Question:  I brush my teeth twice a day as advise but when I do brush my teeth my gums bleed. I do not understand why they are bleeding when I brush them regularly

Answer: There can be a few reasons as to why you gums bleed when brushing your teeth.  One you could be brushing to hard there by causing your gums to bleed.   Another reason is that even though you are brushing you teeth you may still gingivitis plaque and tarter build up on your teeth by the gum line causing your gums to bleed when brushing them.

I noticed you did not state that you are flossing your teeth daily.  Remember flossing your teeth is just as important as brushing them. I suggest seeing a dentist to confirm if you have any signs of gingivitis as well as getting a complete dental check up.  Bleeding gums is never a good sign and it should be address right away.

Question:  I have not been to a dentist in a while since I have issues with dentist in the past.  However two of my back teeth started hurting so I had to go, and all the dentist wants to do is pull the teeth instead of filling them. Why do dentist always want to pull teeth.

Answer: The fact is generally dentist will try his or her best to save your teeth.  However if there is no way to save it or it it is causing damage to your other teeth then there may be no other choice but to pull the tooth.  You can always get a second opinion.

New York, NY,  Dr. Martina Reynolds is a well-renowned doctor and is part of a prestigious association – American Dental Association. Dr. Reynolds is a passionate and dedicated Doctor of Dental Surgery; she makes sure that the SMILES from her patients are her top priority. She also serves patients by providing them the right information that helps them to make more informed decisions about their oral health needs.

Question:  Is chewing on unpopped popcorn kernels bad for your teeth. I enjoy eating popcorn and you know how it is you always have some unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bag. Well have a habit of chewing on them. Could I be damaging my teeth?

Answer: By chewing on anything hard you can run a higher risk of doing damage to your teeth. That is why we are told not to chew on ice cubes.  By chewing on small hard popcorn kernels you can crack, chip or brake a tooth. I would advise stopping this bad habit.

Question: I have not brushed my teeth regularly in over 10 years. I do brush but only when I think about it. Is it bad that I do not brush my teeth regularly? They do not hurt and they seem fine.  I just get so busy that I forget about them.

Answer: It is advise that a person should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes.  That is only four minutes out of your day brushing. So lets just say that it takes five minute and that adds up to 10 minutes a day.  You need to make the time. By not taking proper care of your teeth you have a much higher risk of dental decay, gum disease and lost of teeth.  In addition, studies show a link between poor oral health care and over all health care.  So please give more thought to your oral and dental health care habits.

Manalapan, NJ, Dr. Alex and Inna Silman are Board Certified dentists in the State of New Jersey. Certified in Oral Conscious Sedation, a.k.a. “Sleep Dentistry”, the Silman practice sets to rest the fears of even the most dental phobic patients. They have been acknowledged by Consumers’ Research Council of America with Top Dentists Awards. Dr. Alex and Inna Silman are long standing members of the American Dental Society and Monmouth-Ocean County Dental Society.

Even though most people are aware that good oral health is essential for the overall health of both mother and child, misunderstandings about the safety of dental care during pregnancy may cause pregnant women to avoid seeing their dentist. The fact is that dentists can create a treatment plan that is safe, effective, and essential for combating the adverse effects of oral disease during pregnancy.

Pregnant women risk of dental erosion (the chemical or mechanochemical destruction of tooth material) increases due to acid in the mouth following morning sickness.  Patricia Meredith DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry stated in order to neutralize acid after vomiting, a pregnant women should rinse their mouth with a mixture of a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a cup of water and that their teeth should be brushed only after the mouth has been rinsed and the acid has been neutralized to prevent further damage to the enamel.

Phoenix AZ, Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox is proud to announce he has launched a new cosmetic dentistry website. Dr. Wilcox and his experienced staff launched the site to provide patients with a complete online dental resource, and help them take the first step to a brighter smile.

While women often hear about how pregnancy causes physical changes that affect their hormone or appetite levels, these changes can have a great effect on their oral health. Despite the fact that good oral health is essential for the overall health of both mother and child, only 22 to 34 percent of women in the United States visit a dentist during pregnancy.

According to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, dental care during pregnancy is not only safe and effective, it’s essential for combating the adverse effects of oral disease. Dentists have the ability to maintain the oral health of expectant mothers by treating the dental findings that are common during pregnancy.

Having routine dental exams and cleanings can be performed throughout your pregnancy. However, non-emergency procedures should only be performed during the second trimester of pregnancy.  If you have a dental emergency that create severe pain you can be treated during any trimester, but your obstetrician should be consulted during any emergency that requires anesthesia or whenever medication is prescribed.  X-rays should only be taken for emergency situations, and any elective or cosmetic procedures should be postponed until after the baby’s birth.

Dr. Michael Mazaheri, a dentist in Gilbert AZ has developed an award winning facility in order to make dental visits virtually pain and anxiety free by offering amazing amenities to make dental visits very comfortable.

You can prevent gingivitis by keeping your teeth clean, especially near the gum-line. You should brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and after each meal when possible. You also should floss each day. Good nutrition keeps the oral cavity healthy and strong; in particular, you should get plenty of vitamins C and B12. More frequent cleanings from the dentist also will help control plaque and prevent gingivitis.