Why it’s Important to Maintain your Gum Health

Woman flossing teeth.

Welcome to the Park 56 Dental blog, where we believe that a healthy smile starts with healthy gums! As specialists in dental care, we understand the vital role that gum health plays in maintaining overall oral health. While often overlooked, your gums provide the foundation for your teeth, ensuring they stay securely in place and function properly. In this blog post, we will be delving into why it is so crucial to prioritize gum health and the various steps you can take to keep your gums in excellent condition. No matter your age or current oral health status, we hope you find the information shared here helpful and empowering to take charge of your gum health. Let’s get started on this journey towards a vibrant and healthy smile that starts from within!

Warning Signs of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a common problem that results from bacteria in your mouth producing harmful acids that erode your enamel. But did you know that one of the earliest warning signs of tooth decay is actually gum problems? As the bacteria spreads, it can cause your gums to become red, swollen, and prone to bleeding. This is a sign that you should schedule a cleaning with your dentist as soon as possible.

Dental Care for Seniors: Addressing Age-specific Oral Health Challenges

As we age, our dental needs change. Seniors are more likely to suffer from gum problems due to some of these common problems/triggers:

1. Dry Mouth: One of the most common oral health issues that seniors face is dry mouth. This is often caused by medications that reduce salivary flow or medical conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome. Dry mouth can cause a range of problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections.
2. Gum Disease: Seniors are at an increased risk of developing gum disease, which is caused by a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other health problems, including heart disease and stroke.

3. Tooth Loss: As we age, our teeth may begin to wear down, crack, or decay. Eventually, tooth loss may occur. Missing teeth can cause difficulty eating and speaking and may even lead to bone loss in the jaw.

4. Oral Cancer: Seniors are at an increased risk of developing oral cancer, particularly if they smoke or use tobacco products. Oral cancer can be difficult to detect in its early stages, which is why it is important for seniors to receive regular oral cancer screenings.

5. Medication Side Effects: Seniors may take a range of medications to manage medical conditions, and some of these medications can cause side effects that affect their oral health. For example, some medications can cause dry mouth, while others can cause gum inflammation or mouth sores.

The Hidden Dangers of Not Addressing Dental Problems

Gum disease doesn’t just affect your mouth. Studies have found that people with gum problems are more likely to develop heart disease, stroke, and other systemic conditions. This is because the bacteria that cause gum disease can enter your bloodstream and spread to other parts of your body, including your heart and lungs. That’s why it’s crucial to address gum problems early on to avoid these serious health risks.

Simple Ways to Prevent Gum Disease

Preventing gum disease doesn’t have to be difficult. By following a few simple steps, you can keep your gums healthy and your smile bright. First, make sure to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Second, floss each day to remove plaque and bacteria from between teeth and along the gumline. Finally, make sure to visit your dentist regularly for cleanings, exams, and x-rays. Taking these steps can go a long way toward avoiding gum disease and other dental problems.

Reach Out to Park 56 Dental Today with Any Questions

Keeping your gums healthy is a vital part of maintaining good oral health and avoiding serious medical problems. If you’re experiencing gum disease symptoms such as bleeding, redness or swelling, consult your dentist right away. At Park 56 Dental, we offer a full range of preventative and restorative services designed to keep your gums and teeth healthy for life. To schedule an appointment, call us at (212) 826-2322 today.

Why Your Gum Line Recedes

Gum recession.

How is your gum health? About half of all people over 30 suffer from periodontal disease, and this is the leading cause of gum recession. Gum recession is a problem, because when your gums recede too far, they can allow your teeth to fall out! Further, receding gums create pockets between the teeth and gums, and this can allow bacteria to grow and cause infections. In this way, even if your gum recession is not caused by periodontal disease, it can create an ideal environment for periodontal disease to progress. Once gums have receded, they don’t grow back, but there are some strategies you can employ to slow the recession. First, you need to know what is causing your gum line to recede.

• As mentioned, periodontal disease is a major cause of receding gums. The bacterial gum infections of periodontal disease can destroy not only gum tissue, but also the bone that holds the teeth in place. Catching periodontal disease in the early stage, called gingivitis, when the gums are simply inflamed, can help forestall its progression.
• It could be your genes. Sometimes, genetics just don’t work in your favor when it comes to your gums. About 30 percent of people have receding gums, leading to periodontal disease, no matter how well they care for their teeth.
• You might not be taking good care of your teeth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to tartar build-up, and when this happens, it can cause your gums to recede.
• On the other hand, you might be brushing too enthusiastically. Aggressive brushing can wear away your enamel and damage your gum tissue.
• Your teeth may be crooked. Believe it or not, misaligned teeth can wear on your gums. Teeth that don’t come together properly put too much force on the gums, causing them to recede.
• It might be hormones. Hormonal fluctuations, like the ones experienced during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, can cause your gums to recede.
• Mouth trauma can damage your gums. If you get punched in the mouth or fall on your face, your teeth can be knocked loose, and your gums can sustain damage that causes recession.
• Your orthodontia may be the issue. It makes sense that using constant force to reposition your teeth could cause your gums to become inflamed and recede.
• If you grind your teeth, your gums might recede. In fact, receding gums may be your first warning sign that you grind your teeth at night.
• Tobacco use can lead to receding gums. Smoking and chewing tobacco are bad for your oral health in such a variety of ways that if you use tobacco, you really need to stop.

You might notice your gums receding, or you might notice some other warning signs. Your teeth may become sensitive to heat, cold, and sweets, or they may be sensitive when you’re brushing, flossing, or getting dental cleanings. You may also experience pain or discomfort near the gum line. Without treatment, gum recession could cause your teeth to feel loose. Fortunately, while receding gums won’t grow back, your dentist can help you slow the recession, as well as offering non-surgical and surgical treatments to improve the condition.

When you’re looking for a dentist to help with your teeth and gums, trust the dentist voted best in New York. At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

The Link Between Periodontal Disease and Premature Birth

It’s long been known that periodontal disease is a serious health problem. Beyond causing tooth loss and bleeding gums, periodontal disease can be detrimental to the whole body when bacteria from infected gums enters the bloodstream. Now, new research has revealed a link between periodontal disease and pre-term birth, showing that women with gum disease are substantially more likely to go into early labor than women with healthy gums.

The study, conducted by University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, and led by Dr Vladimíra Radochová, from the department of dentistry, was published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. According to the Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, Dr. Nigel Carter OBE, the research underscores the affect of oral health on a person’s overall health. The study showed that, of women who went into labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy, 45 percent had gum disease. By contrast, only 29 percent of women who experienced a perfect pregnancy had gum disease.

Worldwide, premature labor is the result of about 10 percent of all pregnancies. In the UK, the rate is about seven percent, and about 10 percent of babies in the United States arrive early, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Premature birth can be the result of changes in the cervix or premature rupture of membranes, also known as “waters breaking.” So, what’s the link to periodontal disease?

It’s thought that bacteria in plaque traveling through the bloodstream to the placenta causes inflammation. Part of the problem is that it can be difficult for women to maintain good oral health while pregnant. Hormonal changes can make the gums more likely to be sore, swollen, and even bleed, because they’re more vulnerable to plaque. The women involved in the study who went into early labor were found to have eight times more plaque than the women with more favorable outcomes, and dental health that was four times lower. In addition to gum disease, women who had premature labor were more likely to have untreated tooth decay or fillings.

The takeaway from the study is that it’s important for a woman to care for her mouth to help ensure a healthy pregnancy. Brushing twice a day and flossing can help maintain oral health, and refraining from smoking and alcohol consumption can also reduce the chance of gum disease. Most important are regular dental appointments, to stay on top of oral health issues and keep periodontal disease at bay.

During pregnancy and every other stage of life, when you’re looking for excellent dental care and advice you can trust, choose the practice that was voted best dentist in NYC! At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.

How to Prevent Gum Recession

Receding gums are a common oral health problem. You know your gums are receding if you have less gum tissue than you used to and your teeth look longer than normal. What you’re seeing is the exposed tooth root, which may be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Gum tissue doesn’t grow back, so it’s important to prevent gum recession before it’s too late.

• Brush your teeth gently: It’s a misconception that the more aggressively you brush, the cleaner your teeth become. Not only does vigorous brushing wear down tooth enamel, but it also irritates your gums. Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush, and be careful about how much pressure you use when brushing each morning and night.
• Floss daily: Flossing targets the hard-to-reach places between your teeth and along the gum line. Scraping away plaque and stubborn food particles from these areas is critical to keep your gums healthy and prevent them from receding.
• Stop smoking: Tobacco use of any kind is horrible for your oral health. It leaves a sticky film in your mouth that can cause gum recession if not removed thoroughly. Stop smoking to promote gum health, prevent tooth stains, and reduce the risk of oral cancer.
• Eat a nutritious diet: Gum tissue, like the rest of your body, needs adequate vitamins and minerals for optimum health. Some of the best foods for a healthy smile include apples, carrots, leafy greens, plain yogurt, and almonds.
• Wear a mouthguard: Do you grind your teeth at night? If you’re not sure, your dentist can diagnose this condition, known as bruxism. Then, you can look into getting a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth and gums while you sleep.
• Straighten your smile: Crooked teeth and a misaligned bite place excess pressure on your jawbone and gums, making gum recession more likely. Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten your teeth and keep your gums healthy.
• Avoid mouth piercings: Lip and tongue rings are a surefire way to irritate your gums and cause them to recede. So play it safe and stick to ear piercings to keep your mouth free of foreign objects.
• Visit the dentist: The American Dental Association recommends that most people visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. During your exam, a hygienist will remove tartar and plaque from your teeth that can irritate the gums. Your dentist will also check for signs of recession and offer personalized tips to prevent the problem from getting any worse.

If you notice receding gums or other signs of gum disease, reach out to Park 56 Dental. We’ve been voted the best dentist in NYC, so you can rest assured that our team will take great care of you. We offer effective treatments to help slow or even reverse gum disease and recession, including root planing and scaling, flap surgery, and bone and tissue grafts. To learn more, please call us at (212) 826-2322 or contact us online today.