Exploring the Issue of Receding Gums: What are They?

A problem many people experience in their mouths is the issue of receding gums. Being a common problem, we feel a need to make sure the problem is outlined and understood in order to help you prevent and/or reverse receding gums.

What are Receding Gums?

Healthy gums lead to healthy smiles!

It’s all in the name: receding gums. This means our gums begin to pull away, or recede, from our teeth, potentially exposing more and more of a tooth’s root. When this occurs, patients will typically complain of increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, and sugary foods. Sensitivity is often described as a sudden sharp pain. In severe cases, eating foods becomes unbearable because of the pain experienced.

It’s an issue that occurs over a long period of time, often gradually until symptoms begin. The worse it becomes, the easier it is to detect. Those with receding gums will have teeth that appear longer than they should since their gums have pulled away.

Why are your Gums Receding?

You’re Brushing Too Hard

This is the most common reason why people suffer from receding gums: they are brushing too hard. This is why many dentists suggest “soft-bristled” toothbrushes – because they are softer on our gums. Having a soft-bristled toothbrush doesn’t mean we are safe from receding gums. If you brush too hard with a soft-bristled toothbrush, then you can still develop receding gums.

Quick tip: Before brushing, run your toothbrush over warm or hot water to soften it up and make it easier for your gums to handle.

You Haven’t Quit Smoking

Smoking poses many risks, and it should be no surprise that receding gums are one of them. Those who smoke suffer from a buildup of sticky plaque that irritates our gums and causes them to recede over time.

Gum Disease

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can cause bacterial infections in our mouths that can destroy our gum tissue – leading to receded gums. Gum disease can be reversed if it’s treated early enough.

You’re Not Visiting Your Dentist

Tartar can cause gums to recede, as well as begin the process of gum disease. By not visiting your dentist, you are allowing tartar to build-up along your teeth. Tartar forms on your teeth when plaque hardens and cannot be removed at home. A professional dentist using special tools must remove tartar.

Healthy gums are an essential aspect of your mouth that can make or break your oral hygiene. For healthy gums, you should always stay consistent on brushing and flossing your teeth every morning and night, as well visit your dentist twice a year for a dental checkup and professional cleaning.

Refreshing Summer Snack and Drink Ideas That Happen to Be Healthy

Fruits are Yummy!

Not all summer snacks have to be unhealthy, as long you put just a little effort in making sure they are not. We can help you kick start the search process by offering you a few refreshing summer snack ideas that also happen to be healthy – it’s truly a win-win situation. Lay the macaroni and cheese, grilled steaks, sugar-laced BBQ sauces, and ice cream down as you get your hands dirty with these fresh and fruity ideas.

Refreshing Summer Snacks

Simple Fruit Skewers - First on our list is the fruit skewer. It seems basic because that’s exactly what it is – basic. But it’s also visually appealing in case you’re traveling to a party and need something to show for. Buy a pack of wooden skewers and some of your favorite fresh fruits – strawberries, oranges, mango, whatever your heart desires. Cut the fruit into nice pieces that can easily slide onto the skewer and there you have it.

Frozen Fruit Snacks - Staying on the topic of fruits, we suggest making your own frozen fruits. Take your favorite fruits, slice them up into bite-sized pieces that a toothpick can handle, and place into freezer overnight. Take them out and enjoy. We recommend using cherries or grapes because they work the best.

Grilled Peaches – Peaches are amazing, but guess what? You can grill them too for a different experience. Slice one in half, place onto your grill for about 2-5 minutes on each side, and then top it off with cinnamon powder. A tasty treat.

Refreshing Summer Drinks

Sparkling Orange Water - Do you like water? You probably do, but sometimes we seek more than just water – we need some type of flavor. No problem. Grab a pitcher, fill it up with water, slice some oranges and cucumbers (add more oranges than cucumbers), place them into your pitcher of water, and let it refrigerate for a few days. Take it out and try it. It may not taste as sweet as store bought orange juice, but that’s because this recipe isn’t loaded with artificial flavors or sugars.

Fruit Juice Cubes - Here’s another hidden gem that you may have already tried at some point: fruit juice cubes. If you have an ice tray, fill it up with your favorite 100% juice and let it freeze over night. Grab your favorite sparkling water brand, throw a few juice cubes into it for a truly refreshing experience.

See, it doesn’t take much to make a refreshing snack – basically a freezer and some fruits. Fruits generally work the best because everyone loves fruit. We like to think of fruit as nature’s candy – none of that man-made processed stuff that causes havoc on your teeth.

As your Las Vegas family dentist, we’d like to remind you to always brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis. Typically brush at least twice a day and if you can you should floss after every meal. Even though these foods and drinks are considered “healthy”, it’s still important to make sure your teeth are healthy as well!

Everything You Need to Know About Dental Plaque

Dental plaque, it’s our teeth’s worst nightmare. It’s the main reason many of us suffer from oral heath problems most often related to tooth decay in some form. Tooth decay stems from dental plaque. It’s the reason your dentist wants you to stay on top of brushing and flossing all of the time.

So exactly what is dental plaque? Plaque is the dental biofilm that covers your teeth after a chemical reaction in your teeth takes place. Dental plaque forms on the teeth when your body begins breaking down the foods you consume when chewing. The carbohydrates from these foods mesh with the bacteria in your mouth to form the dental plaque, which must be cleaned away at least twice a day to keep it from getting out of control.

The chemical reaction occurs with carbohydrates, which is why sugary foods are frowned upon in the eyes of your dentist; they help cause the formation of plaque. There are a few things you can do to keep dental plaque from overtaking your mouth:

-Brush twice a day and floss at least once (preferably after every large meal consumed you should brush and floss).

-Use toothpastes that feature fluoride as it has shown to reduce plaque in the mouth.

-Your toothbrush can only do so much at home, visit your dentist twice a month in order to have any remaining plaque (which may have hardened into tartar) scraped off with the necessary tools.

-Replace the sugary snacks with something a little healthier such as fruits, vegetables, and plain yogurts.

Do your part, follow our above advice on oral hygiene, and you should be able to keep your plaque down to healthy levels.

Benefits of Electric Toothbrushes

Have you ever thought of using an electric toothbrush? Is it better than a manual toothbrush? Many dentists say, “yes” for several reasons.

However, it should be noted that just buying an electric toothbrush will not keep your teeth clean. You need to brush three times a day for at least two minutes per brushing session using the right technique. By brushing correctly with an electric toothbrush, you can keep plaque and its damaging effects away.

Electric toothbrushes aren't the same as battery-powered toothbrushes, which use a AA battery to make the bristles vibrate. Electric toothbrushes are rechargeable devices that plug into the wall.

Electric toothbrushes often come with special speeds/modes for sensitive teeth, gum massage and whitening. Some electric toothbrushes come with pressure sensors that even alert the user that she or he is brushing too hard. Some include digital reminders to replace your brush head.

If there is no digital reminder, then it is recommended to change the brush heads every three to six months. Brush heads come in different shapes and sizes to suit everyone’s preferences.

For some people, the one drawback for electric toothbrushes is the price. They can range from $25 to $100 depending on how many extra features you want. An electric toothbrush could easily earn its keep by saving you money on your dental bills, in the long run.

Visit our website to learn more about the main benefits of electric toothbrush or call 702-997-7707 today to make an appointment with a caring dentist who can advise you on the best type of toothbrush for your teeth and gums

Sweet Holiday Dental Tips

The holidays are drawing closer, but don’t let tooth decay get in your way this holiday season. 

Holiday sweets such as gummy bears, candy canes, and mints can stick to your teeth for hours. The longer they remain stuck, the more likely your chance of developing a cavity since bacteria thrives on sugary foods.

Here are some helpful tips that will keep your teeth jolly this season:

·      Restrict the amount of snacks you consume before and after meals. Sugar free gum can be a healthy alternative.

·      Consume more water. Water helps wash out the sugars.

·      Floss after every meal and brush your teeth in the morning and night. We can’t stress this enough. You don’t want to go to bed with sugary foods stuck between your teeth!

Also, visit your dentist for a regular check-up. Check-ups are a crucial part to maintaining a healthy mouth.

Be sure to take advantage of our special offers!

If you have any questions please call us at 702-997-7707 or contact us here.

Happy Holidays from Floss Dental & Orthodontics!

Should You Visit Your Dentist?

Here at Floss Dental, we know prevention is key to maintaining good oral health, but what happens when something is off? How serious should something be in order to warrant a trip to see your dentist? Some symptoms will go away wit proper cleaning and a healthy diet, but others may be signs of more serious problems that are invisible to the average person. Here are the top reasons for dental visits:

Toothaches
Sensitive Teeth
Bleeding or Sore Gums
Blisters and Canker Sores
Bad Breath
Jaw Pain
Dry Mouth
Oral Piercing Infections
Cracked or Broken Tooth
Stained or Discolored Teeth

Some of these symptoms will clear up after a few days, but if they do not go away after a few days of cleaning and maintaining a healthy diet, come see us as soon as possible.

Remember that in cases of dental emergency, call our office as soon as possible to ensure that you receive treatment in time to save your teeth. For more information on what these symptoms might mean, visit our page on the Top Reasons for Dental Visits.

The Truth About X-Rays

If you've been to the dentist enough, you have probably wondered if the radiation from the x-ray machines is anything to be concerned of. You may not be sure if x-rays are all that important, and wonder if they are necessary. After all, you don't feel the pain of a cavity, right? Even if this is true, it's better to be safe and take x-rays. Did you know x-rays can help dentists see the beginnings of a cavity before it has caused enough damage to be noticed? Did you know that radiation from dental x-rays has decreased by about half in the last 30 years? We've had many patients ask us questions about dental x-rays out of concern for their health, so we've created an FAQ page to help you sort through the confusion. 

The Good and the Bad Behind Bad Breath

Bad breath can be embarrassing (and unpleasant if you are on the receiving end), but taking breath mints (or offering them) won't solve the problem in the long run. Bad breath, technically known as Halitosis, is caused by bacteria in the mouth releasing foul smelling sulfur.

The good news is that the best way to get rid of bad breath is through good oral hygiene. In most cases, halitosis is present only because bacteria is left behind in the mouth or because certain foods leave behind a funky smell. This can be resolved with brushing after each meal and remembering to brush in the morning, at night, and taking the time to floss once every day.

However, sometimes the smells aren't caused by bad hygiene. If you have bad breath and practice a thorough hygiene routine, it might be signs of something more serious. Visit our site for more information on Halitosis and its causes.

Orthodontic Checkups for Kids

If you ever had braces, you will probably hope that your children will not need them, either to avoid the inconvenience or the high cost. While straight teeth have a lot to do with genetics, you can keep an eye on your child's dental development to help prevent the need for braces, or even to help make their treatment shorter. Even as children, you will see signs that a child may need to wear braces in the future, and if you take your child for a checkup early, you can catch this and be better prepared.

Learn more about the importance of early orthodontic checkups for children at our website.

Eating for Stronger Teeth

Keeping your teeth healthy by monitoring what you eat and drink is just as important as practicing good hygiene. Did you know that your teeth's enamel constantly absorbs nutrients in your saliva, and that maintaining a normal PH balance in your mouth can be the difference between getting cavities and a healthy smile? 

The things we eat and drink make contact with our teeth so it is important to avoid consuming too many sugary sweets or acidic foods. On the other hand, some foods can help protect your teeth, making them stronger. Consuming dairy products which contain minerals link phosphorous and casein can even help your teeth repair themselves!

Preventing cavities is much easier and less expensive than treating decay, so practice healthy habits for a stronger set of teeth! Learn more at our website about what to eat and drink for stronger teeth.

Floss Dental & Orthodontics Treatment Coordinator Introduction

MEET FLOSS DENTAL & ORTHODONTICS TREATMENT COORDINATOR 

Michelle Squaglia

I am a Mother of a very active 9 year old boy and wife of a wonderful outgoing man. We all love the outdoors, camping, hiking and spending time with our family.

Hobbies Interests: Reading books, spending time with my family and friends

Favorite Book: anything murder mystery, John Grisham and James Patterson are two of my favorite authors

What Patients Can Expect: Floss Dental & Orthodontics was opened by Dr. Tran and Dr. Tounian to serve the health needs of families and my goal is to provide the best experience for each mom, dad and child.