Dentist Downers Grove | General & Cosmetic Dentistry | Dentist Woodridge,IL

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Aurora (630) 884-8194

Downers Grove (630) 884-8174

Office Hours: Mon–Fri: 9:00am–6:00pm; Sat: 9:00am–4:00pm

Archives for December 2018

Bleeding gums – Prevention & Treatment

Bleeding Gums - Aurora Dentists

Bleeding Gums – Aurora Dentists

Noticing bleeding gums while brushing or flossing can cause alarm. Often the cause of bleeding gums is as simple as brushing too hard, but in some instances it can be a symptom of something more serious.

Bleeding Gums Causes

One of the biggest bleeding gums causes is the buildup of plaque on the teeth. If left unaddressed this will lead to gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. Alongside bleeding gums, symptoms of gingivitis include red and puffy gums.

Gingivitis occurs when plaque, which contains bacteria, builds up on teeth and produces toxins that irritate the gums. Signs of gingivitis include bleeding, puffy, sore, inflamed or red gums. Managing gingivitis is important so that it doesn’t progress into a more serious form of gum disease.

Thorough daily plaque removal is your best weapon against gingivitis. Other factors that might increase your risk of gingivitis include smoking, stress, hormonal changes, poor nutrition, medications and chronic diseases.

Treatment and Prevention of Gingivitis

Here are some important ways to help manage gingivitis, and remember, it’s all about keeping your teeth as free from plaque as possible:

  1. Brush thoroughly twice a day with an antigingivitis toothpaste.
  2. Rinse thoroughly with an antigingivitis mouthwash.
  3. Use a soft bristled manual or electric rechargeable toothbrush.
  4. Floss daily.
  5. Visit your dental professional regularly.

Causes and Treatment of Pregnancy Gingivitis

Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by a rise in the hormone progesterone which can contribute to an increase in the flow of blood to gum tissues making them sensitive, swollen and more likely to bleed when you brush and floss. These hormonal changes can make it easier for certain gingivitis-causing bacteria to grow and can make gum tissue more tender. While pregnancy gingivitis can occur anytime between the second and eight month, it’s usually more severe during the second trimester.

Controlling plaque is the most important thing you can do to prevent problems with pregnancy gingivitis. A strict home care routine of proper and meticulous plaque removal should start even before you are pregnant. Not all oral care products are the same, so be sure to choose a toothpaste and mouthwash designed to treat plaque and gingivitis. Also try a soft electric rechargeable brush to make plaque removal easier.

Blood thinning medications may also cause your gums to bleed. If you think your bleeding gums might be due to medication, get in touch with your dentist.

Bleeding Gums Treatment

The best way to find out the cause of your bleeding gums is to book an appointment with a dental professional. Your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to advise you on the best bleeding gums treatment according to your symptoms.

Call Alivio Dental to schedule an appointment today! Proudly serving patients from Aurora,IL, Naperville,IL, Oswego,IL, Downers Grove, IL, Lisle, IL, Darien, IL, Lombard, IL, Clarendon Hills, IL, Bollingbrook, IL, Woodridge, IL, Westmont, IL, La Grange, IL and Wheaton, IL communities now.

Credits: Procter & Gamble

Keys to Controlling Bad Breath

Aurora Dentist Bad breath

Aurora Dentist Bad breath

Keys to Controlling Bad Breath

If you’re serious about learning what’s causing your bad breath, consider scheduling an appointment with your dental professional. Given your full medical and dental history along with an oral examination, your dentist should be able to identify the culprit. The causes of bad breath are numerous and include certain foods, alcohol or cigarettes, poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, diabetes, dry mouth, sinus or throat infections, lung infections or abscesses, kidney/liver failure, gastrointestinal issues and severe dieting.

Treatment of Bad Breath

It is important to conduct thorough oral hygiene at home twice daily utilizing tooth brushing with a fluoride antibacterial toothpaste and flossing to remove food debris and plaque on teeth, bridgework and implants, and brushing the tongue to remove odor-causing bacteria. A published study reported that tongue and tooth brushing in combination with dental flossing significantly decreased bleeding of the gum tissue over a two week period of time as well as reduced bad breath1. Another clinical study conducted by the University of Buffalo dental researchers confirmed that brushing twice a day with an antibacterial toothpaste and using a tooth brush with a tongue cleaner can eliminate bad breath2.

Tongue Cleaning is the Key to Fresher, Cleaner Breath

Cleaning your tongue is very important. You can purchase a Colgate 360 toothbrush with the tongue cleaner on the back of the toothbrush for cleaning both your teeth and tongue. After tooth brushing your upper and lower teeth with an antibacterial toothpaste, flip the toothbrush over to the tongue cleaner and place the tongue cleaner in the posterior region of the tongue and move it forward to the anterior section of the tongue. After you have scraped that portion of the tongue, rinse the tongue brush off with warm water to remove any odor causing bacteria. Then replace the tongue brush in the next posterior section again and repeat as described above again.

Consult your dentist or dental hygienist when choosing oral hygiene aids to help you eliminate plaque and odor causing bacteria and review the techniques that should be utilized at home. Also, ask your dental professional what oral hygiene care products they would consider you use to help eliminate bad breath (antibacterial toothpaste, antiseptic mouth rinse, tongue brushes or scrapers and interproximal cleaning devices). The key to a clean, fresh mouth is optimal oral hygiene conducted at home on a regular basis and professional recommendations discussed with you by your dental professional.

Credits: Colgate-Palmolive Company

Call Alivio Dental to schedule an appointment today! Proudly serving patients from Aurora,IL, Naperville,IL, Oswego,IL, Downers Grove, IL, Lisle, IL, Darien, IL, Lombard, IL, Clarendon Hills, IL, Bollingbrook, IL, Woodridge, IL, Westmont, IL, La Grange, IL and Wheaton, IL communities now.