How Can I Treat Bleeding Gums?

How Can I Treat Bleeding Gums?

Do your gums bleed when you brush? Gum inflammation, or gingivitis, can cause red and bleeding gums. Gingivitis can cause pain, irritation, and discomfort in the gums. Over time, gingivitis can become periodontitis or gum disease. Knowing the signs that accompany bleeding gums and knowing how to treat bleeding gums can prevent worsening dental problems in the future. 

Symptoms That Accompany Bleeding Gums

You can also experience these symptoms if you have bleeding gums: 

  • Gum pain and irritation
  • Sensitive gums
  • Red or purple gum tissue
  • A sticky film (plaque) or hardened deposits (tartar) on the teeth or gums

Please contact our office if you often experience bleeding gums and other accompanying symptoms. You can develop gum disease over time, which is non-reversible. We can reverse gum inflammation, but we cannot fully reverse the effects of gum disease.

How to Treat Bleeding Gums

There are multiple things you can do to reverse bleeding gums and other symptoms of gum inflammation and gum disease:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Many patients may not floss because they don’t realize how important it is to their oral health. If patients only brush their teeth, they are not fully cleaning their smiles. Flossing before brushing removes food debris and bacterial buildup. Brushing after flossing creates a better clean. A good oral hygiene routine can keep bacteria at bay and stop bleeding gums for good.

Receive Routine Antibacterial Care

At routine dental appointments, our hygienists provide professional dental cleanings that are much more thorough than your two-minute flossing and brushing. Our dental hygienists use stainless steel dental tools to find and remove plaque, a sticky bacterial film, and tartar, hardened plaque. An antibacterial rinse can also minimize the recurrence of bacterial buildup following a cleaning. 

Receive Professional Deep Cleanings

We will recommend scaling and root planing treatment to help patients who already notice signs of gum disease. These treatments are used together to remove plaque and tartar from the gums and the tooth roots. During scaling treatment, we remove plaque and tartar at and beneath the gum line. Root planing goes beneath the gums to the tooth roots, smoothing down the roots and removing plaque and tartar. 

Sometimes, we will recommend scaling and root planing for patients who have recurring gum disease symptoms. We will recommend deep cleaning treatments on a schedule that works for each patient. 

Do you have gum pain, sensitivity, and discomfort in addition to bleeding gums? Call White Glow Dental Studio for treatment today at (773) 549-2881. You can also schedule a dental appointment with us online. We will be happy to help you find the right treatment for your symptoms. 

Plaque vs. Tartar: Differences and Treatment

Plaque vs. Tartar: Differences and Treatment

Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that builds on the teeth and gums. Tartar is a hardened plaque. Plaque and tartar form from sugars and starches left in the mouth. This bacterial buildup can lead to gum disease and cavities. Gum disease inflames and irritates the gum tissue, while cavities break down natural teeth. Learn the signs of plaque and tartar, how the two differ from each other, and how we remove plaque and tartar to prevent tooth decay and gum disease in Chicago, IL.

Indicators of Plaque and Tartar Buildup

Plaque is a colorless film that builds on teeth. There are several symptoms that accompany plaque buildup: 

  • Red and swollen gums
  • Halitosis (bad breath)
  • A “fuzzy” feeling on your teeth 

Common signs of tartar include: 

  • Discoloration due to particles or stains on teeth
  • White deposits on the gums between teeth
  • A rough feeling on the teeth

Over time, plaque and tartar buildup contribute to gum disease and cavities. Ultimately, harmful bacteria feed on sugars and carbohydrates, creating digestive acids that break down the gum tissue and tooth structure. It’s important to prevent plaque from hardening and becoming tartar. 

How to Treat Plaque and Tartar in Chicago

Sugars and carbohydrates attract harmful bacteria to different areas of the mouth. Drinking water after eating, brushing, flossing, and following a healthy diet can help stop plaque and tartar buildup. It should be easy to remove plaque from the teeth and gums with a good oral hygiene routine. Many patients may skip flossing because they do not think it will make any difference in their oral health. However, flossing before brushing can help remove food debris and bacterial buildup. Flossing and then brushing twice a day for two minutes each time can minimize bacteria in the mouth. 

Only a dental professional can effectively remove tartar. We recommend that patients schedule a dental cleaning every six months to minimize bacterial buildup and prevent bacteria from infecting natural teeth and gum tissue. Our dental hygienists use stainless steel dental tools to remove tartar and plaque from the teeth and gums. They can also use antibacterial rinses and deep cleaning treatments if patients have symptoms of periodontitis or gum disease. 

Do you need a dental cleaning? Call White Glow Dental Studio for treatment today at (773) 549-2881. You may also request a dental appointment with us online. If you have questions about preventing harmful bacterial buildup at home, please let us know at your next visit.

Answering Common Dental FAQs

Answering Common Dental FAQs

Patient education is an integral part of dental care. We want our patients to ask us questions about their general treatment options, oral hygiene routine, and how we can care for their smiles in our office. Here, patients can read answers to common dental FAQs in Chicago, IL. Our dental team is always happy to answer any questions or discuss current patient concerns. We pride ourselves on creating a friendly environment where patients feel comfortable receiving dental care.

Dental FAQs in Chicago, IL

Read answers to commonly asked questions about dental care:

How Often Should I Visit The Dentist?

We recommend that patients visit the dentist biannually or every six months. During regular visits, our dental hygienists provide thorough dental cleanings and we take x-rays and perform regular exams.

Why Are Regular Dental Visits Important? 

Scheduling dental visits every six months can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. We provide dental cleanings to remove bacterial buildup from the teeth and gums. Additionally, we take dental x-rays to keep track of any developing problems. Routine dental appointments help our team care for your smile. Visiting the dentist on a regular basis can prevent severe dental issues and complications.

What Is The Best Method To Brush My Teeth?

If you use a manual toothbrush, brush your teeth in circular motions. Begin brushing the outside of the teeth. Then, move to the tooth’s chewing surfaces and the back of the teeth. You do not need to rotate your brush if you have an electric toothbrush. However, you should take several seconds to move over each tooth.

How Can I Improve My Gum Health?

The best way to improve gum health is to remember to floss and brush your teeth. Some patients may not think flossing is as important as brushing. However, flossing removes food particles that can get stuck between teeth. Flossing and brushing together can minimize the chance of gum disease and tooth decay. Harmful bacteria feed on food debris left on the gums, irritating the gum tissue. Removing this debris and brushing with fluoridated toothpaste can combat gum disease.

Are you looking for a dentist in the Chicago area? Do you have any more questions for our office? Call White Glow Dental Studio for care today at (773) 549-2881. You can also schedule a dental appointment with us on our website. We are always happy to help you learn more about your treatment options.

General Dentistry Q & A

General Dentistry Q & A Lincoln Park Chicago

Our dental office provides general dental care for patients who need to maintain their oral health and prevent future dental concerns. General dental treatments can encompass regular dental cleanings and examinations as well as dental tools and treatments that help stop oral health issues. Emergency dental care, dental lasers, custom sports mouthguards, dental sedation, sleep apnea treatment, and dental extractions all fall under general dentistry in our Chicago, IL dental office. 

General Dentistry in Chicago, IL

Learn more about general dental care with answers to these commonly asked questions:

How do I know if I need emergency dental care?

A dental emergency is a situation that requires prompt care. Any sudden or severe dental problem needs prompt and professional dental care, like a lost permanent tooth, tooth pain, or broken dental restoration. If you experience a dental emergency,  contact us as soon as possible

When will I need dental sedation?

Typically, we use sedation for lengthy dental extractions or implant restorations. Dental sedation ensures patient comfort throughout treatment. However, if you or a loved one have dental fear or anxiety, we can also recommend dental sedation for more routine treatments. 

What are the benefits of sports mouthguards?

Wearing sports mouthguards to play contact sports can protect natural teeth, restorations, and orthodontics like braces. Mouthguards conform to teeth to prevent dental injuries, broken restorations, and tooth loss. Sports mouthguards often prevent the need for cosmetic or restorative care.

How can I tell if I have sleep apnea?

Common sleep apnea symptoms can include snoring, morning headaches, mood swings, and irritability. We also recommend that patients take at-home sleep tests and visit for screenings. A professional can diagnose sleep apnea, and we can provide oral appliances to keep the airway open. Our oral appliances benefit patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.

How long does it take to recover from a tooth extraction?

Although it will take weeks for the jawbone to heal, you should be able to wean off a soft diet in a week or less. We recommend that patients stick to a soft diet and avoid the extraction site after treatment. Avoiding the site helps prevent problems like dry socket and helps the healing process.

Contact Dr. Paul Gayed and Dr. Frank Shaw for general dental care at (773) 549-2881. You can also schedule a dental consultation online. Let us know if you have any more questions for us and we will be glad to help.

Why Is Gum Health Important

Many patients may only think of problems like tooth decay or cavities when they think of dental issues. However, gums play an important role in patients’ oral health. Problems like gum disease can affect other areas of the body. Gum disease also has links to health problems like diabetes, osteoporosis, respiratory diseases, and heart problems. Here we will show the links between overall health and gum health in Chicago, IL.

Overall Health and Gum Health in Chicago, IL 

Health problems and gum problems can be linked as one condition can affect the other. Some health problems that can affect the gums include: 

Diabetes

Gum disease increases the levels of sugar in the body, and provides more food for harmful bacteria. This can also make it difficult for diabetics to control their blood glucose levels. Many diabetics experience thicker blood vessels, which makes it hard to deliver nutrients and remove waste. This can leave gum tissue more prone to infection.

Poor oral hygiene and tobacco use can also leave diabetics at higher risk of gum disease. Diabetics over 45 are 20 times more likely to develop periodontal disease when they use tobacco products. Additionally, diabetics need to ensure a good oral hygiene routine to prevent gum disease as poor oral hygiene is a leading cause of infection.

Osteoporosis

Bone fragility, decreased bone mineral density, and low bone mass are indicators of osteoporosis. Patients with osteoporosis and gum disease are more at risk of bones breaking because of inflammation. Estrogen deficiency can also speed up oral bone loss and lead to gum recession. Many post-menopausal women can develop osteoporosis and lose gum tissue that keep teeth stable.

Respiratory Diseases

Gum disease can worsen pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Patients with chronic respiratory disease often have low immunity, increasing their risk of gum disease. Bacteria that cause inflammation can also inflame the lining in the lungs. Smoking or using tobacco products can also contribute to respiratory diseases and worsen the immune system.

Heart Problems

Strokes, heart attacks, heart disease, and other heart problems are closely linked to gum disease. Harmful bacteria in the mouth that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream, attaching to blood vessels in the arteries and contributing to clots. As periodontitis develops, it weakens immune systems and the body’s inflammatory response.

We recommend that you visit our office regularly for routine care so we can keep track of your health problems. Let our team know of any medical conditions impacting your oral health. At regular dental visits, we can take detailed x-rays to examine the teeth, gums, and jaw. We also provide deep dental cleanings like scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar from the smile. Topical or oral antibiotics also minimize harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Call our dental office for treatment today at (773) 549-2881. You may also schedule a dental appointment with us on our website. Let us know if you have questions or concerns about your gum health and we can help.