Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, doesn't get as much attention as it should. However, this gum disorder can wreak havoc with your gums and your health in general. Read on and find out what you can do to make sure that you don't get affected by gum disease. What Causes Gum Disease? The main culprit is bacteria. While it's natural for bacteria to exist in your mouth, it's how long it lingers and the amount present that can cause problems.

If one of your teeth is small and shaped like a cone, you may have a peg tooth. Peg teeth occur when your adult teeth don't develop enough, resulting in them being smaller than the rest of your teeth. They don't cause any oral health concerns — you just need to make sure to brush and floss the gaps on either side of the peg tooth, since food can easily become stuck in the large space.

Routine dental visits can often mean a round of dental x-rays too. You might begin to wonder how often X-rays are needed. Dental professionals use X-rays to look for decay that may be too minor to be seen any other way. Also, X-rays can indicate bone weakness in the jawbone and identify wisdom and other emerging teeth issues. Several factors are considered when planning for X-rays, so read on to find out more.

Both dentures and dental implants have benefits when coping with missing teeth. Using both together, however, can mean the best of both worlds for some. Read on to find out more about dentures supported by implants.  Why Are Missing Teeth Bad? Implants provide a stable and long-lasting option for those with spaces instead of teeth. Filling in those gaps is important and not only because it's more attractive. Missing teeth can degrade the overall health of the mouth in several ways:

Some dental procedures require sedation. In fact, some major procedures mean that the patient must be placed under a general anesthetic, which involves having your breathing and vital signs monitored throughout the process. For the majority of any required procedures, your sedation dentistry needs are unlikely to warrant general anesthesia. It's more probable that you'll simply need very mild sedation. Nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) is commonly used for this purpose.

When teeth are badly stained, whitening them without the help of a dentist can be difficult to achieve. This is because many of the toothpaste products available in stores are not potent enough to remove the stains. If you are looking for stronger teeth whitening kits, you can find specialized products from online stores or from specialized companies. However, if you've exhausted your other options or want to start with professional assistance from the beginning, you can consult with a dentist.

Dental implants are a popular and beneficial tooth replacement options that dentists have to offer. However, like all medical procedures, not everyone will be a good candidate for receiving these implants. If you are interested in using dental implants to replace one or more of your teeth, taking the time to ask yourself the following five questions can help you to determine whether or not you may be a good candidate for this procedure.

Many people experience anxiety or fear when heading to the dentist for an appointment. While dental anxiety is not unusual, it can mean missing out on crucial dental work if not controlled. If you fear dental work or heading to the dentist, dental sedation services may be something to consider. Dental sedation can make routine cleanings and dental work a much more manageable feat for those who have anxiety. Here are three things that you should know about dental sedation.

If you experience fear and anxiety every time you visit the dentist, then it can be difficult to receive the dental care needed to keep your mouth healthy. Nevertheless, if you suffer from dental fears, you are not alone. Dental professionals realize that some people battle with dental anxiety. As a result, many dentists offer dental sedation. Here is a bit of information about sedation dentistry to help you understand what it is and how it can benefit you.

Dental implants have changed the way people cope with missing teeth. In most cases, they end up being just as simple to take care of as their natural teeth – if not more so. For all practical purposes, implants look just like your natural teeth and no one even has to know you have had the work done. At first, though, you may need to use special care as your mouth adjusts to the implants.