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When you smile, talk, or chew, you are probably thinking more about your teeth than about your gums. The truth is, though, that gums and teeth work together to promote dental health. From the time the first tooth erupts, all teeth depend on the blood flow provided by the gum tissue.

And, just like teeth, gums can be attacked by harmful bacteria.

Millions of people all throughout the United States have gingivitis, an early-stage infection that can develop into full-blown gum disease. Gingivitis can go unnoticed because the symptoms are relatively mild, including redness and irritation in the affected gum tissue.

Occasional light bleeding of the gums may or may not be present.

Here’s the thing: If gingivitis is allowed to progress to gum disease, it can be very painful.

Sufferers will often notice the difference right away:

• Gum disease usually produces ongoing pain, versus only occasional irritation;
• Gum disease can cause large patches of black, gray, or red gum discoloration;
• Areas with active gum disease may develop lesions that can have discharge.

Gum disease can threaten the underlying bone that anchors teeth and gums in the mouth. The loss of bone is usually permanent, although some cutting-edge treatments can result in limited bone recovery. All in all, it’s best to protect your gums with the help of a family dentist!

Safeguarding Your Gums: Advice from a Santa Cruz Family Dentist

When it comes to the well-being of your mouth, your gums are just as important as any one of your teeth. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is the most crucial step for defending them. To make them even safer, consider these good dental habits:

Floss Regularly

Flossing can be a tough habit to start, but it is worth it! Much of the damage bacteria can do to gums arises from small food particles left between teeth. If you find regular floss difficult to use, try a soft interdental pick or a water flosser set to a low setting.

Massage the Gums

Massaging your gums can promote better blood flow, which helps support gums’ overall health. You don’t need to use toothpaste while massaging the gums. A soft-bristled manual toothbrush is better than an automatic one, since it will be more gentle.

See a Family Dentist

Many problems with the teeth and gums are hard to spot on your own. They might produce very subtle symptoms at first. In many cases, they will show up in parts of the mouth that you can’t see easily. Visiting a family dentist at least twice a year is the safest way to stay healthy.

Gumline Symptoms? It’s Not Too Late to See Your Friendly Family Dentist

The most common sign of gum problems people notice is bleeding. Bleeding can be prolonged (with a darker red color) or it might show up as a slight pinkish tint when you wash out your mouth. If it happens more than once, set a dental appointment.

For friendly, professional help, contact Landmark Dental Group.

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Gingivitis, also called gum disease, is suffered by millions of people all over the United States. This early form of gum disease can be relatively mild – but it represents harmful bacteria beginning to colonize the gums through hard, sticky deposits of plaque on the teeth.

People can go months or even years with this stealthy disease without even noticing it. The longer there are undisturbed pockets of plaque on the teeth, the more likely it is bacteria will successfully attack and begin to colonize the soft tissue that holds the teeth in place.

The signs include:

• Mild redness in the gums – sometimes noticeable only on one “set” of gums;
• Occasional bleeding of the gums, typically at the same time you brush or floss your teeth.

How does gingivitis creep up on people?

Simply, it can be hard to tell if symptoms are directly related to gum disease. Bleeding of the gums can be caused accidentally by brushing too hard with a rough, older toothbrush even if your gums are healthy. The same can be true of mild, temporary gum irritation.

If you notice these symptoms for more than a day or two, it’s time to see a dentist!

Over time, gingivitis develops into periodontal disease – the form of the disease a general dentist usually means when talking about “gum disease.” During the advanced stage, the gums are eroded by the infection. If it goes untreated, it can permanently destroy bone. This leads to the loss of many teeth, and could result in a life-threatening systemic infection.

Your General Dentist Advises You on Gum Disease Prevention

Although many people do have gingivitis, it’s possible to halt the progress of the disease and even stop it for good through regular dental care. Some steps you should take to protect your gums include:

Brush Regularly

You should brush your teeth each morning, at night, and within about 30 minutes of every meal. Brushing disrupts the formation of biofilm, which ultimately hardens into plaque. Without plaque, gingivitis cannot spread and damage gums.

Floss as Much as You Can

Flossing is tough for many people. However, even doing it once in a while is better than not at all. If you’re not flossing yet, start by doing it once a week. Using a hand-held “floss wand” or a water flosser can make the process faster, easier, and more effective.

Massage the Gums

Your gums provide a constant supply of blood to your teeth. Even if you don’t have time to sit down and brush, spending two minutes gently massaging the gums with a soft, manual brush can help keep gums strong and resistant to infection.

Maintain the Mouth’s pH Balance

Your mouth naturally fights off infection through its production of saliva. If you suffer from dry mouth, be sure to see a general dentist as soon as you can to get to the root of the problem. Sugar-free gum can help promote saliva production.

For help from a trusted general dentist, contact Landmark Dental Group.

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You already know that you should brush your teeth every day and floss as often as you can. But, even if you do everything right, you should still visit a dentist Santa Cruz trusts – at least once every year. If you can’t remember the last time you got a professional teeth cleaning, it’s probably time!

How Often Do You Need to Get Your Teeth Cleaned Professionally?

With all the hectic things that happen in life, it’s easy to forget about your dental appointment – or put it off until later. Still, you shouldn’t delay too long: Dental problems can develop between cleanings that you might not be able to spot yourself.

The average adult should plan for a cleaning at least once a year. It’s often a good idea to get two cleanings each year, though. And some people should consider visiting the dentist even more frequently under special circumstances. Additionally, some people may benefit from scaling and root planing, also known as “deep cleaning,” if it has been many years since their last cleaning and there is significant buildup on teeth.

Pencil in an appointment with your dentist if any of these apply to you:

You Have a Known Dental Health Complaint

If you’ve recently had severe tooth decay, gum disease, or another dental problem, you should schedule regular follow-ups with your dentist until the problem has completely disappeared. That may mean quarterly cleanings for a year to make sure everything is as it should be.

Your Child is Getting His or Her Permanent Teeth

Young children who are in the process of getting their permanent teeth should see the dentist more regularly, too – especially if they’ve experienced decay in their “baby teeth.” It’s important to monitor the development of permanent teeth closely to ensure they erupt on time.

If teeth are late to grow in or become crooked or crowded, the best way to reduce complications is to get treatment as soon as possible. That usually means visiting the dentist every few months as more teeth emerge. A cleaning can be performed once they’ve all arrived.

You Are an Elder Concerned About Your Teeth

Getting a regular dental cleaning can help you protect your teeth well into the golden years. While it is not uncommon for people to lose a tooth with age and normal wear and tear, this can often be prevented.

People over the age of 50 should be especially careful about seeing the dentist whenever they experience a tooth complaint. Soreness or bleeding in the gums, or sensitivity in any of the teeth, can mean that you need a new filling or tooth extraction.

In many cases, a cleaning is performed before any of these procedures to reduce complications.

Landmark Dental Group: The Dentists Santa Cruz Patients Can Rely On

Maintaining your dental health requires a daily commitment. It can be hard work, but you don’t have to do it alone! If you want professional service from the dentist Santa Cruz patients turn to, visit Landmark Dental Group. We’re always glad to help you.

To find out more or to schedule your dental cleaning, contact us soon.

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Next to brushing, flossing is the most important thing you can do to protect your teeth. While brushing works to remove biofilm from the teeth – keeping it from hardening into dental plaque – flossing protects the spaces between your teeth. They’re just as important!

As a family dental practice, the team at Landmark Dental Group hears a lot of questions about flossing. It’s easy to get confused about flossing, because there’s a lot of incorrect information out there. Not to worry … let’s get the facts about flossing!

When It Comes to Great Dental Health, Flossing is Worth the Effort

Ideally, you should floss at least once a day – in the evening, after dinner. Of course, many people floss only occasionally. Researchers estimate that about 27% of adults lie about flossing. Of course, the number may be even higher. Up to 33% of Americans never floss at all.

So, what’s the big deal about flossing? It’s more important than you might think!

Flossing protects you from invading bacteria that feed on food particles between teeth. Just like the front and top surfaces of teeth, these hidden surfaces can be subject to decay or cavities. If you don’t floss, bacteria can fester in hard-to-reach areas for days or even weeks at a time.

Flossing has a number of other important benefits:

• It helps safeguard against inflammation that can damage gums and cause them to recede;
• It works to promote better blood flow in the gums, which promotes overall dental health;
• It keeps you more engaged in dental health, so you’ll remember to brush more frequently.

Want to Enjoy the Benefits of Flossing? Try Making it Easier

At our family dental practice, we’ve heard everything you can imagine about why flossing can be difficult, annoying, or boring. Guess what? We understand completely! Flossing can sometimes be inconvenient, and might even cause little aggravations like temporary bleeding of the gums.

Still, flossing even two or three times a week is better than skipping it!

To make flossing into a habit you can stick with, consider these methods:

• Try dental picks to dislodge larger food particles from between teeth before brushing;
• Use floss attached to a convenient handle to more easily access difficult-to-reach areas;
• Try using a water flosser, which uses a gentle jet of water to clean between the teeth;
• Commit to one minute of uninterrupted flossing each time you finish brushing teeth.

Your Family Dental Practice Can Advise You on Flossing

If you feel uncomfortable with flossing, you’re not alone. Still, the best way to protect your mouth now and in the future is to find the approach to flossing that works for you. At Landmark Dental Group, we can help you reduce discomfort and achieve great results with flossing.

At Landmark Dental Group of Santa Cruz, we work with patients of all ages and needs as a true family dental practice. Don’t wait: Contact us today for more information or to set your appointment. We look forward to seeing you!

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4 New Year’s Resolution Ideas for Your Teeth

Miguel de Cervantes expressed in this quote many years ago: “Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.” Wouldn’t it be great if everyone thought of their teeth as highly valuable assets?

The good news is that the New Year is a time for people to start over. This year, consider a resolution for your teeth. If you haven’t been doing everything you can for your smile, check out these resolution ideas for your mouth that Landmark family dentistry in Santa Cruz can help with.

Start Flossing

Even if you brush your teeth like a pro, if you aren’t flossing, you’re hurting your teeth. Plaque and bacteria love those little hiding spots between your teeth because your tooth brush can’t reach them. Flossing between your teeth at least once a day removes the bacteria. Not only does this reduce the risk of decay between your teeth (which requires a filling) it also reduces your risk of gum disease. Gum disease occurs when your gums become infected with the bacteria in your mouth. If you don’t floss, you’re allowing that bacteria to build up, eventually leading to swollen, irritated, bleeding and painful gums. If you have bridges, make sure to get special floss or flossers and floss under your bridges daily too.

Reduce Sugar Intake

Sweets, candy, desserts and anything else with tons of sugar are delicious, but they wreak havoc on your entire body. Eating a lot of sugar increases your risk of cavities. If you tend to dine on sugary foods or beverages, make a resolution to reduce your intake. One good way to reduce your sugar intake is by not drinking soda anymore. Reducing your sugar intake is also a good idea because it lowers your risk of developing diabetes, and there is a correlation between diabetes and your oral health. People with diabetes can’t fight infection as well, making them more likely to develop gum disease and other infections.

Get Regular Cleanings

It’s so easy to skip going to the dentist until something starts to hurt. However, if you visit a dentist on a regular basis, you might not develop any problems at all. Preventative care is extremely important in dental health because it’s impossible to re-grow your teeth. Instead of dealing with cavities after they develop, stop them before they happen by getting regular cleanings. Your dentist uses this time to get rid of tartar and plaque, but it’s also a good opportunity for your dentist to spot any potential problems, such as a weak spot in your enamel, so that you can protect it before it causes problems.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your body, but it also affects your teeth. For starters, cigarettes can turn your teeth brown. These stains can be whitened with tooth whitening procedures, but they will return again and again. Like diabetes, smoking also makes it harder to fight against infection, so your risk of gum disease drastically increases. Severe gum disease can lead to severe tooth loss and gum recession. Last, smoking and any tobacco product increases your risk of developing cancer, including lip, mouth and throat cancer. So if you smoke, stop — and see how quickly your mouth and entire body improve.

With a New Year approaching, it’s time to start thinking about something you can do for your smile. Any of these are great ideas and will make your mouth happier. For more information about what you can do for your smile this New Year, contact Landmark Dental Group, a family dentist in Santa Cruz, today.

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What You Get From Regular Professional Tooth Cleanings

It’s easy to ignore those routine dental cleanings, especially if you don’t have any pain. However, a tooth cleaning is an important piece of your overall dental health. Check out these five benefits you get from regular professional cleanings.

1. Lower Risk of Cavities

Of course, the most obvious benefit of regular dental cleanings is less risk of cavities. As plaque and tartar build up on your teeth, they damage your tooth enamel. If left untreated, this leads to tooth decay or cavities. Regular brushing and flossing at home removes easy-to-reach plaque. However, a dental cleaning is the best way to get rid of hard-to-clean areas, such as below the gum line. A professional tooth cleaning is also the only way to remove tartar effectively without damaging enamel.

2. Reduced Gum Inflammation

All that plaque and tartar on your teeth doesn’t just affect the tooth tissue. It affects your gums too. Too much tartar can cause your gums to become inflamed and sore. If the tartar isn’t removed, it can lead to gingivitis. With a good cleaning, the tartar is removed, and the inflammation to your gums is reduced. In some cases, the irritation may cause pockets to develop, which harbor plaque and tartar. If these pockets are deep enough, your dentist may suggest scaling and root planing to clean and smooth below the gum line.

3. Brighter Smile

True, the best way to whiten your smile is with tooth whitening. However, if you have tobacco, food or beverage stains on your teeth, such as stains from coffee or red wine, professional cleanings can help remove those. When the dentist polishes your teeth, some of these stains are removed. After your cleaning, you’ll notice, whiter teeth without the need to schedule a tooth whitening session.

4. Increased Chance of Catching Serious Problems Early

Your dentist does more than just clean your teeth. A good dentist also looks for signs of more serious problems. For starters, with X-rays, your dentist looks for any signs of infection that may require a root canal. However, your dentist can spot more deadly problems too. If you show any signs or symptoms of oral cancer, your chances of catching it early vastly increase if you regularly see your dentist for cleanings. Spotting any cancer early is key in winning the fight.

5. Education for At-Home Care

When you go in for your regular dental cleaning, it is the perfect time to ask your dentist questions about your oral health care. Are you unsure about the toothpaste you are using, which type of floss is best, how often should you be flossing, etc.? Find out everything you can do at home to make sure your mouth stays healthy and you don’t have to spend a bunch of money on extensive dental work.

Tooth cleaning is simple, fast and effective, so there is no excuse to skip your next appointment. Cleaning helps to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful without costing a fortune. For more information, or to schedule a cleaning, contact Landmark Dental Group today.