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.

Whether or not your child is accustomed to the dentist, it can be difficult getting kids to feel good about seeing an oral healthcare professional. However, seeing a dentist in their early years is an instrumental part of helping your kids set up healthy habits for life when it comes to taking care of their teeth and gums. Not to mention those regular visits are going to help prevent cavities and gum disease.

When you want your child to love the dentist, here are five tips to help you get started!

Start Early

Children should ideally have their first dentist visit between the age of six months and one year, or whenever their first tooth comes in [1]. The earlier you get your child used to the dentist, the better!

You can and should start with their oral care shortly after birth—wiping their gums with a clean cloth after feedings before they have teeth, and brushing and flossing once the teeth come in, to get them used to oral care.

Go to the Dentist Yourself

Practice what you preach when it comes to the dentist! By going to the dentist yourself and placing an emphasis on your oral care, you can show kids how to take care of their teeth by being an example.

However, remember that it’s generally not a good idea to take your child to your own dentist, as the environment and treatment can make them feel intimidated. A child-friendly dentist will seem much less scary!

Offer Incentives

If your kids really dread going to the dentist, you can offer incentives in exchange for them going and doing their best to maintain a positive attitude while receiving treatment. You can offer healthy treats or have them pick a prize after each dental appointment.

Many pediatric dentists will already offer prizes and incentives for receiving oral care, so you might not have to further incentivize your kids!

Try Attending a Dental Presentation

You can get your children excited about going to the dentist by attending a dental presentation [2]. Call your local pediatric dentist and ask about a day where kids can come in and tour the office, sit in the exam chair, see Mr. Thirsty, and play with stuffed animals that have teeth they can brush.

Even if your dentist doesn’t offer a child-friendly dental presentation, you can certainly suggest they consider doing one or call around to see if another dentist has such an event you and your kids can attend.

This will not only get them more familiar with the dentist, but learn that it’s a fun place and not as scary or boring as they might think.

Have Fun at Home

You can encourage oral care habits at home and motivate kids to get excited about the dentist. Try purchasing stuffed animals where you can brush and floss their teeth and pretend to fill in cavities. Take kids to the store to pick out a fun toothbrush and toothpaste.

Make oral care fun at your house and extend this routine to the dentist—it just might get your kids excited about going for their regular checkups and cleanings!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/first-dental-visit
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/resources/lesson-plans/presentation-resources

The post 5 Tips for Getting Your Child to Love the Dentist appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Tooth reshaping may be the right choice for people who want to subtly alter the appearance of their teeth but don’t need dramatic cosmetic work done. Here’s how dental contouring may be able to help you and what you can expect during your appointment.

Issues Dental Contouring Can Fix

Dental contouring is considered to be a cosmetic procedure, meaning it won’t be able to fix any major issues with your teeth. However, dental contouring can fix several cosmetic issues with your smile, including:

 Pointy or irregularly shaped teeth
 Visible chips in the teeth
 Teeth that overlap
 Uneven length of neighboring teeth

Tooth reshaping procedures are most often done on the upper front teeth such as your central incisors, lateral incisors, and sometimes the canines, as these teeth are seen the most when you smile.

How Dental Contouring Is Done

During your consultation for dental contouring, your dentist will want to take x-rays to evaluate your oral health to determine if tooth reshaping is the right procedure for you.

Tooth reshaping is used to fix smaller imperfections in the smile, so if you’re looking for more extensive work or dramatic results, this procedure might not be your best choice.

If you and your dentist decide to move forward with the procedure, you’ll discuss what teeth you want reshaped and why. During your actual appointment for dental contouring, your dentist will use tools to remove a small amount of tooth enamel to subtly change the shape, length, or appearance of one or more of your teeth.

The amount of enamel removed during this procedure is tiny, but even this miniscule amount can make a difference in the appearance of your teeth. Your dentist may also combine the procedure with tooth bonding, which uses a tooth-colored composite resin to correct imperfections.

Finally, your dentist will polish the teeth so that everything looks uniform and normal for your new and improved smile!

Benefits of Tooth Reshaping

One of the best benefits of tooth reshaping is that the procedure is relatively quick and provides instantaneous results. You’ll be able to go home that same day and enjoy your new smile!

Another benefit of tooth reshaping is that it’s a painless procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia. As there aren’t any sensory nerves in your tooth enamel, you won’t feel any pain with the tiny amount of enamel that your dentist removes.

Dental contouring is considered to be a safe procedure that can solve numerous cosmetic issues with your smile that’s cost effective compared to other treatments!

Dental contouring provides an effective, fast solution for people who want minor things changed about their smile. You and your dentist can discuss if this procedure would be the best solution to make changes in your teeth to create a flawless smile. Contact your oral healthcare professional today to ask about dental contouring!

The post What Is Dental Contouring and How Does It Work? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Having a brighter smile can give you confidence in your personal life, in your professional life,
and even encourage you to have a healthier smile. Here’s how a whiter smile can actually
change your relationships.

People Notice Your Smile First

When asked what they notice first about a person, people will usually say it’s their smile.
People are naturally drawn to teeth that appear whiter and more even in color. You can make
the best first impression with a professional teeth whitening—no one will forget you with such
a dazzling smile.

A white smile can also make you appear younger, healthier, and more attractive. People
associate yellow or stained teeth with age. With a brighter smile, you can look years younger
and wow your friends, family, or a potential date with your pearly whites!

Boost Your Confidence at Work

Work can be stressful, especially when you’re in a position where you need to constantly show
your worth to clients, colleagues, and management. When you need to make the right
impression every day, having a bright smile can help eliminate your worries about appearing
unprofessional or unkempt in appearance.

With a professional teeth whitening, you can allow yourself to have unwavering focus on your
job knowing that your smile is wowing your audience. Stay focused on your presentation, your
meeting, or a promotion with a beautiful white smile to match your already great appearance!

Have More Reasons to Smile

With white teeth, you have even more reasons to smile. Smiling not only boosts endorphins
and therefore your mood, but it also makes you appear more attractive and draws people to
you. People are also more likely to smile back at you with a white smile. Radiating this type of
positive energy can help you attract the right kind of people in your life!

You’ll also be more motivated to take care of your smile with a professional whitening. Since
tooth enamel is porous, your enamel will be subject to future staining. This makes keeping up
with regular dental cleanings and your brushing and flossing routine even more important, as
it’ll help prolong your professional teeth whitening.

If you’ve been considering a professional teeth whitening, there’s no better time than now to
set up a consultation with your dentist. Although regular brushing can remove surface stains,
deeper stains that have accumulated over time usually need to be removed professionally. Your
dentist can help you to have your best smile with a whitening treatment!

The post How a Bright Smile Can Change Your Relationships appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

So what exactly does your nightly snoring mean? Here’s why you might not want to ignore
snoring, especially if this habit is disrupting your life.

Sleep Apnea

Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. Although there are three
different types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. Obstructive
sleep apnea happens when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked when sleeping,
which can lead to snoring.

When OSA is present, a person will actually stop breathing during the night and the body will
wake itself up to begin breathing regularly again. This stopping and starting of breathing can be
very jarring for the body and has the potential to lead to a variety of unpleasant health
symptoms.

Conditions Linked to Sleep Apnea

When the body pauses breathing so many times during sleep, oxygen levels in the blood drop.
Since sleep apnea causes the body undue stress due to cessation of breathing, several different
chronic health conditions have been associated with sleep apnea. These include:

 Heart disease
 Headaches
 High blood pressure
 Stroke
 Obesity
 Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety
 Diabetes

Since many sufferers of sleep apnea also feel very fatigued during the day, there is an increased
chance for accidents such as car accidents during waking hours.

While not everyone who snores will have sleep apnea—and not everyone who has sleep apnea
will snore—it’s imperative to attain a proper diagnosis for your symptoms before jumping to
conclusions or receiving any type of treatment.

What Else Could Snoring Mean?

Snoring doesn’t always mean sleep apnea is present. Snoring can be caused by uniquely formed
nasal passages, such as people who have a deviated septum, who may be more prone to
snoring.

People who frequently have sinus infections may also be more likely to snore. Having muscles
in the throat that relax too much—which can be caused by medications such as narcotics as
well as alcohol consumption—can also cause the airway to collapse during sleep.

Being overweight is also a risk factor for snoring, as excess tissue around the neck and throat
can depress the airway while sleeping.

In order to discover the true cause of your snoring, the first step is often the dentist. Dentists
often come into contact with sleep apnea and while they can talk with you about your
symptoms, you’ll be referred to a sleep specialist for an official diagnosis.

Your dentist can, however, assist you with treating sleep apnea with oral appliances, which help
to keep the airway open during sleep, stop your cessation of breathing, and over time, decrease
your symptoms. Are you worried that you suffer from sleep apnea as a result of snoring? Don’t
wait to get your symptoms evaluated—you can start feeling better with the right treatment!

The post Your Nightly Snoring Could Mean More Than You Think appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

However, no procedure is without its risks, and wisdom tooth removal is no exception. While
the majority of procedures go according to plan, you should be aware of the potential
complications of wisdom tooth removal before your procedure.

Dry Socket

Dry socket is one of the more common complications of wisdom tooth removal and happens
when the blood clot that forms over your surgical site is either dislodged or never properly
formed in the first place. Dry socket only causes pain, but delays healing as well.

Most people develop dry socket approximately three days following the procedure. Patients
most at risk to experience this complication include smokers, patients over 25 years of age, or
people who fail to follow their dentist’s instructions for healing.

How do you know if you have dry socket? You may have pain that ranges from moderate to
severe with a bad taste in your mouth. Dry socket will need to be treated by your dentist so
don’t hesitate to make an appointment if you’re experiencing symptoms of this complication.

Infection

There is a chance you may develop an infection in one of the areas where your wisdom teeth were removed. Less than 5% of cases experience infection following the procedure, making this a rarer complication of wisdom tooth removal.

If your swelling hasn’t gone down in approximately three days after the procedure, you may
have an infection. Other symptoms include a foul taste in your mouth, worsening pain, or a
fever. You’ll need to be treated by your dentist for an infection; an antibiotic will usually suffice if the infection is caught early enough.

Significant Bleeding

Of course, bleeding during and after the procedure is normal and can usually be stopped with
gauze. However, some patients experience excessive bleeding either during their wisdom tooth
removal or after.

If you experience significant bleeding during the procedure, your dentist will be present to
handle the problem. If you experience persistent bleeding following the procedure, you can use
gauze and apply firm but even pressure on the area for 30 minutes, and be sure to keep your
head elevated.

Should you have any concerns about your amount of bleeding, don’t hesitate to reach out to
your dentist. Oral bleeding has a tendency to look worse than it actually is, as blood mixes with
saliva, but you should always call your dentist with any concerns.

Nerve Damage (Paresthesia)

The wisdom teeth are located close to a major nerve that runs through the jaw. During the
majority of procedures, this nerve is unaffected. However, in some cases, a difficult extraction
can cause the nerve to be damaged.

You may experience temporary or permanent numbness in the soft tissues of your mouth as a
result of this damage, although in most cases, the numbness will subside and your nerve
function will return to normal.

It’s important to remember that while wisdom tooth removal isn’t without its risks, the
procedure is considered safe and most people return home to heal without issue. Should you
have more questions or concerns about potential complications of your wisdom tooth removal,
always ask your dentist!

The post What Are the Potential Complications of Wisdom Tooth Removal? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Tooth wear can happen quickly or over a long period of time. Unfortunately, most people don’t
notice the wear until they are experiencing quite a bit of pain. Once the tooth enamel is worn
away, the softer tissue underneath—called dentin—begins to wear away as well.

How can you treat teeth that have been worn down, sometimes severely? Here are your
treatment options for restoring this type of damage on your smile!

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding involves using a material that matches the color of your teeth to build the
damaged part of the tooth back up. This material is called composite resin and is used for a
variety of treatments in dentistry, even fillings!

Dental bonding with composite resin can improve your appearance and prevent further
damage to your smile. However, it may not be the best treatment choice if the damage to your
worn down teeth is severe.

This form of treatment can help the teeth appear longer and decrease the chances of future
damage. Dental bonding will need to be reapplied every so often in order for it to continue to
protect and enhance your smile, so regular dental visits are important when you choose this
form of treatment.

Dental bonding can usually be done in just one appointment, helping your teeth look better in
just one day!

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be used for severe cases of worn down teeth. This type of treatment
involves a tooth restoration that’s very durable—typically made out of porcelain—that’s
permanently placed over your tooth to protect the damaged tissue underneath.

If your teeth are severely worn down, a crown lengthening procedure may be needed before
dental crowns can be an option. Crown lengthening involves reshaping your gums to expose
more of your tooth to create a more natural-looking smile.

Dental crowns help to protect your teeth in addition to restoring function and improving
appearance. You and your dentist can discuss if dental crowns are an option for your worn
down teeth.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers consist of a lightweight shell that’s placed over your damaged teeth and
permanently bonded there. Veneers can help alleviate tooth sensitivity and restore function
and beauty to your smile.

When worn down teeth make you look older than you really are, porcelain veneers can make
your smile strong and healthy again. You can even customize your color to have whiter teeth,
making this option more of a total makeover.

Treatment for your worn down teeth will depend on the cause of the wear and how extensive
the damage is. Normally, treatment will also involve addressing the root cause of your worn
down teeth, such as bruxism. You and your dentist can discuss these different treatment
options based on your unique smile!

The post Which Treatment Options Are Available for Worn Down Teeth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

What we eat directly impacts our mouths in terms of acidity and bacteria due to the pH of our
saliva, which nourishes teeth. However, what we eat also indirectly affects our mouths through
the nutrients we absorb from the food we consume.

So what are you waiting for? You can give your smile a boost with the following eating habits to
nourish both smile and body for life!

Getting Enough Protein

Protein is an essential building block for just about everything in your body—from bones and
muscles to hormones and enzymes, your body needs protein.

However, your smile needs protein too. This is because protein plays a key role in healing
tissues of the body. This includes the connective tissue in your mouth as well as your tooth
structure. Protein can support a healthy smile through proper consumption.

Good sources of protein include chicken, fish, eggs, grass-fed beef, and yogurt. For plant-based
diets, beans, nuts, seeds, quinoa, and tofu are all excellent sources.

Eating Foods with Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium and vitamin D are both essential nutrients that might help strengthen your tooth
enamel, which is made of mostly calcium. Calcium pairs with vitamin D to help tooth enamel,
the immune system, and connective tissue.

Good sources of calcium include yogurt, cheese, and milk, while plant-based sources include
kale, tofu, almonds, and broccoli. For vitamin D, fish is one of the highest sources, especially
salmon and sardines, along with milk and eggs. Vegan sources include mushrooms, tofu, and
fortified almond and soy milk.

Don’t Forget Your Vitamin C

An essential vitamin for immune system function, it also helps with collagen (think anti-aging)
and this component of vitamin C helps the ligaments that hold your teeth in place. Your
immune system also plays an essential role in fighting gum disease!

Good sources of vitamin C include bell peppers, broccoli, papaya, kiwi, oranges, and
strawberries. Remember that while fruit juices are also high in vitamin C, these juices can be
just as damaging to your tooth enamel as soda, so minimize sugary juices without the fiber.

Omega-3 Fats

Fortunately, these healthy fats are included in some of the other foods we discussed. Omega-3
fatty acids help your body with an anti-inflammatory response to help support the immune
system, decrease inflammation, and fight bacteria all while supporting the connective tissue in
your mouth.

Great sources include fish (mackerel and salmon are the highest), tuna, anchovies, and egg
yolks. Plant-based sources include walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, avocado, and hemp seeds.

Are you eating for a super smile? Impress your dentist at your next checkup by nourishing both
your body and your smile with these healthy eating habits. Simply by getting enough protein,
calcium, and healthy fats in conjunction with essential vitamins D and C, you can help your
smile remain strong and beautiful for life!

The post Eating Habits That Will Promote Your Oral Health appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Are you suffering from jaw misalignment? If you’re experiencing the following symptoms, your upper and lower jaw might have trouble fitting together. A simple exam and x-rays can tell if your jaw is misaligned and if so, what you can do about it.

Pain in Your Jaw or Face

If you have generalized pain in your jaw or in your face, you may have a jaw misalignment. This pain may happen either when chewing or speaking or even when the jaw is at rest. When the pain consistently happens, it’s time to schedule an appointment to see if your jaw could be the culprit behind your pain.

Mouth Breathing

Saliva is an important aspect of your oral cavity. It helps teeth stay nourished and prevents them from drying out. When the mouth becomes dry, saliva can become acidic and damage the enamel on your teeth, leading to an increased risk for cavities. When you breathe through your mouth rather than through your nose, your mouth can become dry and this can affect your teeth.

Although mouth breathing happens under certain circumstances—such as when you have a cold—regular mouth breathing that occurs on a daily basis may point to a jaw misalignment. Getting this symptom checked out is essential to help your mouth protect your teeth from future problems.

Trouble Speaking

If it’s painful for you to speak at times or consistently, a jaw misalignment may be to blame. You may also be experiencing difficulty pronouncing certain words. These symptoms could mean your jaw is preventing you from speaking properly or being able to speak without pain. It isn’t normal to experience pain when speaking, so an evaluation with your dentist can help determine the problem.

What Treatment Is Available?

Many people have a jaw misalignment and don’t realize it. Overbites and underbites are two of the most common types of malocclusions, or misaligned bites. As we’ve seen, these bites can interfere with many aspects of your life, including eating, breathing, speaking, chewing, and self-confidence.

Fortunately, misaligned jaws can be treated. Depending on the unique alignment of your jaw as well as the severity of the misalignment, you may be able to receive orthodontic treatment, cosmetic dentistry work, or other procedures to help put your jaw back in place and stop your pain and discomfort.

Are you seeing symptoms of jaw misalignment in your daily life? An incorrect bite can be fixed, so schedule an appointment with your dentist or orthodontist today to discuss how a jaw misalignment may be impacting your life. You can live pain-free and have confidence in your smile again with treatment!

The post If You’re Experiencing These Symptoms, You Could Be Suffering from Jaw Misalignment appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Although your dentist is the best person to evaluate your smile for treatment, let’s talk about
whether your cavity will need just a filling or if a root canal would be your best form of care.

When a Filling Is All That’s Needed

If your tooth isn’t discolored and you’re only experiencing minor pain or sensitivity, your dentist
may be able to repair the tooth with a simple filling.

When tooth decay happens, bacteria eat through the first layer of your teeth, the enamel. The
decay may progress to the second, softer layer, the dentin, and results in a cavity. If your cavity
has not progressed to the third layer of the tooth—the nerve tissue—a filling should suffice.

Getting a filling is a relatively simple procedure and you and your dentist can talk about what
filling material would suit you best. Although your filling will need to be replaced at some point
in your life, it shouldn’t get worse with the proper home care and dentist visits!

When Root Canal Therapy Could Help

Some people may have cavities that are beyond repair or be experiencing other symptoms that
will result in the need for a root canal. For instance, if your cavity is large enough or deep
enough that it would be impossible for a filling to repair your tooth, root canal therapy may be
the most appropriate form of treatment.

If your tooth is discolored in any way, such as having a brown or yellow hue that’s noticeably
different from the other teeth, the nerve tissue inside your tooth may be dead. In this case, a
root canal is the best treatment. If you’re experiencing severe tooth sensitivity or pain, you may
need a root canal.

Fortunately, a root canal isn’t much different from getting a filling these days. Technology has
made it possible for your root canal to be performed with no pain and you’ll be able to save
your natural tooth!

Which Do You Need?

If your cavity is a relatively normal size and not accompanied by discoloration, pain, or
sensitivity, you may just need a filling. However, if your cavity is large, has cracked your tooth,
or is causing you pain and sensitivity, your dentist may recommend root canal therapy to save
your tooth.

Whether you need a filling or a root canal, you’ll still be able to save your natural tooth, which
is the most important thing. When you can keep your natural tooth, you’re saving a part of your
smile that would otherwise need to be replaced with a cosmetic dentistry option!

If you’re seeing evidence of a cavity, don’t delay in making an appointment with your dentist.
Prompt treatment can prevent your cavity from turning into a problem that needs root canal
therapy to fix!

The post Is a Filling Okay, or Will I Need a Root Canal? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.