Causes of Bleeding Gums

Healthy gums do not bleed. Many people struggle with this problem, but at Dr. Michael Eisenbrock’s Bensalem Family Dentistry office, we provide our patients with information on how to prevent this problem. Most of the time, the solution is better oral hygiene, but there can be compounding factors.

As plaque becomes tartar at the base of the crowns, acid sticks to it, irritating the gums. Although a professional hygienist may be needed to remove the plaque, better brushing can help alleviate the irritation. However, many people have misconceptions about what makes brushing “better.” Teeth should be brushed for two full minutes per session with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing too hard or with hard bristles bruises the gums and is another cause of bleeding.

During pregnancy, women are especially vulnerable to bleeding gums due to hormonal changes. Smokers are also at increased risk due to the toxins that build up in their mouths. People who have dry mouth or are on blood thinners also tend to experience more bleeding because they are less able to fight off the bacteria which cause tartar to build up or their gums are weaker.

Dr. Michael Eisenbrock runs Bensalem Family Dentistry at 3554 Hulmeville Road, Suite 111, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, 19020, telephone 215-874-4042, and at 4735 Neshaminy Blvd, Bensalem, telephone 215-750-9955. Visit BensalemDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Bad Oral Habits

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock of Bensalem Family Dentistry encourages you to review your oral hygiene habits. Additionally, bad habits such as nail biting, and opening your X-Box controller with your teeth, can be detrimental to tooth enamel. Additional bad habits that can cause sensitive teeth include the following, and we encourage you to cut back on them immediately.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will cause you pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Drink More Water

Fluoride is nature’s natural cavity fighter and is most commonly found in drinking water. Fluoride has the ability to promote remineralization, which aids in repairing tooth decay before it can even develop. Water also helps replenish saliva which prevents us from having dry mouth discomfort. If you need more reasons to drink water on a daily basis, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock of Bensalem Family Dentistry is here to give you a few.

Saliva is the mouth’s first defense against tooth decay and water replenishes our saliva with every sip. Water not only washes away leftover food, it helps keep your teeth strong by washing them with calcium, phosphate, and fluoride. Unlike sugary beverages that harm your oral health and damage enamel, water improves your oral health.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Sugar and Tooth Enamel

The primary cause of tooth decay is due to a lack of proper oral hygiene habits. The second culprit, however, is sugar. If you consume sugary beverages on a daily basis, these soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and more have high acid levels that can cause tooth erosion. When these sugars are left on the teeth, they can create cavities. To keep your mouth cavity-free, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS of Bensalem Family Dentistry encourages you to limit sugar consumption.

Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in our bodies but that doesn’t mean it can’t be worn down. When sugar combines with bacteria in the mouth it produces acids that attack tooth enamel. Sugary beverages like fruit juice can be diluted with water to reduce the acidity that destroys enamel. We don’t expect you to kick the habit completely, but you’ll do your smile a favor by consuming more water or milk as these are low in acidity.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Pain around Fillings

Patients at Bensalem Family Dentistry are assured of getting high-quality fillings. This restorative procedure is an important means of preventing decay, as it stops bacteria from hiding within caries. Some sensitivity immediately after placement of an implant is normal, but if pain persists or starts again later on, it is important for the patient to come to us for help.

A high filling is one which prevents the patient from fully biting down without pain. This should not happen, and if it does, the fillings will need to be replaced with one that is a better fit. If a patient is in pain after getting a filling but is able to bite down, the decay may have already reached a deeper part of the tooth. Some materials used for fillings may also shrink, allowing bacteria to colonize the area between the filling and the sealant and continue causing decay.

Fillings do not last forever. The area around one could become painful if the seal holding the filling in place breaks. This would create another area for bacteria to hide in. To ensure that fillings never become a problem, visit us regularly and we will replace them.

Dr. Michael Eisenbrock runs Bensalem Family Dentistry at 3554 Hulmeville Road, Suite 111, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, 19020, telephone 215-874-4042, and at 4735 Neshaminy Blvd, Bensalem, telephone 215-750-9955. Visit BensalemDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

When Dental Bonding Breaks

Dental bonding is beneficial for teeth that have been chipped, fractured, discolored or decayed. With proper oral hygiene, dental bonding can keep your smile looking bright for up to ten years. In the case of dental trauma, or eating too much of acidic foods, however, dental bonding may break. If you’ve completed a dental bonding procedure in the past and begin to notice a crack, visit Dr. Michael Eisenbrock of Bensalem Family Dentistry before it falls out completely.  

It’s important to remember that dental bonding is not as strong as tooth’s natural enamel. Because dental bonding doesn’t provide the same strength as tooth enamel, it’s important to avoid bad habits that might make the composite resin crack. Additionally, be conscious of eating too many acidic foods, as this can damage bonding over time. Additionally, be conscious of eating too many acidic foods, as this can damage bonding over time. Bonding shouldn’t break, as long as you are taking proper care of your oral health.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental bonding or breakage, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.

Hookah Tobacco and Teeth

If you are a lover of water pipes, also known as hookahs, and have been told that they aren’t as bad as cigarettes, Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS of Bensalem Family Dentistry is sorry for being the bearer of bad news –you’ve been misinformed. Studies show that water pipe smoking is just as harmful as cigarettes if not more.

Hookah tobacco (shisha) is a combination of tobacco, sweetener, and fruit. Many believe that shisha is safer to smoke because it is filtered through water before being inhaled. Though it does not leave you smelling like an ashtray, it has similar health risks associated with smoking cigarettes. Smokers increase their risk of developing dry mouth, bad breath, and especially, oral cancer. The best thing you can do for your oral health is to kick the habit altogether.

If you have questions or concerns regarding how smoking affects your oral health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bensalemfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Eisenbrock, DDS at Bensalem Family Dentistry in Bensalem, PA, call us at 215-638-9952.