Bleeding gums are the results of a gum (periodontal) infection.  A  infection under the gum margin ulcerates the lining of the gum causing bleeding.  A mild infection can usually be cured with a good dental office cleaning, good home care (effective flossing and brushing) and less frequent sugar ingestion.  A moderate or more severe gum infection can damage the bone and may require the intervention of a Periodontist. 
    
Dental plaque, soft and sticky, contains odors, causes cavities and gum infection.  With a coating of dental plaque the teeth look dull and dirty.  A good cleaning, decreased sugar frequency and good home care can quickly get control over dental plaque formation
  
There also may be a genetic component to periodontal disease. The good news is that generally good periodontal health can be regained with the above treatments.

Loose teeth result from a loss of the supporting bone surrounding the teeth because of severe periodontal disease or because of very severe teeth grinding (bruxism).  Treatment may require periodontal treatment, bite adjustment or the use of a nightguard (NTI) that stops decreases nighttime clenching.  

    

Normal Bone	Severe bone loss

                              
             

Do you know that ‘gummy smile’ some people have?  Maybe it is even a concern for you too.  Now the excess gum that can make a smile so unattractive can be simply removed either with a laser or possibly require the services of a gum specialist (periodontist) to create the wished for and beautiful smile that will last you for a lifetime.

   
Before and After

a. Bad breath and a bad taste are chemicals are formed in dental plaque by bacteria from sugar.  These chemicals are called Volatile Sulfur Compounds.  They include the odor of rotten eggs, ammonia, and mercaptains.  Plaque accumulates on all surfaces of the teeth and on the tongue.  A plaque coated tongue can account for 75% of the odor in a person’s mouth.

b. Another cause can be a by-product of periodontal infection. Infected gums also form Volatile Sulfur Compounds, which cause odor as well as cause more infection in the gums.

c. Some foods, such as garlic and onions, contain Volatile sulfur compounds.  After eating them there is a vapor that goes into your lungs and takes about two hours to be eliminated.  This causes odor as does particles of these foods that remain in your mouth.

d. Treatment with good home care including the use of a tongue cleaner, a regularly scheduled cleaning and tooth pastes and rinses especially designed to control odor.  If needed, treatment of periodontal infection may be necessary.  These procedures and treatments usually resolve a bad breath problem.

a. Receding gums can be caused by gum disease, brushing too hard, poor fitting crowns/bridgework, and a poor bite although a variety of factors can be working together. Bleeding and receding gums should be checked to rule out gum disease.

b. Sometimes sensitivity to cold or touch can occur on the tooth or root surface where the gum is receded.  Treatment for sensitivity includes desensitizing agents, desensitizing toothpastes, and the placement of white fillings. 

c.  Depending on the cause treatment for recession can be eliminating gum disease, training in proper home care techniques, adjusting the bite in areas where the gum around specific teeth is receding,  making a night time dental appliance to prevent excessive clenching if there is the recession is generalized but there is no gum infection, replacing ill-fitting crowns/bridgework.