poor oral health. Some people are also more likely to get gum disease based on genetics. If you focus on preventing gum disease with proper oral care, a nutritious diet, and regular dental visits, it’ll go a long way towards preventing gum recession!

Be Careful Not to Brush Too Hard

Brushing your teeth is necessary to protect your pearly whites, but aggressive brushing can damage them. Forceful brushing is not only unnecessary, but can have negative effects on the softer tissues of your mouth, such as your gums [2].

If you brush your teeth with a firm-bristled toothbrush, you may be causing unnecessary irritation to your gum tissue. The quality of your brushing matters more than how forcefully you brush, so be gentle and next time you need a new toothbrush, look for a soft-bristled one to protect your gum tissue!

Get a Checkup to See If You Grind Your Teeth

Teeth grinding can be harmful to your teeth as well as your gums. If you already have gum inflammation or recession, teeth grinding can make your symptoms worse. Grinding or clenching your teeth puts enormous pressure on your teeth, which can also affect gum tissue.

Get a checkup with your dentist to check for signs of teeth grinding that could be affecting your gum tissue as well. Your dentist can also evaluate your risk for gum disease to determine if you’re at risk for gum recession and discuss preventative steps to take with you!

Worried About Gum Recession?

If you’re seeing potential signs of gum recession or are concerned about preventing gum recession, it’s time to visit your dentist. The best way to prevent gum recession, in addition to taking proper care of your teeth, is to ensure you aren’t at risk for gum disease and don’t have any damaging habits such as teeth grinding that could influence your risk for the condition!

Sources:
1. https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-symptoms.htm
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12875306

The post Can You Prevent Gum Recession? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Bruxism can be caused by stress, an improper bite, or even a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. What happens if you continue to grind your teeth without seeking treatment? Here are some of the long-term impacts of this damaging condition.

Headaches

Grinding your teeth has the potential to cause tension headaches and chronic migraines [1]. Your teeth can create immense force for chewing, but that same force isn’t meant to be placed on your other teeth! By clenching or grinding your teeth, you can accumulate muscle tension that can cause headaches, neck pain, and even shoulder or upper back discomfort.

Gum Recession

The stress placed on teeth during teeth grinding can cause gum tissue to become inflamed. Gum tissue can even begin to pull away from the teeth, resulting in exposed roots and tooth sensitivity. Gum recession is also a sign of gum disease, so don’t hesitate to visit your dentist if you notice your teeth look longer or are more sensitive.

Worn-Down Teeth

Repeated instances of clenching or grinding can eventually wear down your teeth. Your teeth may be more sensitive or look shorter than they used to. Teeth may also have a flattened or unnaturally even appearance when they’ve been affected by teeth grinding [2].

Your teeth can’t grow back, so once they appear shorter, you’ll need to consult with your dentist to determine what type of cosmetic treatments are available to restore your smile.

Fractured Teeth

Bruxism can also cause teeth to chip, fracture, or break. Teeth that accumulate chips will become uneven in appearance, while fractures that are deeper can cause the need for root canal therapy. Teeth can even become so impacted that they can break off in places, causing the need for restorative treatments to repair your smile.

Loose Teeth

One of the most devastating consequences of teeth grinding over the long-term is loose teeth, which can ultimately lead to tooth loss [3]. When teeth are repeatedly impacted by bruxism, their structure can weaken and cause the ligaments that hold them in the skull to weaken as well. Your may feel as though your teeth fit together differently, or your teeth may be visibly loose. Without treatment at this point, your teeth could eventually fall out or need to be extracted.

Bruxism isn’t something to be ignored. If you wake up with headaches or an aching jaw or teeth, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist can tell whether or not you grind your teeth and work with you to design a treatment plan that works for you before your smile suffers the consequences!

Sources:
1. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/your-jaw-may-be-to-blame-for-your-migraine-
headaches/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/symptoms-causes/syc-
20356095
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/teeth-grinding

The post Long Term Impacts of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Oral Piercings Can Chip Teeth

Oral piercings are typically made out of metal and have the potential to chip teeth. A tongue ring is the most likely to chip teeth as it’s located in the center of the mouth and is attached to your tongue, which is moving during eating and speaking. These movements can cause the jewelry to knock against your teeth, potentially causing chips and fractures that will require professional attention to fix.

Since tongue rings can be harsh on the teeth, they also have the potential to damage existing fillings, meaning they can cause fillings to age faster and even come out prematurely [1]. Without a filling to protect your tooth, you could see further decay and damage until you see your dentist.

Potential to Cause Gum Recession

Your teeth aren’t just at risk when it comes to piercings in the mouth—your gum tissue can be damaged as well. Lip rings and lip studs can rub against the gumline, causing gum recession that can lead to exposure of tooth roots and sensitive teeth.

Tongue rings can also cause gum recession since they can rest against the gumline on the backsides of teeth [2]. Gum recession can be difficult to reverse and may even require a gum graft, which is a surgical procedure, to restore the lost gum tissue.

Some Oral Piercings Can Lead to Sensitive Teeth

Since oral piercings have the potential to cause gum recession, they can lead to sensitive teeth. Gum tissue helps cover and protect our tooth’s roots, which contain nerves that can be very sensitive when exposed. Exposed tooth roots can lead to acute tooth sensitivity that’s painful.

Piercings such as tongue and lip rings can also wear away tooth enamel over time, which is the shiny protective layer on our teeth. Tooth enamel plays an essential role in protecting our teeth from bacteria and the temperature of hot or cold foods [3]. Without our enamel, teeth are more susceptible to not just sensitivity, but tooth discoloration and decay as well.

The Bottom Line

Oral piercings are a personal choice and a form of expression for many people. However, as with any body modification, it’s important to know the risks before engaging in a procedure that will have lasting effects on your body.

Oral piercings can certainly harm your smile through enamel damage, gum recession, and painful chips and fractures. If you have oral piercings or choose to get them, be sure to visit your dentist on a regular basis to check for damage and ensure your oral piercings aren’t causing irreversible damage to your teeth and gums!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oral-piercings
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3926233/
3. https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)60601-2/fulltext

The post Can Oral Piercings Harm Your Smile? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Receding gums can have several causes. The following are some of the most common reasons
why you may be seeing a receding gum line.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease—also called gum disease—is the most common reason that the gums begin
to recede. In the beginning stages of gum disease, bacteria accumulate around the gum line
and can irritate the gum tissue. When this irritant isn’t removed, the disease progresses and
can cause an infection, loose teeth, and even tooth loss.

Periodontal disease is treatable, but the more advanced it becomes, the harder it is to treat.
Seeking treatment for your gum recession as soon as you notice it is paramount to reversing
gum disease and restoring your gum health!

Aggressive Brushing

For some people, brushing their teeth too hard can contribute to a receding gum line. Gentle
brushing is effective at removing plaque while brushing your teeth aggressively, especially with
a stiff-bristled toothbrush, can cause the gums to begin to pull back from the teeth.

It’s important to invest in a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush your teeth gently yet thoroughly
in order to effectively remove plaque at the gum line and keep your gum tissue safe and
healthy.

Poor Oral Health

Not taking proper care of your teeth can cause plaque to build up around the gum line and turn
into tartar. Without brushing and flossing, this plaque has a greater chance of going on to cause
gum disease.

Brushing and flossing your teeth every day as well as visiting your dentist can help regularly
remove plaque and prevent your gums from receding, so don’t neglect your oral health,
especially if you notice gum recession!

Smoking or Using Tobacco

Smoking or using other tobacco products can cause the gums to recede. Toxins in cigarette
smoke, chewing tobacco, and even marijuana can irritate the gum tissue and begin the process
of gum recession or exacerbate existing gum recession due to gum disease or poor oral health.

Even the nicotine in e-cigarettes can contribute to dry mouth, which can again contribute to
problems with gum health. In order to have the healthiest smile possible, avoiding all types of
tobacco and marijuana smoke is important.

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Teeth grinding not only damages teeth, but can cause the gum tissue to recede as well. When
bruxism—the term for teeth grinding—happens, it places a huge amount of pressure on the
teeth and their roots. The roots can become inflamed which in turn can inflame gum tissue.

If you suspect you grind your teeth, your dentist can help you stop this incredibly harmful habit
to avoid further damage to your teeth and gums with stress management and a mouthguard if
necessary.

Are you seeing the signs or experiencing the symptoms of gum recession? When gums begin to
pull back from the teeth, they can expose tooth roots which can lead to painful sensitivity or
even an increased risk of tooth decay at the gum line. Don’t wait to see your oral healthcare
professional if you’re worried about gum recession!

The post What Are the Causes of a Receding Gum Line? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The following are some signs that you might be harming your smile by brushing a little too
aggressively. Don’t ignore them!

Enamel Erosion

Enamel erosion is the most common sign of brushing your teeth too hard. You might be able to
see changes in your tooth enamel such as discolored or easily stained enamel. This is a sign that
your tooth enamel has worn away and that the dentin underneath is beginning to show
through.

Sensitive teeth is the main complaint of those with enamel erosion. The enamel is no longer
there to protect the inner layers of your tooth, so your teeth begin to feel temperature more
and may hurt as a result. Brushing your teeth too aggressively can wear away your enamel over
time, especially if you’re brushing immediately after meals.

Gum Recession

Gum recession is typically a sign of gum disease, but in cases where harsh brushing and gum
disease are both present, gum recession can accelerate. Gum recession happens when your
gum tissue begins to pull back from your teeth which may expose tooth roots and result in
intense tooth sensitivity.

If you have gum disease, you may be seeing other signs such as longer teeth or bleeding gums.
Aggressive brushing can irritate gum tissue and cause your gums to recede back from your
teeth. Gentle brushing is key for both teeth and gums for optimal oral health.

Cavities

People who take good care of their teeth through regular brushing are often surprised to hear
they have cavities when they go to the dentist. They may be brushing their teeth regularly, but
harsh brushing may be working against them when it comes to preventing cavities.

This is because harsh brushing can wear away protective tooth enamel, leaving your teeth to
become more susceptible to the bacteria and acids that cause cavities. If your dentist visits
frequently turn up cavities, it might be time to reconsider your brushing habits.

How to Brush Your Teeth More Gently

Brushing your teeth gently is easy when you choose the right toothbrush. Pick a toothbrush
with soft bristles, as plaque doesn’t need much pressure to be removed from your teeth.
Be more conscious of your movement when you brush. Are you sweeping in large strokes
across your rows of teeth? Focus on small, precise movements that cover all surfaces of the
tooth rather than large sweeping ones. For the sides of your teeth that your toothbrush can’t
reach, grab your floss!

Taking the best care of your teeth is all in the details. Gentle brushing tends to be more
effective than harsh brushing and can help build a foundation for a healthy smile. Reconsider
how you brush your teeth if you’re seeing these signs of aggressive brushing!

The post Am I Brushing My Teeth Too Hard? What Are the Signs? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

A gingival graft may be done for several reasons, including excessive gum recession. Here’s why your dentist might refer you to a periodontist for a gingival graft to improve your oral health.

Facilitate Healthy Gum Tissue Growth

A gingival graft is used to facilitate healthy gum tissue growth along your gumline where your existing gum tissue may have receded. This procedure is usually done after any applicable treatment for gum disease has been performed, such as a deep cleaning or root planing and scaling.

During the procedure for your gingival graft, your periodontist will take gum tissue from another area in your mouth, such as the roof of your mouth, to cover your exposed tooth roots along the gumline and help you have a healthier, pain-free smile.

Can Help Reduce Sensitivity

A gum graft can be done for one or several teeth to help reduce tooth sensitivity as the result of exposed roots. Once the grafted gum tissue has been reattached and given a chance to heal, your tooth roots will be better protected from the painful sensitivity that typically comes with exposed tooth roots.

If you have severe tooth sensitivity from gum recession, a gum graft might be an essential procedure to help your smile return to normal and prevent pain. Since tooth sensitivity rarely goes away on its own, it’s important to seek treatment before your pain gets worse.

Prevent Further Damage

Your periodontist may suggest a gingival graft in order to stop your gums from receding further if you have receding gums due to periodontal disease. A gum graft may also be used to cover tooth roots in order to prevent them from getting infected or being susceptible to decay.

Patients who receive a gingival graft typically benefit from better gum health and an improved smile after the procedure. Your gum graft will both help your gum tissue heal and prevent further issues. In addition, your gumline will appear more smooth and even, giving you the appearance of a healthier smile!

What Can I Expect?

Before getting a gum graft, your dentist will evaluate your smile and attempt to treat your gum disease without surgery. If your gum disease is caught early, a root planing and scaling (in other words, a deep cleaning) may be all that’s needed to remove the infection and restore your smile back to normal.

However, you may also need to be referred to a periodontist for evaluation for a gingival graft if your gum recession is extensive, painful, and unable to heal on its own. A gingival graft can help your smile feel better and look healthier after recovering from gum disease.

Are you suffering from the pain that comes with tooth sensitivity or seeing a change in your teeth’s appearance? People who suffer from gum recession often begin to see exposed roots or longer-looking teeth. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today to restore your smile!

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Knowing the different parts of a tooth can help us better understand our teeth and hopefully take better care of them! Here are the different parts of a tooth.

Enamel

The outermost layer of your tooth is made up of enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body. The visible part of your tooth that the enamel covers is called the crown of the tooth.

Tooth enamel is your tooth’s first defense against decay and bacteria. Although it can’t regrow once it’s been fully formed, it can re-mineralize, helping it remain strong against cavities that result from tooth decay.

Enamel is translucent, shiny, and protects your teeth from decay and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures!

Cementum

Cementum is a hard tissue covering your tooth roots, or the part of the tooth that rests below the gumline. This material is typically a pale yellowish color.

Although not as sturdy as enamel, it does have a bone-like consistency. When cementum
becomes exposed due to gum recession, it can be extremely sensitive to hot and cold, making tooth sensitivity a symptom of receding gum tissue.

Dentin

Like cementum, dentin isn’t as hard as enamel. Unlike cementum, dentin makes up the majority of your tooth.

Dentin rests underneath your enamel and cementum and maintains a bone-like consistency
much like cementum. Dentin protects the inner chamber of the tooth, which contains the pulp, and can be extremely sensitive to both bacteria and temperatures if the enamel is not there to cover it.

This is why people who have compromised tooth enamel due to decay or teeth grinding tend to have more cavities and sensitive teeth.

Pulp

The pulp is in the heart of the tooth and contains the only soft tissue of the tooth. Everything the tooth needs to live is in the pulp, including its blood supply and nerves.
The pulp resides in two places: the pulp chamber, which is in the crown of the tooth, and the pulp canals, which extend down into the roots of the tooth.

The tooth’s pulp is an extremely sensitive area that is susceptible to infection if it becomes
damaged, which can lead to the death of the tooth. If this happens, you’ll likely need root canal therapy to keep your tooth, or an extraction may be required.

Understanding more about your tooth’s structure can help you better understand how decay works and how important it is to protect your teeth from damage. Eating a healthy nutritious diet and keeping up with your oral care routine can help your teeth do what they do naturally—resist bacteria and tooth decay for a healthy smile!

The post Smile 101: What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

In fact, aggressive tooth brushing can harm your teeth more than help. When you brush your
teeth too hard, you can actually wear away enamel over time, leading to a variety of oral health
problems. Here are a few signs and symptoms you need to be a little gentler on your pearly
whites!

Sensitive Teeth

Tooth sensitivity is no fun. Some people have such extreme sensitivity that only room
temperature foods and drinks are comfortable to consume. Tooth sensitivity can result from
enamel loss, which can happen through harsh or aggressive brushing.
Whether you have sensitive teeth already or you’re just noticing that eating ice cream or
drinking hot tea has become somewhat painful, this could be a symptom that your harsh
brushing is wearing away your tooth enamel.

Unfortunately, once tooth enamel is gone, it can’t be replaced, although sensitive teeth can be
treated with the right oral care habits and help from your dentist.

Enamel Erosion

Aggressive brushing can wear away enamel even over a short period of time. For some people,
their enamel is worn away after years of harsh brushing with a firm-bristled toothbrush. For
others, aggressive brushing immediately after a meal or drinking beverages such as soda or
juice can remove enamel.

Your dentist will be able to see if you’re missing enamel in places on your teeth. Remember
that enamel is the hard, shiny, protective layer over the softer tissues of your teeth. Without
enamel, our teeth are more prone to sensitivity, cavities, and discoloration. Regular visits to
your dentist and healthy eating can help keep tooth decay away even if you’re experiencing
enamel erosion.

Receding Gums

Gum recession is a common sign of gum disease—this happens when the gums slowly begin to
pull back from the teeth. You may see areas where the gum does not reach the tooth and
instead a brownish area remains. Gum recession can eventually expose tooth roots and lead to
painful sensitivity and even tooth loss.

However, gum recession can also happen as the result of aggressive brushing. Your gum tissue
needs to be brushed as well, but gentle brushing maneuvers will do the trick. Brushing harshly
could aggravate existing gum recession and cause gum tissue to recede further, resulting in
increased damage and sensitivity in your mouth.

If you’re experiencing signs of gum recession such as sensitivity or teeth having a longer-looking
appearance, you may be seeing a sign of gum disease and you could be worsening the condition
through harsh brushing.

Are you experiencing any of these signs and symptoms that you’re aggressively brushing your
teeth? See your dentist to determine what’s causing your symptoms and in the meantime,
invest in a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush your teeth. Remember that the quality of
brushing rather than the force is what’s important!

The post Signs and Symptoms You’re Brushing Your Teeth Too Aggressively appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Bleeding Gums Are a Sign of Gum Disease

Gum disease happens in stages. The first stage is gingivitis, where built-up plaque on the teeth will begin to affect your gums and cause redness and irritation. Your gums should be firm and pink, not puffy and red. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontal (gum) disease.

Bleeding gums are most often a sign of gum disease, not aggressive brushing. Although brushing too hard can remove tooth enamel over time, it usually doesn’t cause gum bleeding unless you’re brushing with a frayed toothbrush that needs to be replaced. Don’t mistake your bleeding gums for normal. Any bleeding from your mouth should be evaluated by a professional!

Built-Up Plaque Will Cause Problems

The accumulated plaque around the gumline will cause problems if it’s not removed. After the gum tissue becomes red and swollen, it can actually begin to pull away from the teeth. When this happens, small areas between the gumline and your tooth roots can become infected. This causes you to have the appearance of longer teeth as the gum tissue recedes. Gum recession also causes sensitive teeth and exposed tooth roots, which can cause pain when eating anything too hot or too cold. When tooth plaque builds up, it can lead to tooth infection and eventually tooth loss. Once the roots become attacked by the infection and bacteria, loose teeth occur. If left untreated, your teeth can even fall out.

What You Can Do to Help

If you notice bleeding combined with sensitive teeth, the appearance of longer teeth, or loose teeth, you could be seeing signs of gum disease. Other signs of gum disease include persistent bad breath and sore gums. Seeking help from a professional dentist can let you know for sure if you have gum disease and what you can do. The good news is that gum disease can be treated! Your dentist may suggest a deep cleaning to remove bacteria, plaque, and infection. This process is called root planing and scaling. This will help remove the infection, but your home care is essential to long-term success.

Taking care of your teeth through regular brushing and flossing can help keep gum disease away. Regular dental visits can also ensure your gum disease hasn’t returned and that you’re doing a proper job with brushing and flossing. Ignoring your bleeding gums could lead to dental issues that are much more serious than a little bit of blood on your toothbrush! Schedule a visit with your dentist to ensure your gums are healthy at the first sign of gum disease. Treating it early will increase your chances of success!

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Tooth sensitivity happens as a result of enamel damage, therefore exposing the softer tissues of the tooth. These in turn carry the food’s temperature to the inside of your tooth. How does this happen? Here’s everything you need to know about sensitive teeth and tooth nerve pain.

It’s All about the Dentin

Sensitive teeth occur because the dentin—a softer layer of tissue below your enamel—is exposed. This means your enamel has been worn away in that area, leaving the dentin to be exposed to foods, drinks, and air that enters your mouth.

Dentin is an important element of our teeth. It contains tiny channels that carry the temperature of the tooth to the nerves that lay inside the tooth. These nerves are also known as the tooth’s pulp. Normally the dentin would not be exposed—so it wouldn’t carry the temperature to your tooth pulp. However, once it is exposed, you can’t just turn off the microscopic tubes that carry temperature to your inner tooth. Dentin is the link that connects your tooth sensitivity to temperature to the nerve inside the tooth, which in turn triggers pain.

How Roots Become Exposed

There are a number of ways that your tooth’s dentin and roots become exposed. Often, people who have sensitive teeth experience a combination of factors that lead to their tooth pain. Your tooth’s root is protected by enamel, but can become exposed when enamel gets worn away. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, but unfortunately, the body does not replace it once it’s gone. Enamel erosion can happen from:

 Cavities

 Loose fillings

 Hard brushing

 Abuse of over-the- counter tooth whitening products

 Brushing your teeth too aggressively

 Bruxism (teeth grinding)

 Gum disease

These are just a few of the items that can damage your enamel. You could also have a fractured tooth or gum recession, which can expose dentin and tooth roots.

What Can You Do?

Simply switching to a toothbrush with softer bristles and desensitizing toothpaste can help many people control their tooth sensitivity and avoid further enamel erosion. If you have severe tooth sensitivity, you may need additional treatment to help manage your pain. This includes getting treatment for bruxism if you grind your teeth, or you may have a cavity that needs to get filled, or a fractured tooth that needs repairing. Your treatment will be unique based on what’s causing your tooth sensitivity. Your dentist can help you discover what the problem is and how to treat it.

Don’t live with tooth nerve pain! Although replacing enamel is impossible, your problem may be gum recession or a simple cavity that can be fixed. Seeing your dentist can help address your tooth pain and find out where it’s coming from. Remember to always protect your enamel with gentle brushing, avoiding acidic foods like sugar, and visiting your dentist!

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