Philly Dentistry

Before we get into the signs of gum disease, let’s talk about what gum disease even is. The clinical term for gum disease is “periodontitis.” Bacteria grows in your mouth and causes destruction in your teeth and gums. There could be a loss of bone supporting your teeth caused by an immune response to the bacteria below the gum line. Gum disease is common but also preventable for the most part. The most common cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. Below is a list of five signs that point to gum disease.

1. No cleaning for 2+ years

This takes the cake for number one! The most common cause of gum disease is poor oral health, so if you aren’t coming to the dentist, this applies. It is so important to visit your dentist twice a year. Dentists are teeth professionals and have all the tools to keep your mouth healthy. They will also keep you informed about what you can do at home to ensure a healthy mouth.

2. Bleeding gums

Before your gums bleed, they could appear bright red. This bright red color usually means that the gums are irritated. If your gums are irritated, there is something wrong. What’s happening is your gums are inflamed and infected and start pulling away from the roots of your teeth. As a result, your gums could start bleeding.

3. Bad breath

If you do not brush and floss your teeth, your mouth isn’t receiving proper cleaning. This can result in food and other particles getting stuck in your mouth. This results in bacteria growth in your teeth. It is important to practice good oral hygiene so your mouth stays healthy and your breath stays fresh!

4. Smoking

Smoking is obviously not healthy, but how does it affect your gums? Smoking weakens your body’s immune system. So, if your immune system is being weakened, it will be more difficult for your body to fight off gum infections. If you already have gum damage, smoking will make it even harder for your gums to heal.

5. Visible plaque around your teeth

Plaque is always forming on our teeth. When we eat and drink sugary treats, sticky plaque coats our teeth. If not properly cared for, this plaque can damage your tooth enamel and gums. It is important to practice good oral care to fight back against plaque buildup.

Our center city office is ready to help you improve your oral health. Give us a call at (215) 568-6222 to book your appointment to get healthy and learn more about how you can spot and prevent gum disease. To stay connected with us online, follow us on social media. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

Everyone is aware to some extent how certain foods and drinks can affect our teeth. However, the majority of people aren’t oral health care experts.  Have no fear; Philly Dentistry is here with all the facts! We have compiled a list of the top 6 bad foods for your teeth.

1. Alcohol

Alcohol is fun to drink on a special occasion or from time to time. However, alcoholic drinks tend to decrease saliva production in our mouths. This promotes a problem as the saliva plays a key role in protecting your teeth from acidic content. In addition, saliva is used to wash away food particles after eating. With low saliva, you are deprived of these functions and make you vulnerable to infections. Always drink water in between alcoholic drinks!

2. Coffee or Tea

Coffee and tea are two of the biggest threats to your smile as they both are prone to cause discoloration and staining. In addition, if you like your drink extra sweet and add sugar, this also sets you up for enamel damage. Ultimately, if these drinks aren’t consumed in moderation, oral health diseases can arise.

3. Potato Chips

Who doesn’t love a good, salty potato chip? Unfortunately, if you do not floss or rinse your mouth immediately after eating them problems can occur. The starchy and mushy texture of potato chips can get stuck in your teeth very easily. If you enjoy eating chips, be sure to carry floss on you!

4. White Bread

When you eat white bread, the starch is broken down into sugar in your saliva. The bread becomes a sticky substance that clings to your teeth and gums. This could lead to oral infections.

5. Tomatoes

This one might be a surprise, but tomatoes make the list due to being acidic. Tomatoes have the most risks when eaten raw or in the form of a sauce. Don’t be afraid to include tomatoes in your favorite dishes, but avoid large quantities without rinsing your mouth.

6. Dry Fruits

Dry fruit is good for your body as they provide lots of nutrients! However, dry fruits are prone to get stuck in small spaces. When eating dry fruit, be sure to carry a pack of floss!

Do you have discolored teeth? Are you tired of over-the-counter whitening strips not giving you the results you want? Stop wasting your money. Professional whitening is the most efficient whitening treatment as the results are almost instant. Offices normally charge up to $800 for whitening trays, but not us. For the entire month of May, we are offering $169 custom-made bleaching trays! This deal is too good to pass up, so take advantage of it while you can.

Let’s talk about some important things to know about bleaching trays. To get the best results, your teeth need to be super clean. It is best to have a proper hygiene cleaning done before applying bleaching gel to your teeth. During your cleaning, your hygienist will remove any tartar or plaque that might be built up on your teeth. Removing all the bad stuff makes for the best whitening results!

In addition to your cleaning, one of our awesome team members will perform an oral health exam on you. Again, to get the best whitening results, we must ensure your oral health is up to par. During your exam, we will be looking for things like tooth decay or gum disease. If any signs are pointing to an oral health problem, we will get you healthy before the teeth whitening is done.
Finally, the bleaching trays can be made! Your trays will be custom-made to fit perfectly to your bite. The trays and gel will then be given to you with easy instructions to take home. All of your questions can be answered by one of our team members. These trays are great because they allow patients to whiten their teeth in the privacy of their own home at their own pace. The bleaching gel should be applied for 10 minutes a day for 7-10 days. This will give you the best possible results as your teeth can jump up to 6 shades brighter! Also, this inexpensive treatment lasts up to 2 years. So, if you have ever felt self-conscious about the color of your smile, now is the time to make a change. Take advantage of this amazing deal and be confident with your smile again!