Think you have gum disease? Don’t worry! Gum disease sounds scary, but it’s an easily treatable dental condition. How often do you think about your gums? Probably not too often, but you should! The health of your gums is just as crucial as preventing tooth decay. And just like cavities, gum disease is a common…
Mouth sores are usually harmless. But sometimes, they can signal a severe oral health problem. Get them checked by your dentist. People of all ages will experience a mouth sore at some point. Appearing as small blisters on the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, or the floor or roof of the mouth, these sores may or…
A periodontal abscess looks like a pimple pushing out of the swollen gum. It can occur with severe gum disease, and it needs immediate treatment. An abscess, or a pocket of pus, can develop anywhere on the body, but it’s common to grow on the gums. Called a periodontal abscess, it is extremely painful and…
Periodontitis is a severe gum disorder that can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and other serious health complications. Here’s what you can do if you have periodontitis. Periodontitis, a severe bacterial infection of the gums, affects about nine percent of adults. It’s the most advanced form of gum disease, but most people don’t realize…
About half of all adults over age 30 have some form of periodontal disease. Fortunately, this common condition is treatable if you can identify the signs and symptoms. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is more common than you think. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nearly 50 percent of adults aged 30 or…
Don’t like seeing that gap between your teeth and your gums? A gum veneer can fix your receding gums. Gum recession is a common dental problem among older adults. The Cleveland Clinic estimates 88 percent of people over 65 have receding gums. But seeing a gap between the top of your teeth and your gums…
Menstruation causes many changes in a woman’s body, but did you know that it can also affect the gums? Menstruation affects the body in so many ways. Most women experience weight gain, irritability, and food cravings in the days leading up to their period. Yet you may be surprised to learn that the menstrual cycle…
Braces offer many benefits. But they can also cause some gum pain. Learn what this means for your oral health. Braces do many great things for your oral health, such as alleviating the pain of crooked teeth to give you a straighter smile. But they also can come with an unwelcome side effect — sore,…
If you’ve recently gotten braces, it’s probably too soon to see any significant changes in your jaw’s alignment. However, you may have noticed that your braces are already causing swollen gums. If you have crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw, your dentist might suggest getting braces from an orthodontist. Though these wire-based dental appliances are…
Do you avoid flossing because it’s painful? Here’s why you shouldn’t. Dental flossing is up there with “eat your vegetables” — something we know we should do but often don’t. Yet flossing is a vital component of maintaining good oral health, and skipping it can lead to serious dental problems, like gum disease. Perhaps you…