Gingivitis, or gum disease, is basically caused by a proliferation of bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to serious oral problems, including tooth loss, if left untreated. This condition starts with gum inflammation, often accompanied by bleeding and swollen gums.

The good news is that basic oral hygiene goes a long way to preventing conditions like Gingivitis. Your oral hygienist will be happy to advise you about Gingivitis symptoms treatment, but the following information gives you a basic idea of the symptoms to look for.

What Are the Dangers of Gingivitis?

If your gums become red, swollen, and bleed during brushing, you might have gingivitis. This condition is brought about by bacteria-causing plaque around your teeth and irritating the gums.

Treating gingivitis in the early stages will prevent periodontitis, which is a more serious disease of the gums. If periodontitis develops, the gums recede, leaving teeth uncovered and prone to infections. The bacteria push through the gum line, allowing plaque to grow and spread through your entire mouth. The pockets formed by the plaque get deeper, destroying both the gums and bone. Eventually, teeth become loose and fall out.

Gingivitis Symptoms Include:

– Gum redness

– Receding, swollen gums

– Bleeding gums

– Bad breath

– Loose teeth

 Gingivitis Symptoms Treatment 

Gingivitis is often painless, but it is advisable to consult a dentist as soon as you suspect changes in your oral health in order to prevent tooth loss and infection.

Gingivitis can be prevented by simply practicing good oral hygiene. Anti-bacterial mouthwash can slow development of the condition. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help to reduce gum inflammation, but the bottom line is this: you need professional help.

Treatment may also involve professional cleaning, which removes the plaque build-up on your teeth, thus reducing or even eliminating the inflammatory effect of bacteria.

Looking for a Dentist?

TalkLocal can save you time by putting you in contact with experienced professionals in your area. We will connect you with the right dental professionals in your area, in just minutes, and for free!

What does an orthodontist do? The short answer: a lot of things.

Move Teeth

Orthodontists can spend up to 10 years in school training to do a variety of dental and orthodontic procedures. One of the most common procedures which orthodontists perform is adding braces to teeth.

Orthodontists study the movement of teeth and are capable of manipulating these movements. This can include installing spacers which help move teeth apart or together, retainers which are worn after braces are removed in order to keep teeth from moving out of place, and head gear which helps move and space a patient’s teeth at night.

 Most Dentists Are NOT Orthodontists

Orthodontists often have their own offices, and it is not uncommon for more than one orthodontist to practice in one office. Sometimes, orthodontists will partner with dentists and work in the safe office.

Many require a referral from a dentist before they can work on a patient’s teeth. Orthodontists will often asks patients to see a dentist to have teeth removed or cavities filled in between orthodontic procedures.

 Before They Manipulate Your Teeth’s Movement

Before an orthodontist begins moving the teeth, he or she will often make a mold and take X-rays of a patient’s mouth. This lets the orthodontist see what the mouth looks like from all angles, and will allow him or her to create a treatment plan to fix the teeth.

An orthodontist may have to see a patient several times before he or she starts moving and positioning the teeth. Many orthodontists will not work on children who have not lost all of their baby teeth and whose adult teeth are not in place.

Some will also require patients to have their wisdom teeth removed to help make space in the mouth for other teeth to move around.

Find An Orthodontist Near You

So, what does an orthodontist do? Now you know. If you are thinking about becoming an orthodontist, you should research different colleges and schools to find one that will give you the proper training to pursue your career.

If you’re simply looking for an orthodontist to tend to your needs, rely on TalkLocal. We can help you locate a local one who fits your needs.

An abscessed tooth can be extremely painful. It can prevent you from eating and brushing properly. If left untreated, it can even result in severe infections that can harm your teeth and other parts of your mouth.

The best thing to do for an abscessed tooth is to go to the dentist. If you can’t afford a dentist or there is a long wait until your next appointment, you may have to perform your own abscessed tooth treatment at home. Although this treatment may stop the pain for a while, it should not replace a professional treatment from a dentist.

Pain Medicine

If you are experiencing pain from an abscessed tooth, you can take some pain medicine to help stop or reduce it. You can find medicines which can be applied straight to your tooth or that can be taken orally. If one pain medicine is not helping, you can alternate different ones every four to six hours, or as directed on the bottles.

Clove Oil Rinse

If you can find a mouthwash which contains clove oil, rinse with it several times a day until the pain from the abscess subsides. Clove oil will act as a pain reliever and help reduce the spread of infection in your mouth.

Salt Water Rinse

A salt water rinse is a fast and effective way to reduce tooth pain from an abscess. Add as much salt as you want to a quarter cup of water and rinse as often as desired. The salt water will reduce the inflammation of your gums caused by the infection and help relieve the pain.

Doing your own abscessed tooth treatment at home is a temporary way to reduce the pain associated with a tooth abscess. Because a tooth abscess can be a symptom of a more serious tooth problem, it is best to consult a dentist as soon as possible.

Finding A Dentist In Your Area

You do not want to trust your mouth with just anybody. This makes the search process for a quality dentist time-consuming. It doesn’t have to be. With TalkLocal, you can specify exactly what you are looking for in a dentist, and only those who qualify will be connected with you. The best part is that you will still be given three different options to chose from.

Keeping your teeth and gums clean is vital to your health. Even though it may seem like an annoying chore, proper dental hygiene actually helps you avoid horrible issues such as gum disease and even some cancers. But when there are so many products available, it’s hard to know what to do. If you’re currently trying to decide between mouthwash versus toothpicks, the information below can help you out.

Mouthwash Versus Toothpicks: Meet the Competitors

Mouthwash

– Usually a minty flavored liquid you swish around your mouth once or twice a day to freshen breath and clean your teeth.

– Although not all of them are, most mouthwashes are alcohol-based.

– Mouthwash leaves behind a tingling sensation, which makes you feel like your mouth is extra clean.

– Commercials and advertising for mouthwash boast that it can get in between your teeth where your toothbrush cannot get and clean out any plaque build-up or residue.

– Contrary to the ideas perpetuated by advertising, mouthwash does not clean off the build-up between your teeth. It can only soften it. Plaque and tartar hold on tight to your teeth once they have formed. This build-up requires more than just a few swishes to knock it off.

Toothpicks

– These are small pieces of wood or plastic with a pointed end that people use to pick out food stuck between their teeth.

– You need to be gentle with toothpicks. Since the pointed ends are a lot bigger than anything else you usually stick between our teeth, they can really hurt your gums.

– Toothpicks are very effective at getting bigger chunks of food particles out of your teeth after eating, but don’t really knock out the smaller pieces or build-up very well.

– Toothpicks don’t immediately freshen your breath.

So, Who Wins?

Both! These two products are used for different things, so you don’t really need to decide between mouthwash versus toothpicks. You can use some mouth wash in the morning, before bed, or when you feel you need a breath-freshening pick-me-up. You can also use a toothpick after a meal when you can feel leftovers lodged between your teeth.

Neither of these replace brushing and flossing, either. Whether you use mouthwash, toothpicks, both, or neither, you need to brush your teeth and floss at least twice per day. Dentists say this is the only way to make sure you’re getting rid of harmful build-up and avoiding gum disease and gingivitis.

Consult A Dentist

When you are in search for a dentist, try using TalkLocal. We let you specify what types of service you require and match you up with professionals that can help.

Let’s face it  —  a lot of us just don’t floss as much as we should. Some people don’t floss at all. Mouthwash is commonly accepted as an equal alternative to flossing, and a lot of people prefer it more. All you do is swish some minty stuff around in your mouth for a little bit and you are good to go. The tingles it leaves behind even make you feel like your mouth is cleaner. But the battle between mouthwash versus dental floss is more than just black versus white or ‘A’ versus ‘B’.

Check out this information about each.

Mouthwash

– Mouthwash is a minty-flavored rinse that usually uses alcohol to clean your teeth and your mouth. Even those that don’t contain alcohol leave you with a tingly feeling that makes your mouth feel fresh and clean.

– Compared to flossing, that clean feeling is deceptive. Mouthwash can soften plaque and tartar build-up, but it usually isn’t effective at removing that build-up altogether.

– Mouthwash can also cause aches and pains if you have sores inside of your mouth. Some washes, especially those that use alcohol, can also kill the good bacteria that your mouth needs.

– When used properly, mouthwash can aid in the removal of build-up and works very well to freshen your breath. That said, it shouldn’t replace flossing.

Flossing

– Floss is a thin, string-like material, either waxed or unwaxed, that works in between your teeth where brushes can’t reach to loosen and remove plaque and tartar build-up.

– Despite what mouth wash commercials may lead you to believe, floss is the most effective way to get rid of build-up between your teeth. It cannot be replaced by mouthwash or any other method.

– Flossing helps get rid of the food particles left behind by brushing. If those food particles are left, the build-up they produce can lead to painful gum issues, gingivitis and even gum disease.

– A lot of people say they don’t floss because it hurts their teeth and makes their gums bleed. Actually, not flossing is the cause of that pain and bleeding. Build-up between your teeth makes your gums weaker and more sensitive. When you floss and remove that build-up, your gums may bleed at first because they’re weak. After about one to two weeks of flossing (depending on your gums), the bleeding and pain will subside.

Pay A Visit To The Dentist

Dental health and hygiene is really important. Because of that, there is one clear winner in mouthwash versus dental floss. Mouthwash can aid in proper hygiene, but it can’t replace flossing. If you have more questions about your dental health, TalkLocal can connect you with the professionals in your area who can help.

When you are brushing your teeth and you notice the taste of blood, you might begin to worry. You may begin to think: Why do my gums bleed when I brush my teeth? This can be a worrisome situation, and it could be a sign of serious issues. Most of the time, though, it’s just a small problem that can be easily fixed.

If you’re asking yourself: Why do my gums bleed when I brush my teeth? You should also ask yourself these questions:

Am I brushing too much?

Although most people don’t brush enough, sometimes people do brush their teeth too much. It might seem like a good solution for bad breath, but brushing more than five times a day can cause wear and tear on your gums. Dentists recommend you brush after every meal or at least two to three times per day.

What kind of toothbrush am I using? 

Every kind of toothbrush has its bristles labeled soft, medium, or hard. Sometimes, people think that using a hard-bristled toothbrush means they’re getting their teeth cleaner because it feels like you’re scrubbing harder. However, dentists actually recommend you use a toothbrush with soft bristles. The soft bristles are gentler and still get the job done. Using too hard of a toothbrush can cause some irritation to your teeth and gums and ultimately lead to bleeding.

Am I being too tough with my soft brush?

If your brush is soft, you might evaluate how you brush your teeth. If you’re going too fast and too hard, you could be causing that blood to show up. You want to be firm but gentle when brushing your teeth. Go in slow, circular motions, spending about 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth. The same goes for flossing. Don’t rush and don’t be too rough.

Let A Dentist Diagnose The Problem

If you are using the right kind of brush, brushing slowly and gently, and not over brushing, you might have a more serious issue such as gum disease or gingivitis. These can easily be prevented and cared for once developed.

TalkLocal can connect you with a dental health professional to answer your questions about these issues and help get your teeth healthy again.

Some of the yummiest treats — popcorn, apples, corn on the cob — leave behind some not-so-yummy remnants in between your teeth. This can be really bad for your teeth if you don’t remove them soon. When food gets stuck between your teeth, you can find yourself developing bad breath, plaque build-up, tartar build-up, and even eventually gingivitis or gum diseases. This leaves us with the battle between toothpicks versus dental floss as preferred method of cleaning out the areas in between your teeth.

The differences between toothpicks versus dental floss listed below might help you understand when and why you may use these products.

Toothpicks

– Toothpicks are small, pointy pieces of wood or plastic used to remove food particles from between your teeth.

– Toothpicks should be used when you have noticeable remnants of food between your teeth. If you’ve eaten something and you can feel that you need to clean your teeth, you can grab a toothpick.

– Toothpicks should be held lightly and used gently to remove food particles between your teeth. Don’t get too forceful with a toothpick; that could damage your gums or teeth.

– Using a toothpick throughout the day, or after each meal, can help you keep your mouth and breath fresh while keeping your teeth clean, but it should never replace flossing or brushing your teeth.

Flossing

– Floss should be used every day at least once per day, but preferably twice a day or after each meal. Floss is a thin, string-like material that comes both waxed and unwaxed. You use this thread between your teeth to remove any lodged food particles.

– Floss is good for removing large particles, but is intended to remove smaller food particles which tooth brushes and toothpicks can’t reach.

– You should floss gently to avoid cutting your gums, but floss is less likely to injure your gums than a larger, pointier toothpick.

– If you don’t usually floss, you may notice your gums bleeding when you start. This is because your gums become sensitive when food remnants aren’t removed. When you remove them and clean you mouth better, your sensitive gums may bleed a bit. As they grow stronger, the bleeding will stop.

See A Dentist For A Thorough Teeth Cleaning

Toothpicks and dental floss are not interchangeable. You need to brush and floss at least twice per day. Using toothpicks can help you keep your teeth cleaner and more comfortable throughout the day in between flossing and brushing. If you have more questions about dental health, Seva Call can connect you with dentists and hygiene professionals who can assist. It’s fast and free.

If your smile is not the glamorous, movie star flash of pearly whites you want it to be, you might find yourself seeking a way to whiten your teeth. After all, buttery yellow just doesn’t sound, look, or feel quite as nice.

The various options for teeth whitening might become overwhelming, and hearing rumors about the over-the-counter solutions, like teeth whitening strips, might deter you from using them. Despite those rumors, the benefits of teeth whitening strips are rich indeed.

Some of the benefits of teeth whitening strips include:

Inexpensive: Getting your teeth whitened at the dentist can easily rack up hundreds of dollars. Using teeth whitening strips is much less expensive. Different brands have different prices, but you can get teeth whitening strips as cheap as $15 or lower in some places. Even the best of the best range from $60 to $80 and are significantly more affordable than a trip to the dentist.

Gradual: Using these strips produces a gradual change in the color of your teeth instead of a shocking, all-at-once change. This means your teeth whitening process will look more natural and healthy. In fact, unless you spill the beans, people probably won’t even know you’ve been using a store-bought product to whiten your teeth. They’ll just notice your brighter smile and compliment you on how natural it looks.

Easier: Most of the over-the-counter strips you may find will be very easy to use. Whether you keep them on for 30 minutes or an hour or more, you can do other things while using them. Oftentimes, you can get ready for your day, cook dinner, work on the computer or just watch television and relax while whitening your teeth. Some brands even boast having such a good grip that you can drink water with the strips on your teeth without affecting the whitening process.

Consult A Dentist

If you’re looking for an easier way to whiten your teeth and save a few bucks, check out the over-the-counter strips. If you do need a professional, contact TalkLocal so we can get you connected with a qualified dentist in your area for free!

Young or old, braces are never fun. In fact, they can be a hassle for the months or years you have them. The orthodontist wants to see you monthly and the dentist, bi-yearly. Meanwhile, you can only eat certain foods while dealing with mouth sores and worrying about embarrassing food stuck in your teeth.

While braces may seem like the enemy, the end result is worth the suffering. Here are a few tips on how to care for braces to make sure you achieve the best end result possible.

How To Care For Braces

– Avoid sticky, gooey or hard foods. Hard foods are permissible if they are cut into small pieces. If consumed as is, any one of these foods could knock loose a piece of the equipment and cause damage to your treatment.

– Contact your orthodontist immediately if something is poking you or comes loose. If pieces are left unattached, teeth may shift, which will result in prolonged treatment.

– Brush your teeth after each meal to remove any stuck food particles. Braces can easily harbor food for long periods of time if not properly brushed. This food can rot and cause gum infections or diseases.

– Make sure to keep all orthodontist appointments. The doctor can determine if issues may arise with your equipment in the future and correct any problems already present.

– Most people should avoid whitening toothpaste when wearing braces. If you did not use whitening toothpaste for a significant amount of time before getting your braces, you should not start until after they are removed. If you do use whitening toothpaste, the square areas under your braces will remain yellowed and will show up when your braces are removed.

The important thing to remember when determining how to care for braces is that they are only temporary. You can do anything for a temporary period of time. The results last a lifetime and are well worth it.

Let A Dentist Take A Look

If you are unsure about some things regarding your braces, it’s best to ask a professional orthodontist or dentist. Seva Call can help you find a qualified one in your area. The best part is our service is completely free and effective.