An uneven gum line could be the result of genetics, brushing your teeth too hard, and even misaligned teeth. Fortunately, in most cases, an irregular gum line can be corrected. Here’s what you need to know about treatment for your gum line based on the cause of its uneven appearance.

For Gum Disease: Gum Grafting

For some people, an inconsistent gum line is the result of gum disease, which can spread below the gum tissue can cause gums to pull away from the teeth in random places [1].

In some cases of mild to moderate gum disease, conventional therapy such as a deep cleaning, changing home care habits, and potentially antibiotics can help return your gum line back to normal. However, for cases of severe gum disease, you may also need a gum graft to restore the evenness of your gum line.

For Gummy Smile: Gum Contouring

People who have gummy smile can have a gum line that’s either too high or too low. In most cases, the gum line extends too far down on the teeth, which can not only give the teeth a shorter appearance, but can cause the gum line to appear asymmetrical in places.

If you have gummy smile, gum contouring may be able to help. Gum contouring is considered a cosmetic procedure in which the shape of your gum line is changed [2]. Your dentist can remove excess gum tissue or even restore missing gum tissue to improve your appearance.

For Other Issues: Laser Therapy

Even if your teeth are aligned correctly, an uneven gum line can make some teeth appear longer and others shorter. You may have the option of laser therapy, which is another way to contour gum tissue for a more symmetrical look [3].

Laser therapy is considered non-invasive and can help restore the appearance of your gums. Laser therapy could also be used to treat gum disease in certain cases, or can repair gum tissue that has been affected by gum disease.

Do You Have an Uneven Gum Line?

Typically, treatment for an uneven gum line is an outpatient procedure that can help restore your appearance and correct the underlying issue that’s causing your crooked gum line. There is treatment for this condition, so follow up with your dentist today to learn more about what can be done for your uneven gum line!

Sources:
1. https://www.perio.org/consumer/types-gum-disease.html
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4239760/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5968693/

The post Can an Uneven Gum Line Be Corrected? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

How exactly does tobacco harm your oral health? Here we cover some of the biggest and most lasting impacts that using any type of tobacco product can have on your beautiful smile.

Tobacco Causes Oral Cancer

All types of tobacco have been linked to cancer, including oral cancer. Oral cancer includes cancers of mouth, tongue, throat, neck, and even certain parts of the face. Tobacco is the leading cause of cancer and death from cancer, including oral cancer [1].

In fact, people who use tobacco products—cigar smokers in particular—are up to 10 times more likely to die from oral cancer, including esophageal cancer (cancer of the esophagus, or the tube that connects your throat and your stomach) and laryngeal cancer (cancer of the larynx, which forms part of the throat and the vocal cords) [2].

Smoking and Chewing Tobacco Stain Your Smile

It’s no secret that smoking and chewing tobacco have a negative effect on the appearance of your smile [3]. People who use tobacco tend to have a yellowish or brownish hue to their teeth, which can get worse over time, especially with regular use.

These stains can be difficult to remove, even after you’ve stopped using tobacco products. You may have the option of getting a professional teeth whitening, but for some people, these stains won’t come out or will only lighten to a certain degree.

Increased Risk of Gum Disease

Smoking and tobacco use also increases your risk for gum disease [4]. Tobacco products contain nicotine, which is addictive, and nicotine affects the oral cavity by decreasing blood flow to the gum tissue.

Since nicotine inhibits blood flow in the oral cavity, it actually works to mask symptoms of gum disease. Many people who smoke or otherwise use tobacco have gum disease and experience minimal or no symptoms, leading them to think everything is fine while gum disease is discreetly advancing. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the United States and can dramatically impact your smile if left untreated [5]!

Do You Smoke or Use Tobacco?

If you use tobacco products (remember, e-cigarettes still contain nicotine!), it’s time to reconsider your use. There are more options than ever today to help you quit—including nicotine gum, patches, and even medications you can take. Talk to your doctor or dentist today to get started with kicking your tobacco habit to the curb!

Sources:
1. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/cessation-fact-
sheet
2. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=oral-cancer-and-tobacco-85-
P00900
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1079878/
4. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/smoking-and-tobacco
5. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/periodontal-disease

The post How Exactly Does Tobacco Harm Your Smile? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

There are many causes of gummy smile, including teeth that didn’t erupt correctly, hyperactive upper lip muscles, and improper jaw development [1]. The lips, facial muscles, teeth, and gum tissue all play a role in gummy smile, although the underlying cause of all these factors is typically genetic.

The treatment for gummy smile will depend on what’s causing it as determined by your dentist. What are some of the treatment options for this condition?

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment can help remove excess gum tissue and reshape the gumline to improve the appearance of your smile. Laster treatment is comfortable and ideal for patients who may have anxiety about visiting the dentist.

Using laser therapy for gummy smile is a great option for patients who don’t want to undergo traditional surgery to fix their smile [2]. By using a laser, recovery time tends to be much faster and the patient experiences less swelling, bleeding, and discomfort.

Your dentist may suggest laser therapy for your gummy smile if the cause is attributed to too much gum tissue covering the teeth as opposed to an additional cause such as jaw or upper lip positioning.

Surgical Options

For many patients with gummy smile, surgical options can help correct the condition as effectively as possible.

Periodontal surgery for gummy smile—also called a gingivectomy—involves removing excess gum tissue and reshaping the gumline. Your dentist may suggest a crown lengthening procedure which will expose more healthy tooth below the gumline, if this is possible.

If your gummy smile is found to be caused by hyperactive upper lip muscles, reconstructive surgery can help. During this procedure, your dentist will correct the upper lip’s position so that it doesn’t expose as much gum tissue when smiling [3].

If your jaw is found to be the cause of your gummy smile, you’ll likely need an oral surgeon to correct the position of your jaw. While this form of treatment will be the most intensive, it can result in significant improvement and will permanently correct your gummy smile.

Additional Treatments to Consider

Your dentist may suggest other forms of treatment for your gummy smile, including:

• Orthodontics.Braces or Invisalign can correct your bite to make gum tissue less visible.
  Orthodontics provide a simple, temporary, and painless treatment option for gummy
  smile if your bite is found to be the issue.
• Veneers.For people who have naturally short teeth or teeth that are worn down from
  bruxism (teeth grinding), dental veneers can make the teeth appear longer and function
  as a permanent form of treatment for gummy smile.
• Botox.Botox injections can help improve the movement of the upper lip without
  surgery; however, this is a temporary treatment that will need to be repeated every few
  months.

Regardless of what the cause of your gummy smile is, there is treatment. By visiting your dentist, you can get a comprehensive exam to determine what’s causing your gummy smile and what treatments are available to you to permanently transform your teeth and gums!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4239760/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4672859/
3. https://www.jdao-journal.org/articles/odfen/pdf/2015/01/odfen2015181p102.pdf

The post How Can Dentists Treat a “Gummy” Smile? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

These signs and symptoms could include a bad taste in the mouth, bad breath that won’t go away even after brushing or using mouthwash, and inflamed gum tissue. Some people may even notice bleeding when they brush or experience shifting teeth.

But what exactly causes someone to get a gum infection? Here’s how gum infections happen and how they’re treated.

Common Causes of Gum Infection

There are several things that could lead to a gum infection, but one of the most common is periodontal (gum) disease [1].

Periodontal disease is typically the result of poor oral hygiene and genetics. Plaque and bacteria build up on the teeth and can work their way below the gumline. When this happens, the connective tissue that help hold your teeth in place are damaged and can cause pockets of infection [2].

Periodontal disease can progress slowly or rapidly depending on the person and the cause. For many people, they won’t experience symptoms until the condition has advanced.

People who use tobacco are more at risk to experience a gum infection as are people who have a compromised immune system, such as people who are receiving immunotherapy drugs such as chemotherapy.

How a Gum Infection Is Treated

Prompt treatment can help reverse your gum disease and prevent it from progressing to the point that you’re at risk for tooth loss. You should ideally contact your dentist as soon as you suspect an infection might be present.

Your dentist will want to conduct a deep cleaning of your teeth—this is often referred to as a root planing and scaling in dentistry—which will help to remove the infection underneath your gums.

Taking care of your teeth and gums at home is going to be vital to healing your gum infection. You may need to adopt healthier eating habits, quit smoking, and, of course, brush and floss daily. In addition, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help the infection go away or administer an antibiotic treatment at the office.

If your gum disease doesn’t respond to treatment or has progressed past the point that a good cleaning and antibiotics will help, you may need surgery or gum tissue grafts to help heal your smile.

For dentists that use laser technology, you may be able to receive laser therapy in conjunction with the above treatments for a more comprehensive approach to treating the infection [3].

Keep Your Gums Healthy!

Gums are vital to the health of our teeth and need to be kept healthy. Gums keep our teeth secure in our jaw and support proper oral health.

By regularly visiting your dentist in combination with regular oral health habits, you can prevent gum infections from happening in the first place. Schedule an appointment with your local dentist if you suspect a gum infection is compromising your oral health!

Sources:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/periodontal_disease/index.htm
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease
3. https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-laser-therapy

The post Gum Infection: How Do You Get It, and How Is It Treated? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Chronic bad breath may be trying to tell you something about your oral health in addition to
impacting your professional life and your personal relationships.

When you’re at your wit’s end dealing with your bad breath, these simple tips may be able to
help alleviate the issue and get your smile back on track!

Floss

If you aren’t flossing daily, you’re allowing plaque, food particles, and other bacteria to get
stuck between your teeth. Your toothbrush can’t reach in between your teeth to access these
tight spaces, and so the material is left to sit there and accumulate.

Over time, this debris can cause a putrid smell, which may be contributing to your chronic bad
breath. If you haven’t flossed in a while, it’s time to start. Use about 18 inches of floss and use a
new, clean section of the floss for each pair of teeth that you floss between.

Flossing may be uncomfortable or cause bleeding the first time, but your mouth should quickly
become accustomed to the practice and you might just help your bad breath!

See Your Dentist

Chronic bad breath could be a sign of an ongoing infection, such as that which is present with
gum disease. In fact, having bad breath that doesn’t go away is a common sign that gum
disease is present.

If gum disease is caught early, it’s relatively easy to reverse. Your dentist can conduct a deep
cleaning to remove any infection or plaque that’s built up around or underneath the gumline.

Since gum disease is very common—nearly half of all Americans have some form of it—there’s
no need to panic, but you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to address the
problem. If gum disease is found to be the cause of your bad breath, the problem will go away
with treatment!

Brush Your Tongue

A lot of bacteria can accumulate on your tongue, and people don’t always remember to brush
this part of their mouth. However, brushing your tongue is as simple as using your toothbrush
or a tongue scraper to brush away bacteria that’s accumulated there.

If your oral care routine doesn’t include tongue brushing, try adding this practice and see if it
helps your chronic bad breath—it might just help you to have a cleaner, fresher mouth!

Drink More Water

If you’re not drinking enough water throughout the day, dry mouth could be contributing to
your chronic bad breath. Many people don’t realize that a dry mouth can mean a stinky mouth!
Saliva plays an important role in balancing bacteria and protecting our teeth from harmful
acids.

When you don’t drink enough water, there’s not enough saliva present to do its job, so bad
bacteria can quickly cause your breath to turn sour. So not only is not drinking enough water
negatively impacting your smile—it could also be causing bad breath!

Do you experience bad breath on a regular basis? When it seems like nothing is helping and
your bad breath always returns, it’s time to seek help from your dentist. He or she can help
determine if gum disease is causing your chronic bad breath and help you have a healthy smile
again!

The post Simple Tips for Battling Chronic Bad Breath 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.

What exactly causes gum swelling? The following causes may be responsible for the
inflammation in your gum tissue and should always be followed up with an oral healthcare
professional to protect your smile!

Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the most common causes of gum swelling. When gum disease is present,
bacteria from plaque can get beneath your gumline and begin to irritate the gum tissue. When
this happens, the gum tissue will react and can become inflamed. Without treatment, gum
disease can progress to cause infections underneath the gums, which in turn can cause bad
breath, bleeding gum tissue, and even cause tooth loss.

Certain Medications

Many medications can actually cause the gum tissue to become inflamed. These medications
include some seizure medications, immunosuppressant drugs (such as chemotherapy), and
some blood pressure medications. In some people, these medications can actually cause the
gum tissue to grow over your teeth and create an ideal place for bacteria to form. If you’re
concerned that one of your medications is causing gum swelling, don’t hesitate to schedule an
appointment with your dentist or physician.

Lack of Vitamin C

Although less common in developed countries, a lack of vitamin C in your diet can be damaging
to your gum tissue and can lead to gum disease and gum swelling. Vitamin C is an essential
nutrient for your gums and can help facilitate healthy connective tissue and support a strong
immune system to fight off gum infection.

Changing Your Oral Care Products

If you’ve recently started using a new toothpaste, mouthwash, or floss, your gum tissue may be
reacting to an ingredient in these products that you haven’t used before. If you’re experiencing
gum swelling after using a new product, you may consider discontinuing your use of the
product to see if this alleviates the issue. If it doesn’t, be sure to follow up with your dentist!

Flossing After a Long Time

Flossing is hugely beneficial for your smile and shouldn’t be painful or harmful to your teeth or gums. However, if you haven’t flossed in a long time and have recently started again, your gums might not be used to the movement of the floss and may react by swelling. This swelling should be temporary and shouldn’t last more than a couple of days after you’ve begun flossing again, but if it does, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist to see what the problem could be.

Are you experiencing gum swelling but aren’t sure what the problem is? It’s always best to
follow up with your dentist to see what could be causing your gum inflammation and to
effectively treat the problem. Your gums protect and anchor your teeth, so don’t neglect to
take care of them!

The post What Causes Gum Swelling? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Fortunately, many of the risk factors of gum disease are controllable. Through the right oral
care habits, you can reduce your risk of gum disease and keep your smile healthy. However,
some people are more at risk for gum disease than others. Who is at the highest risk for this
oral disease?

Those Who Have Poor Oral Care Habits

People who neglect to take care of their smile are among those who have the highest risk for
gum disease. This is includes not brushing and flossing on a daily basis, which can easily allow
plaque to build up and turn into tartar. Once plaque and tartar build up around the gumline,
they can work to irritate the gum tissue and cause infection.

To supplement home care habits, regular cleanings by your dentist can go a long way towards
preventing gum disease. People who skip the dentist have a greater chance that plaque will
build up, therefore increasing their risk of developing gum disease over time.

Those Who Smoke

Tobacco of any kind is terrible for your gums. This includes chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars,
and yes, even e-cigarettes! Using tobacco remains one of the top risk factors for gum disease,
but it’s also one of the most preventable.

Using tobacco also increases your risk of developing oral cancer among other types of cancer.
Tobacco affects the gums by reducing blood supply to the gum tissue. This is dangerous
because lack of oxygen in the gum tissue can mask symptoms of gum disease, so many smokers
don’t find out they have the disease until it’s progressed significantly.

By quitting smoking, you can take control over your health and reduce your chances of gum
disease for a healthy smile!

Those Who Are Older

Among one of the uncontrollable risk factors for gum disease includes your age. Older adults
have a higher risk of developing gum disease simply because plaque has had more time to
affect their smile without proper care. Fortunately, the better care you take of your smile
through daily brushing and flossing and visiting your dentist at least once a year, you can lower
your risk of gum disease!

The post Who Is at Highest Risk for Gum Disease? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Here are just a few of the diseases people experience and why it’s crucial to detect them early!

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your airway becomes blocked while
sleeping, causing you to gasp for breath and eventually awaken to get oxygen into your body.
Sleep apnea has devastating effects on the body. It can not only lead to a shortened life span,
but it can also cause high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, depression, and many more
problems. In addition, dry mouth is common in people with sleep apnea, which can cause
enamel damage.

For many people, obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with a simple oral sleep appliance
that’s fitted by your dentist. When you catch this disorder early, you help prevent the many
other problems and diseases this disorder can cause, including gum disease!

Gum Disease

During gum disease, your gums become inflamed due to an ongoing infection that the body is
fighting against. This can not only tax your immune system, but cause gum recession, gum
bleeding, and eventually, loose teeth.

While the early stage of gum disease, gingivitis, is reversible, more advanced stages of gum
disease are much harder to treat and may eventually become impossible to completely reverse.
This is why catching this oral disease is so important—the sooner you seek treatment, the more
successful the outcome will be.

Bruxism

Bruxism is the technical term for teeth grinding. Grinding your teeth puts immense pressure on
your pearly whites, which can cause them to fracture, chip, and eventually, wear completely
down.

People who experience bruxism commonly do so while sleeping, but some people experience this disorder during their waking hours as well.

Fortunately, bruxism is easily treated with a nightly mouth guard as well as stress-reducing
techniques that can help you become conscious of your teeth grinding and work to stop it
before it runs your smile.

Since bruxism can cause gum inflammation, enamel damage, sensitive teeth, and even tooth
loss, it’s imperative to seek treatment from your dentist if you think you grind your teeth.
Symptoms include jaw pain, aching facial muscles, tooth sensitivity, and worn-down teeth.

Oral Cancer

Over 50,000 people this year will get oral cancer. These cancers include cancers of the mouth,
throat, and tongue. Although smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for oral cancer, the truth
is that anyone can get this disease.

Oral cancer screenings should happen yearly. During these screenings, your dentist will check
for any abnormal signs in and around your mouth, including white or red lesions, sores that
won’t heal, or lumps on your face or neck. These screenings are simple, painless, and can help
you catch oral cancer early.

If your dentist spots the cancer early, an 83% survival rate is estimated. Compare this to the
38% survival rate for oral cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Catching this
disease early could mean the difference between life and death!

When was the last time you visited your dentist? Your dentist can help you spot and treat oral
diseases early before they have a chance to impact your health. When it comes to diseases like
oral cancer and gum disease, timing is of the essence, so don’t wait to seek help!

The post Why It’s Crucial to Detect Dental Diseases Early appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

So what’s the truth about what happens to our teeth as we age—do they get weaker and more brittle, or can we expect them to stay the same? The truth is something of a mix of the two, so read on to find out what you can expect for your pearly whites in the years ahead.

Your Teeth Can and Should Remain Strong

Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime. Although teeth can be damaged and weakened by many factors including diet, physical health, teeth grinding, tooth decay, and gum disease, your teeth themselves should not get weaker or brittle as you age unless you have an underlying health problem.

Some research suggests that dentin—the softer part of your tooth just under the enamel—grows weaker with age in some people. The protective layer over your dentin, the enamel, should remain strong throughout your life provided that you’re healthy and taking the proper care of your teeth.

Our Habits Can Damage Our Teeth

Our teeth can grow weaker and more brittle as we age if we engage in harmful habits that can damage them. These habits include:

 Having a poor diet. Not getting the right kinds of nutrients—including calcium and
vitamin D—can weaken your smile, especially in postmenopausal women.

 Grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding can severely weaken teeth, irritate the gum tissue,
and even lead to tooth loss.

 Not visiting the dentist. Plaque and tartar can accumulate to make your smile weaker as you age, especially if you’ve been skipping the dentist for years.

 Using teeth as tools. Your teeth are meant to chew food, not to open packages, crack
nuts, or chew on ice. All these practices can fracture and weaken teeth.

You have the resources to help your teeth remain strong and healthy for life, so take advantage of them!

Physical Health Is Connected to Dental Health

A growing body of research is pointing to the link between bodily health and oral health. For instance, tooth decay and gum disease have been linked to heart disease. Mothers who have gum disease are more likely to give birth to children who are underweight. The oral cavity is proving to be a compass for how healthy the body is, proving to people everywhere that a healthy mouth may just help you have a healthy body.

If you have a physical disease that includes a compromised immune system, this can increase your risk for oral health problems such as gum disease. If you have a mineral deficiency in which your body cannot properly absorb nutrients, this is likely impacting your oral health. You can talk with your dentist or doctor about how your physical health could be impacting your smile.

Taking care of our teeth is so important. Your teeth have the potential to be healthy and strong for your entire life, but you have to take good care of them. Make an appointment with your dentist today to discover just how beautiful and healthy your smile can be—for life!

The post Do Teeth Get Weaker and More Brittle with Age? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.