Tag Archives: gum disease

Affordable Dentistry

My gums are bleeding and I have dental anxiety

My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. I have dental anxiety and am afraid that I know I have gum disease because of canceling dental appointments for the past three years. Things are probably worse than they would usually be because I am diabetic. Now I will need sedation and deep cleanings. The thought of it is increasing my anxiety because I already have too many medical bills. How long can I expect treatment for gum disease to last? Ramón from TN

Ramón,

Thank you for your question. Dr. Lacy would need to examine your teeth and gums and take x-rays to determine the extent of your gum disease.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, people with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease than people without diabetes for these reasons:

  • High glucose levels can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and gingivitis.
  •  Saliva flow in your mouth decreases when you have diabetes, causing bacteria-producing acid to linger in your mouth.
  • Germs in your mouth will travel into your bloodstream. And your body’s immune response can unleash molecules that can increase blood sugar levels.

How Gum Disease Progresses

Gingivitis, or the beginning stage of gum disease, can cause your gums to swell and bleed. It can lead to periodontitis, or advanced gum disease and cause your teeth to loosen. It can even spread to the jawbone.

  • Your dentist can check your teeth and gums more frequently.
  • Your hygienist can perform regular deep cleanings to remove plaque from your gum pockets.
  • Your dentist may prescribe fluoride rinse or prescription toothpaste that contains fluoride.
  • You may need advanced care from a periodontist (gum specialist).

How Long Will Gum Disease Treatment Take?

How long gum disease treatment takes depends on its severity and how your dentist or periodontist must treat it. You may need only a few weeks of treatment, or treatment can be spread out over a few months. After an examination, your dentist will develop a personalized treatment plan for you.

Getting Gum Disease Treatment If You Have Dental Anxiety

If you have dental anxiety, your dentist can use sedation to help you relax during gum disease treatment. Depending on your anxiety level and the care you need, your dentist will explain the options. You can ask our dentist about financing options to help you pay for dental care over time.

This post is sponsored by Plano, Texas, female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Affordable Dentistry

My Teeth Are Too Sensitive to Clean

No matter how much I have my teeth cleaned, I still have deep pockets between my teeth and gums. My teeth are sensitive and painful. Two weeks ago, I went in for a cleaning and had to leave because it hurt so bad. My dental insurance lapsed, and I can only pay so much for dental care. This dentist works with my budget, but I am concerned that I am going to lose all my teeth before I can pay for another deep cleaning. Maybe it was a mistake to let the office do the first deep cleaning. What can I do? Thank you. Dominici from TN

 Dominici,

You have advanced gum disease, and you need to take care of it. If the dentist you have seen works with your budget and gives good dental care, talk to him or her about it. You may need to ask for a periodontist (gum specialist) to avoid losing your teeth.

Painful deep teeth cleaning

Photo of a woman in a dental chair with a dentist and hygienst on either side of her; for information on affordable dentistry from Plano TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
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Often before deep cleaning, a hygienist will apply local anesthetic to minimize your discomfort. Infected and inflamed gums must be cleaned deeply—to where your teeth and gums are attached. But the pain you described sounds more severe.

Sometimes deep cleaning can provoke an active infection, which increase inflammation and pain. Your dentist can prescribe antibiotics for you to take until you complete deep cleaning appointments. And you can phase the deep cleaning. Schedule two appointments and wait a week or two before completing treatment—but take the antibiotics until treatment is complete.

Time to switch dentists

We recommend that you find another dentist who will work with your budget by offering payment plans or financing. Your dentist has not readily referred you to a periodontist to control your gum disease. Treatment from a periodontist will be effective and more comfortable.

Aggressive gum disease leads to tooth loss

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, aggressive gum disease (periodontitis) causes your gums to detach from your teeth and leads to jawbone loss. You must resolve the issue promptly to avoid losing your teeth.

Miranda Lacy, DDS, a female dentist in Plano, TX, sponsors this post.

Sedation Dentistry

3 Reasons to Be Concerned about PTSD and Teeth Clenching and Grinding

I suffer from PTSD, and for the past 4 years, I clench my teeth during the day and grind them at night. I have some neck pain and headaches that I think are related to my habit. I’ve had the same dentist since 2011, and he says my teeth look okay. But I’m starting to feel short spurts of dull pain in my lower molar teeth. My last exam and cleaning appointment was in mid-February. I’m afraid of the dentist anyway and need sedation for all my appointments. Now with the COVID-19 restrictions, I’m not going to any dentist. Besides, the office is only open for emergencies. I’m wondering if the dull pain and pressure on my lower teeth might be due to cavities or from teeth grinding. Is there anything I can do about this at home? – Thanks. Quinn from San Antonio

Quinn – We’re not sure why your dentist though your checkup appointment was good if you’ve been clenching and grinding your teeth for about four years. And you’re feeling pain and pressure in your teeth. That’s a problem.

Photo of female patient sitting and relaxing in a dental chair, for information on sedation dentistry from Plano female dentist, Dr. Miranda Lacy.
Sedation will help you relax throughout dental procedures

Dr. Lacy would need to review your x-rays and check your teeth and mouth. We’re concerned that your dentist didn’t thoroughly examine your teeth.

When you clench and grind your teeth, more than cavities and fillings are involved. Other oral health issues can arise, including

  • TMJ disorder
  • Gum disease
  • Poor occlusion

We recommend that you seek a second opinion from a dentist who will be more thorough. The pain you’ve described could be from gum disease or the trauma of grinding your teeth. In either case, you need an examination. Without an exam, gum disease can progress and lead to jawbone loss. Grinding your teeth will wear them away.

Your new dentist may be able to resolve your pain and discomfort with a custom night guard. It’s worth it to contact a new dentist and at least have a video conference to describe your symptoms. You’ll receive recommendations on what you can now and how to handle the situation before you see a dentist.

Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy sponsors this post.

Oral Health, Sedation Dentistry

How long should a dental cleaning take and why aren’t they sedating me?

I want to know why my dentist isn’t sedating me. My past 2 dental cleanings took almost 2 hours. The first time it took so long that my underarms were soaked and my shirt was wet. It was the craziest experience. My gums were bleeding and when the hygienist rinsed my mouth and told me to suck on that straw thing to dry my mouth, I almost gagged. So did she! I heard her make a gagging sound. At the end of the appointment she and the dentist told me I have gum disease so I have to floss more often and I need to go back more often to get my teeth cleaned. I’ll do whatever it takes to get rid of gum disease but what is taking so long with these cleanings? I only have 23 teeth, so what is the problem people? Last week I went back again and this 2nd appointment took almost 2 hours again. This time neither of us gagged. Maybe that’s improvement… Is the time involved normal? And with all of this bloody mess and my soaked underarms after the appointment why are they not sedating me? How long should a dental cleaning take? Thanks. Geoff

Geoff – Your concern about the length of your dental cleanings and your level of anxiety without sedation are understandable. And your dentist should provide you with the answers.

Average Time for a Dental Cleaning

A dental cleaning for a patient who has good oral health and maintains excellent oral hygiene at home takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The time can vary, depending on the condition of your teeth and the hygienist’s speed. Keep in mind that when you receive a dental cleaning, more is involved than just cleaning and polishing your teeth:

  • X-rays are taken.
  • Your hygienist will check the space between your teeth and gums for signs of periodontal (gum) disease.
  • Your dentist will also need to examine your teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral cavities to ensure they are healthy and disease free.

The “extras” are necessary to help you maintain good oral hygiene. And they naturally add more time to your dental visit. But let’s discuss what might be taking your appointment so long and why you aren’t being sedated.

What’s Taking So Long?

So what’s affecting the time it takes to clean your teeth? Several factors might be involved:

  • The condition of your teeth – A professional dental cleaning removes plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth. The amount of plaque and tartar buildup is related to how often you brush and floss your teeth. The more you floss between your teeth, the less plaque and tartar there will be. Stains can develop from everyday eating and drinking, but if you smoke, or if you are a heavy coffee or tea drinker, your teeth will have more stains.
  • Periodontal (gum) disease – When the pocket, or space between each tooth and the surrounding gum tissue, is infected, the gum tissue pulls away from your teeth. Deep periodontal pockets need to be thoroughly cleaned to get rid of gum disease. This process, scaling and root planing, is a deeper cleaning than normal and takes more time. In cases of severe periodontal disease, a specialist (periodontist) might be needed.
  • Your anxiety level – It takes a little more time and patience to provide dental care for anxious patients. If your dentist and hygienist know you’re anxious, they will work at a slower pace to ensure your comfort and to take time to explain what’s being done throughout the dental procedure. Some dental professionals do this regardless of a patient’s anxiety level. Sedation can help make dental cleanings easier for you.

Why Aren’t You Being Sedated for Your Dental Cleanings?

Perhaps your dentist and hygienist haven’t noticed your sweaty armpits. Maybe it’s not that noticeable to them, or maybe they need to be more observant. Have you explained how nervous you’re getting with the lengthy dental cleaning appointments?

Your periodontal disease needs to be well controlled, so it’s time to let your hygienist and dentist know just how much the cleaning appointments are affecting you. Ask for sedation so you won’t start to dread your appointments—and possibly start skipping a few.

Your dentist should work with you to provide a level of sedation that matches your anxiety and the length of your dental appointments. If he or she isn’t responsive enough to your anxiety, it might be time to look for another sedation dentist.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.