What Causes Swollen Gums and What are the Treatment Options

Gingivitis is the most common cause of swollen gums. Gingivitis is caused by improper oral hygiene. Proper oral hygiene consists of brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. In addition to your at-home oral care regimen, it is important to visit the dentist every six months for a professional exam and cleaning.

A failure to practice proper oral hygiene results in a buildup of plaque and bacteria. When the bacteria feed on the sugars in the foods that we eat, they create a harmful acid byproduct as a result. This acid is what causes tooth decay. When plaque is allowed to accumulate, it turns into tartar. When plaque and tartar build up along the gumline, it causes the gums to swell. This swelling of the gums, or gingivitis, is the first stage of gum disease. Luckily, gingivitis is highly treatable and reversible. Improving your oral hygiene is the best swollen gums treatment. Failure to effectively treat gingivitis will lead to it developing into periodontitis, a much more serious stage of gum disease. In cases in which improving oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings are not enough to clear up the gingivitis, our Los Angeles periodontist may suggest a procedure called scaling and root planing. In this procedure, the plaque and tartar above and below the gumline is scraped away, and the hard bacterial deposits at the root of the teeth are removed.

Choosing between Invisalign and Braces

When considering what might be the best orthodontic treatment to match your needs, nothing can replace the value of a thorough evaluation, including x-rays. However, here is a look at some of the details to help you decide.

Braces vs. Invisalign

Braces are a great option for patients with severe orthodontic issues, as Invisalign candidacy is more limited, but it comes at the cost of a significant impact on appearance. That is because Invisalign’s clear aligners are exceptionally discreet. Braces are also typically cheaper, but the treatment time can often be longer.

The number of dental appointments with braces is also greater because the braces must be tightened by the dentist to keep the teeth moving along. Invisalign, on the other hand, requires less hassle with appointments because the treatment moves along without any further intervention by the dentist. Provided all is going well, appointments with our Los Angeles Invisalign specialist is limited to ensuring that no corrective courses need to be made in the middle of treatment.

Perhaps most importantly, though, Invisalign aligner trays can be removed, making eating and brushing the same as before. Braces, however, are affixed to the teeth, requiring changes to both.

There are many factors to consider when trying to choose between the two treatment options, and you should schedule a consultation to help determine which option is right for you.

Do Children Develop Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease can affect anyone at any age, and unfortunately, this also includes children. Periodontal disease in children tends to take the form of chronic gingivitis, aggressive periodontitis, or generalized aggressive periodontitis.

Chronic gingivitis is relatively common and is usually caused because of poor oral hygiene. Red, swollen gums that tend to bleed easily are hallmark signs of chronic gingivitis in children. Regular brushing and flossing, along with biannual visits to the dentist for a professional exam and cleaning are important ways to treat and prevent this condition.

Aggressive periodontitis affects children who are otherwise healthy. It is characterized by severe bone loss, and strangely, these patients form very little plaque and tartar. Generalized aggressive periodontitis tends to begin around puberty, as there is an increase in blood flow to the gums. Gums are inflamed, with there being heavy accumulation of plaque and tartar.

It is important to establish firm foundations of oral health in your children at a very young age. You can start using toothpaste by the time they are one year old, and flossing should begin as soon as their teeth start to close. In some cases, periodontal disease may develop as a result of a systemic disease. If you notice any changes in the oral health of your child, contact our expert in periodontics in Los Angeles to schedule a consultation.

Dental Implants Costs

If you are missing any of your teeth, dental implants are generally considered to be your best option for replacing them. The cost of dental implants will vary on a case-by-case basis, and tends to depend on a few different factors.

The first thing you will want to consider is the quality of your jawbone. Dental implants require that you have enough strength and density in your jawbone to be able to support them. Should you lack the necessary strength and density, you will be required to undergo a bone graft surgery before the implants can be placed. This additional surgery will increase the overall cost of your dental implants. Another factor to consider is the geographic location where you are planning to have your implants placed. The bigger the metropolitan area, the higher the cost will be. Coastal areas also tend to be a bit higher, with smaller cities and rural areas usually costing less. The number of implants required will also increase your cost. Additionally, whether one-stage or two-stage implants are being placed will also have an impact on your cost. Since there is an additional surgery required to place two-stage implants, the added surgery will increase the price.

If you are wondering what the cost of dental implants would be for you, contact our expert in dental implant in Beverly Hills to schedule a consultation.

Can Porcelain Veneers be Stained?

Porcelain is one of the most non-porous substances known. This is precisely why sinks, tubs, toilets and more are made from it. Because of this incredible feature of it, porcelain is highly unlikely to stain. Since most veneers are made from porcelain, they too are unlikely to stain.

However, that does not mean that you can ignore warning of foods and drinks that cause staining. Likewise, it does not mean that you can just ignore daily dental hygiene. Quite the contrary, actually.

While porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant, the teeth they are on are not. As a result, it is important to keep your teeth white in light of the fact that they do not stain. This is because while your teeth will slowly get more and more off-white or even yellow, the porcelain will stay exactly the same as it was before. This will begin to create an obvious contrast in color between your teeth that have no veneers over them, like your molars. While the vast majority of people will never notice this contrast, some of your closest friends and family might.

Likewise, it is important to practice regular dental hygiene. This is because while the porcelain is unlikely to stain, grape fruit juice sitting on them all day and night could have a long-term cumulative effect. Keep in mind that veneers are made to last up to twenty years. That is a very long time to stay perfectly white.

What is Considered TMJ Disorder?

The initials TMJ literally refer to one of the two temporomandibular joints that connect your jaw to your skull. It is quite common to develop inflammation in these joints, inflammation which was once incorrectly linked exclusively to malocclusion. We now know TMJ disorder is not necessarily a structural problem, but is brought on by anything from teeth grinding to stress at work. Arthritis is also a factor.

A diagnosis of TMJ disorder in Thousand Oaks can usually be given after a single panoramic x-ray of the jaws. Further x-rays are not thought to add any information. Our TMJ dentist in Thousand Oaks may prescribe you an intra-oral appliance, which relieves pressure on the joints and limits tooth grinding.

TMJ manifests as moderate to severe pain in the jaw, ears, or temples. Some people develop problems chewing or swallowing, or have headaches. TMJ disorder is somewhat vague as a definition, and can come and go to an extent. You can even treat your symptoms yourself, with pain medication or by actively reducing stress. However, our expert in TMJ disorder advises you to seek dental attention if symptoms persist or worsen.

Does Invisalign Teen Work?

Invisalign Teen is just as effective as traditional Invisalign when it comes to correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues. Invisalign Teen is capable of correcting issues such as crowded teeth, gapped teeth, overbite, underbite, and crossbite. The exact same physics are used to move the teeth with Invisalign Teen as they are with traditional Invisalign, but there are a few key differences in some of the features.

Just like traditional Invisalign, Invisalign Teen uses a series of clear plastic aligners in order to straighten teeth. Each set of aligners is worn for two weeks at a time before being replaced with a new set of aligners. Each new set is designed to move your teeth one step closer to your overall treatment goal. The only real difference with Invisalign Teen is that there are some added features designed to benefit the teenagers who are using them for treatment. In order to accommodate the growth of second molars, eruption tabs were built into the Invisalign Teen aligners. And in case any aligners are lost or misplaced, six extra replacement aligners are given with Invisalign Teen. Finally, there is a blue compliance dot on the aligners to let the dentist know if the teenager has been wearing their aligners for the required 22 hours a day.

If your teen needs orthodontic treatment and is interested in learning if they are right for Invisalign Teen, contact our Los Angeles Invisalign dentists to schedule a consultation.

What Damages Veneers?

While veneers are able to last up to twenty years under proper conditions, they are not impervious to damage. So even though our Beverly Hills porcelain veneers expert is able to place them, it is up to you, the patient, to take proper care of them. Here are a few things to help prevent damage.

•    Wear protective mouth guards when playing sports. This will prevent any direct blows to the face from causing problems to the veneers.

•    Never use your teeth as tools. Teeth are made for chewing food, known as mastication. That should be it. Opening a bag of chips, removing clothing tags, stripping wire and trimming fingernails are all done much better with other tools, namely scissors, wire clippers and nail clippers. Use those, not your teeth or veneers.

•    Never grind your teeth. Why would I grind me teeth, is what you are asking yourself right now. The truth is that most people never know they even do it because it happens in the wee hours of the night while you are fast asleep. This condition, known as bruxism, might be a symptom of sleep apnea and should be treated appropriately in either case. If you do grind your teeth, as least wear a night guard and give your teeth and the veneers a break.

How Does a Sleep Apnea Machine Work?

There are different types of sleep apnea machines available at the Torrance sleep apnea center, depending on the type and severity of the condition. However, the most common type is called a CPAP, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure.

CPAP machines sit beside your bed pumping air. They are connected to a mask that covers your nose or both mouth and nose by a long, thin tube. The machine sends a very weak flow of air into your respirator system on continual basis, which is how it gets its name.

The reason this work in dealing with sleep apnea, specifically obstructive sleep apnea, is because the cause of the condition is a windpipe that is closing off the airway. By pushing air into the lungs continually, the throat stays open, thereby permitting normal breathing at all times. While this might seen counter-intuitive, pumping air into the lungs when you need to both breathe in and out, the sensation is actually quite natural. The flow of air is so minimal that it does not impede normal breathing.

The effectiveness of sleep apnea machines is highly dependent on the correct fitting of the sleep mask. Therefore, our expert in sleep apnea machine in Torrance can help you select one that will work for you and make sure you know how to use it properly.

What Does Invisalign Retainer Do?

After you have had orthodontic treatment, either from braces or from Invisalign, keeping your smile perfect thereafter must be a conscious effort. Otherwise, teeth will inevitably turn and twist and drift in your mouth. It is to this end that our dentist in OC strongly suggests the use of an Invisalign retainer to maintain your smile.

An Invisalign retainer is molded to fit your teeth perfectly. In fact, it is made from your teeth. One is made of each dental arch, top and bottom. While it should be worn more often during the first six months after treatment, it is important to wear them at night from then on. Because they fit so perfectly over your teeth, they will prevent the teeth from moving away from their new, ideal locations, which it does while you sleep.

Wearing an Invisalign retainer is the next logical step when it comes to having a perfect smile. You spent the time to get the straight teeth, you invested the money, now you need to keep it. Invisalign is able to help you do that. Contact our expert in Invisalign retainer in Orange County to learn more or to schedule a consultation.

Common Types of Cosmetic Treatments

Modern patients can have virtually any cosmetic dental issue resolved with the right treatment. From temporary to permanent, simple to complex, cosmetic dental procedures can restore confidence in patients whose teeth have flaws. Here is more about common aesthetic dental options.

Teeth Whitening

Both conventional office tooth whitening and Zoom whitening are superior to store-bought whitening products. With Zoom, three whitening cycles are performed in one session. Results arrive in about an hour and can last for months.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Unlike metal fillings, white composite fillings leave teeth looking natural. This is ideal for front teeth that are visible when patients smile.

Veneers

As their name suggests, veneers are shells that are attached to the fronts of teeth. Veneers are permanent and can hide flaws involving color, structure and even positioning.

Crowns

Also called caps, crowns cover the entire tooth rather than just the front as veneers do. The greater thickness of crowns also allows for better concealment of major flaws.

Our dentist also offers smile makeovers, which are custom-selected combinations of treatments to resolve multiple cosmetic issues. Every makeover is unique to match the goals of the individual. By scheduling a consultation at our cosmetic dental clinic in Northridge, patients can learn more about the latest treatments to improve the appearance of their teeth.

Are Patients Happy with Invisalign?

Since the introduction of Invisalign to the orthodontic market in 1999, the product has been used successfully by millions of satisfied customers. This alone should speak volumes about how people feel about Invisalign, as no company or product could remain on the market without an abundance of happy customers suggesting it to others.

Naturally, of course, there are other ways to figure out how people feel about it. By going online and reading Invisalign reviews, you can gain a good sense of how people feel. Such reviews are indeed statements directly from customers and, as we all know, will not hold back. There is perhaps no better way to get the answer to this question.

Another way to find out if Invisalign patients were happy is to talk to our Rocklin orthodontics expert. As a provider of many more treatment options than just Invisalign, our dentist has a vested interest only in making patients happy and giving them what they want. Therefore, the incentive is not to sell any single product, but to straighten teeth, helping them be more healthy and attractive. As an experienced provider of Invisalign and the alternatives, you will get a fair assessment of how patients felt about their different treatments.