DD Family Dentistry Blog

While keeping your teeth in good condition is very important, the gums often don’t get enough attention. Without proper gum health, it doesn’t matter how healthy your teeth are. In order for your teeth to stay in your mouth, your gums need to be maintained, so daily examinations are essential to manage your diet and smile.

The next time you start your daily oral care routine, keep an eye out for these five signs that your gums are trying to tell you something. If you have any of them, you’ll want to visit your dentist in Carrollton.

Red or Sore Gums

Healthy gums should have a light pink appearance. If they ever appear red, feel sore, or bleed easily, it means that their ability to heal quickly has become compromised. Even if you brush and floss daily, gums can appear this way, usually if you have type 2 diabetes. When saliva is high in glucose, it feeds oral bacteria, causing inflammation, and eventually gum disease.

White Spots on Gums

Oral cancer is a very deadly disease that often gets discovered in the late stages. Early detection is the key to successfully treating and surviving the disease, so you’ll want to do monthly self-exams and check for red or white lesions on the gums. Patches or lumps of abnormal tissue can be indicators of oral cancer. Of course, they could also be a simple canker sore or allergic reaction, but you won’t know for sure until you visit your dentist.

Swollen Gums

If you’re gums become puffy or bleed while brushing, you’ll want to take a closer look at the label on your medications. If you’re currently taking medications for high blood pressure, epilepsy, or seizures, be sure to tell your dentist as they may recommend you switch to other medications or double up on your brushing and flossing routine. Visit your dentist to confirm it isn’t gum disease.

Pale Gums

Anemia occurs when your body isn’t producing enough red blood cells. Gums that appeal paler than usual could be a sign that they are anemic or deficient in nutrients. If your gums are lighter than the healthy pink color we mentioned earlier, you may need to include more B12 and iron in your diet. Furthermore, if you ever have bouts of dizziness, weakness, or fatigue, talk to your doctor.

Receding Gums

Periodontal (gum) disease is all too common in the United States. If you notice your teeth appearing longer than normal and pockets forming around gums, it’s a sign that gum disease is developing. Gum disease puts you at risk for other more serious diseases, including heart disease, dementia, and low birthweight. Make a trip to your dentist as soon as possible to receive gum therapy and get your oral health back on track.

People need to give as much attention to their gums as they do their teeth! If you notice any of these symptoms with no signs of improvement, schedule an appointment with your family dentist in Carrollton today!

About the Author

Dr. Durga Devarakonda started her dental career at a pediatric dental clinic before transitioning to other practices specializing in general and geriatric dentistry. This gives her the unique ability to identify and treat gum disease in patients of all ages. To learn more about her preventive treatments and practice, contact her through her website.

Do you think your smile is not ready for the summer because of the many years of discoloration that has formed? If you’re considering teeth whitening in Carrollton, you’ll quickly learn there are many benefits to consider. However, some patients may be more sensitive to whitening treatments than others, including treatments inside and outside of the office.

With that being said, it’s always worth consulting with your dentist first so you know your expectations prior to treatment, as well as if you’d prefer to whiten your teeth through other methods.

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There are many scenarios that can end up as a dental accident. For instance, if you’re playing with your child in the park, you could accidentally slip and knock your tooth on the playground. Instead of losing your cool and worrying about your bleeding mouth, the best thing that you can do is take the necessary steps to save your smile.

We know—it sounds easier said than done. Staying prepared with the appropriate dental knowledge can help you to handle a dental accident or emergency much better.

Thankfully, your emergency dentist in Carrollton has put together a quick guide in this week’s blog post to help you determine whether or not urgent dental care needed.  Continue reading to learn more about dental emergencies and what to do if one strikes!

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This year alone, it is estimated that around 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer, and only about 50% are likely to survive the next five years. Oral cancer doesn’t often get talked about, but it actually claims at least one life every hour of every day here in the U.S. alone. There are numerous risk factors that make a person more likely to develop oral cancer, and today, your dentist in Carrollton is going to share them as well as what you can do to keep yourself protected. (more…)

You’ve been waiting for the weekend to get here, and when it finally arrives, you head to Lower Greenville for some shopping and socializing. As you’re conversing with friends, you notice an unpleasant taste in your mouth. You know that such a taste is more than likely accompanied by an unpleasant odor, so now you’re unable to enjoy yourself for fear that you’ll offend one of your friends. Your dentist in Carrollton says that although your first concern may be to worry about whether anyone else smells your breath, the more pressing issue is the possible warning signs that your mouth is sending you. Learn what they are as you continue reading.

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Some of the greatest nemeses to your oral health are bacteria, but did you know that their harmful effects don’t just stop with your mouth, teeth and gums? In fact, everything in your body is connected. That means that the health of one area plays a role in the condition of another, so it’s important to know how to create an environment of total wellness. Therefore, your dentist in Carrollton is weighing in with information on how oral hygiene and preventive dentistry can enhance your overall health.

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Whitening may not be advisable for all patients—for instance, if you have several tooth-colored dental restorations. Sometimes, whitening products can cause adverse effects, such as tooth sensitivity and gum inflammation—both of which you would want to avoid at all costs. Your dentist in Carrollton can advise whether you can safely and effectively whiten your teeth and the best way to do it. Keep reading this week’s blog post to learn about the best whitening treatments available in our office and safe products to use at home.

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Every day you wake up and brush your teeth. Sometimes you forget to floss—but shhh! Don’t tell your dentist, right?

Unfortunately, even when you think you’re taking okay care of your smile, visiting your cosmetic dentist in Carrollton can tell you otherwise. And this isn’t to be negative or discourage you from taking better care of your smile—it’s to do the opposite.

Preventive care appointments allow your dentist to catch oral health problems very early on so that they can be addressed, keeping your smile truly heathy for years to come. Learn more about why preventive care is so important in this week’s blog post!

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Studies show that one-third of Americans say that a person’s smile is the first thing they notice. And in another data set, researchers found that 73% of the people questioned, said that they were more likely to trust a person with perfect teeth than someone with a high-powered job or a flashy car. These data demonstrate just how high on the priority list our society holds the appearance of your pearly whites. But there is also evidence that reveals how possessing straight teeth can have a positive impact on your health. You’re invited to continue reading to learn about these benefits and how you can achieve them through Invisalign of Carrollton.

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