It’s generally easier to treat and reverse gum disease at this early stage rather than when it advances. Can gingivitis really be reversed? Here’s what you need to know.

Yes, With the Right Treatment

Good news—gingivitis can usually be reversed with the right treatment [1]. Your treatment will usually include a professional teeth cleaning, which helps remove plaque and its hardened form, tartar, from your smile in an effort to eliminate the irritants that are contributing to gum disease.

Your dentist will also advise you on the best home care habits to keep gingivitis away. Of course, these will include brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once every day. Your dentist may also recommend a follow-up cleaning sooner than normal to ensure the gingivitis isn’t starting to return.

People with gingivitis that’s a bit more advanced may need a deeper cleaning, called a root planing and scaling. This process is generally not uncomfortable but will include a thorough cleaning to remove any existing infection and smooth your gums to prevent bacteria from getting back underneath the gumline.

What Causes Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is caused by plaque, which is an accumulation of food debris and bacteria that sticks to your teeth [2]. When not removed regularly, plaque begins to bother the gumline and can lead to an infection, bad breath, and eventually, gum disease.

Some people are also genetically predisposed to develop gingivitis; for example, if their parents have a history of the disease. Others may notice signs of gingivitis during pregnancy, when hormones in the body can lead to inflamed gum tissue.

Signs You Could Have the Beginning Stages of Gum Disease

For some people, gingivitis won’t cause symptoms until it’s progressed. However, you may notice symptoms such as [3]:

 Red gums
 Swollen or puffy gum tissue
 Gums that bleed when brushing
 Tender gums
 Chronic bad breath

Gingivitis is usually preventable with the proper brushing and flossing habits in addition to checkups with your dentist. However, if you notice one or more of these signs of gum disease, it’s essential to follow up with your oral healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Are you seeing signs of gingivitis? Don’t ignore it thinking it’ll go away on its own. It’s impossible to reverse the condition without professional treatment. Your dentist will ensure that your treatment is comfortable and thorough so that gingivitis doesn’t return!

Sources:
1. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-09/periodontal-disease_0.pdf
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-causes/syc-
20354473
3. https://www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/patient-care-periodontal

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If left untreated, cracked teeth can lead to decay or an infection that can compromise the health of your entire tooth. If your dentist finds that your tooth has indeed been cracked, what are your best options to repair it and get your smile back to normal?

Dental Bonding

For cracks that are minor, dental bonding can help restore teeth. Dental bonding involves using a tooth-colored composite resin—the same material used for many modern fillings—to fill in small cracks and protect teeth from further damage.

Dental bonding is a simple and minimally-invasive treatment option; however, your dentist may not recommend dental bonding if the crack in your tooth is more severe.

Fillings

In some cases, cracked teeth can also be repaired with fillings, similarly to cavities. Cusps, or points, on the teeth—of which canine teeth only have one while molars will have several—can be fractured or completely broken off. In cases such as these, dental fillings can be ideal for repairing fractured cusps and restoring your tooth [1].

Root Canal Therapy

If you have a tooth that’s been deeply cracked—such as a tooth with a crack that extends below the gumline—your dentist may recommend root canal therapy. Teeth with cracks such as these—commonly the lower molars—can benefit from root canal therapy [2]. A cracked tooth may be at risk for infection or already be infected, in which case, root canal therapy will offer you your best chance to save your tooth and avoid an extraction.

Dental Crowns

For patients that have a severely fractured tooth cusp or for those that have received root canal therapy, your dentist may utilize a dental crown to protect your tooth’s structure. Dental crowns have been shown to reduce symptoms of cracked teeth and help protect them from future cracks and other damage [3].

Dental crowns are either made from porcelain ceramic or acrylic resin and will act as a type of cap that covers your natural tooth and provides additional protection. Dental crowns are durable and match your natural teeth, making them useful for a variety of cracked tooth cases.

Do You Have a Cracked Tooth?

Symptoms of a cracked tooth could include pain, tooth sensitivity, or swelling around the affected area. If you suspect your tooth has sustained an injury, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your local dentist to evaluate your smile and get a potential repair!

Sources:
1. https://www.aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/cracked-teeth/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26944835
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1918671

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Veneers are a popular form of treatment that can cover crooked teeth, stained teeth, or
chipped teeth for a comprehensive smile makeover.

With so many benefits, it helps to know how durable this form of cosmetic dentistry is and how
long you can expect it to last when considering dental veneers!

Dental Veneers Are Extremely Durable

Dental veneers are made of porcelain ceramic. Although they’re light and thin, they can resist
wear and tear just like your natural tooth enamel. They’re resistant to staining, cracks, and
chips to help you have a functional, durable smile.

Your dental veneers won’t affect how you use your natural teeth. Since the veneer essentially
covers your real teeth, they are considered a cosmetic treatment and will not affect the
function of your teeth. Veneers can help make your smile more resistant to damage and
staining, however.

Veneers Can Last Over a Decade

With proper care, you can expect dental veneers to last about 10 years. However, you may be
able to keep your veneers for 15-20 years or even longer without replacement.

Many patients will at least need to get their veneers re-evaluated during this time. Although
dental veneers are resistant to discoloration, they can still stain over time and they can still
sustain damage, especially if you’re not caring for your smile through daily brushing, flossing,
and regular dentist visits.

When you take care of your dental veneers, you might just see your investment last for more
than a decade and possibility two!

Extending the Life of Your Veneers

Just because dental veneers are durable and can last for years and years doesn’t mean you can
abuse or neglect your teeth. You’ll still need to brush and floss your teeth just like normal. If you play sports, you should still invest in a custom mouthguard to protect your smile.

You should also avoid teeth grinding, chewing on ice, and other damaging practices for teeth
just as you would with your natural pearly whites.

The durability and longevity of your dental veneers will depend on how well you care for your
teeth and proper application of the veneers, so finding an experienced dentist is important [1].
Visiting your dentist for checkups and professional cleanings can also help you extend the life of
your veneers by keeping your smile strong and healthy and evaluating your veneers for
damage.

Dental veneers may be the right choice for your smile if you have numerous issues with your
teeth but don’t want to invest in separate cosmetic treatments. You can schedule a
consultation with your dentist to learn if dental veneers are the best treatment option to get
you the smile you’ve always wanted!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652364/

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If your child is grinding his or her teeth, what can you do? When you suspect your child may
have bruxism, it’s time to seek help from your dentist to prevent and treat this disorder. The
following are our top tips to stop bruxism for good in your child!

Manage Stress

Stress is one of the top causes of teeth grinding. If your child is experiencing stress at home or
at school, he or she may be grinding their teeth as a result.

Helping to manage your child’s stress can help you prevent bruxism. If your child is
overscheduled or is facing stress due to tension at school or home, it’s important to address
this issue in addition to seeking help for your child’s teeth grinding.

Prevent Anxiety and Hyperactivity

Hyperactive children are more likely to grind their teeth. If your child is hyperactive or has been
diagnosed with attention deficient disorder or attention deficient hyperactive disorder, teeth
grinding may be more likely.

Children who suffer from anxiety may also be more prone to teeth grinding. Helping to prevent
and manage anxiety and hyperactivity may help stop your child’s teeth grinding!

An Improper Bite

Children who have a misaligned bite may be more prone to grinding their teeth. For some
children, a misaligned bite can be painful, and teeth grinding can happen in response to pain.

Getting your child evaluated for braces by an orthodontist no later than the age of seven can
help you know if your child is suffering from an improper bite and what can be done about it.

Treat the Underlying Problem

Treating the underlying cause of your child’s bruxism is essential. Without knowing what’s
causing the problem, it can be difficult to implement a long-term solution. Your child’s dentist
or pediatrician can help you uncover the root cause of your child’s teeth grinding.

Whether it’s stress, anxiety, hyperactivity, or an improper bite, you can figure out what’s going
on with your child. You may need to address the issue from a holistic standpoint with your
child’s pediatrician and his or her dentist if not a psychiatrist.

Consider a Nightly Mouthguard

After working to determine what’s causing your child’s bruxism, you may need to consider a
nightly mouthguard while working to address the root cause.

Bruxism can quickly work to damage teeth and irritate gums, so protecting the teeth is crucial,
even if your child is receiving treatment for the cause of their bruxism.
Your dentist can create a custom mouthguard for your child so that his or her teeth will be
protected while you’re seeking treatment.

Are you worried that your child is grinding his or her teeth? Don’t ignore bruxism—it’s
incredibly harmful and may permanently damage your child’s smile. There is help and hope for
bruxism, so schedule an appointment with your dentist today to discuss treatment options!

The post How to Prevent and Treat Your Child’s Teeth Grinding appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

A chipped tooth has the potential to cause your baby discomfort, so what can you do if this
happens? Here’s how you can treat your baby’s chipped tooth until you can get to your child-
friendly dentist.

Contact Your Dentist

If you’re able, contact your child’s dentist after you notice your baby’s tooth has been chipped.
Your dentist can provide you with more specific instructions about what to do, and may even
be able to squeeze you in for an appointment.

Your dentist may want to know if the tooth is bleeding, if the tooth fragment has been found,
or if your child appears to be in pain. It’s a good idea to keep contact information for your
child’s dentist and pediatrician on hand for events such as these.

Rinse and Store

If you’re able to find the fragment of your child’s tooth, you can rinse it gently with water and store in saliva, milk, or water until you can bring it to the dentist. In the meantime, you can gently rinse your baby’s mouth with warm water—this is especially important to do if you cannot locate the tooth fragment and there’s a chance it may still be in your child’s mouth.

Your dentist can provide you with further instructions about storing the tooth fragment until
you can get in for an appointment. In some cases, as long as the tooth fragment is kept moist,
your dentist may still be able to reattach it to your child’s tooth.

Utilize a Cold Compress

If your baby appears to be in pain, you can utilize a cold compress to reduce any discomfort or
swelling. Never give a baby any over-the-counter pain medication or numbing gel without first
consulting with your dentist or pediatrician.

Quick action after the accident can help prevent infection and discomfort, so never ignore your baby’s chipped tooth and always follow your dentist’s instructions for handling the problem to keep your baby safe and healthy.

Just because your baby’s primary tooth isn’t permanent doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek
treatment for your child. A tooth chip can not only be painful, but can also allow bacteria to
enter the tooth root, which can cause an infection and even early tooth loss, which can disrupt
the alignment of the adult teeth that will come in in a few years.

By securing the tooth fragment if you’re able, rinsing your baby’s mouth, and keeping your baby comfortable, you can ensure your child is ready for their dentist appointment to repair the chipped tooth!

The post How Do I Treat My Baby’s Chipped Tooth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

What Is Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Full mouth reconstruction is an extensive procedure to restore the oral health of a patient. Treatment may be performed in a number of ways. Here are a few treatment options:

Dental Implants – To replace missing teeth, dental implants may be used. This involves implanting a titanium post to hold a custom made crown.

Bridges – In some cases, a bridge may be used when there is just a small gap due to a missing tooth. The bridge is held by crowns that are placed on the two surrounding teeth.

Bone Grafts – Sometimes, teeth are lost due to a decrease in bone density. This makes it difficult to get a dental implant to graft properly. A bone graft may need to be performed before any other dental work can take place.

Dentures – If all of a person’s teeth need to be replaced, dentures are a less expensive option than implants (and are more likely to be covered by insurance).

Crowns – Crowns are placed over damaged teeth to keep them from deteriorating further. This allows a patient to keep their original tooth. However, the coloration and shape of the cap will not only protect the tooth but allow it to match the rest of the mouth.

Fillings – Fillings keep cavities from causing further problems. Cavities can often be filled with a composite substance that matches the tooth color.

Who Is it For?

It is easier to understand situations that make full mouth reconstruction necessary now that we have discussed the processes involved. Some of these circumstances are:

– Individuals who are missing teeth.

– Victims of an accident that has caused oral damaged

– Victims of a disease that has caused oral damage

– People who have multiple cavities, cracked teeth, or other oral care problems

– Individuals suffering from bone loss contributing to lost teeth

– People who have experienced significant damage due to gum disease

– Anyone who is not happy with their smile and wants to improve it with modern dentistry

The fact is that full mouth reconstruction can help anyone from the elderly who are experiencing problems to those who are looking to make their smile more aesthetically pleasing. Whether the damage was caused by an accident and needs to be performed in an emergency or is the result of years of wear and damage, the final product can be a smile that you are happy to show off and a mouth that allows you to talk and chew normally.

The post Who Would Benefit from Full Mouth Reconstruction? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

To Prevent Common Problems

Tooth decay is actually fairly common among young children, and the sugary snacks that are marketed to them aren’t any help. Your child’s dentist can tell if there are any signs of tooth decay and recommend healthy practices to you and your child. While brushing and flossing are important and should be routine for your child, eating sugary snacks frequently is unfortunately something that happens without much thought. These simple sugars create an ideal environment for bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and plaque buildup. Keep healthy and filling snacks around such as celery, apples, and carrots for your child, whether at sports practice or at home. Your dentist can ensure there’s no tooth decay during the back-to-school visit, and if so, get started on treating it to prevent further damage.

Proper Cleaning

The dentist can give your child a proper cleaning after a summer of indulging in sugary treats! This is important to not only get all those tiny spaces cleaned of plaque buildup, but also to get your child ready for the school routine. Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day should be an integral part of your child’s routine with getting ready for school. Your dentist can also determine problems during the cleaning—certain areas where there may be more plaque buildup than others, or maybe your child needs to pay attention to a certain area of his or her mouth when brushing. This proper cleaning and exam by your dentist will help your child start the school year off right with a healthy smile!

Get an Exam

Your dentist is trained to look at the development of your child’s mouth to ensure all is well. Your child’s jaw will develop until they are in their latter teenage years, so proper jaw development is important. Your dentist can also determine if your child has a proper bite. An improper bite can cause improper chewing, teeth grinding, and could even lead to sensitive or painful teeth due to exposure of roots over time from these symptoms. An improper bite can be corrected through braces or perhaps a nightly mouthguard is needed if your child grinds his or her teeth. It’s also sports season, which means your dentist can help get your child a custom mouthguard to fully protect their mouth during their favorite sport!

A back-to-school dental check-up is important when it comes to your child’s oral health. With a proper exam and cleaning, your dentist can determine if your child has any problems that could affect his or her attention and participation in school. Ensure your child is on their way to optimal oral health by visiting your dentist for back-to-school!

The post Why Do Kids Need a ‘Back-to-School’ Dental Visit? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Ask Questions!

First, you can ask your neighbors or any local friends and family what their experiences with the local dentists have been. They may be able to offer helpful experiences and point you in a direction. Next, after you’ve lined up some dentists to call, you’ll need to ask questions. These questions should revolve around the care the dentist provides. Do they fit in with your dental health plan? Is there a policy regarding missed appointments? How are emergencies handled outside of office hours? You’ll want a dentist who will gladly answer all your questions, and will hopefully have a colleague to refer you to in case he or she is unavailable in an emergency.

Special Needs

Does your family have any special needs regarding dentistry? Perhaps you have small children or special needs children who take a little more coaxing to let someone look in their mouth. Consider what your family needs when contacting a dentist to inquire about care, and inquire about the dentist’s experience. If you have unique financial needs, inquire about the expenses and if information is provided about payments and fees before the treatment begins. Consider the dentist’s ideas and approach on preventive dentistry rather than just treatment as well.

Take Note of the Office

When you pick a dentist and schedule that first trip, there are several things you should be on the lookout for in the office. The office should be clean and well organized—this includes paperwork (your personal information) as well as tools. The staff should be friendly and helpful; they should be ready to answer any questions you may have. Take note of the wait time and how informative the staff is during your wait. Is the dentist kind, friendly, and patient, or rushed and short with you? You want a dentist who will take time to address all your concerns and give you proper oral care while still maintaining proper cleanliness.

The Dentist

Besides the location of the office, you and your children’s needs, and your financial situation, the most important factor of your dental care will most likely be your dentist. Being able to be open with the dentist about your concerns and being able to understand the dentist when he or she explains treatment options or preventive measures to you is essential. Finding a dentist that you and your family can connect with is important, but your dentist should be experienced and knowledgeable as well.

Your dentist will be an important figure in your life and your family’s life. Choosing wisely is important, as is asking the right questions and considering all your needs. Finding the perfect family dentist involves finding a knowledgeable, experienced dentist with a clean and professional practice that will provide your family with great dental care for years to come.

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Bad breath caused by foods like garlic or beverages like coffee is temporary, but chronic bad breath is a problem that needs treatment and not just a cover-up. Halitosis, the proper term for bad breath, is caused by bacteria on the teeth and gums. Chronic bad breath could be a sign of gum disease.

Most mouthwashes contain ingredients that fight bacteria. When choosing a mouthwash, look carefully at the claims on the label, and then look for the ADA seal. The ADA (American Dental Association) seal means that the ADA has agreed that the mouthwash does what it claims to do. Mouthwash labels may use phrases like tartar control or plaque fighting. Without the ADA seal, these claims may not be valid.

Mouthwash may also contain fluoride. You should be using fluoride toothpaste twice a day to brush your teeth, but a fluoride mouthwash may also be recommended. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps to prevent cavities and tooth decay.

Breath mints and mint chewing gums are not actually harmful as long as they contain no sugar. Chewing gum can actually help your teeth by promoting saliva production, which helps to wash away acids from foods. Chewing sugarless gum after meals is actually a good habit, but if you are using gum or mints constantly to fight bad breath, you should see the dentist.

Gum disease and tooth decay will cause bad breath that keeps coming back no matter how much mouthwash you use. Getting these problems treated will eliminate chronic bad breath, save your teeth and prevent toothache, bleeding gums and other oral health problems. You can keep normal, food-related bad breath in check and fight bacteria by using ADA approved mouthwash as part of your daily oral hygiene routine.

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Additionally, crooked teeth also have a tendency to shift even more out of alignment as time progresses. One tooth out of place may cause the others to shift as well. Even people who wore braces as children or teens sometimes find that their teeth are shifting.  A beautiful, healthy smile is worth the effort of wearing braces which can be less visible now.

Cosmetically, braces today are generally much smaller and less visible than previously. When full braces are needed, options such as lingual braces placed on the back of the teeth, clear or ceramic braces may be less noticeable than the metal types of appliances. The typical time for an adult to wear braces used to be 2 and one-half years.

Now, with current technologies, the treatment time may be 12 to 18 months. Clear aligner trays such as Invisalign may be an option for some types of bite correction. The trays are worn for a specified period of time and replaced in sequence to align the teeth. Not all types of bite problems can be corrected with clear aligners, thus it’s best to have an orthodontist evaluate your bite to determine if you are a good candidate.

There is nothing like having a straight, beautiful, healthy smile for boosting your self- confidence and making you feel good about yourself. If your smile needs a makeover, contact Lansdowne Orthodontics today to see which options are right for you. At Lansdowne Orthodontics, we provide each patient with multiple options to achieve an ideal result in optimal treatment time. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional care. Our reputation depends on our good work and your good word.

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