Causes of Bleeding Gums

When gums are healthy, they don’t bleed. At ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, we aim to protect our patients from gum inflammation and disease. For that, patients need to understand what causes their gums to bleed and what increases their risk factor.

Gingivitis usually results from plaque building up near the gum line. The gum pockets are a great place for bacteria to hide in, and as they produce plaque, the gums become irritated. Regular brushing can prevent plaque build-up, but it’s still necessary for patients to make biannual appointments for professional cleanings. Bleeding can also result from the gums being bruised, so while it is important to brush regularly and thoroughly, do so with a soft-bristled brush.

Smokers are especially likely to develop bleeding gums, as are people on blood thinner medications and who suffer from dry mouth. This is because saliva helps to remove tartar and combat the spread of bacteria. Pregnancy also creates hormonal conditions which favor the development of gum disease.

Dr. Archana Lankupalli operates ProSmiles Dental at 9400 Clifford Street, Suite 110, Fort Worth, Texas, 76108. To schedule an appointment, call 817-369-8000 or visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Thumb-Sucking

Straight teeth aren’t just better looking; they’re also more comfortable and easier to clean. Although we at ProSmiles Dental are certified Invisalign providers, we value preventive care and want the children visiting our practice to avoid the need for orthodontic correction. One of the most important ways of doing that is by breaking the habit of thumb-sucking.

Young children often suck their thumbs (or a pacifier) with little ill effect. Their facial bones are flexible until around the age of five, when their first permanent teeth start coming in. But after that, the suction can pull their incisors outward. This results in malocclusions, also known as misalignments, such as overbites and open bites, as well as overcrowding.

Children should be urged to break their thumb-sucking habit, but this may be difficult if they are relying on it as a means of self-soothing. Often, they simply replace it with a habit of pushing their tongues against their teeth, which has the same effect. It’s best for children to be included in finding solutions, but help from a child psychologist may be necessary.

Dr. Archana Lankupalli operates ProSmiles Dental at 9400 Clifford Street, Suite 110, Fort Worth, Texas, 76108. To schedule an appointment, call 817-369-8000 or visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Dry Mouth

Most of us have experienced a dry mouth at some point in our lives. Whether we’re parched, dehydrated, or wake up with morning breath, dry mouth can cause discomfort. Though dry mouth usually isn’t a cause for concern, it can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, or as a reaction to a certain medication. To figure out the causes and treatment of your dry mouth, schedule a consultation with our doctors at ProSmiles Dental.

When our bodies don’t produce enough saliva, the mouth can become dry and uncomfortable. You may feel like you’re drinking all the water in the world and you still find no relief. To restore moisture in the mouth, our doctors may prescribe an oral rinse that boosts saliva flow. Depending on the cause of the dry mouth, you may need to double-check your prescriptions.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dry mouth, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.prosmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-677-8966.

Faulty Fillings

We provide our patients with high-quality white fillings at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, assuring them of a comfortable, functioning bite. But while some sensitivity immediately following the removal of decayed material is normal, we want our patients to be able to recognize when they need help with a faulty filling.

Patients should be able to bite down completely after getting a filling. If they can’t, the filling is too high and must be removed. Another problem is that some dentists use material for fillings which can change shape after placement, leaving a gap between it and the seal holding it in. This gap will become a home for decay-causing bacteria. But seals don’t last forever; their usual lifespan is about ten years. As the seal breaks down, bacteria are able to enter it, and the patient will feel pain as a result of the decay. These fillings also need to be replaced, and the sooner, the better, or else the patient will need more extensive restorations, such as partial crowns or a root canal.

Dr. Archana Lankupalli operates ProSmiles Dental at 9400 Clifford Street, Suite 110, Fort Worth, Texas, 76108. To schedule an appointment, call 817-369-8000 or visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Extrinsic Tooth Stains

There are two types of stains that can develop on teeth – extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are caused by food and beverages such as coffee, tea, and wine, and occur on the outside of the tooth’s enamel. Intrinsic stains are more difficult to remove because they occur under the enamel in the dentin. Our doctors at ProSmiles Dental can remove both of these stains through whitening treatment.

Extrinsic tooth stains don’t pose a risk to your oral health but they may diminish your self-esteem. Extrinsic stains can be polished through a professional cleaning or bleached away by a few sessions of whitening treatment. To prevent extrinsic stains, we encourage you to refrain from smoking if this is a lifestyle habit of yours, and minimalize your coffee and wine intake.

If you have questions or concerns regarding teeth whitening, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.prosmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-677-8966.

Thank You for Your Positive Testimonials!

Here at ProSmiles Dental, our staff appreciates feedback from patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team. Our staff would not only like to thank Chelsea Harrison for this positive review, but we would like to thank her for being an excellent patient. If you recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know!  

“My 3-year-old son has been here twice. I can't recommend them enough. They are very clean and have a nice modern look. They catered to my son in so many ways and what started as a nervous little boy ended with a confident boy telling everyone he went to the teeth doctors to get his teeth pretty. Today we had an emergency because his tooth got knocked back and the root was split in two. Thank goodness they were open on a Saturday and they managed to get him in promptly after calling. They let him pick what to watch in the room and let him pick out prizes. I was upset because he is probably going to lose is tooth and the Dentist showed me her son and how the same thing happened to him. She was so awesome. She searched the internet to find the best specialist to try and save his tooth. You won't regret coming here. We will forever be loyal to this place.” –Chelsea Harrison

If you would like to leave a testimonial or learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.prosmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-677-8966.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Nobody wants a smile that is dull and leaves a bad first impression, which is why Archana Lankupalli, DDS at ProSmiles Dental offers a wide variety of cosmetic services to provide you with the smile that you’ve always dreamed of. Cosmetic dental procedures are designed to improve not only the aesthetics of your smile, but the health of it as well. Common procedures include bleaching, bonding, crowns, veneers, as well as reshaping and contouring.

While traditional dentistry addresses the health of your teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry focuses on the appearance of your teeth, mouth, and smile as a whole. This type of dentistry is aimed at creating a positive change to your teeth and to your smile. If you have a grin that embarrasses you due to missing teeth, tooth discoloration, or teeth that are chipped or cracked, Archana Lankupalli, DDS at ProSmiles Dental. will restore your confidence. If you’re not sure which procedure may be right for you, schedule a consultation, today.

If you wish to enhance the appearance of your smile, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.whitesettlementdentisttx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Archana Lankupalli, DDS at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-369-8000.