Archive for the 'Gums' Category

Nov 10 2007

What to do About Bleeding Gums

Published by Wayzata Dental Staff under Gums

Bleeding gums are generally the fist sign that something is going wrong with your gums.  Gingivitis is not necessarily a serious condition, what it is, is an indication that you need to start taking better care of your teeth and gums.  If you do not, there is a good chance that your minor gum problem could progress to a more serious form periodontal disease.

The bacterial infection of your gums can lead to
much more serious problems than a little blood on your toothbrush, it can actually become so bad that your teeth begin to fall out.  What can you do to prevent this from happening?  Brush your teeth carefully at least twice a day.  If you experience some minor gum bleeding, it is not necessarily cause for concern.  It is a sign that your dental hygiene could be improved.  You might want to try brushing more often, reduce the amount of sugary foods and drinks that you consume and if you are not doing it already, you should definitely floss your teeth.

Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth.  It does not matter how often you brush your teeth, if you do not floss, your gums are at risk. In people whose teeth are very close together, flossing can be extremely uncomfortable.  While it does get easier with time, dental picks are a suitable alternative.  Dental picks consist of a plastic handle and a thin brush.  When used correctly, these can access the gums, without passing through the limited space between the teeth, avoiding the severe discomfort that dental floss causes some people.

Flossing will keep your teeth cleaner and your breath fresher.  You may not know, but one other symptom of gingivitis is bad breath.  Cleaning between your teeth and restoring the health of your gums may alleviate your bad breath.

While there are people that are more prone to bleeding gums than others, certain things are known to cause the condition.  Smoking, has been linked, as too have diabetes, severe and chronic vitamin C deficiency, leukemia and hemophilia.  For this reason, it is important that you try to ascertain the cause of your bleeding gums.   In the vast majority of cases, the cause is insufficient teeth and gum care.

If you have bleeding gums, make an appointment to see us here at Wayzata Dental.  Your dentist will be able to help identify the cause and give you some helpful information about how to better care for your gums.  It is also a good chance to get your teeth professionally cleaned.  It is much easier to restore your dental health from a fresh start.

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Oct 26 2007

Maintaining Healthy Gums

Published by Wayzata Dental Staff under Gums

Maintaining healthy gums is a process that never stops. Caring for your gums is one of the most important parts of your daily dental maintenance routine. There are a few things that you can and should do to care for your gums. First and foremost, you need to have regular dental checkups. Periodic professional brushing and dental care will go a long way towards identifying problems with your teeth or gums before they become serious. If you have not had your teeth professionally cleaned recently, it would be pertinent to make an appointment with Wayzata Dental.

In your home there are two things that you need to do on a daily basis, brushing and flossing. It may seem elementary, but many people are not aware of the proper brushing technique. It is best to use small circular motions angling the bristles of the toothbrush at forty-five degrees and brushing along the gum line. Don’t rush your brushing. It is generally advised that the minimum time that you should brush for is two minutes. When you have finished brushing your teeth, use a few strokes to brush your tongue. Start from the back and gently brush forward. This will help to eliminate some of the bacteria that is responsible for bad breath. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and replace it when it becomes worn. A pea-size dollop of toothpaste is all you need.

The second thing that should be done on a daily basis is flossing. Flossing is necessary to remove food and plaque that gets trapped between your teeth. Without flossing, you leave your teeth extremely vulnerable to decay. Flossing is quite uncomfortable for some people, but be advised, it gets easier with time.

Maintaining healthy gums can help you maintain better physical health. Brushing and flossing regularly can have enormous health benefits. Make an appointment at Wayzata Dental if you need any advice or treatment relating to your gums.

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Oct 13 2007

Taking Care of your Teeth and Gums

Taking care of your teeth and gums is a process that never stops. While you should visit your dentist regularly for dental health checkups, most of the work is done in your home. Here are a few tips that will help you improve your home dental care.

Brush regularly, at least twice a day is recommended. You do not need to use too much toothpaste. A pea-sized amount of tooth paste is all that you need. Soft brushes are best for your teeth and gums. Toothbrushes that are too hard can actually cause damage to tooth enamel over time. When you brush, make sure that you brush along the gums.

Flossing regularly is important if you wish to maintain fresh breath and healthy gums. When you floss, you need to floss between each tooth. Flossing can be quite uncomfortable for some people, but it gets easier with time.

Schedule regular dental checkups so that you can have your teeth professionally cleaned periodically. If you need a dental checkup or wish to learn more information about brushing and flossing, give Wayzata Dental a call.

Ongoing dental care is the easiest way to keep your teeth healthy, but it can have a profound effect on your general health as well. By now most people have heard of the theoretical link between gum disease and heart disease, but are unfamiliar with the reasons behind it. The theory is that poor dental hygiene provides superb conditions for bacteria to multiply. The bacteria that breed in the mouth can go onto enter the bloodstream and cause a range of health problems, including heart disease.

Aside from the physical health benefits of good dental care, it will keep you looking better and feeling better as well. Ongoing dental care has a preventative effect. By seeing your dentist regularly, it may be able to stop a number of dental problems before they occur. If you are looking for a dental clinic, why not drop into Wayzata Dental?

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