When gum tissue is healthy, a shallow groove that is no deeper than 3 millimeters should be between the teeth and gums, according to the American Dental Association, known as the ADA. Periodontal disease can cause the gum to develop a pocket that...
Some abscessed teeth occur without causing the slightest pain or swelling. X-rays detect these during a dental examination. However, other abscessed teeth cause severe pain that can interfere with work, school and routine daily activities. In...
Deep cleaning allows dentists to thoroughly clean your gums and tooth roots if you are suffering from gum disease. Dental deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planning, is the most common and conservative form of treatment for gum disease,...
When your dentist suggests you need deep cleaning of your teeth, you want to know what to expect. Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is a process of cleaning plaque that has built up on the roots of teeth beneath the gum line....
A diseased dental pulp within a tooth can cause a severe toothache and result in an abscessed tooth. Plaque accumulating outside the tooth can cause a gum abscess with pain and swelling. At one time, a diseased tooth required extraction, according...
Young children with poor brushing habits face dental problems far more serious than cavities. Periodontitis, a bacterial infection of the gums and tissues surrounding teeth, is the leading cause of tooth loss, according to the American Academy of...
Receding gums expose tooth roots to the air, causing pain and potential tooth loss if the cause of the condition isn't identified and treated. The condition is particularly common in people over age 40, according to the California Dental...
Receding red, swollen and tender gums that are sensitive to hot and cold---not to mention bleeding, bad breath and, possibly, loose teeth---are all symptoms of gum disease. Also called periodontal disease, it begins when bacteria build up inside...
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is a common oral problem that affects many adults. It can be a mild inflammation of the gums, or it can be a serious disease that damages the tissues and bone that support the teeth, according to the...
Loose, wiggly teeth are expected in young children as primary teeth make way for the permanent set. When teeth wobble in an adult’s mouth, however, that is a sign of a serious gum disease. Teens may also experience loose teeth caused by gum...
Gum disease occurs when infection sets into the mouth, and if left untreated, may ruin your gum tissue and affect your teeth. Gingivitis arises when the gums become red and inflamed. Untreated gingivitis may lead to periodontitis, a condition that...
Teeth and gums require constant care to stay healthy. Unfortunately, these are often the most neglected parts of the body. Neglecting your teeth and gums can lead to a host of painful and often preventable oral health problems.
It might not be pretty but everyone gets it to some extent at some time. Morning breath occurs because bacteria builds up in the mouth. Usually our saliva helps reduce bacteria by washing food particles and bacteria away. While we sleep saliva...
Tooth pain can feel like a sharp stab, a dull throb or an ongoing searing pain that radiates into the jaw and cheek. Tooth pain should not be ignored or treated with pain relievers indefinitely, because it can signal an underlying problem with the...
People should visit the dentist every six months for preventative care, according to the Nemours hospital network Teens Health website. These twice-yearly visits typically include an examination of the teeth and mouth, X-rays and a cleaning. Teeth...
The gums support the teeth so they can function properly. Healthy gums have a light pink color, no swelling and no tenderness. When the gums are healthy, they do not bleed during routine dental care. In some cases, infection develops in the gums...
Gum disease (periodontitis) occurs when teeth are under cleaned or cleaned improperly and plaque is allowed to build up along the gum line. Besides affecting the health of the teeth and gums, according to the Mayo Clinic, if allowed to advance gum...
Periodontitis is the end result of gingivitis, an infection of the gums. When the infection spreads into the ligaments and bone beneath the teeth, the disease is considered to have progressed to periodontitis.The disease can have severe...
Gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection that can affect both the gums and the bones supporting the teeth, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. It can affect just one tooth or many and if left untreated can lead to the loss of...
