Part of my new patient experience for a newcomer to my practice is to ask some basic questions about what they know and don’t know about their oral health. One of my questions to any new patients is, “What’s your understanding of your current gum health?” Most patients reply, “I’m not sure” but may remember [...]

Gum (gingival) recession occurs when gums recede from the tops of the teeth enough to expose sensitive roots. People typically experience increased sensitivity to sugary or cold foods when gums no longer cover and protect teeth roots. In addition, untreated gum recession may lead to loosening of teeth and accelerated tooth decay, something I see [...]

WAYS TO TREAT ROOT SENSITIVITY In a previous blog post, I explained what causes root sensitivity, also referred to as "dentin sensitivity." In this post, I’ll outline some of the common treatments for such a condition. In short, dentin sensitivity is caused by the stimulation of nerve endings that are connected to dental pulp and [...]

Fifty-three percent of the U.S. population over age 20 have bleeding gums—a condition called “gingivitis.” Yet very few people actually understand why their gums bleed. Although there are several potential reasons why gums may bleed, the most common reason for gingivitis is bacteria. Many different species of bacteria live in our mouths. This is actually [...]