Tag Archives: sore gums

How Does Gingival Recession Occur?

 

What is Gingival Recession?

Gingival recession is a dental condition characterized by shrinking gums which expose root surfaces and reduces the zone of attached gingiva. It is a precursor for loss of thin cementum surrounding the teeth and wearing of enamel at the gum line. Exposed root is potentially sensitive via exposed dentinal tubules which can transmit stimuli to the pain receptors in the pulp (inner nerve). Cold, hot and sweet stimuli, drying with an air spray and the use of an ultrasonic scaler results in sensitivity. This situation deters the patient from brushing properly leading to plaque accumulation on the root surface and aggravates the sensitivity. It develops during late teens and early 40’s. Continue reading →

How to Make Your Own Mouthwash Part2

Continued from Part1

3% hydrogen peroxide

3% hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash

Hydrogen peroxide has been used as an antibacterial agent for many years because of its oxidizing properties. The chemical is a weak acid and a strong bleaching agent therefore it is not unusual to find hydrogen peroxide listed in the ingredients of some toothpastes and dentifrices. Even dentists use high concentration hydrogen peroxide in professional teeth whitening procedures to remove stubborn stains. Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash can help reduce gum bleeding and clean mouth wounds by killing bacteria and removing dead tissues. Continue reading →

How to Make Your Own Mouthwash Part1

bca66903So you feel that buying a mouthwash could pinch your wallet but yet you can’t help but be concerned about the health of your mouth?

Commercial mouthwashes sold over the counter can be costly especially therapeutic mouthwashes that help reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth.

However worry naught as there are several homemade remedies available to make your own mouthwash when you are on a tight budget. Homemade mouthwash has mild antibacterial properties that can provide relief for mouth sores and reduce bad breath. Continue reading →

Avoiding Trench Mouth

Acute necrotizing gingivitis © Too Smile Dentals

Acute necrotizing gingivitis © Too Smile Dentals

Trench mouth disease, or acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) in medical term, is a condition that affects the gums which as its name implies; destroy gum tissues, create sores and inflame the gums. When irreversible destruction of the periodontal tissues has occurred, it will be called as acute necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis (ANUP). The condition is best seen in patients with HIV infection and AIDS and it has been around since World War I (for many of the soldiers in the trenches were affected by it). It used to be called by many names like Vincent’s gingivitis, Vincent’s gingivostomatitis and ulceromembraneous gingivitis.

Continue reading →

Causes of Sore Gums

19619Have you ever experienced having sore gums whereby your gums feel swollen or painful? Ever notice having red, white or black gums? The gums can be sore or pigmented for a number of reasons and this article is to discuss about the many factors behind it. The article will be split into parts according to common complaints for easy reading. Continue reading →

Denture-related problems affecting the mouth Part2

continuation of part 1

4)      Epulis fissuratum (denture fibrous hyperplasia)

Epulis fissuratum © 2008 Elsevier, Inc.

Epulis fissuratum © 2008 Elsevier, Inc.

Commonly seen in those with poor fitting denture for a long period of time, the lesion may be due to the sharp denture margins or overextended flanges leading to chronic irritation of the soft tissues. It can appear as a single or multiple fold of tissue that grown in excess around the mucobuccal groove, which is the area where the gums meet the inner cheek. The tissue‘s mobility and continued growth can cause problems in maintaining denture retention. Painful ulceration is common in the base of the fold.

Treatment: Surgical excision of lesion and new denture construction. Continue reading →

Denture-related problems affecting the mouth Part1

Dentures are intended to restore function of your mouth but sometimes they can be responsible for many common lesions found in the mouth. The lesions tend to occur in greater frequency in removable dentures (complete or partial dentures) compared to permanent dentures (bridge or implants) as removable dentures can be distorted or broken with use. Furthermore, the older age group is more commonly affected as they often do not comply with instructions for proper removal, placement, maintenance and cleaning dentures.

Continue reading →

Dentures and sore gums

Denture Picture taken from propagandica.wordpress.com/2008/12/

Denture Picture taken from propagandica.wordpress.com/2008/12/

Dentures are artificial teeth placed inside the mouth to replace missing teeth for better function, speech and esthetics. Sore gums are often the main complaint of a denture wearer.

Causes and remedies for denture sore gums

Ill fitting denture

A denture that is not fitting properly may have pressure spots while functioning. Frequent pressure on these spots may cause sores and ulcers if they are not dealt with. Usually, you need to return to the dentist for review and they will identify the pressure spots and trim if off. If you have ulcers, the dentist would prescribe ulcer relieving agents. You can also apply aloe vera gel or eucalyptus oil or simply salt water gargling to speed up the healing.

If the denture really does not fit well (hindering speech, difficult to chew, poor esthetic), you may need to redo a new one.

As you aged, your jaw bone will resorb if there are no teeth to maintain its level. Thus, the denture would have to be relined, rebased or remade to fit the changing bony contours.
Continue reading →

Permanent Dentures and Alternatives to Permanent Dentures

Permanent Dentures and its alternative

Permanent Dentures and its alternative

What are dentures

Dentures are removable, artificial replacements for missing teeth, to maintain oral form, restore function, appearance and health.

There are two main types of dentures:

  • Complete Dentures or Full Dentures, and
  • Partial Dentures.

For those who have lost some teeth, but don’t want to get dental implants or bridges, partial dentures are an affordable option. Partial denture can be made out of full acrylic or incorporated with cast metal framework. Acrylic partial dentures are more affordable partial dentures. Cast metal partial dentures are usually greater in cost due to laboratory procedure for metal framework. Continue reading →

Endodontic Treatment – What, Why & How

What is Root Canal Treament?

Endodontic treatment is also known as root canal treatment. It is a procedure to clean, shape and fill the root canals of a diseased tooth. Our anterior tooth (incisors and cuspid) has one canal normally except for lower anterior teeth whereby they may have two. Bicuspids and molars have more than one canal. Continue reading →