Livermore Dentist - Taking Care of Swollen Gums - Smiles by Design in Livermore

Taking Care of Swollen Gums

Have you ever noticed swollen gums or bleeding, particularly when you brush or floss? If you noticeswollen gums, bleeding or discomfort in your gums, consult with your dentist to find out what is causing these symptoms.

Your gums play an important role in your overall oral health by supporting your teeth. If your gums aren’t in good health or aren’t cared for properly, you may experience swollen gums or gum disease that can lead to other health problems.

Causes of Swollen Gums

Swollen gums are quite common and often involve the small, triangular sections of gums between your teeth, otherwise known as papillae. (1) Swollen gums can be caused by a variety of triggers; some common causes include improper brushing or flossing techniques, gum disease, chemotherapy, tobacco use or hormonal changes.

What Happens If Swollen Gums Go Untreated?

Because swollen gums can be your body’s way of telling you there's a problem, swollen gums shouldn’t be ignored. While there are many causes of swollen gums, they are often brought on by early gum disease, which means they can often be healed with an effective oral hygiene regimen. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis and lead to serious problems such as tooth loss. Periodontitis has also been associated with other serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. (2)

How to Treat Swollen Gums

Treating and helping prevent swollen gums can be fairly simple. Here are a few ways to help keep your gums healthy:

•    Improve Your Nutrition: (3) Eating a well-balanced diet can contribute to better gum health. Be sure to get plenty of Vitamin C and calcium, which can minimize the likelihood of experiencing swollen gums. (4)
•    De-Stress: High levels of stress can impact your hormone levels, particularly the hormone cortisol. Cortisol can lead to inflammation and possibly swollen gums. Try to de-stress as much as possible.
•    Stay Away from Extreme Foods and Beverages: Extremely hot or cold foods or beverages, or those that may irritate your gums, such as crunchy chips or crackers, can aggravate inflamed gums. Until your swollen gums are healed, try to avoid these foods and beverages.
•    Avoid Tobacco: Tobacco use has been shown to significantly increase your chance of experiencing gum disease, so it’s best to avoid it altogether. (5)
•    Focus on Oral Hygiene: Swollen gums can often be avoided by maintaining an effective oral hygiene routine. Brushing after every meal and flossing at least once a day can help significantly improve the health of your teeth and gums.

For best results, help eliminate swollen gums by taking the best possible care of your teeth and gums. This includes diligently using the best tools available. While there are hundreds of toothpastes, toothbrushes, dental flosses and rinses to choose from, taking good care of your mouth and helping to preventing swollen gums can be easy by using a comprehensive oral hygiene regimen. Crest Pro-Health offers several different products designed to meet various oral health needs. A Crest Pro-Health regimen, which features an effective combination of products including a powerful toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and rinse, are all designed to help prevent gingivitis  before it starts.

Sources:   

1.    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003066.htm
2.    http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/gum-problem-basics-sore-swollen-and-bleeding-gums

http://www.crestprohealth.com/dental-hygiene-topics/gum-disease/swollen-gums.aspx

 

http://www.smilesbydesigninlivermore.com

Pleasanton Dentist Dr. Richard Howes dds - When your child’s tooth takes a hard knock - Smiles by Design in Livermore

What do you do when your four-year-old takes a tumble into the edge of a table and knocks a front baby tooth loose but not completely out?

Give your dentist a call. More often than not, you'll be advised to put your child on a soft diet for the next 48 to 72 hours to allow the tooth to firm up. The dentist may also suggest you bring the child in for an x-ray, to determine whether or not damage has been done to a nerve or to a secondary tooth.

If the baby tooth has fallen out, just put it under the pillow for the Tooth Fairy to retrieve. Losing one or more front baby teeth may give the child a temporary lisp, but no permanent effect on speech development – or on eating – will result.
If your child seems to have a more serious injury than a loose or knocked out tooth, you may want to go to your local hospital so a physician can check his or her face, mouth and gums.

If your child is older and a permanent tooth is knocked completely out, call your dentist immediately for an emergency appointment. It is critical to get the child and the tooth to the dentist within 30 minutes of the accident, as it may be possible to successfully reimplant the tooth.

If possible, gently place the tooth back in its socket as a means of transport. Otherwise, place it in enough milk, salt water or saliva to cover the tooth. If none of these are available, use plain tap water. You may also place the tooth between the cheek and gum (unless the patient is a young child who may swallow it).

Read more about dental emergencies and how to handle them.
Information courtesy of the Academy of General Dentistry
http://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/loosetooth.html

http://www.smilesbydesigninlivermore.com

Tracy Dentist - Baby boomers need to link oral and overall health - Smiles by Design in Livermore

Baby boomers looking for the warning signs of adult-onset diseases may be overlooking key symptoms in their mouth that could signal an alarm about their overall health.

According to a survey commissioned by the Academy of General Dentistry, 63 percent of baby boomers (people born from 1946 to 1964) with an oral symptom considered to be a key indicator of a more serious health condition were unaware of the symptom's link to the condition. Failure to recognize that oral health holds valuable clues to overall health could negatively affect their overall health by delaying treatment for more serious health conditions.

“Because of their busy lifestyles, members of this age group may not take the time to seek regular dental treatment, especially if they aren't in pain,” says Ken Sutherland, DDS, a senior dental consultant at Delta Dental. “Regular oral exams by your dentist can catch some diseases at their earliest stages, when they are most treatable.”

Oral health reflects overall health

New research suggests that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. For example, when your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good, too. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems.
Consider these possibilities:

• Bad breath and bleeding gums could be indicators of diabetes.
• Dental x-rays show the first stages of bone loss.
• A sore and painful jaw could foreshadow an oncoming heart attack.

Your dentist may be the first to know

Baby boomers are especially vulnerable to developing diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease, the risks of which increase with age. Researchers believe that symptoms of these conditions can manifest in the mouth, making dentists key in diagnosing the diseases.
Research shows that more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases (diseases involving many organs or the whole body) have oral manifestations, including swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth and excessive gum problems. Such diseases include:

• Diabetes
• Leukemia
• Oral cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease

Since most people have regular oral examinations, their dentist may be the first health care provider to diagnose a health problem in its early stages.

What you can do

Seeing a dentist regularly helps to keep your mouth in top shape and allows your dentist to watch for developments that may point to other health issues. A dental exam can also detect poor nutrition and hygiene, improper jaw alignment and signs of developing oral problems. Provide your dentist with a complete medical history and inform him or her of any recent health developments, even if they seem unrelated to your oral health.

Source: National survey reveals baby boomers miss links between oral and overall health. Academy of General Dentistry
http://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/boomers.html


http://www.smilesbydesigninlivermore.com

Livermore Dentist Dr. Richard Howes dds - Quick Fixs for Dental Hygiene - Smiles by Design in Livermore

Parties with friends, family visits, holiday shopping – often, we get swept up in the festivities of the holiday season, and we may let the little things slide. But don’t let the hustle and bustle of the season keep you from practicing good dental hygiene.
In the long run, good dental hygiene is not such a little thing. To prevent dental problems from developing, you should continue to brush twice a day, floss every day and have your gums and teeth regularly evaluated by your dentist no matter how busy you are.

Quick fixes for dental hygiene

How do you keep up with your oral care regimen when you’re in a hurry? Here are some tips for keeping your dental care routine effective and efficient:

1. No time to floss? If you’re crunched for time, consider keeping some floss picks near your couch or TV for use while watching your favorite show. Or throw some in your purse or your pocket and use them on the go. And although most people cite lack of time as a reason for not flossing, the Academy of General Dentistry says that flossing even two or three times a week provides some benefit and is far better than not flossing at all.
2. No time to brush after your meal? If you don’t have time to brush after a meal, be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to remove all food particles and lingering sugars.
3. Keep a bottle of fluoride mouth rinse in your purse, glove box or office desk drawer and slip away for a quick, refreshing rinse. Although mouth rinses should not be considered substitutes for a proper regimen of brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing, they can be a good quick fix to slow acid formation and tooth decay until you find the time later that day to floss and brush your teeth properly.
4. Sugar-free gum or mints with xylitol can be a quick fix for on-the-go dental care. Xylitol has been shown to have decay-preventive qualities. Experts recommend using a xylitol product immediately after meals and snacks to help reduce plaque, inhibit adhesion of bacteria to the teeth and reduce contact time of sugars on teeth. Because duration of exposure is important, gum should be chewed for approximately five minutes and mints should be allowed to dissolve.

Although these tips will help you keep up with your oral hygiene when you’re pressed for time, there’s just no substitute for regular brushing and flossing when it comes to fighting tooth decay. In addition, the better the brushing and flossing technique you have, the more effective you will be and the less time you will need to spend keeping your teeth in tip-top shape.

Brushing technique

• Brush for two to three minutes at least twice a day.
• The head of your toothbrush should be placed beside the teeth, and the tips of the bristles placed at a 45-degree-angle to the gumline.
• Move the toothbrush back and forth, using short strokes and a scrubbing motion, several times in each spot.
• Keep the bristles angled against the gumline, while you brush both the inner and outer surfaces of each tooth.
• Brush the chewing surfaces straight on.
• Clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth by tilting the brush vertically and making several up-and-down strokes with the top of the brush.

Flossing technique

• Floss at least once a day, preferably at bedtime.
• Break off about 18 inches of floss, and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes used.
• Hold the floss tightly (without any slack) between your two hands, with about an inch of floss between them. Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle sawing motion.
• When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C-shape against the tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel resistance.
• Hold the floss against the tooth. Gently scrape the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum.
• Repeat this technique on all of your teeth, including the teeth in back.

Some information courtesy of the Academy of General Dentistry.
source: http://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/quick-hygiene.html

http://wwwsmilesbydesigninlivermore.com

Pleasanton Dentist - Oral health: Brush up on dental care basics - Smiles by Design in Livermore

Your smile depends on simple dental care habits, such as brushing and flossing. But are you using the right techniques? Follow these steps to protect your oral health.

Brushing for oral health

Oral health begins with clean teeth. Consider these brushing basics from the American Dental Association:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day. When you brush, don't rush. Take enough time to do a thorough job.
• Use the proper equipment. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably. Consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.
• Practice good technique. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate your gums.
• Keep your equipment clean. Always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store your toothbrush in an upright position, if possible, and allow it to air dry until using it again. Don't routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria.
• Know when to replace your toothbrush. Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric or battery-operated toothbrush every three to four months — or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

Flossing for oral health

You can't reach the tight spaces between your teeth or under your gumline with a toothbrush. That's why daily flossing is important. When you floss:

• Don't skimp. Break off about 18 inches (46 centimeters) of dental floss. Wind most of the floss around the middle finger on one hand, and the rest around the middle finger on the other hand — leaving about 1 inch (3 centimeters) to floss your first tooth.
• Take it one tooth at a time. Use your thumbs and forefingers to gently pull the floss from the gumline to the top of the tooth to scrape off plaque. Rub the floss against all sides of the tooth. Unwind to fresh floss as you progress to the next tooth.
• Keep it up. If you have trouble getting floss through your teeth, try the waxed variety. If it's hard to manipulate the floss, use a floss holder or an interdental cleaner — such as a dental pick or stick designed to clean between the teeth.

Other oral health care tips

In addition to daily brushing and flossing, consider using an antimicrobial mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth.
To remove food particles from your teeth, you might try an oral irrigator — a device that aims a stream of water at your teeth. Resist the temptation to use toothpicks or other objects that could injure your gums. Keep in mind, however, that an oral irrigator doesn't replace daily brushing and flossing, since it doesn't remove plaque.

When to see the dentist

To prevent gum disease and other oral health problems, schedule regular dental cleanings and exams — generally once or twice a year. In the meantime, contact your dentist if you notice any signs or symptoms that could suggest oral health problems, such as:
• Red, tender or swollen gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Gums that begin pulling away from your teeth
• Loose permanent teeth
• Changes in the way your top and bottom teeth align with each other
• Unusual sensitivity to hot and cold
• Persistent bad breath or an unusual taste in your mouth
Remember, early detection and treatment of problems with your gums, teeth and mouth can help ensure a lifetime of good oral health.
source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00003
by Mayo Clini Staff
 
http://www.smilesbydesigninlivermore.com

 

Tracy Dentist - New Study Shows Dental Implants Have 90 Percent Success Rate - Smiles by Design in Livermore

If you want to replace missing teeth and correct your smile and bite, there is a fantastic solution that’s available to you that utilizes the latest and greatest advancements in dental medicine: dental implants. But how effective are dental implants, and what success rate or failure rate do they have for patients in the long term?

According to a recent study that was conducted by researchers at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in the US, the success rate is pretty good, to the tune of about a 90 percent success rate. However, the success rate, according to the study, also greatly wagers on the dentist who is performing the procedure and their experience.

Common causes for implant failure include: improper care of teeth by the patient, smoking, bruxism (teeth grinding) and the type of prosthesis that’s being used.

To assess the efficacy of the study, researchers used the records of patients who had received full-arch maxillary and/or mandibular supported fixed complete dentures over a period of ten years.

Success Rate of Dental Implants Wagers on Dentist Experience

According to the study, the more experienced that your dentist is, the more successful that you can expect your dental implant to be. The records of patients who were treated with 297 implants at the school over the past decade were reviewed and compared.

• 12 percent of implants failed when the dentists had fewer than five years experience.
• Implants were twice as likely to fail if the dentist had completed fewer than 50 implant procedures.
• One-third of patients with diabetes or bruxism experienced failed dental implants.
• 90 percent of the time, overall, dental implants are successful, regardless of risk factor or practitioner experience.

source: http://www.dentaldstudio.com/new-study-shows-dental-implants-have-strong-90-percent-success-rate/

 

 

http://www.smilesbydesigninlivermore.com

Livermore Dentist - Top Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Postpone Dental Checkups - Smiles by Design in Livermore

According to the ADA, a person should see their dentist for a dental checkup at least twice per year; and in some cases more frequently depending upon the nature of their oral health. The primary reason to see your dentist two times per year is to help keep your teeth and gums healthy with regular dental cleanings, and to catch any problems while they are still minor, and treat them, in order to prevent major dental problems from occurring later on down the road. While some people are really good about diligently seeing their dental practitioner, it’s not a long shot to say that most people are not so fond of going to the dentist. So before you put off that next appointment, find out why it’s so critical you see your dentist at least twice per year.

Top Reasons to Never Avoid Your Dental Checkups

• Catch dental problems while they are minor and treat them.
• Save money by catching early problems and correcting them.
• Prevent gum disease with proper oral care.
• Get an oral cancer screening semi-annually.
• Avoid losing teeth when you catch problems beforehand.
• Gain crucial advice on proper oral health care and bad habits.
• Treat cavities before they turn into costly root canals or tooth extractions.
• Correct your bite and any grinding issues before compromising your teeth.
• Avoid gum and teeth infections (and the pain that goes with them).
• Preserve your smile for a lifetime with proper oral health care.

source: http://dentaldesignstudio.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/top-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-postpone-dental-checkups/

 

 

http://www.smilesbydesigninlivermore.com