Receding gums is when your gums pull away from your teeth or draw downward, exposing parts of the tooth that your gums would typically conceal. Severe reducing gums issues may expose your tooth roots. Exposed tooth roots may also cause your teeth to become more sensitive or painful. Some of the factors that can increase your risk of receding gums can include:

• Gum disease
• Brushing too hard
• Aging
• Smoking/Chewing Tobacco
• Badly fitting dentures
• Damage from surgery or injury
• Genetic predispositions

 The treatment for receding gums depends on the severity of the problem. If the condition is caught early, your dentist may recommend deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. Treatment involves removing the plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and smoothing the roots to prevent bacteria from accumulating. 

In more severe cases, your dentist may recommend surgical procedures such as gum grafting to repair the damaged gum tissue or bone regeneration to promote the growth of new bone. It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene practices and visit your dentist regularly to prevent the recurrence of receding gums.

Question: I just chipped one of my front top teeth. I am not even sure how it happens. I was eating regular food when my tooth just chipped. It is not a large chip, but I chipped it. How will a dentist fix my tooth? Will it be costly? I do not have dental insurance, so I am not sure what I should do first.

Reply: When you have a chipped tooth, a dentist will first examine the extent of the damage to determine the best course of treatment. If the chip is small, the dentist may smooth and polish the rough edges of the tooth. For more significant chips, the dentist may use a filling material to build up the tooth or a crown to cover the damaged area completely. In cases where the chip has exposed the tooth’s pulp, a root canal may be necessary to remove the damaged tissue and prevent infection.

The cost of fixing a chipped tooth can vary depending on the extent of the damage and the treatment needed. Without dental insurance, the cost can be significant. For example, a filling can range from $100 to $500, while a crown can cost between $500 and $3,000. Root canals are also costly, typically costing between $1,000 and $1,500. It’s important to note that delaying treatment for a chipped tooth can lead to further damage and more expensive procedures in the long run. If you don’t have dental insurance, you can look into dental discount plans or financing options offered by many dental offices to make the cost more manageable.

A person can chip their tooth in a few ways, such as falling and hitting their mouth, biting on a hard object, suffering from trauma to the face, and dental decay that has weakened the tooth and predisposed it to chipping. Yet, however your tooth may have been chipped, it is important to take immediate care. Here are some helpful tips.

• Make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water
• If you have any bleeding in your mouth as a direct result of the chipped tooth, use a piece of gauze to apply pressure to the area
• Place an ice pack on your lips or cheek near the chipped tooth to control swelling.
• If you can not see your dentist within the same day you chip your tooth, cover the chipped tooth with dental cement (available in many drugstores) to help protect the remaining tooth until your dental appointment.
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It may seem surprising that many people do not have dental Insurance. However, dental insurance benefits are only sometimes offered through work, so people do without until a significant dental need arises. The problem with waiting until you need dental Insurance is that you need more time to get the type of dental Insurance you want. You may need a dental PPO plan to stay with your dentist. However, most dental PPO plans have long waiting periods, so you may not get the coverage you seek when not bought early. If you have a dentist you do not wish to change, find out what dental plans you would need to stay with their dental office. If you are with a dental office that only accepts PPO dental plans, you should consider getting a PPO plan now to have a plan in place for your future dental needs, whether for preventive dental care or major dental care.

It is essential to understand that a baby’s dental care starts with their mother’s healthy pregnancy because baby teeth form before birth. If you are pregnant, eat a balanced, nutritious diet and get adequate vitamins and minerals, as your doctor advises. Do not avoid your dentist; sadly, many pregnant women do not see a dentist, which is essential. Pregnant women have a higher risk of gum disease and, therefore, should see their dentist to maintain their oral health while pregnant

Food texture can create issues for your teeth. Sticky substances find their way in-between your teeth and along your gum line. The bacteria in your mouth interact with the sugars to weaken your tooth enamel. Therefore, avoid candies like toffee and anything gummy (such as gummy bears). If you do eat this type of treat, be extra diligent with your flossing and brushing afterward.

Wine may get better with age, but did you know it also ages your teeth? The high acidic content of wine immediately wears down your teeth’s enamel. Wine also stains teeth and can cause dry mouth.

Although it can be hard to avoid flour-based, white starchy foods, try limiting your refined carbohydrates for good dental health. Refined carbohydrates are correlated with increased inflammation, which in turn causes complications like gingivitis

Although one of America’s favorite morning and afternoon beverages may be coffee and tea, they have compounds called tannins, which can cause unsightly stains and discoloring of your teeth. Therefore, to avoid staining your teeth, try limiting the amount of coffee and tea drinking throughout the day. If you drink coffee and tea, do so with a straw to limit contact with your teeth. Avoid slowly drinking these types of drinks. It can be fun to hang out at the local coffee house and baby one cup of coffee during your hour or more stay, but it is not so fun for your teeth.

Dental cavities are the most common chronic disease in children. Yet cavities can be prevented with dental visits and good at-home oral hygiene care. Still, on average, one in five elementary school children has at least one untreated cavity. One reason for this is due cost. Some parents struggle to get their children to a dentist because of dental care and the cost of losing money due to taking time off work.

According to a new study, School-based dental care cut cavities in half among thousands of elementary students. “The widespread implementation of oral health programs in schools could increase the reach of traditional dental practices and improve children’s oral health, all while reducing health disparities and the cost of care,” said senior author Dr. Richard Niederman

One reason seniors sometimes need better dental care is that they need a dental office that they are familiar with and comfortable with. Finding a dental office that they can trust and feel satisfied with will help them make and keep dental appointments

Many people know that a lack of attention to oral health can undoubtedly lead to problems focusing on their mouth and teeth. However, fewer people know that poor oral health care can also have ramifications for more widespread disease throughout their bodies. Good oral health care helps prevent tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, heart disease, diabetes, pneumonia, and oral cancer.

However, when oral hygiene is neglected, it is not only the health of the teeth and gums that suffer. For instance, the risk of getting pneumonia increases with poor oral hygiene. Since air must pass through the mouth to get to the lungs, a more significant amount of bacteria in the mouth increases the odds that those bacteria enter the lungs and cause an infection. Regular brushing and flossing can help reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and thus reduce the chances that harmful bacteria enter the lungs and cause disease.

Studies have established a link between oral health and overall well-being. It is essential to know for people of all ages, especially seniors. As we age, we become more susceptible to various oral and dental problems, and maintaining appropriate hygiene practices like regular brushing and flossing is crucial to staying healthy. However, many seniors tend to defer their oral health care needs. However, this makes it all the more important to continue encouraging this population to take the time to care for themselves and their oral health.

There are other dental X-rays besides Bitewigns your dentist may have to do to provide you with the best dental service.

• Occlusal X-rays: Occlusal X-rays are done when your jaw is closed to see how your upper and bottom teeth line up. It can also detect anatomical abnormalities with the floor of the mouth or the palate.
• Occlusal X-Rays. Occlusal X-rays are a technique that captures all of your teeth in one shot.
• Panoramic X-Rays. Panoramic X-Rays are a type of X-ray where the machine rotates around the head. Your dentist may use this technique to check your wisdom teeth, plan for implanted dental devices, or investigate jaw problems.
• Periapical X-Rays. Periapical X-Ray is a technique that focuses on two complete teeth from root to crown.

What are Bitewing X-Rays?

Bitewing X-rays involve biting down on a unique piece of paper so that your dentist can see how well the crowns of your teeth match up. Bitewing X-rays are used to check for cavities between teeth. Many insurance plans provide Bitewings X-rays at little to no cost as they typically fall under preventive dental care services.

While dental X-rays do involve radiation, the exposure levels are so low that they’re considered safe for children and adults. If your dentist uses digital X-rays instead of developing them on film, your risks from radiation exposure are even lower.

If you are experiencing dental pain issues but can not get into the dental office right away, here are some tips that you might benefit from trying:

• Over-the-counter pain relief medication
• A warm salt water rinse
• A hydrogen peroxide rinse
• Garlic
• Cloves
• Peppermint tea

Remember that these are temporary solutions; seeing a dentist for dental pain is necessary.

Treatment of Misaligned Teeth: Misaligned teeth can cause dentist issues beyond the appearance of your smile. Orthodontic treatments such as braces can help align the teeth. A person with severe misalignment or decay may need surgery.