Category: Gum Disease

How to Deal with Tooth Sensitivity

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Tooth sensitivity is a common dental issue that affects millions of people. It’s characterized by a sharp, sudden pain when eating or drinking hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and beverages. Your dentist in Holland understands that tooth sensitivity can be a frustrating and painful experience. That’s why we want to share some information about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for tooth sensitivity.

Causes of Sensitivity 

Various different things can cause tooth sensitivity, such as:

  • Tooth decay or cavities
  • Gum disease
  • Enamel erosion
  • Grinding or clenching teeth
  • Excessive brushing or using a hard-bristled toothbrush
  • Certain dental procedures, such as teeth whitening or dental restorations

Symptoms of Sensitivity

The primary symptom of tooth sensitivity is sharp, sudden pain when eating or drinking hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and beverages. Some people may also experience pain when brushing or flossing their teeth.

Treatment Options for Tooth Sensitivity 

The treatment for tooth sensitivity will depend on the underlying cause. Here are some treatment options that may be recommended by your dentist in Holland:

  • Desensitizing toothpaste: This type of toothpaste contains compounds that help block the transmission of pain signals from the tooth to the nerve.
  • Fluoride treatment: Fluoride can help strengthen tooth enamel and reduce sensitivity.
  • Dental restoration: If tooth decay or a damaged filling is the cause of sensitivity, a dental restoration may be recommended.
  • Root canal: In severe cases of tooth sensitivity, a root canal may be necessary to remove the damaged or infected tooth pulp.

Preventing Tooth Sensitivity

Prevention is the best way to deal with tooth sensitivity. Here are some tips to help prevent tooth sensitivity:

  • Practice good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss daily to remove plaque and prevent gum disease.
  • Use fluoride toothpaste: This can help strengthen tooth enamel and reduce sensitivity.
  • Limit acidic foods and beverages: Acidic foods and beverages can erode tooth enamel and increase sensitivity.
  • Wear a mouthguard: If you grind or clench your teeth, wearing a mouthguard can help protect your teeth from damage.

Tooth sensitivity can greatly impact your daily life. That’s why we encourage anyone experiencing sensitivity to schedule an appointment with a dentist in Holland. They can offer personalized treatment options to help you manage your tooth sensitivity and enjoy your favorite foods and drinks without pain.

Don’t let tooth sensitivity impact your daily life. Schedule an appointment with us today. 

4 Stages of Gum Disease

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Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common infection that affects the gum tissue. It’s so common, in fact, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly half of Americans over the age of 30 have some form of the disease. In the early stages, gum disease can often be treated successfully by your dentist in Holland. However, if the disease progresses, it could mean serious trouble. 

Stage 1: Gingivitis

The least severe stage of gum disease is gingivitis. During this stage, the infection only affects the gum tissue, and treatment can help reverse the disease. 

Stage 2: Early Periodontitis

If gingivitis isn’t treated it can progress into the initial stages of periodontitis. When this happens, the infection starts to spread into the areas where tissues connect teeth to bone.  

Stage 3: Mild Periodontitis

Following early periodontitis is mild or moderate periodontitis. It’s during this stage when a patient can experience significant bone loss. 

Stage 4: Advanced Periodontitis

The most severe case of gum disease is advanced periodontitis where there is more than 50% bone loss. 

Signs of Gum Disease

Signs and symptoms of gum disease can vary depending on the stage of infection and can range from: 

  • Bleeding gums
  • Red, swollen gums
  • Bad breath
  • Receding gums
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Loose teeth

If you’re experiencing any signs of gum disease, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your dentist in Holland. 

How is Gum Disease Treated?

There are a number of ways that your dentist can treat gum disease. Again, it depends on each individual situation. Some of the common treatments for gum disease include:

  • Deep Cleaning – A deep cleaning will clean up under the gum line and not just above it like a traditional dental cleaning. This can help remove the infection at the source. 
  • Antibiotics – Just like when you’re sick, taking antibiotics for gum disease can help fight off bacteria and the infection. 
  • Surgery – In more serious cases, your dentist may recommend gum surgery such as a gum graft.

How to Lower Your Risk of Gum Disease

The best way to ensure your gums stay healthy is to brush and floss twice daily. Getting into this habit will help remove plaque buildup. Allowing plaque to accumulate on the teeth is what ultimately leads to gum disease in the first place. There are also other ways you can lower your risk of gum disease. 

  • Stop smoking or using tobacco products
  • Replace your toothbrush often – no toothbrush should be used for longer than 3 months
  • See your dentist in Holland at least twice a year

Don’t let gum disease affect your oral health or your teeth. Keep your biannual dental appointments for regular preventive care so your dentist can detect and treat any problems early. 

Gum Disease Linked to Colon Cancer: Know Your Risk

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An updated study conducted by the American Academy for Cancer Research of nearly 43,000 people over several years has shown a potential positive correlation between gum disease and an increased risk of colon cancer. While the whole-body complications associated with gum disease, such as heart disease, aren’t new, the link to colon cancer is a relatively recent topic of interest to researchers and your dentist in Holland.

The Link Between Gum Disease & Colon Cancer

The study that examined the potential link between gum disease and colon cancer took several things into consideration – health, lifestyle, and pathology reports from routine colonoscopies. Those pathology results showed something interesting about those participants who had serrated polyps and conventional adenomas, the two types of intestinal lesions that can cause colon cancer, and who also had a history of gum disease.

Patients with a history of gum disease had:

  • A 17% increased risk of having a serrated polyp
  • An 11% increased risk of having a conventional adenoma

But that’s not all. Patients who had lost four or more teeth, which is a very common side effect of gum disease, had a 20% increased risk of having a serrated polyp. 

While this research does suggest a correlation between gum disease and colon cancer, the scientists did state that more research is needed to fully understand how oral health can affect gut health.

Signs of Gum Disease

If caught early, gum disease can be reversed and the risk of other oral health and overall health complications decreases. However, untreated gum disease will eventually reach a point where it can no longer be cured. This greatly increases the likelihood that gum disease will lead to tooth loss and cause other problems throughout the body. This is why your dentist in Holland encourages all patients to know the early warning signs of gum disease so you can seek treatment sooner rather than later.

Some of the most common signs of gum disease include:

  • Chronic bad breath
  • Swollen, red gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Gum recession

4 Ways to Protect Against Gum Disease

Gum disease can be caused by any number of things, but there are some habits that can substantially increase someone’s chances of getting it. The best ways to protect yourself against gum disease are to:

Brush your teeth twice a day

Floss daily

Quit smoking or using tobacco products

See your dentist in Holland at least every six months

If you suspect that you may have gum disease, we recommend scheduling a dental appointment as soon as you can. After all, early treatment is key to protecting your teeth and your body.

Don’t Let Stress Damage Your Teeth

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The past year or so has been… interesting, to say the least. With lockdowns, working from home, schooling from home, and everything in between, it’s only normal to feel more stressed than usual. But during these times of increased stress, it’s more important than ever to take care of your health. After all, stress can put us at increased risk for health problems such as heart disease, gastrointestinal issues, and a less effective immune system. But that’s not all. Stress can also put your oral health at risk and require a visit to your dentist in Holland. 

How Stress Relates to Oral Health

There was an article published in the New York Times that details one dentist’s experience with seeing an increase in patients with dental damage during the pandemic. Now, while a pandemic is certainly a good reason to stress, there are other everyday stressors that can also cause problems with your oral health, with or without a pandemic. 

Teeth Clenching & Grinding – When we become stressed, we may notice an increased heart rate or feelings of anxiety. But what we may not notice, at least not right away, is how we clench our teeth together tightly or grind them back and forth against each other. But these two habits that often occur subconsciously can cause some serious problems in your mouth. Repeatedly clenching or grinding your teeth can cause teeth to chip, break, or crack, requiring restorative dentistry treatment from your dentist in Holland. What’s more, that repetitive movement and pressure of clenching and grinding your teeth can put excessive stress on the jaw joint. Over time, this can cause TMD (temporomandibular disorder), a painful condition that causes jaw popping, jaw pain, or clicking of the jaw. 

Gum Disease – High stress levels may also increase the risk of developing gum disease. Gum disease is a serious infection in the mouth that can lead to tooth loss and other problems throughout the body including heart disease, kidney disease, and even some cancers. Gum disease can be treated and reversed if caught early, but in its more advanced stages, it becomes irreversible. Gum disease is usually the result of poor oral hygiene, but stress can also put you at risk for this concerning problem. If you notice signs of gum disease including red swollen gums, bleeding when your brush or floss, or chronic bad breath, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Holland. 

Canker Sores – We’re all pretty familiar with canker sores — those painful lip sores that seem to pop up from nowhere. While there is no concrete cause behind these pesky pimple-like sores, research conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry suggests a possible correlation between stress and the development of canker sores. Even though these sores can be painful, they’re not contagious and should go away on their own. 

Lower Stress, Protect Your Health

Whenever you’re feeling stressed out, it’s important to try some stress-reducing activities to ease your mind and protect your oral and overall health. Some things you can try include:

  • Sleeping. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep a night to refresh your mind and body. 
  • Exercising. A quick sweat session can release feel-good hormones called endorphins and lower stress. 
  • Meditating. There’s a ton of value in simply taking a few quiet minutes to just breathe. Focusing on your breath can lower your heart rate and make you feel more relaxed. 

Now more than ever, it’s important to do everything we can to manage stress to keep ourselves healthy. So get some sleep, get sweaty, and breathe it out.

Oral Health Tips for Diabetics  

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Diabetes is a disease that keeps the body from properly processing food into usable energy. If diabetes is not controlled or maintained, it can lead to overall health concerns such as heart disease, eye problems, kidney failure, and oral health complications. In fact, there is a known link between diabetes and an increased risk of gum disease and tooth loss. So during this Diabetes Awareness Month, your dentist in Holland wants to share a few oral health tips for diabetics.  

  • Focus on Blood Glucose

There are an estimated 30 million Americans with diabetes. That’s 30 million people who are focused on checking and maintaining their blood glucose levels several times a day. After all, keeping blood glucose numbers within a healthy range is how diabetics stay healthy and avoid hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, or long-term problems like organ damage. But your dentist in Holland wants you to know that maintaining blood sugar can also help decrease the risk of gum disease. Gum disease is a serious infection in the gum tissues that can also lead to some whole-body concerns such as heart disease. Additionally, like any infection, gum disease can cause blood sugar spikes and make diabetes difficult to manage. 

  • Choose Healthy Foods

One of the best ways to keep blood glucose levels in check is to choose healthy foods and follow a well-balanced diet. Avoiding sugary sweets and hidden sugars in high carbohydrate foods not only helps prevent blood sugar spikes, but it can also protect teeth against decay. Whenever possible, choose nutrient-rich foods like fruits, veggies, and lean meats or follow your diet plan as recommended by your doctor. 

  • Brush Your Teeth

Your dentist in Holland knows just how important it is for everyone to brush their teeth every day, whether they’re diabetics or not. However, practicing good oral hygiene is even more important for those who have diabetes as it can go a long way in keeping gum disease at bay. Good oral hygiene includes brushing your teeth twice a day, every day for at least two minutes, using fluoride toothpaste, and flossing in between each and every tooth daily. It’s also important to gently brush your tongue to remove any bacteria that may have wiggled their way into the hidden peaks and valleys. 

Besides brushing your teeth regularly and flossing every day, it’s incredibly important for both diabetics and non-diabetics to see their dentist in Holland every six months for a professional cleaning and a thorough checkup so that we can catch and treat any potential problems early. 

If it’s been longer than six months since your last dental visit, call to schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to see you.

Why Are My Gum Receding? 

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When it comes to your oral health, it’s no surprise that your dentist in Holland puts so much importance on taking proper care of your teeth. But did you know that your gums are another crucial aspect to overall oral health? In fact, our gums are just as important to take care of as our teeth. They help hold our teeth steady and firmly in our mouths, protecting the roots and helping teeth last a lifetime. However, it’s not uncommon to experience something called gum recession. 

What is Gum Recession? 
Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue begins to pull away from teeth, leaving tooth roots exposed and increasing the risk for tooth loss, increased sensitivity, and decay. What’s even worse is that once gums recede, you can’t grow it back. However, your dentist in Holland may be able to help with a variety of gum recession treatments. It’s best to talk with your dentist to find out the best way to fix receding gums. 

Gum Recession Treatment
Effect treatment of receding gums depends on the root cause and overall oral health. Some of the most common treatment options are: 

  • Scaling & Root Planing: This type of gum recession treatment is usually the first one suggested by dentists. It’s similar to a dental cleaning, but instead of focusing on the surfaces of teeth only, your dental team will clean up under the gum line to remove plaque and tartar from the roots of your teeth. This procedure is usually done with a numbing anesthetic for increased comfort. 
  • Antibiotics: Following a scaling root planing, which also helps smooth out roots to make it difficult for bacteria to cling to them, your dentist may also choose to use a temporary antibiotic to kill off any bacteria that may still be lingering around. 
  • Surgical Techniques: Advancements in dental technology have included several updated surgical techniques to help combat gum recession. To find out if gum recession surgery is right for you, and to determine which one would be most effective, schedule a visit with your dentist in Holland. 

What Causes Receding Gums? 
There’s not one singular underlying cause behind gum recession. Each individual is different, and your cause may be different than someone else’s. Some of the causes of gum recession are:

  • Gum Disease
  • Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard
  • Grinding and Clenching
  • Trauma

Preventing Gum Recession
Gum recession is an incredibly common dental concern that we encounter every day. While it may seem like a minor thing, receding gums can lead to some serious complications and even become pretty painful if left untreated. There are ways you can help prevent your gums from receding such as:

  • Brushing properly using a soft-bristled toothbrush. You should hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and move it around in small, gentle circles on each surface of each tooth. 
  • Practicing a good oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing every day. 
  • Seeing your dentist in Holland at least every six months. 

If you notice any of the common signs of gum recession, including swollen, red gums, chronic bad breath, pain along the gum line, exposed tooth roots and the accompanying sensitivity, or visibility shrinking gums, schedule a dental appointment today.

The Surprising Connection Between Gum Disease & Heart Disease

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Every February, we celebrate Heart Health Month to raise awareness of how we can both evaluate our risk for heart disease as well as what we can do to reduce that risk. While it may seem out of character to hear your dentist in Holland talk about heart health, the truth is, there is a direct link between poor oral health and an increased risk of heart disease.  

Gum Disease & Heart Disease

The main concern between oral health and heart disease is gum disease. Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues that, if left untreated, could lead to painful gums and even tooth loss. But that’s not all. Gum disease has also been linked to an increased risk of a heart attack. 

When infection infiltrates our gums, it also has a direct pathway to the bloodstream. And when infection enters the blood, your body reacts by producing an overabundance of C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Elevated levels of CRP can cause: 

  • inflamed arteries
  • blood clots
  • heart attacks
  • strokes 

Too much CRP may even be one of the top warning signs of a heart attack. In fact, according to The New England Journal of Medicine, elevated CRP levels can be more accurate at predicting a heart attack than high cholesterol.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Now that we know that gum disease can affect more than just your oral health, let’s take a closer look at what causes it in the first place. Gum disease is usually caused by a buildup of plaque brought on by poor oral hygiene. The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. Quick intervention from your dentist in Holland can help the problem from becoming more serious, but if gingivitis isn’t treated it can quickly progress and put overall health at risk. 

Gum disease can come on suddenly, and sometimes without any symptoms. Other times, symptoms are mistaken as normal and treatment isn’t sought. This is one reason why seeing your dentist regularly is so important. Your dental team will be able to diagnose gum disease early if you visit every six months, making treatment more successful. 

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Some of the most common signs of gum disease include: 

  • Bleeding when brushing or flossing
  • Puffiness or tenderness of the gums
  • Halitosis (bad breath)
  • Loose-feeling teeth

If you do notice any of those symptoms, contact your Holland dentist to schedule an appointment as soon as you can. 

Gum disease can more than double your risk of suffering a fatal heart attack or stroke. Reduce your risk by brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and of course, seeing your dentist every six months or as recommended. Other steps you can take to protect yourself include not smoking and eating a well-balanced diet.

Gum Disease & Your Overall Health

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Your dental care isn’t only about your teeth. Your gums also play a key role in not only the health of your mouth but also the health of your body. At our dental office in Holland, we care for your entire mouth and are always on the lookout for gum disease. Gum disease is a serious infection that can lead to concerns with your overall health and, of course, your oral health.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection within the gum tissue. You may have heard gum disease referred to as periodontal disease, gingivitis, or periodontitis. While these are all gum disease, they do not all mean the same thing.

  • Periodontal disease – Periodontal disease is the technical name for gum disease. While there are different stages of gum disease, the term periodontal disease essentially refers to gum disease in general.   
  • Gingivitis – Gingivitis is the term used for early-stage periodontal disease. During this time, you may not be able to recognize the symptoms. In that case, your gum disease may go untreated and get progressively worse. If that happens, your gums are harder to treat, and your teeth and overall health can be at serious risk.
  • Periodontitis – Periodontitis is used to describe gum disease that has progressed into a more severe stage. This happens when bacteria spreads below the gum line. Your gums may become irritated or inflamed and can cause the gum tissue to weaken. This can cause loose teeth or even the loss of one or more teeth.

How Does Gum Disease Affect the Body?

The bacteria in gum disease can cause various health issues throughout the body. Numerous studies have shown that gum disease has been linked to serious medical conditions and diseases including:

Early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease can help keep your body protected from these serious health concerns. This is one reason you should see your dentist in Holland regularly.

What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?

  • Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing
  • Red, swollen, or tender gums
  • Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
  • Receding gums
  • Loose or shifting teeth

If you’ve noticed any signs of gum disease if you’re due for a dental checkup, we welcome you to call our Holland dental office as soon as possible. We’re here to keep your mouth, and your body, healthy.

Regular Dental Care Can Help Your Heart

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We all know that it’s important to brush and floss regularly in order to protect our smiles from decay and cavities. But did you know that taking care of your oral health can also help protect your heart too? To celebrate American Heart Month, our dental office in Holland wants to share some information about just how regular dental care can help your heart.

Oral Health & Heart Health Connection

Keeping your oral health in tip-top shape isn’t just about the mouth itself. In fact, many whole-body concerns including diabetes, kidney disease, certain types of cancer, and heart disease have been linked to oral health, and more specifically, gum health. For the purpose of this blog, we’re going to talk about heart disease.

According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), gum disease has a direct connection to an increased risk for heart disease. But how can something that originates in the mouth find its way down to the heart? It’s pretty easy actually. When there’s a buildup of bacteria in the gums (gum disease) it has a direct route to the bloodstream. As the bacteria infiltrate the blood supply they can cause a surge in the amount of C-reactive protein (CRP) present. This is when the problems start. Too much CRP can cause:

  • Blood clots
  • Stroke
  • Inflamed arteries
  • Heart attack

Recognize the Signs of Gum Disease

Gum disease is a serious health problem that requires a diagnosis from your dentist in Holland. If caught early, gum disease can be treated successfully before it has a chance to put the rest of your body at risk. Being able to recognize the signs of gum disease quickly can make all the difference. Some common signs of gum disease include:

  • Swollen, red, or tender gums
  • Bleeding while brushing or flossing
  • Consistently bad breath
  • Chronic bad taste in the mouth
  • Loose teeth
  • Gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth

Any of these symptoms may be cause for concern, so if you notice any of these, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

The best way to protect yourself from gum disease and the whole-body concerns that can go with it is to practice good oral hygiene habits and see your Holland dentist regularly. Dental cleanings and checkups every six months can help remove plaque and bacteria that your toothbrush alone can’t touch, which will reduce your risk of gum disease.

If it’s been longer than six months since your last dental visit, we welcome you to call our Holland dental office to schedule an appointment today.

3 Ways Stress Can Harm Your Oral Health

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It’s no secret that high stress can negatively affect our health. Prolonged periods of too much stress has been linked to heart disease, gastrointestinal problems, obesity, and difficulty in managing diabetes. But at our dental office in Holland, we know that increased stress can also harm your oral health.

Gum Disease

Since increased stress levels can actually make our immune systems less effective, it can greatly affect our health, including our mouths. An ineffective immune system means more bacteria is left behind, which can find its way deep under the gums. When this happens, the chance for developing gum disease increases. If not treated by a dentist in Holland, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, bad breath, and a whole host of other health problems such as heart disease.   

TMJ

Everyone reacts to stress in different ways. Some people bite their nails, others sweat a lot, and many people clench their jaws. Oftentimes these responses to stress are done automatically and without thought or awareness. But when someone habitually clenches their jaw over and over it can lead to some serious problems. Not only can repeated clenching damage teeth, but it can also cause severe jaw pain. Occasionally the pain is temporary, but other times it gets worse and is partnered with clicking, popping, or a locked jaw. If this occurs, it could be a sign of TMJ (or TMD) and treatment will be recommended.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are a potential oral health side effect of too much stress. While they aren’t necessarily dangerous, they can certainly be annoying and often painful. Even though there is no official known cause of canker sores, studies show that increased stress can play a role. Treatment isn’t usually needed as canker sores should go away on their own and aren’t contagious.

Reduce Stress

To protect your overall health and oral health from the dangers of too much stress, practice lowering stress and anxiety by following a few key tips such as:

  • Eating Well. Following a well-balanced diet fuels our bodies to function properly, and when our bodies are working as they should, it may be easier to keep stress levels low.
  • Working Out. Being active releases “feel good” chemicals in our bodies that make us feel happier and less stressed. Find an exercise program that you enjoy and stick with it!
  • Sleeping Enough. Getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep every night can help your body relax and replenish, thus decreasing stress and preparing you to tackle another day.

If you feel that stress may be affecting your oral health, we welcome you to call our Holland dental office to schedule an appointment with us today. We promise that a visit with us will be anything but stressful.

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