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.

 

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.

 

Back to School Check Up

It’s important for everyone to get bi-annual check-ups at the dentist and children especially need professional cleanings and consultations. If decay is allowed to go untreated, they can encounter serious problems at school. Fortunately, it’s still early enough in the year for children to avoid having their development derailed by tooth aches.

“Caries” is how doctors describe small instances of tooth decay. Children are the demographic that is at highest risk for them. The latest information from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention found that untreated tooth decay is very common in children, occurring in 13% of teenagers and 20% of preteens. The effects of tooth aches can be severe: missed sleep, reluctance to eat, difficulty speaking, difficulty focusing, and grouchiness. But while tooth decay is common, it can also be prevented with sealants, such as those we can provide our patients, and by regular oral hygiene. Tooth decay does not get better on its own, so to prevent children from needing more extensive restorations later in the year, they should get everything taken care of now. We can also ascertain whether the child will need wisdom tooth extractions.

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.

 

Intrinsic Stains

Patients at ProSmiles dental are assured of getting cosmetically-pleasing solutions for all their dental health problems. Most tooth stains do not constitute a threat to the patient’s health, but there are some which indicate a deeper problem. These are called intrinsic stains, and they may not be treatable with whitening.

Extrinsic stains are on the surface of the tooth and are acquired from smoking and drinking dark liquids, such as coffee and soda. But intrinsic stains are caused by something related to the dental pulp. It may just be that the patient was exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics, which cause permanent teeth to develop with a blackish-purple color. These stains can simply be covered with veneers. But if the pulp is inflamed due to an infection, the patient is at risk of developing a severe tooth ache and a bad taste in their mouth. The body struggles to fight off dental infections on its own, and if the infection spreads, the patient could develop a facial abscess.

Root canals are necessary for removing inflamed dental pulp. Once it’s gone, the tooth will be sealed and can be given a veneer. However, it may be necessary to replace the whole crown, depending on the extent of the stain.

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.

 

Loose Teeth

Permanent teeth should never come loose, but when they do, ProSmiles Dental is here to help. Dentists categorize dental trauma as either “primary occlusal trauma,” if the teeth split without being infected, and “secondary occlusal trauma,” which is the result of gum disease. When teeth come loose over time, instead of from a specific violent event, gum disease is to blame.

Periodontal disease causes gum tissue to recede, weakening the ligaments holding teeth in place. But what many people don’t know is that it also causes the jaw bone to lose mass. Loss of jaw bone weakens teeth even more, and the effect snowballs once the back teeth come loose. To spare their back teeth, patients often start chewing with the front of their mouths, putting too much stress on their incisors, and pushing them even further out of place.

Dentists have to get the bacterial infection under control before doing anything else. Treating loose teeth will likely involve putting a splint on them at some point, although the splint may or may not be permanent. When a large amount of bone tissue has been lost, a bone graft will be necessary before a patient can receive implants.

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.

 

Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery

At ProSmiles Dental, we see many patients who are unhappy with their smiles for various reasons.  The overall look of your smile includes the gums, and even when a patient has healthy teeth and gums they may be dissatisfied with the overall appearance of their smile.  We are excited to offer cosmetic periodontal surgery because it allows us to give any patient their best smile.

Cosmetic periodontal surgery is a technical way of saying sculpting the gum line.  A lack or excess of gum tissue can cause a smile to have the look of elongated teeth or a gummy smile.  To create a balanced look between gum and tooth, the procedure can include removing gum tissue, placing gum grafts, or both.  Excess tissue is removed using a laser or scalpel tool.  Soft tissue grafts are harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth, and placed where gum tissue is lacking or has receded.  The result is an even ratio of tooth to gums throughout the whole mouth.  Don’t let your gums keep you from your best smile!

To learn more about cosmetic gum surgery and all the services we provide, visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Archana Lankupalli at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-369-8000.

Clear Braces

Braces are still the most common way for adolescents and adults straighten their teeth.  Clear aligners have become more popular, but aren’t always effective for everyone.  If your orthodontic treatment requires brackets and wires, clear braces may be the solution for you. Visit ProSmiles Dental to see if you are a candidate for clear braces.

Clear braces use the traditional straightening technique of braces with materials designed to avoid the metallic look dreaded by so many patients.  Aesthetic improvements made to the components of braces in recent years include brackets that are available in clear and ceramic varieties, and are designed to resist staining.  Wires the color of natural teeth are used to connect these brackets. The outcome is a look that’s not totally invisible, but is much more subtle than traditional silver braces and doesn’t look metallic. Almost any orthodontic patient can achieve the same great results as traditional braces offer with a better disguise during treatment.

To learn more about all the orthodontic options and services we provide, visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Archana Lankupalli at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-369-8000.

Root Tip Infection

At ProSmiles Dental, Dr. Lankupalli uses root canal therapies to save infected teeth and prevent a toothache from turning into a major threat to a patient’s health. But sometimes an infection goes beyond the pulpy inner chamber of a tooth and causes inflammation at the tip of its root. This is called a periapical abscess and may require a different approach.

When bacteria kill tissue, pus develops. An abscess is a pocket of tissue which contains the pus and bacteria. A periapical abscess cannot dispose of pus on its own and must be drained. Otherwise, the patient will remain in pain and experience fever and a persistent bad taste. Furthermore, an abscess may not be able to contain an infection forever, and if the infection spreads, the patient may suffer ulcers in their face and potentially deadly blood poisoning.

Root canals are the first line of defense for dealing with infected pulp. If they fail, Dr. Lankupalli may decide the patient needs an apicoectomy, which is the removal and replacement of a root tip. With the imaging equipment in our Fort Worth office, we can detect infections early, so it’s to our patients’ advantage to visit regularly.

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.

 

What is a Frenectomy?

At ProSmiles Dental, we perform frenectomies to correct a number of issues patients may have with their teeth, lips, and tongue.  A frenectomy is a procedure to remove a frenum, or muscular attachment between two tissues, from the mouth.  One frenum is located underneath your tongue, and removing this is called a lingual frenectomy.  Patients that have an enlarged frenum underneath their tongue have trouble moving their tongue freely.  This is often called ‘tongue tie’, and can interfere with speech development. Lingual frenectomies are typically performed on young patients, who can recover quickly and continue to develop their speech.

Another frenum in your mouth is between the font teeth (both the upper and lower sets) and connects the inner surface of the lip with the gum. Removing this attachment is called a labial frenectomy. Patients who have receding gums can benefit from this procedure, because a strong frenum from the gum to the lip can cause extra pulling on the gums and lead to further recession.

To learn more about frenectomies and all the services we provide, visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Archana Lankupalli at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-369-8000.

Night Guards for Bruxism

Bruxism is regular teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. Stress can intensify bruxism, but it is most often caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth.  Some teeth grinders consciously grind their teeth and clench their jaw, but some only do so while asleep and may not even realize it.  ProSmiles Dental offers custom night guards to help patients overcome the negative effects of bruxism.

Waking up with a dull headache or experiencing pain and stiffness in your jaw are signs you may be grinding your teeth overnight, and shouldn’t be ignored.  Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed. Having a custom night guard made is a simple step that will help prevent so many issues for teeth grinders.

Night guards look similar to mouth guards worn by athletes, but serve a different purpose. A dentist uses an impression of your teeth to ensure a custom fit, and the night guard is manufactured in a dental lab. Wearing a custom night guard protects the surface of the teeth, and also properly aligns the jaw to improve breathing and sleep. If you think you a custom night guard could help you, please contact us.

To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide, visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Archana Lankupalli at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-369-8000.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a common cause of tooth erosion. At ProSmiles Dental, Dr. Lankupalli provides patients with several treatment options to reduce and repair the damage, but we believe prevention is the best thing to ensure patients’ overall health.

There is a sphincter which separates the stomach from the esophagus. When a patient’s swallowing causes that sphincter to open, acid can escape into the esophagus and the mouth. This is especially likely to occur if the patient eats a large amount of chocolate and fried or acidic food, such as tomatoes and onions, drinks alcohol and caffeine, and eats large meals before bed. When acid reflux occurs twice or more in a week, the patient is said to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and their teeth could be in danger.

Tooth enamel erosion from acid reflux is most common on the inward sides of the upper teeth and on the grinding surfaces of the molars. It makes teeth sensitive and less effective at grinding. Acid also causes teeth be become discolored as their outer white layer thins and their inner yellow-grey shines through. The damage can be repaired through restorations such as partial crowns, but patients should change their diets and lifestyles to avoid further harm.

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.

 

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting may not sound like a dental procedure, but a bone graft has become routine throughout medicine because of how it helps a body heal. The bone graft procedure consists of harvesting bone material from a healthy part of a patient’s body, and transferring it to a site that needs reinforcement.  ProSmiles Dental performs bone grafts for patients with weakened jaw bones that need dental implants.

A jaw bone can weaken over time if tooth loss or gum disease has left a certain portion of the jaw vulnerable. When a patient needs a replacement tooth, the jaw bone needs to be strong enough to handle the placement of the implant. There are synthetic options for bone grafts, but a dental graft is usually obtained from a different spot in the patient’s own mouth. This gives the injured or deficient bone a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the site.  The healing process can take several months, and your jaw is monitored by your dentist until it heals enough to handle the placement of an implant.

To learn more about bone grafting and all the services we provide, visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Archana Lankupalli at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-369-8000.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a preventative measure used to preserve the teeth and tooth enamel. Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth.  At ProSmiles Dental we recommend dental sealants for pediatric patients to avoid becoming part of this statistic.  Most tooth decay in children and teenagers occurs on the chewing surfaces of molars, where the pits and grooves tend to trap food and bacteria.  Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14.  It is best to have a sealant placed on each set of molars when they first come in to ensure they are protected early.

Sealants are applied to surfaces of these molars much like paint. The plastic resin fills any pits and grooves on the surface and hardens. Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck, so bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay, and tooth enamel is protected from plaque and acids.  Sealants can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years and can be reapplied of necessary.

To learn more about sealants and all the services we provide, visit WhiteSettlementDentistTX.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Archana Lankupalli at ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, TX, call 817-369-8000.

The Danger of DIY Orthodontics

As an Invisalign provider certified by the American Orthodontic Society, Dr. Archana Lankupalli of ProSmiles Dental is concerned about reports of people attempting amateur orthodontic treatments on themselves. Doctors have released several public service announcements within the past year that these practices are often highly risky and unlikely to yield good results.

The current DIY orthodontic fad began with the publication of an online article by someone who used a 3D-printer to fashion his own invisible aligners. Invisalign patients know that aligners are dispensed three at a time at six-week intervals. The author described this as a deliberate effort to prolong treatment to extort more payments from patients.

In fact, orthodontic work takes time because teeth and jaws are living bones and moving teeth through jaws requires that the bone have time to dissolve and heal. Speeding up tooth migration does not give the jaws enough time to solidify, which may result in teeth coming loose, falling out, traveling back to their previous position, or becoming otherwise misaligned. Other DIY orthodontic ideas, such as binding teeth together, pose a risk of cutting off teeth’s blood supply or that the binding material will get lost in the patient’s gum tissue. We urge anyone who is frustrated with their bite or the appearance of their teeth to inquire with us about professional treatment and our office’s payment options. Attempting cheap, amateur solutions will only make things much worse.

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 Sockets

At ProSmiles Dental in Fort Worth, Dr. Archana Lankupalli carries out dozens of extractions every month. Her expertise has relieved many patients of problems from overcrowding or readied them for restorations. The main risk following extraction is a dry socket, and Dr. Lankupalli is committed to helping patients understand post-op instructions and what will happen if they suffer an emergency.

A simple extraction, in which a tooth is pulled straight out, usually does not require sutures. It does, however, require something to seal off the socket to prevent infection and dryness until it closes naturally, which will take a few days. If the patient is not taking a medication which interferes with clotting, the blood clot which forms after the tooth is extracted should be enough to protect the socket, but the patient needs to avoid activities which may cause it to dissolve or break off. Sipping through a straw is one such risky behavior, as the suction can dislodge clots.

Unfortunately, complications are more likely in the cases of extractions which required incisions to the patient’s gums or jaw bone. The follow-up appointment for suture removal will provide Dr. Lankupalli with an opportunity to see if the healing is progressing normally. But if patients feel severe pain or can see that their socket is exposed, they should schedule an emergency appointment immediately. Dr. Lankupalli will numb clean the socket and provide wound dressing with antibacterial medication.

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.

 

Mouth Guards for Sports

Are you and your family getting active in sports this season?  The staff at ProSmiles Dental wants you to know you may be overlooking an important safety precaution.  Athletes participating in any contact sport are advised to wear some kind of mouth protection. A mouth guard helps prevent damage to the teeth and jaw, and also helps prevent injuries to the cheeks, tongue, and lips.  Most sporting goods stores carry mouth guards, but not in many sizes. These generic mouth guards often end up feeling uncomfortable, leading to child and teenage athletes in particular not wearing the protection at all.  A bulky or cushioned mouth guard can even interrupt breathing and speaking.

Custom mouth guards can be fit over braces and won’t interrupt normal activity. Come see us at ProSmiles Dental and have a dentist perform a custom mouth guard fitting for a mouth guard made of thin, hard plastic that protects your teeth and still fits comfortably.  This is an easy precaution to take for athletes, and you can go right back to playing your best!

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.

Scaling and Root Planing

In its most advanced stages, gum disease can lead to gum recession and even tooth loss.  At ProSmiles Dental, we can help make sure it never gets to that stage with a scaling and root planing procedure.  When sticky bacteria called plaque builds up on a tooth, the gum starts to pull away from the tooth and form a pocket around the buildup.  This only leads to more gum recession.  Scaling and root planing are two parts of a deep cleaning your dentist can perform to repair gums and prevent the later stages of gum disease.

The procedure begins with scaling, the process of removing plaque from the surface of your teeth all the way down to your gums. This is followed by root planing, which involves minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the root.  Once the plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that have pulled away have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to.   Local anesthetic is used during this procedure, and your dentist may recommend completing the treatment over a series of appointments. 

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.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

That baby teeth are not permanent does not mean they shouldn’t be kept clean. We at ProSmiles Dental want families with young children to know how they can help their children avoid toothaches and be set for a lifetime of oral health. One of the biggest problems facing toddlers is a pattern dentists refer to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Incisors, the front teeth, are usually the first to erupt, and their fronts are where the sugar from bottled fluid tends to accumulate. The longer sugar remains on a tooth’s surface, the more likely the tooth is to experience decay. Unfortunately, toddlers are often allowed to drink milk or formula from a bottle over a period of an hour or more, keeping their teeth coated in sugar, and because they are unable to access their own drinking water, they have no means of washing away residue.

Parents can prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay by teaching their children to drink from cups as soon as possible, ensuring they are getting enough water to drink, and taking away milk bottles once a child is done feeding. (Children should only be given fruit juice and other sugary drinks after they have graduated to cups.) It is also important to begin brushing a baby’s teeth as soon as the first one begins to erupt.

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.

 

What are Mini-Implants For?

With her advanced post-graduate training in implants, Dr. Archana Lankupalli of ProSmiles Dental is able to secure her patients dentures in place with mini-implants. Although full-sized implants have improved the lives of many patients by providing them with permanent replacement teeth, there are situations in which it may be preferable for them to have a removable denture mounted mini-implants to prevent mishaps.

Like full-size implants, mini-implants fuse with a patient’s jaw bone. Their smaller size allows them to be placed without an incision, but because they don’t have as much bone support, most dentists don’t use them to anchor permanent fixtures in the mouth. Sometimes they are used to bolt the gel base of a denture directly to the patient’s ridge, other times they have ball-shaped abutments or support a bar which the denture is snapped onto.

Other advantages of mini-implants are that they help to stabilize the jaw bone and keep the denture better fitted to the patient’s jaw. Patients should be sure to remove their denture on a nightly basis and to brush in between the mini-implant abutments, but they need no longer worry about the denture falling out or that their breath will smell like adhesive. For people whose bone tissue is too weak or crowded for full-sized implants, mini-implants provide an alternate means of restoring their smiles.

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.