LANAP®-Laser Therapy for Periodontal Disease

Neglecting to brush and floss your teeth every day can increase your risk of developing oral health problems and symptoms such as bad breath. If you have an infection in your mouth or are in the advanced stages of gum disease, you may notice that bad breath is even more difficult to mask with breath sprays or by brushing your teeth more often. The medical term for bad breath is halitosis. Set up a consultation with Associates of Dental Arts for bad breath treatment and a complete oral health evaluation.

Here are some of the most common causes of bad breath:

Food
Sometimes eating foods with strong odors, such as cheese, garlic, onions, coffee, and spicy foods can cause bad breath. Even though brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash after eating these foods can mask the odor for a few hours, you may still have bad breath until the food passes through your body.

Poor Oral Hygiene
If you are not brushing or flossing your teeth regularly, bacteria can grow between your teeth and around the gums and tongue. Poor oral hygiene can cause bad breath and increase your risk of developing gum disease, one of the main causes of gum recession. Talk with our team to learn more about proper oral hygiene practices.

Lifestyle Habits
Your lifestyle and daily habits may be contributing to chronic bad breath. If you are using tobacco products, you may not only have bad breath but might also experience gum irritation and notice a change in your taste buds.

Gum Disease
Not only can gum disease lead to tooth loss, but it can also cause bad breath. When you have excessive plaque and bacterial buildup around your teeth, the extra toxins in your mouth can eventually irritate the gums and break down your gum tissues and jaw bone. Having an active infection in your mouth can give you bad breath.

Other causes of halitosis include cavities, dry mouth, chronic sinus infections, and acid reflux. The team at Associates of Dental Arts can recommend a treatment plan and provide examples of lifestyle changes to help you get rid of bad breath for good.

Signs of gum disease, such as bleeding gums, gum recession, and bad breath must be taken seriously. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with Associates of Dental Arts as soon as possible. Our team offers laser treatment options for adults with gum disease and can help you restore your oral health.

Gum Disease

Poor oral hygiene practices, such as skipping your tooth brushing and flossing regimen, can cause bacteria to grow in your mouth. As bacteria grow and thrive, they can cause inflammation of the gums that results in bleeding, redness, and swelling. In fact, bleeding of the gums is one of the first warning signs of gum disease. In its early stages, gum disease can be reversed with early treatment and appropriate home care.

If you ignore the early signs of gum disease, it can develop into periodontitis which is characterized by bone loss and potential tooth loss. While there is no cure for periodontal disease at this time, it can be managed with periodontal therapy, maintenance cleanings at our office, and appropriate home care practices. It is also a good idea for adults with gum disease to undergo periodic screenings and thorough dental exams to detect the presence of the disease, even after treatment.

Medications

Some medications can increase the risk of bleeding gums. If you are taking aspirin, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), birth control pills, blood thinners, or some types of blood pressure medications, you may be at risk for developing bleeding gums. Be sure to tell our team about any medical conditions and medications you are currently taking or have recently taken, especially if your gums are bleeding regularly.

Pregnancy

Increased hormone levels during pregnancy can make the gums bleed easily when flossing, brushing, and even eating. In some cases, the gums might bleed spontaneously. Pregnancy gingivitis often occurs during and right after pregnancy when hormone levels tend to increase. This is why regular dental cleanings and a great home care regimen are even more important during pregnancy. Periodontal disease has been linked to premature delivery and low birth weight babies. 

Traditional Gum Surgery vs. the Gum Surgery Alterative: Understanding the Differences

If your gums start to wear way or pull back from to the roots of your teeth, you may notice your teeth looking longer and becoming more sensitive. Gum recession is one of the symptoms of gum disease but can also be the result of mechanical and functional problems that may need to be addressed. Once the gums have receded, they cannot grow back and without proper treatment, you may end up losing your teeth.

Gum recession occurs very gradually, so many people do not even realize there is a problem until they notice gaps forming between the teeth or when their teeth become very sensitive. If you are concerned about gum recession causes and want to learn more about treatment options, set up a consultation with Associates of Dental Arts as soon as possible.
 

Some of the most common causes of gum recession include:

• Periodontal Disease - An active infection in the mouth can destroy gum tissue and supporting bone structures.

• Genetics - For some people, genetics are to blame for the development of gum disease.

• Tooth Brushing Regimen - Using the wrong brushing technique can wear down your tooth structure and can contribute to gum recession.

• Poor Dental Hygiene - Neglecting to brush and floss your teeth regularly can cause plaque buildup which sets the stage for the development of gum disease.

• Tobacco Product Use - Smoking and chewing tobacco can damage gum tissues and decreases blood supply to the gums. Tobacco use is a secondary cause of periodontal disease.

• Bruxism - If you have a habit of grinding and clenching your teeth, the pressure on the teeth can make your teeth shift and cause gum recession.

• Misalignment - If your teeth are not coming together evenly and your bite is off, you may put more pressure on some parts of the gum and bone tissue which can cause receding gums.

• Body Piercing - Any jewelry in the mouth can irritate the gums and cause gum recession.

After identifying gum recession causes, the team will put together a treatment plan to treat and restore your gums. Procedures may include pocket depth reduction, regeneration, and soft tissue grafts.