Gum disease, or gingivitis, can cause significant inflammation, pain, and sensitivity, making everyday activities like eating and speaking challenging. Understanding the causes and potential consequences of gum disease is essential for preventing its development or catching it early before it leads to more severe problems.
What Causes Gingivitis?
The primary cause of gingivitis is plaque buildup, but several other factors can contribute to the condition:
Illnesses: Diseases such as HIV, diabetes, and cancer can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of gingivitis.
Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy, menstruation, puberty, and menopause can alter hormone levels, making gums more vulnerable.
Medications: Some medications, such as those affecting saliva production or promoting abnormal gum tissue growth, can harm oral health.
Smoking: Tobacco use can impair gum healing and make it harder to recover from gum disease.
Poor Dental Hygiene: Failing to brush and floss properly, or neglecting oral care, can lead to plaque buildup.
Genetics: A family history of gum disease can increase your risk.
Symptoms of Gingivitis
Gingivitis can develop without obvious symptoms, even in its later stages. However, some warning signs may include:
Bleeding, red, or swollen gums
Chronic bad breath
Receding gums
Deep pockets between teeth and gums
Loose or shifting teeth
Changes in bite or how teeth fit together
Regular checkups are vital, as a dentist can detect symptoms even before you do.
Treatment for Gingivitis
The treatment approach depends on the stage of gum disease, your response to previous treatments, and your overall health. Treatments range from therapies to control bacterial growth to surgical procedures aimed at restoring gum tissue. In many cases, gingivitis can be managed with regular dental visits and good dental hygiene.
What Happens if Gingivitis Is Left Untreated?
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, causing permanent damage to the gums and supporting structures. Advanced gum disease has also been linked to serious health issues like stroke, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and complications of diabetes.
Take the first step towards optimal oral hygiene. Reserve your dental appointment at our Sicklerville dental office now and experience personalized care.
Porcelain dental veneers are among the most popular options for transforming your smile. These veneers can achieve dramatic and stunning results, not only enhancing the aesthetic appearance of your smile but also boosting your self-confidence. Years of self-consciousness related to smile insecurities often fade away, leaving you feeling confident to smile, talk, and eat in public.
Dental veneers are primarily used on the most visible teeth—the front ones. Only a very small amount of the natural tooth is ground away to make room for the veneers, ensuring they do not appear overly thick or unnatural. A dental lab will create custom veneers from molds, using special techniques to craft veneers that perfectly match the desired tooth shade. Once placed, the veneers are designed to mimic natural, beautiful, white teeth, resulting in a vibrant and confident smile.
Porcelain veneers are a simple and risk-free solution for correcting chipped, gapped, crooked, or stained teeth. Short teeth can be lengthened, and “gummy” smiles can be corrected. Many patients who have suffered for years with dental issues they believed would require major work are surprised to find that these problems can often be addressed quickly and easily with porcelain veneers.
If you’re considering a smile makeover, it’s important to do your research. Cosmetic dentistry is not a legally separate specialty, and many dentists claim to specialize in it without truly understanding the artistry and attention to detail required to design a beautiful smile.
Ask potential dentists for photographs of before and after patient results. Talk to friends or family for personal recommendations—you might be surprised how many people with what seem like naturally perfect smiles have actually had a smile makeover using dental veneers.
Don’t wait to experience the benefits of porcelain veneers and a smile makeover. Consult with your cosmetic dentist today to discover the options available to you in order to achieve your smile goals.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Sicklerville dental office.
It can be rather upsetting to see that your smile is no longer as bright and appealing as it used to. Most people’s teeth become stained and discolored as a result of diet and poor oral hygiene habits. It can make the whole appearance look dull and unkempt, giving others the impression you don’t take good care of yourself. Let’s find out the causes and what you can do about it.
Causes
There are some reasons that teeth become stained or yellowed. The culprits for tooth discoloration are as follows:
Tobacco – Smoking or chewing on them stains teeth.
Foods and drinks – Coffee, colas, wines, tea, berries, sauces, and other items that you consume can damage your tooth color.
Medications – Certain medications are known to discolor teeth, sometimes causing severe stains that are difficult to remove.
Poor oral hygiene – Improper brushing and flossing is key in removing plaque and stains.
Age – Aging wears away tooth enamel and reveals the yellowish dentin underneath.
Disease – Some diseases can harm tooth enamel and trigger discoloration. Certain medical treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can also discolor teeth.
Environment – Excessive fluoride exposure can stain teeth; this is known as fluorosis.
Genetics – Some people are more prone to tooth discoloration than others.
Trauma – A hit to the maxillofacial region can damage the tooth and cause discoloration due to pulp necrosis.
Prevention
Lifestyle changes can prevent tooth discoloration, such as avoiding foods and drinks known to stain teeth. Improving oral hygiene is another step in the right direction, including regular brushing and flossing and consistent professional teeth cleanings.
Treatment
The options vary depending on the severity of discoloration and goals of the patient. Whitening methods include over-the-counter whitening products, at-home whitening kits provided by the dentist, professional in-office whitening treatments, bonding, and dental veneers. These tools cater to various needs according to the patient’s concerns.
Do not let another day go by without taking care of your dental needs. Request an appointment now at our Sicklerville dental office!
