Tag Archives: gums

Top 5 Early Signs of Gingivitis

Picture 1: healthy gingiva which is pink, firm, and have knife edges at the neck of the teeth, with mild plaque accumulation

Gingivitis is more commonly known as the inflammation of the gums. The gums are also clinically known as gingiva, hence the term gingivitis. Generally, healthy gums are pink in colour, firm, and do not bleed while brushing. However, it is almost impossible to maintain perfectly healthy gums as gingivitis it is caused by plaque (a thin biofilm of bacteria) that is adhering to our teeth. Plaque can be removed through brushing, but, they are formed again once the brushing stops.  Usually, there is no need to worry about our gum’s health as long as a good brushing regimen is maintained (which is twice daily), however, it does have the potential to evolve into something more destructive, which is known as periodontitis. Continue reading →

How to Identify Risk Factors for Gingivitis


gingivitisWhat is gingivitis?

Gingivitis or generally known as gums (gingiva) disease is defined as an inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth. Gingivitis is commonly initiated by dental plaque formation, termed as plaque-induced gingival disease. With continuous plaque irritation and severe inflammation to the gums, this condition will progress into periodontitis, a destructive form of periodontal disease.

However, non-plaque-induced gingival lesion is an oral manifestation of systemic conditions that produce lesions in the gums; which are in very rare occurrence. Continue reading →

Common Questions asked about baby’s erupting teeth

baby teethWhat is teeth eruption

  1. Teeth eruption is the process during which teeth grow through the jaw bone and pierces the gum and the tooth enters into the mouth.
  2. Teeth eruption happens for both baby teeth eruption and permanent teeth eruption.
  3. Teeth eruption occurs all throughout our lives, this is because teeth in the mouth are always moving and never stagnant. However, the movements are of course very small. Continue reading →

A continuation on gingival flap surgery

gingival flap surgery

gingival flap surgery

How is the basic gingival flap surgery procedure performed

First a local anesthetic injection will be given to the site of the surgery to numb the area. This injection is  the same type of injection used when extracting teeth. Therefore, no excessive sedation is necessary unless the patient is very anxious. Then, your dentist will wait a few minutes and test the area again for numbness. The dentist will than make incisions or cuts along the gum margin (neck of the tooth) . When that is done, two vertical incisions are made according to the width  of the gingival flap. The gingival flap is than pulled away from the jaw bone using a forceps and a elevator. Your dentist will then examine the exposed bone and roots.  If there are inflamed or swollen gum tissue between the teeth, your dentist will remove it.  Depending on the situation, inflamed gum tissue may also have to be removed from holes in the bone. Continue reading →

Reasons to do a gingival flap surgery

periodontitis

A gingival pocket formation can be seen

A Quick history on Periodontal Disease

What causes  periodontal gum  disease ? Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless plaque on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque.  Plaque that is not removed can harden and form calculus that brushing does not clean.  Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove the calculus as it is very hard like pieces of rocks.

The longer plaque and calculus are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria causes inflammation of the gums leading to gingivitis.  In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily.  Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of jaw bone and tissue that hold teeth in place. Continue reading →