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Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease that results when bacteria in your mouth cause inflammation in your gums. This is a common condition, and you can treat it effectively if you are aggressive. Otherwise, it could develop into more advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, and you could lose one or more teeth.

Watch for symptoms of gingivitis so you can ask Drs. Sheena Allen, Murat Ayik, and Mark Margolin for help as soon as you need it. Strategies for treating gingivitis include thoroughly cleaning your teeth and assessing the scope of your gingivitis and how serious the problem is.

Gingivitis: Early Gum Disease

Your mouth contains many bacteria that form plaque, which is a sticky substance. You can get rid of plaque by brushing well, but if you don’t, it can build up on your teeth and form tartar. Bacteria can make your gums inflamed and cause pain and bleeding, or gingivitis. Other symptoms include loose teeth, bad breath, receding gums, and sensitive teeth. You’re at higher risk for gingivitis if you’re a smoker, if you have a weakened immune system, or if you have diabetes.

Assessment and Diagnosis

If you think you recognize the symptoms of gingivitis, contact our Dallas,TX office to make an appointment. We will ask you about your risk factors for gingivitis and examine your teeth and mouth for signs of red and swollen gums. We may also measure the pockets around your teeth. If they are larger than usual, your gingivitis may be more advanced. Finally, will take some X-rays to get a picture of the bone structure of your jaw.

Deep Cleaning

You can’t get rid of the tartar on your teeth just by brushing at home. Instead, you need a deep cleaning consisting of scaling and root planing. Scaling involves scraping the plaque off of your teeth, both below and above the line of your gum. In root planing, the rough surfaces of your teeth where tartar is more likely to build up are smoothed. A laser may be used to make the procedure more effective, more accurate, and more comfortable.

Sports are great for children for a variety of reasons. Children can develop their motor skills, learn how to solve conflicts and work together, and develop their work ethics. As a parent, you may recognize the benefits of sports, but also naturally worry about your child’s health and safety. Your job goes beyond providing a water bottle and making sure your child follows the rules of the game.

Although you may not think of your child’s teeth first when you think about sports, accidents can happen that affect your children’s teeth. A stray hockey stick, an errant basketball, or a misguided dive after a volleyball are examples of ways a child could lose a tooth. In fact, studies show that young athletes lose more than three million teeth each year.

Becoming a Better Athlete to Protect Teeth

Becoming a better athlete involves refining skills, learning the rules of the game, and being a good sport. These components are not just about winning. They are also about safety. Young athletes who are better ball-handlers and who are careful to avoid fouls and penalties are less likely to have harmful contact with the ball, teammates, or opponents. Children who are better roller-bladers are less likely to take a face plant into the blacktop, and more likely to save their teeth. Being a good sport and avoiding unnecessary contact is one way to protect teeth.

Proper Protective Equipment for Teeth

If your child is in a sport that poses a high threat to teeth, it is essential for your child to wear a mouthguard. Mouthguards fit your child’s mouth and consist of soft plastic. Drs. Sheena Allen, Murat Ayik, and Mark Margolin can custom fit a mouthguard if generic ones are uncomfortable. While children may resist wearing a mouthguard initially, your persistence in insisting that they wear it should be enough to convince them. A helmet or face mask provides additional protection.

While prevention is best, rapid treatment can improve the situation if your child does happen to lose a tooth during sports. Rapid implantation can work in about ten percent of cases. To learn about ways to save a lost tooth, contact our Dallas,TX office.

Happy August from Dallas Dental Arts! Though summer has looked a little different this year with social distancing measures in place for our health and safety, there are still plenty of ways to get outside and soak up the sun before fall arrives. 

Most of our staff spend their summer days outside staying active. On a nice day, you can find them bike riding or taking a walk around White Rock Lake. A few other beloved summer activities include beach days, swimming, and cooling down with some ice cream or watermelon. 

Sometimes it can get too hot to cook during the warm summer months. But don’t worry! There are plenty of great meal ideas that don’t require standing over a hot stove. Our favorite easy summer snacks are watermelon and frozen grapes. Or if you’re looking for a quick healthy meal, you can blend some greens and fruits together into a delicious smoothie. Need a new dinner idea? Here’s one of our tried and true favorites for you to try: 

Fresh Summer Roll Noodle Bowl

INGREDIENTS

ALMOND BUTTER LIME DRESSING:

-3 tablespoons smooth almond butter, preferably unsweetened

-3 tablespoons neutral vegetable oil such as avocado or canola

-3 tablespoons agave nectar or honey

-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

-1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar

-1 teaspoon sriracha

-1 teaspoon kosher salt

-2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

-1 plump garlic clove, grated

-8 ounces rice stir fry noodles, I use Thai Kitchen or Annie Chun's cooked according to package directions, drained and rinsed in cold water

NOODLE BOWL

-8 ounces rice stir fry noodles, I use Thai Kitchen or Annie Chun's cooked according to package directions, drained and rinsed in cold water

-2 cups matchstick-cut carrots, about 1/2 pound carrots

-2 cups half-moon sliced seedless cucumber

-4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced on the diagonal

-1 shallot, thinly sliced

-1 cup loosely packed each fresh cilantro, mint and basil leaves

-Handful mixed baby greens

GARNISH IDEAS:

-Sesame seeds

-Crushed roasted peanuts or chopped roasted almonds

-Thinly sliced fresh red chili pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

-Whisk all ingredients for the dressing together in a bowl until smooth.

-In another large bowl, toss the drained noodles with the carrots, cucumber, scallions, shallot, herb leaves and 1/2 of the dressing.

-Serve in bowls over mixed greens, with additional dressing spooned over to taste. Garnish with fresh red chili, peanuts and/or sesame seeds. Enjoy! 

In office-related news, this month we celebrate Kristin's 30th anniversary with our office. She's been a hygienist with Dallas Dental Arts since 1990 and we couldn't be happier to have her as part of our team! The next time you’re in our office make sure to wish Kristin a happy work anniversary. 

Times continue to be uncertain but we must all do our part by helping stop the spread of the coronavirus and staying positive. Once we make it through all of this, imagine how strong our country and economy will be! We hope everyone enjoys the rest of their summer. 

When was the last time you paid Drs. Sheena Allen, Murat Ayik, and Mark Margolin a visit? If you're like many people, chances are it was more than six months ago. We hear the reasons why people neglect regular dental visits all the time: lack of money or quality dental insurance, busy schedules, and fear. However, your twice-yearly checkups are so important for your dental health and for your overall health as well.

You may brush your teeth twice a day and even floss, and your teeth may feel fine, but regular dental checkups with Drs. Sheena Allen, Murat Ayik, and Mark Margolin aren’t about addressing problems and reacting — they are about cavity prevention. No matter how much you brush and floss, there is still a chance that food or other debris can get lodged between your teeth, and there is also a chance that food and beverages can wear down your tooth enamel in between visits, making your teeth vulnerable to decay.

In addition to a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing, these regular visits help us detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. During your visit, we’ll check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. We’ll also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding, or clenching.

It's important to know that the majority of dental problems do not become visible or painful until they are highly advanced. And, unfortunately, serious oral issues are painful and expensive to treat. A deep cleaning twice a year by our team at Dallas Dental Arts is the best way to hit all the spots you may have missed with brushing and flossing and prevent any problems that may have gone unseen.

Make sure your teeth get the professional attention they deserve! If you’re overdue for your next cleaning, please give us a call to schedule an appointment at our convenient Dallas,TX office!