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Why Do My Gums Bleed After Flossing?

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Most individuals have heard that bleeding gums are a sign of trouble, but what if the bleeding only occurs when flossing? That’s normal, right? Not necessarily. Whenever bleeding becomes commonplace, there is reason to consult your dentist. Even though they are provoked, the gums should show very little sign of bleeding. Once cleared by the dentist, then you can take other measures to correct the issue.

Among the first questions that you should be asking yourself in this situation is ‘am I flossing regularly?’ If the answer is no, then the problem could be one of the gums being unfamiliar with the routine. As it is done more and more often, the bleeding should begin to slow and then stop all together.

Even if done regularly, if done incorrectly flossing can cause bleeding. This act should be a gentle one and if done too hard, then the gums can be cut. This will also defeat the purpose, because using the improper procedure will likely fail to remove the plaque and bacteria which are the goal of flossing. To ensure that you are not a cause of the bleeding, wrap a long section of floss around the middle finger of each hand and then pinch each end between the index fingers and thumbs. This act will give the support needed to guide the floss gently into place. You can continue to unwrap and rewrap to reveal new sections of floss as needed. The string should move against the side surface of each tooth and slightly under the gum line. The dentist will be able to help if you are having trouble getting this procedure right.

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Could My Teeth Be Causing My Headache

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The short answer is yes. Chronic headache sufferers are on a constant mission to end the madness and find the source of their headaches, but often it takes a very long time to pinpoint exactly what is causing the painful, debilitating sensations. Part of the reason is that doctors frequently overlook dental issues as a potential root of the problem.

In fact, it isn’t a single dental issue that could be causing the headaches. There are several related conditions that could lead to repeat aches and pains that only disappear once the underlying problem is dealt with. Among the top offenders is unconscious grinding. Often people will grind their teeth, either while sleeping or during the day, and will not even realize they are doing it. The same is true of clenching the teeth. Often associated with stress, both of these actions can be excessive pressure on the teeth and jaw leading to pain in the head. Sleeping with a mouth guard and making a conscious effort to notice times when this occurs can help alleviate both problems.

Have your wisdom teeth grown in yet? Have they been removed? If you have answered no, then the headache may be a sign of impacted wisdom teeth. The movement along the jaw line, as the teeth attempt to grow in the wrong direction, and the swelling of nearby tissue can cause the never ending headache. That is until the teeth are removed. Even those who have had wisdom teeth recently removed may not be entirely safe. The headache could be a result of an infection resulting from dry sockets.

Abscessed teeth are also often responsible for head pain. Antibiotics can treat the resulting infection and the dentist can help correct the remaining problem so the headaches can go for good.

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What is TMJ?

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While technically this abbreviation is shorthand for temporomandibular joint, it refers to much more than the joint itself. This hinge which holds the jaw to the face can cause serious pain if injured, but few people are aware of the possible disorders stemming from this part of the body.

Problems with TMJ are more common in women than men, but all together there are a whopping ten million people affected by disorders in that region. This can lead to serious pain or aching when chewing or talking, can lead to serious and chronic headaches, and can even lead to more serious consequences. Many who suffer injury in this region will find that they have difficulty speaking, eating, or making certain facial expressions afterward. The associated disorder, after all can be a result of injury. Essentially, it will occur when the joint fails to operate correctly. While harm to the area of the face is often a culprit, it is not the only potential cause. People who grind or clench their teeth, will frequently develop TMJ disorder.

When the cause of the problem is known, the dentist or other oral care specialist will be better able to suggest a plan for treatment. This may involve the use of a mouth guard to prevent unconscious grinding, certain exercises to alleviate pain and stretch the associated muscles, and in some instances, orthodontic surgery to repair the jaw alignment.

Whatever the reason, jaw pain should be taken seriously. If you think there is reason for concern, consult your dentist and begin a treatment plan as soon as possible so the condition doesn’t worsen.

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Sensitivity: The Truth Behind Your Teeth

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Most people in their lifetimes will feel the annoying pain of tooth sensitivity. Sometimes it is linked to hot foods or super cold beverages, and sometimes there doesn’t seem to be a cause at all. Regardless of the reason, for those who are chronic sufferers, there are ways to reduce the severity of those painful ‘twinges’.

In some cases, whether one knows it or not, sensitive teeth are actually a sign of lingering problems within the mouth. Decay or receding gum lines can expose the root of the tooth, where the nerve resides, and allow for extreme sensitivity to temperature changes among other things. Most frequently the decay that leads to this problem occurs near the gum line or the beginning of gingivitis pulls the gums away from the base of the tooth. However, it isn’t always something so detrimental that is exposing the root. In some instances, the problem can be corrected just by addressing the manner in which one brushes the teeth. Over-brushing or use of a very stiff bristled brush can actually hurt more than it helps. It can cause the gums to recede, which ultimately leaves that root exposed. The same is true of overly acidic foods. Frequent or regular consumption of foods such as citruses, tomatoes, pickles, or even tea can erode enamel, and draw the gum line downward.

Proper oral hygiene, attention to foods consumed, avoiding overly hot or cold foods and beverages, and using a fluoridated toothpaste are all things that can help do away with tooth sensitivity. However, don’t overlook the importance of speaking to your dentist about the matter.

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Dentists Treating for Heart Health?

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So many people continue to brush and floss and visit the dentist in order to maintain a healthy, sparkling smile, but for those who have already said goodbye to such dreams, what is the point in heading to the dentist’s chair every six or twelve months? Well, recent studies are suggesting that there is far more significance in this ritual than holding on to your pearly whites.

The bacteria that grow within the mouth when food particles remain dormant there can travel through the blood stream. What does this mean? Well, for one thing, it is that bacteria that is responsible for the growth of plaque about the teeth. The plaque that can cause gum disease or tooth decay in the mouth can have even more severe consequences when traveling through the body. Just as it does in the mouth, here it can build plaque which attaches to artery walls, causing them to become constricted and slowing the blood flow through them. If this occurs in arteries entering the heart muscle, oxygen levels there can plummet. In arteries going to the brain, the constriction can lead to decreased blood flow and increased risk of stroke.

That’s not the only danger to the body that one faces when failing to practice proper oral hygiene. Once gum disease has set in, the inflammatory agents called endotoxins also enter the blood stream. Carried through this system, they can lead to serious infection in the heart or its valves (endocarditis). If that isn’t enough to scare you, consider the fact that if the tissue within the tooth becomes infected, and is not treated with a root canal, it will die. The dead tissue will provide a constant source of bacteria that will hitch a ride with blood cells.

Given these facts, it is not really surprising to find that those people who fail to brush their teeth regularly are seventy percent more likely to contract heart disease.

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Energy Drinks and Your Teeth: How Bad Are They?

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It’s been a long day or a sleepless night, and all you need is a little ‘pick-me-up’. So why not reach for an energy drink, which often packs a powerful punch that can pull you out of the worst fatigue-ridden slumps? Well, among other reasons, there should be concern for your teeth.

It isn’t just the energy packed beverages that can serve as potential cavity culprits. Other suspects include the sports drinks that are meant to keep the body hydrated during intense workouts. While it may seem that these beverages would trump a soft drink, on the oral front, that isn’t necessarily the truth. In fact, the energy and sports drinks can be worse for teeth than traditional colas.

Due to high acidic content, the beverages meant to keep athletes on the go, actually deteriorated teeth faster, in a recent study, than soft drinks did. Bacteria can grow strongest in acidic environments. That means that these beverages, by lowering mouth pH levels, are actually providing a cozy environment for the microorganisms that can decay and disease.

The worst offenders are those with a lemon-lime flavor, or with other naturally acidic additives. Though coke made the list of greatest offenders, it fell far below the leading culprit, which packed a punch nearly ten times as powerful as the soft drink. It is thought that this massive dose of damage is made worse by the fact that sports drinks are frequently sipped over long periods of time rather than soft drinks that are more traditional consumed with a meal. Thus, the sports drinks keep mouth acidity levels up for longer periods of time.

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How to Tell if You Need a Root Canal

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It’s a horrible term that one never wants to hear during a visit to the dentist. Why are the words ‘root canal’ so feared? Much of the horror stems from the fact that the procedure is greatly misunderstood. Though a root canal does involve some pain, it is often performed as a means of preventing even worse and longer lasting pain in the future.

Within the tooth exists a substance referred to as pulp. This is home to a number of important blood vessels and nerves, but it is also this substance that provides the moisture and nourishment teeth need to remain strong and resilient. This tissue, however, is susceptible to infection and if decay eats through the outer layer of the tooth, the pulp is in extreme danger. This is also true when the integrity of a tooth is damaged due to injury.

If this tissue becomes infected, it will naturally swell, as would any other soft tissue in the body. However, because it is encased by the tooth, the swelling only serves to compress blood vessels leading to intense pain. Slowly, the blood vessels and nerves will die, and in doing so will leave the person in extreme, long term pain. This can even lead to severe abscesses. For many, many years, the only way to relieve the pain was to pull the tooth, but thanks to the root canal, the tooth can be left in place and just the pulp tissue has to be removed. The procedure is painful in the short term, but stops the spreading of infection and will ultimately relieve the pain associated with a dead pulp tissue.

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What’s Causing My Toothache?

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It hurts, it’s annoying, and it can cause serious frustration throughout the day. A toothache is top among a list of conditions that people would rather not endure in their lifetimes. However, what is more frustrating than the pain is trying to find the source of it. There are a number of different factors that can result in a pain in the mouth.

Most often a toothache is a result of decay. In fact, when toothaches become very severe there is good reason to fear that the nerve inside the tooth is dying. What does this mean for the sufferer? Well, one thing is for certain. It will definitely mean a trip to the dentist. In most cases, a tooth with a dead or dying nerve will need to be pulled. However, in some instances the tooth can be saved and only the nerve will have to go . This secondary option is referred to as a root canal. It should be noted that tooth post-root canal will be more brittle and more susceptible to breaking, which would require far more work if one wished to preserve the tooth. Therefore, the tooth may require a crown, or a cap, which holds the tooth together, and provides it added strength. Those teeth that have suffered a great deal of decay or previous dental work may not be strong enough to provide a foundation for the crown. In these special instances, a different type of filling might be necessary to give that added support.

If you would like to avoid all of these procedures and the possibility of even more, as well as the pain of toothache, then be sure to brush and floss regularly. Also, don’t miss those regular dental visits.
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The Impact of Stress on Dental Health

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Few people are able to live devoid of excess stress, yet we have all come to realize in recent years how many bad effects this can have on our bodies. The heart, the head, and even the tiniest of cells within us can become ill as a result of having to handle an overload of stress. However, it isn’t just these areas of the body that are affected. The mouth is also a harbor of tension.

Canker sores are a source of mystery for the medical and dental communities. No one is entirely sure why they form. One thing does seem to be agreed upon, the more stress a person is feeling, the more likely he or she is to develop the tiny painful bumps within his or her mouth. In fact, this isn’t the only irritating sore that seems to develop from excess anxiety. It has been shown that cold sores, a contagious sore most typically found around the lips, develop or linger most often in times of increased stress.

Even jaw problems and dental-related headaches are more common when the mind and body are feeling undue pressure. This is because many individuals unconsciously grind their teeth when feeling tense. Clenching or grinding of the teeth puts a great deal of pressure on the jaw, and can cause lasting injury if done excessively. It can also lead to painful headaches. Yet those aren’t the only concerns that dentists have about teeth grinding. One must also fear the wear and tear that occurs at the surface. Teeth that are worn down, as a result of this habit, are more susceptible to decay and infection.

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Can Mouthwash Really Cure Your Bad Breath?

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Bad breath is all together evil. It can be pure torment when forced to speak in close proximity with someone who is suffering the ill-fate, but what is worse is when you are the one that others try to avoid. So, what causes this oral demon?

Bad breath is actually the result of bacterial buildup within the mouth. This forms as a result of food particles missed by brush or floss and left to linger. As it breaks down, bacteria forms and puts off an often putrid smell. This, of course, can be made worse by eating certain foods such as onions or garlic. Furthermore, the dryer the mouth is, the less likely that the bacteria will be washed away. If it is not, then there is room for bacteria to build upon bacteria, making for an even more unbearable scent. There are also certain medical afflictions that can make this worse. These include postnasal drip and chronic bronchitis, among others.

In order to beat away the offensive odor, reach for your tooth brush. However, the target isn’t necessarily going to be the teeth. While brushing and flossing is very important in the defense against bad breath, decay, and disease, it is the tongue that is a frequent culprit. Use the brush to gently scrub the tongue, especially near the back of the mouth. Also consider regular use of mouthwash and increasing water intake to keep the mouth moist. In the battle of bad breath, these techniques almost always win.

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