Category: Blog

If your gums are bleeding constantly when you brush or floss, this is not a symptom you want to ignore. There are many reasons you may have constantly bleeding from the gums for many other reasons including things like gingivitis or a side-effect of a possible pregnancy. However, if you are starting to floss or brush regularly after a bout of not doing so the gums may bleed a little bit for a few weeks till they are healed and used to the new cleaning routine.

Stepping up your oral care and keeping your mouth in top shape can help eliminate future bleeding when brushing and flossing. The plaque built up along the gum line can make the gums sensitive and cause bleeding. Be sure to floss every evening and brush at least 2-3x per day to ensure premium oral health. Rinse with water after meals to keep the food particles from creating plaque in your mouth.

Be sure to also ensure you are using quality tools to care for your gums and teeth. If you have cheap oral hygiene tools those could be causing your gum to bleed due to the harsh nature of the treatment being applied to the mouth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a soft-bristled toothbrush that is not too hard on the gum line to brush with, and a quality floss that slides between teeth without irritation to keep your mouth from having problems with the tools being used. Also, be sure not to press too hard, as your tools might be just fine but the extra pressure you are applying may be causing your gums and mouth to bleed as you are being too rough when cleaning.

Certain medications can make your gums and mouth more likely to bleed, too. If you frequently take aspirin or blood thinners this can cause the mouth and gums to be more sensitive than it would otherwise be to things like brushing and flossing, and even a little bit of pressure or cleaning might cause problems. Also, medications dosages might need changed a bit, as that may cause the bleeding.

If you have questions regarding this article or your gums contact us or call 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Team

“Where Family Comes First”

Every once in a while, it’s common for people to clench or grind their teeth and there is usually no problem from doing that, however if its constant then you may have a problem. This condition is also known as bruxism. Constant grinding and clenching can cause severe problems with tooth corrosion and can wear the tooth right down to the bare bones. Other health complications like poor chewing and pain can result from bruxism as well.

Some people grind their teeth throughout the day, but most people do it at night while they are sleeping. The best sign that you are grinding your teeth is if you have a dull headache or jaw pain each morning when you wake up. If you sleep near a loved-one, often-times they can tell you if you are grinding your teeth as it will keep them awake at night! If you suspect signs of bruxism wrecking havoc on your teeth talk to your dentist.

In extreme cases of bruxism, the result can be chipped, fractured, damaged, or loosened teeth. This can cause teeth to have to be removed, and in some extreme cases requires bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, or partial/complete dentures to be needed once the original teeth are ruined. Nerve damage can also occur.

Your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to wear at night when teeth grinding is the most common. If your grinding is determined to be caused by stress, then it is possible to ask your dentist or doctor to offer tips on how to help manage your stress. Some options that are offered can include attending stress therapy classes, beginning an exercise program, seeing a physical therapist, or possibly taking muscle relaxants are some options that may be able to help the stress levels in your body go down. Also, getting sleep studies done to ensure you do not have a sleeping problem may also be a worthwhile investment. If a sleep disorders is behind the grinding, then that can be remedied at that time.

Other tips to quit grinding your teeth can include limiting drinks containing a lot of caffeine such as colas or coffees, avoiding alcohol, avoiding chewing on pens/pencils or anything that is not food, when you find yourself grinding your teeth place the tip of your tongue between your teeth to help you stop, or relax your jaws by holding a warm washing cloth up to your jaw each night to help your jaw line relax.

Bruxism can occur among children as well. Approximately 15% to 33% of children experience bruxism at some point in their childhoods. The two peak times for bruxism are when children’s baby teeth are growing in and when the permanent adult teeth are coming in. Most children will quit this habit after their teeth are fully grown in. Reasons children might grind their teeth include improperly aligned teeth, irregular contact between upper/lower teeth, and/or other medical conditions. Grinding baby teeth is rarely a problem, however when it’s the adult teeth it’s a bigger problem. That is the last set of teeth children get that have to last a lifetime. Besides wearing down teeth it can cause jaw pain, headaches, and severe wear on teeth. If you suspect your child has this condition, then take them to their dentist for evaluation.

If you have questions regarding this article contact us or call us 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Team

“Where Family Comes First”

Good oral health means more than just brushing your teeth every day. There are steps everyone can be following to ensure premium oral health and less problems down the road. Here are some tips and tricks on some of those steps:

1. Understand Your Personal Oral Health: be sure to mention any key medical conditions or needs you have to your dentist/hygienist so they can take the best care of you possible. Mentioning things like braces/retainers/etc. can help the dentist ensure they cater to your needs when cleaning your teeth. Other serious health problems like tooth decay or past issues with periodontitis or bacterial infections may also require additional dental treatment, so be sure to mention those things. This ensures you get the best care and cleaning possible to keep your smile healthy and happy.
2. Develop a Daily Health Routine: any special conditions that you have such as pregnancies or diabetes or other bacterial infections that may be require extra care should be incorporated into your daily routine. Develop a routine that is easy to follow and stick doing it each day. Discuss the conditions you may have with your dentist to come up with the best plan that’s right for you.
3. Use Fluoride. The fluoride treatments at the dentist can help children and adults alike keep their teeth strong and healthy. Check with your local water company to see if the fluoride levels in the water are adequate, and if not contact your dentist about fluoride treatments. Also, be sure to use toothpastes and mouthwashes fortified with fluoride for the best results.
4. Brush, Floss, & Rinse Daily: Develop a daily routine that includes brushing 2-3x (more if your dentist instructs you to do so), flossing every evening, and rinsing your mouth with at least water after meals. This helps avoid buildup of plaque and tartar around the teeth and gums from leftover food that sits in the mouth between meals or overnight. Also, it helps keep the enamel protected from foods that can eat through it and cause cavities or decay. Also, using antibacterial mouth wash can help keep the food from growing plaque and tartar in your mouth as well.
5. Eat A Balanced, Healthy Diet & Limit Snacking When Possible. Avoid snacks that are high in sugars and carbohydrates often as possible. Limit snacking on foods like cookies, cake, candies, desert breads, and other foods that cause more acidic enzymes to be produced in the mouth and when you do eat those foods either brush your teeth or chew sugarless gum to remove the excess food afterwards.
6. Quit Using Tobacco Products. If you smoke, use cigars, or chew smokeless tobacco quit now. Tobacco is harmful to your teeth and gums and can cause added or speedier decay and corrosion of otherwise healthy teeth and gums.
7. Know Your Own Mouth. Know how your own mouth looks and feels. If you experience gashes, cuts, lesions, growths, or pain in your mouth call your dentist immediately for examination. This can help catch any problems, and stem them before they become serious and long-lasting.
8. Visit Your Dentist At Least 2x Per Year. Avoid any extra problems by visiting your dentist regularly and ensuring your teeth are not compromised, and if any problems arise you catch them before they get out of hand.

If you have questions regarding this article contact us or call 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Team

“Where Family Comes First”