Clinical experience, misunderstood concepts and frequently asked questions. Notes from many years of practice.
Gum pain is one of those symptoms people tend to dismiss a little soreness while brushing, a twinge when eating something hot, a fleeting ache that seems to come and go. But gum pain is rarely random. In most cases, it is your body's way of signalling that something specific is happening beneath the surface: …
Gum shape decides as much of a smile as the teeth do. A systematic review of seven randomised trials found significantly less intraoperative and postoperative pain and bleeding with diode laser gingivectomy than with scalpel surgery. What the procedure involves and how recovery goes.
Recession is common rather than rare: cross-sectional surveys report one or more recession sites in about 50% of people aged 18 to 64 and 88% of those aged 65 and over. Bleeding can be reversed; lost gum tissue cannot grow back on its own. Where the line falls.
Inflamed gums are the early, reversible end of a spectrum that ends in bone loss. In NHANES 2009 to 2012, 46 per cent of US adults aged 30 and over already had periodontitis and 8.9 per cent had the severe form. Symptoms worth acting on, and treatments that work.
The leading cause of tooth loss is gum disease, not decay, and it advances without pain. Contained vertical defects are the exception where surgery pays: in a randomised trial of 47 patients, clinical attachment gain measured 4.09 mm at 12 months. What to watch for, and when.
For fast relief the evidence is specific: in a network meta-analysis of 82 randomised trials of acute dental pain, ibuprofen 200 to 400 mg taken together with acetaminophen 500 to 1,000 mg ranked among the most effective options at six hours. What helps at home, and what only a dentist can fix.
Introduction: Should You Take Antibiotics for a Gum Infection? Many people who experience swollen, bleeding, or painful gums immediately search online for antibiotics for gum infection. It is one of the most common dental questions…
Imagine flashing a confident smile in a job interview, a first date, or a family photo, only to feel self-conscious because too much gum tissue steals the show. This common issue, known as a "gummy smile," affects between 10% and 29% of…
Removing wisdom teeth is one of the most common oral surgery procedures performed worldwide. While the procedure is straightforward, the recovery period often raises many questions, especially regarding the recovery and how to prevent…
