My Gums Hurt When I Brush. What Does This Mean?

While brushing your teeth, if you feel like your gums are bleeding or swollen, are painful and sore, then you need to do something about it before your dental health begins to suffer. You can find out the reason your teeth or gums hurt while brushing. The causes could be any of the following: BRUSHING RIGHT You could have gum soreness if you brush your teeth with great vigor or use a toothbrush with hard bristles. It would be best if you brush gently, using circular motions instead of back-and-forth, using soft, nylon bristles. It would be best if you brush your teeth using a toothbrush with soft bristles in circular motions instead of brushing them back-and-forth. GUM DISEASE If you have gingivitis, mild gum disease, and periodontitis, which is a severe gum disease, then it could lead to swollen gums, even make them feel tender or turn red. If you suspect of having gum disease, then consult a dentist as soon as possible. CANKER SORES Canker sores could be painful and irritating as well. Canker sores, or ulcers, could be identified by their white center with red edges. They can make your gums tender and sore to touch, making it hard for you to brush. HORMONES Women undergo hormonal changes during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause which can affect their gums. During these times, there would be more blood flow to the gums due to hormonal fluctuations, making their gums swollen, sensitive, or red. DIET Eating or drinking certain acidic foods and drinks like orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime juice, etc. can cause irritation or sensitivity to your mouth and even lead to mouth sores, which can hurt while brushing teeth. BRACES, RETAINERS, DENTURES, MOUTH GUARDS Sometimes braces, retainers, dentures, or mouth guards could tug, pull, and rub against the gums constantly, which can make them sore and painful over time. CHEMOTHERAPY Pain in the gums, signs of bleeding, or swelling gums are side-effects of chemotherapy. The patients who undergo chemotherapy, are likely to develop stomatitis, which forms ulcers and sores. PREVENTION OF GUM PAIN AND SORENESS You can make your gums feel better by providing a gentle massage to the gums from the outside of your mouth. Preventive measures are always the best way to treat gum sensitivity. The measures are brushing your teeth at least twice regularly after every meal, flossing, and using mouthwash as well. Visit your dentist for a routine dental visit. Find out more hurting gums as you visit our office. Call Sun-Park Dental today at (916) 435-1155 or request an appointment online.

Make Cosmetic Dental Issues Vanish With Veneers

Veneers are one of the most widely used dental restorations. Though they are primarily used to get rid of cosmetic dental issues, such as discoloration, chipping, misshapen teeth, etc., they can also be used to restore teeth that have been damaged to their ideal shape and structure. Their simple and non-invasive nature makes them highly preferred by both dentists and patients who are looking to improve their smiles. INSTANTLY WHITEN YOUR TEETH. Teeth discoloration is a common concern, which is caused due to factors such as excessive wear, smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, improper oral hygiene, or other oral infections. When the extent of staining is mild to moderate, teeth whitening is usually the more preferred option. However, if teeth whitening doesn’t render the expected results or if the level of staining is severe, the teeth can be instantly whitened using dental veneers. They can be bonded to the frontal surface of the teeth to get a brighter smile. FIX CHIPPED AND MISSHAPEN TEETH Teeth that get chipped or naturally misshapen can leave a nasty appearance on the smile. When you bite or chew any food that is too hard, the teeth may chip or crack if they are weak or brittle. This can expose the dental pulp to the microbes in the mouth and eventually lead to a root canal infection. Hence, such teeth can be restored to their natural shape to give you a more pleasing smile. Also, the exposed root canal cavity will be covered entirely to avoid the microbes from entering it. ELIMINATE EXCESSIVE GAPS BETWEEN TEETH The teeth could be spaced unevenly with large gaps between adjacent teeth, which is a type of malocclusion called spacing. This is usually caused due to a wider dental arch or when the natural teeth are extracted from the mouth, leading to drifting of the remaining teeth. Veneers can be fabricated accordingly and bonded using dental adhesives, which helps to get rid of the displeasing gaps between teeth. A SIMPLE SOLUTION FOR A MINOR MALOCCLUSION Malocclusion can have several drawbacks, such as a displeasing smile, difficulty in cleaning them, gradual change in the facial shape, etc. It is best to get malocclusion treated in the initial stages to avoid these disadvantages. But, if it is a case of minor malocclusion, veneers can be bonded to the teeth to make them appear perfectly aligned. You may schedule a consultation with our team of dental experts by calling us at (916) 435-1155 or reaching us through an online query. We’re always happy to help.

My kid hates brushing her teeth. What can I do to change that?

It is easy to tell a grown-up about the benefits of brushing teeth, but how will you make a reluctant child understand that? A child behaves so either because the brush causes irritation to their gums, or maybe they consider it a waste of energy. Not letting her brush is not a good option to be considered in such a situation. So, then how can I make my child brush her teeth? SIMPLE WAYS OF GETTING YOUR CHILD BRUSH HER TEETH Here are some of the ways through which you can get your child brush her teeth: Be the mirror! Children learn faster when imitated than instructed. You need to follow the oral hygiene procedure if you want to see them practicing it later. Whenever you brush, make your child look at you. Let them watch while you brush and also make it look interesting in a way that she couldn’t resist herself from brushing her teeth. Make brushing a fun time  Make up catchy interesting stories to win her attention and make her tempted for more. While brushing infuse a funny little sound with your mouth and brush than just standing still, and ask her to repeat after you. Kids are always curious, so she would most probably agree without a second thought. Be her Santa Claus Not brushing teeth is hard to ignore. But with mom’s special treat, you can turn on for them. Let your child know that she will get a special gift after she brushes her teeth. These gifts can be as small as an eraser or a song, especially for children below 5. Older kids need better treats like letting them watch their favorite TV show or getting to visit their friends. It is better not to reward food or sugary items but instead give them little inexpensive trinkets such as stickers or time for their favorite game, movie, or tv show. Make her your shopping assistant when shopping for her oral care products If the kids pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste, then it could inspire them to brush often. A child choosing a brush will definitely go for her favorite color of the brush or a brush with a picture of her favorite cartoon character.   Call us 916-435-1155 or schedule an online appointment with Dr. Nguyen for a consultation at our office in Rocklin, CA.

Using Dental Insurance Benefits Before The Year Ends

It's that time of year again! The end of the year is approaching, and that means it's time to start using up those dental insurance benefits before they disappear. If you've been putting off getting that cavity filled or getting a cleaning, now is the time to schedule an appointment. Most dental insurance plans have a yearly maximum benefit amount, and any unused benefits will be lost when the new year begins, so it's important to get your appointments in before the end of the year. If you're not sure how much coverage you have or what services are covered under your plan, give your dental office a call, and they should be able to help you out. And if you don't have dental insurance, now is a great time to sign up for a plan so you can start taking advantage of those benefits next year. Don't let your dental health suffer because you don't have insurance – there are many affordable options available. HOW TO USE YOUR DENTAL INSURANCE BENEFITS If you have dental insurance, now is the time to use your benefits before they reset at the end of the year. Most dental insurance plans follow a calendar year, so any unused benefits will be lost if you don't use them before December 31. Here's how to make the most of your dental insurance benefits before they expire: 1. Schedule an appointment with your dentist. If you haven't been to the dentist in a while, now is the time to go. Use your dental insurance benefits to cover the cost of preventive care, like cleanings and X-rays. This will help keep your teeth healthy and catch any problems early on. 2. Get any necessary treatments done. If you need any restorative treatments like fillings or crowns, get them done before the end of the year. Many dental insurance plans have an annual maximum benefit, so you'll want to use it up before it resets. 3. Take advantage of freebies. Many dental insurance plans offer free preventive care, like cleanings and X-rays. Take advantage of these services to keep your teeth healthy and catch any problems early on. 4. Check if your plan covers orthodontics. Some dental insurance plans cover orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign® aligners. If you or your child needs braces, get started on treatment before the end of the year to take advantage of your coverage. CONCLUSION With the end of the year quickly approaching, now is the time to make sure you take full advantage of your dental insurance benefits. Taking care of your teeth is essential for maintaining good oral health, and with dental insurance coverage, it's possible to receive quality care without breaking the bank. Don't wait until it's too late - use those benefits before they expire so that you can keep smiling through 2024! You may schedule a consultation with our team of dental experts by calling us at (916) 435-1155 or reaching us through an online query. We're always happy to help.

6 Ways To Look After Gum Health

Having good oral health isn't always about having a straight and bright smile. Patients often forget about their gum health, and seldom understand how important they are for overall dental health. Unhealthy gums don't cause pain, and hence, patients won't be able to figure out whether their gums are weak or not.  WHAT IS GUM DISEASE? Gum disease is a dental condition that causes infection to the tissues across the gum line. Dental impurities in the form of plaque and bacteria may settle like a film-like substance in the areas of the gum and bone. This can lead to minor to moderate gum disease and tooth decay. Signs of gingivitis are inflamed, tender, red, or swollen gums that are prone to bleeding or breakage. Periodontitis is the advanced form of gum disease. It affects the bones, gums, and tissues that are attached to your teeth. The condition is preventable, and there are a few ways to keep them healthy and functioning. 1. FLOSS YOUR TEETH REGULARLY Flossing is a part of regular oral hygiene. It is essential to floss your teeth at least once in a day. Flossing helps remove plaque in corners of teeth that regular brushing can't.  2. REGULAR DENTAL CLEANINGS Visiting your dentist often helps detect early gum disease. This helps treat symptoms before they become serious. Professional dental cleanings help remove tartar and other plaque. It's easier to get rid of moderate gum disease by brushing, flossing, and dental cleaning.  3. AVOID SMOKING AND TOBACCO Smoking tobacco can aggravate gum disease as it weakens the immune system making it difficult to fight off gum disease. 4. FOLLOW REGULAR BRUSHING Brushing the oral cavity after every meal helps remove food particles and plaque stuck between teeth and gums. Scrub and brush your tongue as it helps remove bacteria.  5. USING A FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE Avoid chances of gingivitis by using fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to use a fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth, cleanse your breath, and whiten your teeth. 6. USING A THERAPEUTIC MOUTHWASH Therapeutic mouthwashes are a great way to reduce the chances of plaque build-up, gingivitis, and the development of tartar. Mouthwashes help remove food particles, debris, etc. from the mouth.  Learn more about the ways to take care of your gums at Sun-Park Dental, Rocklin. Request an appointment with us for your periodontal check-up. Call our office at 916 435 1155 or book an appointment online.