Gums

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Gums??????????
   My tooth in the back of my mouth on the top came out
   almost 5-6 months ago. And now there is a flap of skin
   its like my gums its hard to explain. My tooth is growing
   in, and there is a piece of my gum just hanging there its
   floppy, but the rest of my teeth are fine. What the hell is
   it? And I am so scared to go to the dentist, but I will if
   someone tells me what it is, or if it ever happened to them.

   • ANSWER:
     It’s just your gums reacting to your other tooth coming/cutting through, it will go away as soon as your tooth is completely grown in.

2. QUESTION:
   ****gums****?
   when using salt water how long is it before you can see the difference

   • ANSWER:
     Give it a trial for a week or two.You’ll usually feel the difference before you’ll even see the difference.Try it.Worked for me.

3. QUESTION:
   My gums really hurt and start to slightly bleed after I brush them?
   The past few days I’ve noticed that after brushing my teeth my gums will start to hurt for a while and there will be a bit of blood, whats wrong with my teeth and gums?

   • ANSWER:
     Sounds like Gingivitis (think is correct spelling lol), do you smoke, can be a major cause of it. You can get a special mouth wash to help but i would reccommend you contact your dentist

     i had it, its really not nice. Hope this helps and hope you get it sorted out soon.

4. QUESTION:
   What causes receding gums when no disease is present?
   My dentist noticed my gums are receding on my canines in front, as well as in front on my lower incisors. I have no dental diseases. What else causes gums to recede? What are gum re-alignment procedures like?

   • ANSWER:
     ANGELA,
     FYI, braces do not cause gum recession
     Why not? The movement of the teeth doesn’t alter the bone height in such a manner to cause recession.
     So why is there recession?
     It’s caused by using anything but a soft toothbrush and/or brushing too forcefully.
     This causes too much pressure over the bone and it wants to retreat away from it by receding away from this pressure.
     A gum graft is a surgical procedure used to successfully re-establish the correct height.

5. QUESTION:
   How to tell heatlhy gums and capillary refill time in a rottie?
   They have dark gums, if I press on thier gums they do not turn white to test capillary refill time nor can I tell if their gums are pale as they are darkish gray. Are there other better signs that can tell an emergency?

   • ANSWER:
     For dogs with dark pigmented gums, you must check the colour of the lower eyelids. Gently place your finger just below the eye and pull down so that you can see the inner pink membrane of the inner eyelid. You can observe the colour there, and you will notice change if it has taken place.

6. QUESTION:
   How to make the gums in your mouth stronger and not easily bleed?
   My gums bleed easily from food that is hard, and they are very senstive. What should I do to strengthen my gums?
   the only problem is I can ask to go to a dentist, but my dad will not take me

   • ANSWER:
     When you brush your teeth, make sure that you also brush your gums and that will help strengthen them, and make sure u brush ur teeth twice a day.

7. QUESTION:
   What if my gums bleed during my dentist checkup?
   I’m having a professional dental cleaning soon. My gums are receeding a little bit. Usually when I floss, they bleed. When the dentist flosses my teeth, it’s usually with more force than I do, so I’m worried my gums with start bleeding a lot at my checkup. What will the dentist do if my gums bleed? Or what if I come to the appointment with swollen gums, because sometimes they swell after I floss?

   • ANSWER:

8. QUESTION:
   How long does it take for inflamed gums to heal?
   I went to the dentist today and found out I had a little chip of a baby tooth stuck between my gums and tooth, so they had to numb it and take it out.
   But now there’s a little gap between my gums and tooth where the chip had been, and the gums are all inflamed.
   I feel weird eating and brushing my teeth know there’s a gap… : ( how long will it take to heal?

   • ANSWER:
     Inflamed gums typically settle down after 1-3 days depending on the severity. Floss and brush gently on the area while it’s inflamed.

9. QUESTION:
   Why are my gums swollen and painful despite good oral hygiene?
   I brush twice a day and rinse with listerine after every meal, but for the past week my gums have been swollen, sore, and bloody. When I brush my teeth now I can barely even touch the gums without them bleeding. I don’t have any other oral problems, only the gums.

   What could be the reason? I also have had migraines and body aches accompanying the swollen gums all week.

   • ANSWER:
     You may be grinding. That’s what happened to me, and it’s because of grinding teeth/clenching without even realizing it.

10. QUESTION:
    What is the best way to restore receded gums?
    I had two crowns put on my upper front teeth and the gums receded because of it. I have no gum disease or infection. My mouth is perfectly healthy. Should I have soft tissue grafts or would the periolase system help me, or is there another way to restore my gums?

    • ANSWER:
      This is definitely a good question for an oral surgeon. Certainly you can have soft tissue grafting done, though.

11. QUESTION:
    What do the gums look like after full recovery of wisdom tooth extraction?
    So I got my wisdom teeth out Wednesday, and it is now Sunday. I couldn’t open my mouth very wide a few days ago, and now I can, so I was wondering why and I noticed that my gums are no longer stitched together on one side. That is why I can open my mouth much wider now, but I’m wondering if this is a normal part of the recovery process. I can now see the opening where the wisdom tooth came from, the actual hole that is not stitched up. It does not hurt or anything, and if I hadn’t seen it in a mirror, I would not have known.

    • ANSWER:
      Your gums heal really fast. I had my teeth cleaned ten days after an extraction. I didn’t have sutures though and it was only one tooth. But, I did have my four wisdom’s out years ago. Yours must have been impacted and you most likely had dissolving sutures. The time goes by so quickly and your hole will not even be noticeable. Rinse with warm water after eating a meal though to dislodge any food particles. Tilt your mouth from side to side for now. Don’t swish. You need to be careful not to disrupt the clotting. Be careful using a straw too. I am sure your dentist told you this, so I am sorry if I am repeating. I’m just giving you my experience. As long as you have no pain or continued bleeding, time will heal. Congratulations, you survived!

12. QUESTION:
    How to keep your teeth and gums healthy It’s important to keep your teeth and gums healthy.?
    Most problems with teeth and gums can be prevented. Here’s how:Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.Floss between your teeth every day.Visit a dentist regularly for checkups and cleaning.Cut down on sugary foods and drinks.

    • ANSWER:
      Well said and good advise to keep your teeth and gum healthy, also add using mouth wash like Listrine or Corsodyle. Is there any question here or just advise to everybody?

13. QUESTION:
    How to fix receding gums. How long does it take for it to fully repair?
    I have braces and my top back gum lines are receding. My mom says that there you can see more of my gums than my teeth. I already know to brush softly and to massage the gums lightly. I also want to know how long will it take till the gums are almost or fully repaired?

    • ANSWER:
      i dont think theres anything u can do yourself but try not to touch your gums just leave them and go to the dentist they might be able to do something avoid brushing your gums so much for a while and see if it gets any better and try gagaling salt water to avoid any infections.. just go to the dentist before it gets any worse.. hope that helps..

14. QUESTION:
    How long does it take for sore gums to heal once you eliminate gingivitis?
    I had a mild case of gingivitis (but no dentist in my area has an open appointment) so I started vigorously brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. It has caused a lot of bleeding and pain, but I saw an improvement in my gums and their color. However, now my gums hurt like hell! It has been four days and I am popping ibuprofen every four hours to suppress the pain. How long does that pain usually last for? I have not been able to eat anything solid for a week now.

    • ANSWER:
      You are right bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. even though they bleed when you brush them this is the only thing that will make them better but i would advise on not brushing your teeth vigorously as this can cause the gums to be damaged and receed. continue flossing and use a mouthwash specific to gum disease like corsodyl
      do you smoke? as this is a significant factor in gum disease
      you need to find yourself a dentist asap as in severe acute conditions of dental disease you may require antibiotics
      good luck x

15. QUESTION:
    How long will my gums be swollen after braces are removed?
    Just had my braces removed, and my gums are pretty swollen. How long will they return to normal? It’s been 2 days already.

    • ANSWER:
      i got mine removed 3 days ago and my gums are still swollen. they have gone down a bit with flossing gently and mouth wash. i’ve heard it takes about a week or so for them to go back to normal. good luck!

16. QUESTION:
    When you have an infection in the gums, what does the dentist do as a procedure?
    I have an infection in my gums and the dentist is planning on making a procedure on my gums and they plan on putting an injection with irrigation,a type of liquid, on my tongue. Does that give any side effects? PLease tell me as much information as possible!

    • ANSWER:
      Uh, seriously, you’ve never had dental work done? No cavities? They’ve never numbed you up before they widdle down your teeth and fill them in? They’ll put a Q-tip with red (usually) topical numbing stuff like Orajel in your mouth and have you hold it in place for a few seconds. Then they’ll come in with a needle and stick you with stuff that numbs it down deep, even to the nerve if they have to. You might feel a little, but after the first couple sticks it’ll be fine. Irrigation is the water they squirt in there to clear out the fluids like saliva and blood (gums are infected, right?) that might collect. They suck that out with a suction tube at the same time so you don’t choke. The numbing stuff, depending on where the infection is, might make your tongue, lips, cheeks, and face numb for a few hours. You’ll still be able to talk, probably, just a little weird like. Don’t stress, it’ll be ok!

17. QUESTION:
    How to cure the gums of my 3 yrs old daughter which are bleeding continously since 4 days ?
    My daughter got fever a week ago.I stated giving her paracetamol.Now she is not having any fever anymore but her gums are swollen and bleed everytime I apply Xylocaine gel over it.I am very much worried about this.Doctor haver given Xylocaine Gel and drops for her.Any aother useful remedies,please share.Is it normal ? How long does it last?

    • ANSWER:
      OMG go to a dentist right now!

18. QUESTION:
    How long will my gums stay swollen after having my wisdom teeth pulled?
    I got my wisdom teeth pulled on Thursday (they had to cut my gums) and the swelling has not gone down at all. If anything its gotten worse. How long will it be like this, and is there anything i can do to reduce the swelling?

    • ANSWER:
      Your gums will be swollen a couple of weeks after the surgery was done.

19. QUESTION:
    Is it normal for your gums to turn white when whitening teeth?
    My gums have become sensitive while using the prodoct. This is the second day I used the Wal-Mart brand teeth whitening strips. It says that sensitivity on the gums happens and I should discontinue after 3 days of sensitivity. So, it’s ok that my gums are sensitive but at the edge where my gum outlines my tooth its white.

    • ANSWER:
      Your gums are turning white because of the whitening product. If you try to not get the gel on your gums, they shouldn’t keep turning white. Try putting vaseline on just your gums before you put the strips on.

20. QUESTION:
    What can a person do if their gums are soft?
    My friend has dentures, but is having trouble with his gums. He has lost a lot of weight, and the dentures are a little loose. He brushes his gums, but he says they are too soft.

    • ANSWER:
      Get some steel wool and rub your gums with it daily.

      Have fun

21. QUESTION:
    Can gums grow back after an aggressive flossing episode?
    My little brother accidentally cut a chunk of his gums off when he was flossing when the floss got stuck. Can the gums grow back and heal–and by heal I mean that chunk will not forever be gone?

    Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      The gum needs to heal. He should continue brushing his teeth 2 times per day (being very gentle in the affected area) and continue flossing 1 time perday, but maybe avoid the hurt area for 3-4 days.

      It will heal up.

      Flossing is good, but like everything else, in moderation.

22. QUESTION:
    How do I turn my gums from purple to pink?
    I have on braces and the bottom gums are dark purple because I can’t brush them well because of my braces get in the way. When I do brush and floss them they tend to hurt and bleed. I don’t use string to floss my teeth; what I use is similar to a tooth pick but it’s designed to floss. I also use crest pro health complete mouthwash. Would a regular string be best to floss with braces and should I make an appointment to get them cleaned?

    • ANSWER:
      If your gums really are purple, you need to go to your dentist and get a cleaning and recommendations for the health of your gums. Purple is NOT a good color for gums.

23. QUESTION:
    How can i get my gums away from my braces?
    I have had braces for a little over a year now and my gums are starting to grow into the metal. I have been brushing more often and using mouth wash, but it doesn’t seem to be helping very much. What can i do?

    • ANSWER:
      Go back to whoever put on your braces and have them adjusted. Having the metal sticking into the gums is not good and could cause problems

24. QUESTION:
    What is the best mouthwash to use if you have receding gums or sensitive teeth from that problem?
    I have an issue with receding gums. I actually just noticed a little notch where my gum meets a tooth and it is very sensitive. I went to the dentist and he put something on it, but that was it. I want to do anything I can to keep my teeth healthy and not let this problem continue. What mouthwash/toothpaste, etc. is the best to slow the recession of my gums and protect my teeth?

    • ANSWER:
      To slow the recession: Make sure you are not clenching/grinding your teeth, use gentle circular brush strokes especially when brushing the areas of recession. Clenching/grinding place forces on your teeth that cause gum recession and/or abrasion. Check this website and look under the diagnostic session: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruxism
      What is happening is now the dentin layer is exposed to the air due to the gum tissue receding. These areas are almost always sensitive. You can use sensodyne toothpaste every time you brush, use over the counter fluoride rinse (ACT), or ask your dentist to call you in a prescription for fluoride gel (Prevident). The prescription fluoride gel is usually the most effective.

25. QUESTION:
    How do some people get brown gums or pink ones?
    I have pinkish brownish gums, but I wish they were all pink. What causes this? I don’t smoke or drink, & I see people whose gums are pink, but then turn brown when they start smoking. Is it natural melatonin or pigment that causes the color of your gums? Is there a way I can get my gums to be all pink?

    • ANSWER:
      It’s all on how well you take care of your teeth. Those who brush their teeth harder tend to have darker gums. Just like a scratch, when it heels, it leave a dark spot. In this case, brushing too hard can leave your gums brown. Being a certain race doesn’t have anything to do with it. I’m black and have pink gums, but my cousin tends to brush his teeth harder, and he has darker gums.

26. QUESTION:
    What happens when the gums receede till the end?
    My gums are receeding so much . They have already receeded till 3/4th the distance between teeth and end of gums. Wwhat happens when the recession reaches the end of the gums?

    • ANSWER:
      Each time the gumline receeds the bone also receeds that holds the root of your tooth in the bone. If the gumline gets too low, the bone loss will be so severe that the tooth begins to loosen and falls out. A periodontist can make a tissue graft a place it there to end this process. It usually runs around ,000, but the cost to replace a tooth is the same and usually more. Grafts are very successful in healthy people. Be sure to use a soft toothbrush or extrasoft in the meantime. Easy, gentle circles when brushing, do not scrub or apply very much pressure with your toothbrush. When the gumline begins to get very low like this things can begin to get stuck in beneath the root and cause an infection. If this happens you will needs antibiotics. Find a good periodontist in your area.

27. QUESTION:
    How can i reduce the swelling in my gums?
    I’ve had my braces for a year and some months now and my gums are swelling. My back teeth are starting to look smaller so how can i reduce the swelling?? I’ve been flossing every night and brushing in the morning and at night. Is there anything else i can do to get the swelling down and if so how long will it take my gums to get back to normal?

    • ANSWER:
      Be sure to brush the gums as well as the teeth. Rinse with mouthwash. Massage the gums with a toothbrush, you can do this when you are reading or watching tv. You don’t need water or toothbrush, just massage. This really sounds like a hygiene issue. The gums swell up around the brackets when the plaque isn’t being removed.

      Sorry…

28. QUESTION:
    Why are my gums sore after getting a tooth filling?
    I had a tooth filling yesterday and received anestia shots about six or seven times, my tooth would not get numb. Today my gums and the roof of my mouth, where I had the shots, are sore. I need to brush my teeth but my gums are way to sore. Is there ne thing I can do to help with the pain?

    • ANSWER:
      maybe you forgot to follow the dentist’s advice

29. QUESTION:
    How soon after getting an infection removed from my gums can I do it again?
    I got an infection surgically removed from my gums but now, a few weeks later, I feel like not all of it has been removed. I know that when an infection is removed from the gums, it does stray from its original position a little bit, so I want to know when I should go back to the dentist to get another removal done. You may say to ask my dentist, but I want a second opinion. Thank you in advance.

    • ANSWER:
      I have learned that with infections, don’t mess around, do what you think would be the safest way out, don’t avoid going in, so if you know that it’s still there, GET RID OF IT.

30. QUESTION:
    How do you know your gums are healthy?
    I’ve been brushing and flossing regularly but it still hurts a bit when I floss and some gums seem to be sore. I brush, floss, and use mouthwash. So are my gums healthy and is a little pain normal when flossing? What are the signs your gums are healthy?

    • ANSWER:
      They have to be light red/pink in colour and when you touch your gums they have to be hard and not soft! (like you can apply a good amount of pressure without them feeling soft)
      Its normal for your gums to bleed and be sore when you floss, so don’t worry.

      “Healthy gums usually have a color that has been described as “coral pink.” Other colors like red, white, and blue can signify inflammation (gingivitis). Although the text book color of gums is “coral pink”, normal racial pigmentation makes the gums appear darker. Because the color of gums varies due to racial pigmentation, uniformity of color is more important than the underlying color itself.

      Healthy gums have a smooth arcuate or scalloped appearance around each tooth. Healthy gums hold tight to each tooth in that the gums surface narrows to “knife-edge” thin at the tooth. On the other hand, inflamed gums have a “puffy” or “rolled” margin.

      Healthy gums have a firm texture that is resistant to movement, and the surface texture often exhibits surface stippling. Unhealthy gums, on the other hand, is often swollen and mushy”

31. QUESTION:
    What does it mean when a kitten has pale gums?
    My cat had kittens roughly 2 weeks ago. She had two and one died after three days. It had extremely white, almost yellow gums and tongue and then is appeared to seizure and die. Because of where I live a vet was not an option.

    The kitten left is 2 weeks old and seems healthy. She is growing and has gained weight, but today I noticed her gum color was a really pale pink. She is warm and being a 2 week old kitten sleeps most of the day. She does climb around when the mom goes in but hasn’t been nursing as much as usual. I would like to do the pinch test but because she is so small there I’m scared to try and besides that there is not much skin there.

    • ANSWER:
      Anaemia would be one possible cause- and parasites probably the most likely cause of that.

      Dehydration would be another- and if you think she’s not nursing properly it’s probably quite likely. I’m assuming that’s why you were talking about the pinch test? You should still be able to do that- just gently pinch the skin over the back of the neck- there should be enough there to tent if it is going to. Seeing as though you looked at her gum colour, what did they feel like? (Hard on a 2 week old kitten, I know!!) Dehydration will make them quite tacky or even dry if it is really bad. You should probably think about feeding her yourself, just so that you know she’s getting appropriate amounts of energy and fluids.

      Even if getting to a vet is still not an option, is there one that you can ring? If you really can’t get there, and if there is anything you can do for her yourself, most should be happy to give you advice over the phone. That way they can also get all the details from you and be able to give a more helpful suggestion of what may be going on.

32. QUESTION:
    What’s the best toothpaste to make your gums pink and make your teeth white?
    What’s the best toothpaste to make your teeth white and make your gums pink? Because my gums are kind of red and my teeth have plague on them, but I brush.

    • ANSWER:
      Many toothpastes that claim to whiten the teeth do that to some extent. However, make sure you use one with the ADA (American Dental Association) approval.

      It is better not to use these over a prolonged period. Most of these contain abrasives and gradually strip the surface layer of enamel that does not grow back. It looks whiter but if you overdo it, pretty soon you will end up having too smmoth, shiny and sensitive teeth.

      So, after using one tube of whitening toothpaste switch over to a fluoride toothpaste. Even better, alternate between these two everyday.

      I am not aware of any toothpaste making your gums pink. Gums can get darker because of pigmentation caused by genetical predisposition or cigarette smoking. One cannot change anything that one is destined to get because of heredity but one can stop smoking and see some improvement there.

      You should study a little bit more about teeth bleaching before you put too much emphasis on that. Hope the following article helps. Good luck !

33. QUESTION:
    Why did my gums start to hurt 2 days ago out of no where?
    About 2 days ago, my gums became sore. I haven’t eaten anything that I’ve never eaten before. I use an electric toothbrush, but I’ve been using it for several months now and have never had any problems. Sometimes my gums do bleed, but the pain just started. Someone please help. I don’t want to have to spend a fortune for a diagnosis at the dentist if it’s something treatable at home.

    • ANSWER:
      To be sure your gums should not bleed. This shows at least some gingivitis. Secondly if you don’t floss well you may have food and plaque caught between the teeth which will make your gums swollen, bleed, and sore. Start flossing and if in 1 week you are still having this problem , you need to see a dentist for at least a professional cleaning. Good luck.

34. QUESTION:
    How do I make my gums and teeth heathier?
    How do I make my gums and teeth more healthier? How do I strengthen my teeth and gums? I brush my teeth everyday and no healthier. How long should I brush my teeth a day? And is it usual to brush your gums when brushing your teeth?

    • ANSWER:
      brush your teeth twice a day. if you want, carry a small toothbrush/toothpaste with you and brush after lunch. floss EVERYDAY and rinse with ACT mouthwash. it has flouride in it and will prevent tooth decay and cavities. brush your teeth for a minute in circular motions and yes, brush your gums. and scrape your tongue with a tongue scraper. if you want a really good brushing, buy an electric toothbrush.

35. QUESTION:
    How do I reduce swelling in the gums?
    I am 13 and my gums and very puffy, red and irritated. Any way to get them healthy besides flossing and mouth wash?

    • ANSWER:
      When I had my braces my doctor told me to rinse my mouth with warm water and salt for 1 minute every night till the swelling went down.

36. QUESTION:
    How do you prevent your teeth and gums from rotting if you vomit regulary?
    I know stomach acid is quite strong. Is there anythign i can do, perhaps before I vomit, to protect my teeth and gums?

    • ANSWER:
      There isn’t really any good way to prevent the damage, you can slow it down a bit but the acid is very bad for teeth. It also damages your esophagus which is pretty bad for your health long term. If you vomit from some particular medical condition, maybe ask the doc if there is any prescription to help with it?

      But some advice- do NOT brush your teeth right away. After your teeth are in contact with acid [from stomach acid or soda or acidic foods] the enamel is softened for about half an hour, you shouldn’t brush during that time. It will cause extra damage to the enamel and screw your teeth up even more. Just rinse your mouth out really well with water afterwards. I think fluoride mouthwash might help a bit too, at least use that on twice a day when you brush your teeth.
      Overall though, it’s going to rot your teeth out if the vomiting occurs long term. Talk to your doctor about it.

37. QUESTION:
    How long are your gums sore after a tooth extraction?
    I had my upper left molar extracted ten days ago.Ever since I left the dentist I havent had any pain just my gums a lil sore. Ive taken and finished my medication and I still dont have any pain.I was just wondering how long are you gums suppose to be sore?

    • ANSWER:
      I think it all depends on the person. I have had two teeth pulled in the past, wisdom teeth, and each time I had different experiences. With the first one, I was only sore for a few days. With the second one, I was sore for a few weeks. I wasn’t in any pain, but my gums were very tender. I wouldn’t be alarmed, if you aren’t in any pain. Just avoid chewing in the spot, to let the gum heal.

38. QUESTION:
    How long will it take for the gums to heal after wisdom teeth extraction?
    I had my wisdom teeth extracted about 3 weeks ago and I still have craters where the bottom teeth were removed. There is no pain at all, just annoying. I had a dry socket on the bottom right side yet there are still holes on both sides. The top gums have healed quite nicely.

    • ANSWER:
      I work for an oral surgeon, and we see people who take a few months to completely heal. I know it is obnoxious, but it will go away in time. There is really nothing that you can do to speed it along.

39. QUESTION:
    How long will my gums bleed and hurt when starting to floss again?
    I know, I should of been flossing all the time, but I didn’t but now im starting to be better at it and yesterday I flossed and my gums bleed real bad and my gums ached. My question is how long will they bleed and ache till they get stronger?

    • ANSWER:
      Flossing is of more importance than brushing. Floss little girl, floss.

40. QUESTION:
    Why do some people gums pink while others are dark brownish?
    Is it becuz of skin color??
    Most light skin people have perfectly pink gums
    but dark people have well dark gums
    Why???
    i have a friend who is really really dark and his gums are clear pink!

    • ANSWER:
      Yes! The skin color is the effect. If you have a darker skin tone your gums will appear darker. If you have white skin, they will be pink (unless you have a gum desiese then they will be red)

41. QUESTION:
    How fast does a small wound on the gums heal?
    For some reason, the “soft” toothbrush that I bought feels like steel, and I just scraped my gums just a little bit. I just want to know how fast it’s going to heal. This is the second toothbrush that I got that hurts my gums. The first one had these gum massagers that hurt my gums really badly.

    • ANSWER:
      Usually it should be able to heal within two days or so. If I were you I would go to the dentist because if I’m not mistaken, that much sensitivity of the gums could be a sign of periodontitis which will eventually cause your gums to basically deteriorate away from your teeth. Use sensitive toothpaste and a soft toothbrush and always floss even though it will bleed at first. BUT, if you do have periodontitis, your gums will bleed terribly when you floss; as I said before, just get to a dentist and tell them what’s going on.

      Hope everything works out

42. QUESTION:
    How come some chewing gums make your tongue irritated when you try to brush your teeth?
    I noticed it first when I started chewing Big Red gum a while back. Later on in the day, I would brush my teeth and as soon as the toothpaste hit my tongue, it hurt like my tongue was on fire. The same has happened to me with bubbilicious and some other gums, which is beside the point

    • ANSWER:
      Do you remember when people had petty little things to worry about like paying the bills, war and cancer? God bless America.

43. QUESTION:
    Does anyone know when gums start to look the way they’re supposed to after a gingivectomy?
    I had a gingivectomy yesterday because my gums we’re pretty big. After they were sort of swollen and really red along the edges. She said that’s normal, and now it’s gone down a little, but my gums sort of look exactly the same as they were. Im not too sure if they’re still swollen or not, but I hope so because I don’t want this to be the final result. =] Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      It takes 2 to 3 weeks to be back to normal provided that your oral hygiene is very good

44. QUESTION:
    How long does it take for your gums to heal after you get your wisdom teeth pulled?
    Mine aren’t out yet, so my dentist has to cut open my gums. And can I brush my teeth after I get them pulled out? And what can I eat? I don’t want food to get stuck there.

    • ANSWER:
      You can still brush your teeth after your teeth are pulled out, but just be cautious of your newly tender gums. I would suggest eating softer foods, and chewing with the opposite side to where the tooth was pulled.

45. QUESTION:
    How long does it take for your gums to fully recover after wisdom tooth removal?
    I know the doctor says a week is the full amount of time. But how long does it take for your gums to fully recover so that it is completely back to normal as they were before the procedure?

    • ANSWER:
      Depending on how good a job the dentist does on average about 2 and a half weeks. Before it starts to feel normal again. you will have hardly noticed it when its done after about a week also depends on your healing process too. If you gargle saltwater this helps.

46. QUESTION:
    How do you keep from getting receeding gums?
    I know that flossing seems to keep recession at bay, but i’m not sure why. I was curious if it was like muscles, where if you agrrivate them they get stronger. When you havent flossed for a while your gums bleed, but this goes away after a while. Is it because your gums are getting tougher and more resistant. I was also wondering if proding you gums with a toothpick is bad for them or if it can actually help in that ‘toughening’ process.

    • ANSWER:
      Recession is most commonly caused from improper brushing technique. You should brush in small slow CIRCLES. Dont ever brush hard its not about how hard you brush its how long you brush. Your gums can be damaged very easily so do not be probing with a tooth pick. Your gums quit bleeding after a while because they are healthy, when you are not flossing food/plaque builds up under the gums irritating them so when you start flossing they are very easily hurt. Hurting your gums with toothpick is only gonna make them worse it does not toughen them.

47. QUESTION:
    Are the gums around your teeth supposed to swell when you get a toungue ring?
    I like to click my toungue ring on my teeth, and it seems that some of my gums have swollen. Is that supposed to happen?

    • ANSWER:
      Tongue rings often break teeth especially when people start to click them (called a parafunctional habbit, especially when they don’t always notice themselves doing it).
      Anyway, as long as you have it you will likely cause damage to your teeth and gums. Swelling in general has to do with your body trying to heal itself, either from trauma (stabbing your tongue, or hitting your gums/ teeth) or from infection )also happens pretty often with piercings. Go see a dentist; don’t be surprised when he recommends that you take the thing out.
      Remember crowns are about a 00 each, is it worth the risk?

48. QUESTION:
    Do your gums bleed when you have a scale and polish at the Dentist?
    Mine bleed terribly but the dentist says that nothing is wrong, my gums are healthy but try and floss every day to cut down on the bleeding. I find it so embarrassing when i rinse and it looks like a bloodbath. How common is this?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes they always bleed and my dentist says it’s normal too. Sometimes they cut the gum slightly when cleaning too. It is quite normal and means that, providing you keep flossing etc they should stay healthy til your next visit.

49. QUESTION:
    Is it normal to have some of my gums turn a white color after using Aqua Fresh whitening trays?
    I just used them for a second time and in like 4 places, (very small) but my gums in those places became white. It is freaking me out and I don’t know what to do. My teeth are really sensitive and I know that it is only a temporary thing, but I don’t know what to do. What happened?

    • ANSWER:
      If you put the white strips on your gums(the paste on the strips has a bleach in it) it has the possibility to color your gums, it should go away really quickly by just eating and drinking things

50. QUESTION:
    How often should you brush and floss daily without damaging your gums?
    I brush my teeth twice a day, and floss once a day in the evening. After lunch I just use mouthwash and then a chewing gum for teeth protection. Is this bad for my teeth? Should I brush or floss more often? I wouldn’t want to damage my gums either. I use a soft toothbrush by the way.

    • ANSWER:
      I brush after every meal and snack and floss at least a couple of times a day, depending on what I eat (for example, if I eat icecream I don’t floss, I brush only). The dentist told me to brush and floss after every meal. He also said that mouthwashes and chewing gum aren’t needed for good hygiene.

      If you are afraid of damaging your gums when flossing, try using dental tape in lieu of dental floss and/or an irrigator.