Category: Blog

Is today’s article we will discuss something called gum recession. Gum recession is the shrinking or receding of gums. There are a few different reasons gum recession can begin, all of which involves some irritation of the gum tissues around the teeth. At Ramona Dentistry in Chino, CA, we find that keeping our patients educated and up-to-date with new technologies makes them more willing and able to get treated by us in continuing their journey to better health. In this article, we will discuss just a few things that can help us achieve said goal.

Types of Gum Tissues and Receding Gums

There are two main types of genetic gum tissues one being thick and flat and the other being thin and scalloped. If you have thin and scalloped gums, you may be more prone to get gum recession as opposed to patients with other kinds of gums. When scrubbing your teeth with a hard-bristled toothbrush and abrasive toothpaste, you can increasingly irritate the gums around your teeth. Even when you have a bite that is uneven, this can cause recession and large fillings, and other dental work can cause recession as well.

To counter effect gum recession using a sonic toothbrush and an alcohol containing mouthwash can reduce this recession. But most of all recession can be caused by over 2,300 species of bacteria that deposit substances on the teeth that have endotoxin which irritates the gum tissue.

Why is it Dangerous to Your Health?

Gum recession can lead to early acid and mechanical erosion of the roots of your teeth. Your teeth can begin to look a longer over time, making your bones and gums shrink. The shrinkage of the bone is permanent and cannot be treated by a dental professional. Over time this could lead to tooth loss meaning the recession of gums has much bigger repercussions than many might think. Bacteria through your exposed roots and into the bloodstream can eventually lead to increased chances of the following diseases:

• Heart attack
• Pancreatic cancer
• Stroke
• Respiratory diseases
• Diabetes
• Loss of vision, toes, sinus problems, and fatigue
• Alzheimer’s

What Can Be Done to Treat Recession?

It is important that you begin to determine first the cause of the recession. By implementing a home routine regimen, you can begin to treat the existing summer session. However, the most important course of action that you can take is to see your dentist immediately, that way they can refer you to a periodontal expert as soon as possible. Feel free to give our office in Chino California a phone call or send us an email to set up an appointment to treat your gums today.

A root canal might sound like an intimidating procedure, but it is an extremely useful treatment for saving badly infected teeth. In the very center of the tooth is the pulp which contains nerves and blood vessels. It’s needed as the tooth is developing, but adult teeth can survive without it. If the pulp becomes infected, it will have to be removed to save the natural tooth.

How does the tooth become infected?

The plaque that naturally forms on the surface of the teeth contains bacteria that are harmful to teeth. It’s cleaned away with regular brushing and flossing, but if these habits become lax, the bacteria are allowed to attack the teeth surface, causing cavities. Dental fillings can usually successfully treat cavities, but if the decay has progressed, it could reach the pulp. Damaged teeth (through either chips or cracks) can also allow bacteria to get inside the tooth.

Root Canal Procedure

A root canal is carried out under a local anesthetic to minimize pain and discomfort. The pulp is accessed through the crown of the tooth. It is cleaned out completely and specially shaped to clean out the root canals that are attached to the pulp. Once all the infected tissue has been removed, the chambers are thoroughly disinfected. If the infection was quite severe, the empty canal could then receive antibiotics. The tooth is sealed up and restored with either a filling or a crown.

Root canal therapy, along with dental fillings, can easily be avoided with good oral hygiene. Regular brushing and flossing, plus regular check-ups, ensure the health of the teeth.

Damaged, chipped, or cracked teeth take away from the appearance of a smile and can make anyone feel insecure. If you have any of these dental issues, dental bonding may be the cosmetic dentistry procedure for you.

What is dental bonding?

This procedure is when a composite resin (color-matched to the natural teeth) is applied directly to a tooth, then shaped to the desired appearance. The resin material used is biocompatible; in fact, it’s the same material that is used for dental fillings. It’s most appropriate for cases where only one or a few teeth need adjustments.

Most Common Issues

Dental bonding is most commonly used to fix issues having to do with the appearance of the teeth. Chips and cracks can be patched up; the size and shape of the tooth can be altered; it can even help fill in small gaps in between teeth. Bonding can also be used to adjust the color of the tooth and to cover exposed tooth roots caused by decay or gum disease.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Like with any other dental treatment, dental bonding is not a perfect solution. It cannot cover large areas, so if you need a full-smile cosmetic restoration, it probably isn’t the best option. However, it is usually more affordable compared to other methods of dental restoration, and faster because it is applied directly to the teeth. It usually does not require any anesthesia as it is a non-invasive procedure, and it does not require any trimming to the teeth. This means that the tooth maintains its structural integrity.

If dental bonding sounds like the right procedure for you, schedule an appointment with your dentist for a consultation.