Brushing and flossing will help eliminate plaque but if plaque is not caught early, plaque will form tartar — a harder substance to clean. Tartar harbors bacteria that make it easier to invade your gums, causing gum disease.

In the beginning, bacteria from tartar will cause inflammation of the gums or gingivitis, swelling and reddening of the gums. If you have gingivitis, your gums bleed easily even during toothbrushing.

Visiting your dentist for a general cleaning will help eliminate this and improve your teeth, but if left untreated, gingivitis will develop into periodontitis, which is more serious. Gum disease has also been linked to other health problems such as heart disease.

To protect yourself from gum disease it is important to practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth diligently twice daily, flossing your teeth, avoiding cigarettes and tobacco products, eating a balanced diet and making regular visits to your family dentist. These as well as being aware of how your teeth look and feel will help you have healthier teeth and gums.

If you are searching for a family dentist, one that you as well as your children can visit to get regular checkups and cleanings, consider our office at Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa. We are a Plymouth dental office that also offers cosmetic dentistry such as professional teeth whitening. You can make an appointment online on our website.

So what is gum disease? Gum disease is caused by the bacteria in plaque, the film that sticks to your teeth. It is important to remove plaque on a regular basis – by brushing and flossing. If not, gum disease can affect the bone that supports your teeth because bacteria will infect basically your entire mouth — gums and teeth. Soon, your teeth will become loose, fall out or have to be extracted by a dentist.

How do you know if you have gum disease?

Although you can get gum disease at any age, it is most common among adults. Gum disease can be reversed if caught early so it is important to maintain regular dental visits, especially if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Red, puffy or swollen, or tender gums.
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth, creating a pocket or making your teeth appear longer.
• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing.
• Bad breath or change in odor from your mouth.
• Changes to your bite – your teeth aren’t feeling comfortable or fitting together.
• Any evidence of pus coming from teeth or gums.

The only way to remove plaque that has built up and hardened into tartar is by visiting a dentist. Your dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth to remove the tartar above and below the gum line. If you have a more serious problem, a root planing procedure may be performed, which smooths irregularities on the roots of the teeth. This procedure makes it harder for plaque to deposit there.

To avoid dental problems, you need to be proactive about your dental hygiene and care. Brush, floss, eat right and visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. It’s the perfect formula for healthy teeth and gums.

Make Wayzata Dental and SmileSpa your family dentist. We work with our patients to help them not only prevent dental issues like gum disease but help create a lifetime of beautiful and healthy smiles to be proud of. Visit us! Make a dental appointment online or give us a call at (952) 473-4900.

Gum disease comes in two major forms, gingivitis and periodontitis. Of the two, gingivitis is the easiest to treat, and while it may cause some discomfort, does no long-term damage on its own. However, untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, a much more serious problem that can be painful and can lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis can also lead to general health problems including heart disease and problems with the digestive system.

These gum diseases have obvious symptoms so if you notice any of them, consult your dentist immediately. These symptoms include:

• Red and swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Soft gums
• Prolonged bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Pus between your teeth
• Sensitive gums
• General discomfort around your gums

Brushing your teeth twice a day and rinsing between meals can help to prevent gum disease. Keeping your mouth hydrated is also important as it dilutes the amount of bacteria in the mouth. If you are diagnosed with gum disease, there are a range of treatments which may include antibiotics and antibacterial mouthwashes. Be sure to follow the dentist’s advice on any treatment plans – the sooner you bring gum disease under control, the fewer long-term effects there are on your teeth and overall health.

Any form of gum disease (or periodontal disease) is serious. In simple terms, periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues and bone that support the teeth. The cause is a buildup of plaque containing bacteria. This then produces toxins and calculus (also known as tartar) that irritate and damage the gums. While poor dental hygiene is not the only cause, it is a major contributor.

Other causes include poor diet, being run down (which teenagers often are), tobacco, and medical conditions such as diabetes and overactive hormones. Female teenagers are more likely to suffer from gingivitis than males because of those rampant hormones. Add tobacco to the mix and there are real problems.

The only solution is a tight dental hygiene routine that also involves close monitoring by a dentist or dental hygienist. Brushing several times a day together with regular flossing is a must. A regular visit to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned is also a must. A dentist may also prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash and/or antibiotics in severe cases.

Gum disease is a serious issue and should be managed carefully. Left untreated it can cause teeth loss or reach a stage where a dentist has to use surgery to clean gum pockets. Very badly infected gum tissue may need replacing using a gum graft. If you have a teen that has bad breath, get them to see a dentist as soon as practical. It could save a lifetime of problems.

Bad breath, or halitosis, can mar your smile when you see people returning a frown. While one instance of bad breath may be caused due to consumption of pungent food, another instance may have a deep rooted dental cause. If bad breath is a constant problem with you, seek your dentist’s help for remedies.

Cavities are known to be a nasty dental problem. Do you know that cavities can happen at any time? Even an infant feeding on milk can be affected by cavities. Teeth cavities are caused by the bacteria that flourish in the plaque in our mouth. Thus, it is important to keep the mouth absolutely clean in order to prevent cavities. Make sure you do not skip your regular appointments with the dentist.

The toothache is also a dental problem but it is more an indication of a bigger problem. It is important not to take a case of toothache lightly. If toothache persists for more than two days, visit your dentist at once.

Gingivitis and periodontitis – the two deadly gum diseases – originate from the plaque present in the mouth. An inflammation and tenderness of the gums indicate a gum disease. It is advisable to control the gum disease when it is still at the gingivitis stage. Visit your dentist if you notice symptoms of a gum disease.

There is another dental problem which is not obvious when it begins. I am referring to teeth erosion. Caused by acids produced by the foods we consume, teeth erosion refers to the washing away of the enamel of our teeth. Avoid excessive intake of acidic foods and keep away from beverages like carbonated drinks. It is important that the mouth is thoroughly rinsed after consuming any kind of acidic food. Also, it is important not to brush immediately after a meal but to wait at least an hour before picking up the toothbrush.

If you do have any of the afore-mentioned problems, discuss it with your dentist. Get it treated before it takes a monstrous avatar.

Start with following a proper dental care routine. The routine will keep bacteria at bay.

Cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke everyday. Tobacco not only makes your smile look bad but also makes you prone to deadly diseases.

Reduce your sugar intake. Avoid snacking on sweets between meals. Eating sweets during meals does not damage your teeth and gums too much. And yes, do clean your teeth thoroughly and after you have had your meal.

Keep a check on your blood sugar level. Diabetics are more susceptible to getting gum diseases than others. If you are a diabetic, you have to take extra care of your dental and overall health.

Try to beat that stress. You will be surprised to know that gum diseases attack you more if you are stressed. This happens because stress makes your immune system weak, making you unable to fight infections of any kind.

Women are more prone to gum diseases than men because of all the hormonal changes they have to undergo from puberty to pregnancy to menopause. Therefore, they need to pay more attention to their dental health.

Hope this information helps. Do write in if you would like to learn more about gum diseases.

Here are a few simple way to prevent gingivitis and periodontitis.

Follow a proper dental care routine. This one is the most basic thing you can do if you love your smile. The routine will keep bacteria at bay.

Cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke everyday. In fact, don’t consume tobacco in any form.

Reduce your sugar intake. Avoid snacking on sweets between meals. Eating sweets during meals does not damage your teeth and gums too much. And, yes, do clean your teeth thoroughly and after you have had your meal.

Keep a check on your blood sugar level. Diabetics are more susceptible to getting gum diseases than others. If you are a diabetic, you have to take extra care of your dental and overall health.

Take measures to beat that stress. Stress makes your immune weak, making you unable to fight infections of any kind.

If you are a woman, you are more prone to gum diseases than men. This is because of all the hormonal changes you have to undergo from puberty to pregnancy to menopause. Therefore, you need to pay more attention to your dental health.

A little care will preserve your smile for a lifetime.

Happy smiling!

Do you have poor oral hygiene? If you don’t take care of your teeth and gums, you are making home for bacteria. A dirty and dry mouth gives way to the two dreaded gum diseases.

Do you smoke? Smoking is a bad habit, people. You’ve gotta admit that. Apart from giving you serious problems like cancer, it ruins your smile. Smoking stains your teeth, makes them stink, and also makes you prone to gingivitis and periodontitis.

Do you have diabetes? You cannot avoid diabetes once you have got it but you can definitely control it. And you have gotta keep your blood sugar levels within limits if you want to keep the gum diseases at bay.

Do you get stressed often? You may find this unbelievable but stress makes you prone to gingivitis and periodontitis. This is because stress makes our bodies too weak to fight infections.

Are you a woman? Now, that’s not really a problem, but since women are more susceptible to gum diseases, you have to take more care of yourself. Women undergo hormonal changes several times in their lives including puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

If your answer to one or more of the above-mentioned questions has been in the affirmative, start paying a little more attention to your oral health.

Happy smiling!

You can identify gingivitis if you notice the following conditions:

• Your breath smells bad.

• Your gums appear swollen and red.
• The gums bleed frequently when you brush.
• When you feel the gums, they feel softer than usual.
• Applying a little pressure like pushing with your index finger makes your gums bleed.
• Your gums have changed their color from pink to red.
• The gums sag and appear loose, giving more space to the teeth.

Periodontitis occurs if gingivitis is not treated in time. Here are some of the common symptoms of the disease.

• Your breath smells foul all the time.

• You get a sour taste in the mouth.
• Your gums appear swollen.
• You realize that your gums have become noticeably red.
• The gums are soft.
• Your teeth have loosened.
• You gums have started sagging, giving more space to the teeth.
• There is pus between the teeth and the gums.
• The gaps between your teeth have started widening.

Don’t panic if you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Get your dentist to look at your gums and treat you. Take care.

The symptoms of gingivitis include the following:

• Your gums appear swollen and red.

• When you feel the gums, they feel softer than usual.
• Applying a little pressure like pushing with your index finger makes your gums bleed.
• The gums bleed frequently when you brush.
• Your breath smells bad.
• Your gums have changed their color from pink to red.
• The gums sag and appear loose, giving more space to the teeth.

Here are some of the symptoms of periodontitis:

• Your gums appear swollen.

• You realize that your gums have become noticeably red.
• The gums are soft.
• Your teeth have loosened.
• You gums have started sagging, giving more space to the teeth.
• There is pus between the teeth and the gums.
• The gaps between your teeth have started widening.
• Your breath smells foul all the time.
• You get a sour taste in the mouth.

Preventing gum diseases is in your control. Take proper care of your teeth and you don’t have to worry about the gum disease. And yes, you have to cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke everyday.

Happy smiling!