Why Your Gum Line Recedes

Gum recession.

How is your gum health? About half of all people over 30 suffer from periodontal disease, and this is the leading cause of gum recession. Gum recession is a problem, because when your gums recede too far, they can allow your teeth to fall out! Further, receding gums create pockets between the teeth and gums, and this can allow bacteria to grow and cause infections. In this way, even if your gum recession is not caused by periodontal disease, it can create an ideal environment for periodontal disease to progress. Once gums have receded, they don’t grow back, but there are some strategies you can employ to slow the recession. First, you need to know what is causing your gum line to recede.

• As mentioned, periodontal disease is a major cause of receding gums. The bacterial gum infections of periodontal disease can destroy not only gum tissue, but also the bone that holds the teeth in place. Catching periodontal disease in the early stage, called gingivitis, when the gums are simply inflamed, can help forestall its progression.
• It could be your genes. Sometimes, genetics just don’t work in your favor when it comes to your gums. About 30 percent of people have receding gums, leading to periodontal disease, no matter how well they care for their teeth.
• You might not be taking good care of your teeth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to tartar build-up, and when this happens, it can cause your gums to recede.
• On the other hand, you might be brushing too enthusiastically. Aggressive brushing can wear away your enamel and damage your gum tissue.
• Your teeth may be crooked. Believe it or not, misaligned teeth can wear on your gums. Teeth that don’t come together properly put too much force on the gums, causing them to recede.
• It might be hormones. Hormonal fluctuations, like the ones experienced during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, can cause your gums to recede.
• Mouth trauma can damage your gums. If you get punched in the mouth or fall on your face, your teeth can be knocked loose, and your gums can sustain damage that causes recession.
• Your orthodontia may be the issue. It makes sense that using constant force to reposition your teeth could cause your gums to become inflamed and recede.
• If you grind your teeth, your gums might recede. In fact, receding gums may be your first warning sign that you grind your teeth at night.
• Tobacco use can lead to receding gums. Smoking and chewing tobacco are bad for your oral health in such a variety of ways that if you use tobacco, you really need to stop.

You might notice your gums receding, or you might notice some other warning signs. Your teeth may become sensitive to heat, cold, and sweets, or they may be sensitive when you’re brushing, flossing, or getting dental cleanings. You may also experience pain or discomfort near the gum line. Without treatment, gum recession could cause your teeth to feel loose. Fortunately, while receding gums won’t grow back, your dentist can help you slow the recession, as well as offering non-surgical and surgical treatments to improve the condition.

When you’re looking for a dentist to help with your teeth and gums, trust the dentist voted best in New York. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

Simple Ways to Motivate You to Floss Every Day

Good oral hygiene is important for a healthy mouth, and one of the most effective ways to achieve it? That’s right—flossing! Flossing is one of the most important habits you can adopt to maintain good oral health. According to research, only 4 out of 10 adults floss daily and only 1 in 3 actually flosses correctly. Daily flossing helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. But sometimes it’s hard to remember to do it every day. So here are some simple motivators that might help you get into the habit of regular flossing.

Find a Flossing Product That Works for You

The type of floss you use matters! Many people don’t realize that different types of floss work differently for different types of teeth and mouth needs. Waxed, non-waxed, disposable floss sticks, electric or water flossers—there are so many options available! If one type of product isn’t working well with your teeth and gums, try another! Experiment with different products until you find the perfect one for your personal oral hygiene routine.

Keep Your Floss in Sight

If you have your dental floss handy, you are more likely to remember to use it every day! Try keeping an extra package at the office or even in your pocket or purse wherever you go. You should also keep a container on the sink or bathroom countertop as a constant reminder that it’s time to floss every day!

Set A Goal

One of the best ways to make sure you stick with something is to set a goal. Make a goal that you can realistically achieve, like “I will floss at least twice a week for the next month.” Once you reach that goal, reward yourself by doing something special or purchasing something nice! This will help motivate you to keep going and eventually make daily flossing part of your routine.

Create A Chart

If setting goals isn’t quite your thing, another way to motivate yourself is by creating a chart or calendar that tracks your progress. Every day after you floss, mark it off in your chart or on your calendar as a reminder that you achieved your goal for the day. Seeing this progress can give you an added boost of motivation and encouragement!

Use A Reminder App

If neither of these methods seem like they’d work for you, consider downloading a reminder app onto your phone or laptop. With this type of app, all you have to do is set the time when you want it to remind you each day–it could be right before bedtime, so it becomes part of your nighttime routine–and then just follow through with the action when the reminder goes off!

Get Flossing!

Flossing every day is an important part of maintaining good oral hygiene and overall health. And while remembering to do it can be difficult at times, there are several easy strategies available that can help motivate and remind us so that we don’t forget! Whether it’s setting goals and rewarding yourself for reaching them, using visuals like charts and calendars, or using apps on our phones for reminders—these simple strategies can help ensure we stick with our daily flossing routine.

If any questions remain about flossing or other dental-related topics such as teeth whitening services offered at Park 56 Dental in New York City, please contact us today!

Understanding Your Gums

You know about cavities, and tooth decay, and how important it is to brush and keep your teeth healthy. But how much do you know about the health of your gums? The gums are an important part of your mouth, and if they’re not in good shape, your whole mouth can suffer. What do you need to know about your gums?

You might have noticed that your oral hygienist or dentist probes your gums during your regular check-ups. This is to determine if your gums are fitting snugly against your teeth. Unhealthy gums have pockets of space, and the deeper the pocket, the worse your gum health. It may feel like your gums are just being poked, but what the dentist is actually doing is measuring them. The tool used to probe gums is called a periodontal probe, and it’s essentially a tiny ruler. It is inserted into pockets in your gums, and the depth is recorded in millimeters.

Your dentist will keep track of these numbers as a preventive measure against periodontal disease (gum disease). Only your dentist can diagnose gum disease, but in general, 1 to 3 mm means the gums are generally healthy, 4 mm means you need to pay more attention to your oral care, 5 to 6 mm indicates gum disease, and anything over 6 means advanced gym disease. By regularly checking gum pocket depth, your dental team can catch periodontal disease early, when it’s still relatively easy to treat.

You can look for signs of gum disease at home, too. Swollen, sore, or bleeding gums could be a sign of gingivitis or periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, and it happens when plaque builds up at the gumline. Once it progresses to periodontitis, it can affect the bone and tissue supporting your teeth. However, these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions and even vitamin deficiencies. Hormonal changes like pregnancy, illnesses like diabetes, infections, and vitamin C deficiency can all be responsible for gum problems, so you will want to see your dentist to get the right diagnosis.

What can you do to keep your gums healthy? First, pay attention to your oral care routine. Brush twice a day and floss once a day, brushing gently so that you don’t injure your gums. Consider using a water flosser, to clean below the gumline. Eat a nutritious diet, don’t use tobacco products, drink alcohol only in moderation, and take supplements, especially if you think you are not getting enough vitamin C. See your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings, but in between visits, pay attention to your gums so that you can make a dental appointment if you notice signs of gum disease.

At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322

Why Your Gums Itch

You know that feeling when your gums start to itch? The sensation can be annoying, and it might even make you a little self-conscious. But did you know that gum itchiness is actually a sign of something else going on in your mouth? There are a few different things that can cause your gums to itch. Read on to learn more about common causes of itchy gums and what you can do about it!

What Causes Gums to Itch and What Are Symptoms?

The most common cause of itchy gums is plaque build-up. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums. When plaque isn’t removed, it can harden into tartar. Tartar can irritate your gums and cause them to itch. Other causes of itchy gums include:

• Gum disease – Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue. It can cause swelling, redness, and bleeding of the gums.

• Allergies – Allergies to food, medication, or other substances can cause itching and swelling of the gums.

• Dry mouth – Dry mouth can occur due to certain medications, medical conditions, or treatments. It can cause the gums to become irritated and itch.

Symptoms of itchy gums include:

• itching

• redness

• swelling

• tenderness

• bleeding

Are Itchy Gums a Warning Sign for a More Serious Issue?

Itchy gums are usually not a sign of a more serious condition. However, in rare cases, they may be a sign of gum disease or another oral health problem. If you have any concerns, see your dentist or oral healthcare provider.

What Are My Options for Treatment and Relief?

The best way to treat itchy gums is to remove the plaque and tartar with professional dental cleanings. Your dentist or oral healthcare provider can also recommend other treatments, such as:

• Fluoride mouth rinse – This can help prevent plaque build-up.

• Soft toothbrush – A soft-bristled toothbrush can be less irritating to your gums.

• Medications – If your itchy gums are caused by an allergy, your doctor may prescribe medication.

When Should I See a Doctor for My Itching Gums?

You should see a dentist or oral healthcare provider if your itchy gums are severe or don’t improve with home treatment. You should also see a healthcare provider if you have any other symptoms, such as:

• fever

• swelling of the face or lips

• difficulty breathing

How Can I Prevent Itchy Gums?

You can help prevent itchy gums by practicing good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and using a fluoride mouth rinse. You should also see your dentist regularly for professional dental cleanings and check-ups.

How Can Park 56 Dental in NYC Help Me Treat My Itchy Gums?

If you have itchy gums, the team at Park 56 Dental in New York can help. We offer professional dental cleanings and a variety of other treatments to help relieve your symptoms. We also offer preventative care services to help you avoid itchy gums in the future. To learn more, contact us today or schedule an appointment online.

Why Your Gums Hurt When Brushing Your Teeth

Do your gums hurt when you brush and floss? Is there blood in your toothpaste when you spit into the sink? This usually means one of two things—either you’re being too rough when you brush and floss, or you’re developing gum disease. To rule out other more serious problems, be sure to visit your dentist. Otherwise, explore these solutions to help prevent your gums from hurting when you brush your teeth.

When Your Gums Hurt Because of Rough Brushing and Flossing

It’s easy to brush too hard when you’re trying to be thorough. However, you can easily irritate your sensitive gum tissue if you scrub aggressively. Here’s how to clean your teeth while protecting your gums:

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Brush in gentle, circular motions.
• Consider switching to an electric toothbrush.
• When flossing, follow the curve of your teeth and avoid snapping the floss against your gums or using a sawing motion.

When Your Gums Hurt Because of Gum Disease

Mild gum disease, known as gingivitis, starts when a sticky film of bacteria called plaque builds up along the gum line. Ignoring gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease and, eventually, severe periodontitis. If your gums are swollen, red, irritated, and hurt when you brush, talk to your dentist about starting treatment.

Other Reasons Why Your Gums Hurt

There are many other potential causes of painful gums, including:

• Canker sores
• Tooth abscesses
• Tobacco use, including cigarettes, vaporizers, and chewing tobacco
• Hormonal changes during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause
• Thrush, a type of yeast infection
• Ill-fitting oral devices, including braces, retainers, dentures, and mouthguards
• Chemotherapy drugs

How to Sooth Sore Gums

In addition to brushing and flossing more gently, treating gum disease, and tackling other causes of painful gums at the source, try these tips to soothe your sore gums:

• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
• Rinse with mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Apply numbing gel to the tender area.
• Avoid spicy or acidic foods to avoid further irritation.
• Eat yogurt with live cultures to balance the bacteria in your mouth.

Discuss Your Symptoms with Your Dentist

If your gums hurt or bleed for over a week, and your attempts to treat the problem at home aren’t working, it’s time to contact your dentist. A professional teeth cleaning can remove the stubborn plaque irritating your gums. Your oral hygienist may also perform a deep-clean called root planing and scaling if you have gum disease.

Don’t ignore painful gums—stop by Park 56 Dental in NYC to discuss your symptoms with our dentist. We can examine your gums and teeth and recommend the proper treatment. Our office has been voted the best dentist in New York, with over 20 years of experience serving the 10022 zip code area, so you can trust us to take great care of your smile! Call us at (212) 826-2322 to set an appointment today.