If your gums are bleeding (even a little bit!), consider these common triggers and then schedule an appointment with Henderson NV dentist, Dr. Heeyup Ghim:

Brush and floss like you mean it!

The failure to remove bacterial plaque by brushing and flossing at least every 24 hours can quickly lead to the onset of gingivitis, an infection that is characterized by bleeding and swelling.

If it’s good for your body, then it’s good for your gums!

When you lack the necessary nutrients for your general health, such as fruits and vegetables, calcium, vitamins C and D, and magnesium, your oral health also suffers. In particular, the soft tissues that line your gums, cheeks, and tongue will begin to show the telltale signs of malnutrition and harmful inflammation (such as bleeding).

Another reason to quit smoking!

Chronic smoking can cause the gum tissue to become bigger and thicker than normal, in response to the toxins found in cigarettes. This rise in the inflammation of your tissues also elevates your risk for gum disease as well as cardiovascular disease.

Don’t stress about it!

The inflammatory response cause by stress and anxiety can impair your immune system, preventing it from fighting off gingivitis and other oral diseases. During times of chronic stress, your tender, bleeding gums will require extra attention.

Thanks Dad!

Your risk for gum disease could be influenced by a genetic marker found in your DNA. If gum disease is a common family diagnosis, be prepared to work a little harder to keep your gums healthy.

Lighten up!

Too much force when your teeth bite together can be detrimental to your gums. Whether the extreme forces are due to misaligned teeth or a chronic clenching habit, the trauma can cause receding gums, setting you up for the onset of gum disease.

Armed with this information, head to your cosmetic dentist in Henderson, NV today for a complete checkup and put an end to bleeding gums for good.

Cosmetic dentist Dr. Heeyup Ghim and the team at Black Mountain Dental take gum disease seriously. They provide proven treatments to cure early-stage gum disease (called gingivitis) and alleviate the problems associated with advanced periodontal disease.

Gum Disease & Your Health

Gum disease has been linked to a variety of systemic health conditions, including:

• Stroke
• Osteoporosis
• Respiratory problems
• Diabetes complications
• Heart disease
• Low-birth weight
• Dementia

Early Symptoms May be Silent

In the early stage, gum disease can present few or no symptoms. You may notice that your gums are a bit red and swollen, and they may bleed when you brush or floss. Left untreated, gum disease can progress to cause tooth, gum, and bone loss. Call us right away if you experience these or any the following symptoms:

• Chronic bad breath
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Receding gum tissue
• A change in the way your top and bottom teeth fit together when you bite
• Pus between the teeth and gums

Gum Disease Treatments

Gingivitis can typically be reversed with a thorough dental cleaning at our Henderson office, along with proper brushing and flossing at home. Gum disease that has progressed beyond gingivitis often responds well to topical antibiotic therapy. If you have advanced gum disease (periodontitis), Dr. Ghim will refer you to a specialist to ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment to renew your oral health.

Take Charge of Your Oral Health

Call today to schedule a gum disease assessment with cosmetic dentist Dr. Ghim. Black Mountain Dental serves residents of Henderson, NV, and surrounding areas with quality care for whole-mouth and whole-body health.

Are Porcelain Veneers Right for You?

Look in the mirror and smile. If you don’t like the color, shape, or size of the teeth that you see, then porcelain veneers from Henderson cosmetic dentist Dr. Ghim may be a good choice for you. Other dental treatments can improve certain aspects of your smile. Porcelain veneers can give you a whole new smile.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

A veneer is an ultra-thin covering that’s permanently applied to the front of a tooth to improve its appearance. Veneers are a custom dental treatment, which means that your veneers will be designed and crafted specifically for your smile. The durable, natural-looking porcelain mimics the look and feel of natural tooth enamel. It also resists stains to keep your smile looking great for years to come.

Why Choose Dr. Ghim?

Dr. Ghim delivers comprehensive dental care to fit your individual needs. As a skilled Henderson cosmetic dentist, he understands the intricacies involved with creating custom dental solutions. He’ll work with you one-on-one to design porcelain veneers that address your concerns and bring out the best in your smile.

Can I Finance my Porcelain Veneers?

Black Mountain Dental accepts a variety of payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Financing is available through CareCredit. You can apply online and receive approval in minutes!

What’s the Next Step?

Pick up the phone and call your Henderson NV Dentist today! Find out why our Henderson, NV, office is home to personalized dentistry that delivers outstanding results.

One of the big reasons that sports drinks can cause tooth decay is because of frequency. When we are playing sports or working out, we tend to sip on sports drinks throughout the activity. When we are sipping on any drink with acids or sugar it takes 20 minutes after each sip for the acids to stop attacking our teeth. As you enjoy these drinks over several hours, you should be mindful of the acidic environment that is being created. This prevents your saliva from naturally re-mineralizing your teeth and causes tooth decay. Drinking your sports drink within just a few moments and sipping only water can fix this problem.

Another risk with sports drinks is the combination of sugar and acids. Most drinks contain one or the other and they can be damaging enough on their own. The combination of both is like a double attack on your teeth. The bacteria in our mouths go into a frenzy, speeding up the process of tooth decay and weakening the enamel. Sports drinks can be helpful at keeping you hydrated, but we have to consider at what cost. Your dentist can give you tips on alternatives to sports drinks and healthy, safe ways to stay hydrated.

Just remember water is a great choice for an active lifestyle and it will also keep your teeth healthy. If you choose to enjoy sports drinks, talk to your Henderson NV cosmetic dentist today about protecting your teeth from their harmful effects.

Your Henderson NV cosmetic dentist is an expert at providing you with esthetically pleasing all-ceramic
dental crowns that perfectly match your remaining natural teeth.

All-ceramic crowns are only made of one material – a highly durable grade of ceramic. Other common
types of crowns are made of gold, porcelain or ceramic fused to metal. The underlying silver metal
can often shine through the teeth and cause them to have a gray appearance. It is also common for
these types of crowns to leave a dark gray or black line near the gum line of the crown, a somewhat
unattractive characteristic. Since no metals are used in all-ceramic crowns, there is no discoloration.

All-ceramic crowns mimic natural teeth in that they reflect and transmit light in the same manner. This
results in a natural appearance and the crown blends nicely to match the surrounding teeth. Crowns
that are fused to metal do not have the ability to transmit light, giving them a thicker, dull look.

Another advantage of all-ceramic crowns is that they are made from a bio-compatible material. This decreases the risk of dental sensitivity and adverse reactions from the gum tissue. Metal crowns tend to conduct heat or cold and cause teeth to have increased sensitivity, and some patients are known to have a metal allergy. Using ceramic instead of metal lowers the risk of this occurring. The gum tissue adjacent to other types of crowns has the tendency to have a puffy or blue appearance. However, with all-ceramic crowns, the gums tend to keep their natural healthy look.

To improve your smile with all ceramic crowns, or to replace your older, less appealing crowns, contact your cosmetic dentist in Henderson NV today and get the beautiful smile that you deserve.

Poor Oral Hygiene – Most tooth decay is the result of inadequate oral hygiene.  Thoroughly brushing twice a day, along with daily flossing, removes plaque and bacteria from the teeth.  If plaque is not removed, the bacteria can begin to destroy the enamel.  The destruction of enamel is the start of tooth decay.

Poor/Improper Diet – Certain foods and drinks can lead to tooth decay.  Consuming anything that is high in carbohydrates or sugars can weaken and break down tooth enamel.  Sugar, in combination with plaque bacteria, will produce acid that can destroy enamel and cause demineralization that leads to tooth decay.  Sticky foods and candy tend to cause the most damage due to their ability to adhere to the teeth.  Soft drinks can also be very damaging to the teeth, as they contain high amounts of sugar.

Lack of Fluoride – Fluoride is known for its unique ability to strengthen teeth and enamel. The stronger the teeth become, the better they are at resisting the demineralizing actions caused by plaque, sugar and acids. Fluoride deficiency results in weak enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decaying.

Dry mouth – Saliva has the ability to naturally neutralize acids and flush away food particles.  Those who suffer from dry mouth lack sufficient saliva to wash away the plaque and bacteria residing in the mouth.    Dry mouth can be associated with certain diseases and conditions or can be a side effect of many medications.

Tobacco Products & Alcohol – Both tobacco and alcohol are very toxic to the body. Regular use of both or either of these can increase the risk of tooth decay.

If you know or suspect that you have tooth decay, your Henderson NV dentist is available restore your teeth to optimal health.

Plaque, the soft sticky substance that adheres to teeth, can cause tooth decay, periodontal disease and can even lead to tooth loss. Orthodontic appliances, such as braces, can harbor plaque bacteria even more so than normal.  Brushing and flossing becomes much more tedious and time-consuming when you are challenged with braces, and it’s easy to neglect your oral hygiene habits, but the lack of proper plaque control during this time can affect the progress of your treatment.

Braces cover a large portion of the teeth and can certainly get in the way of brushing.  This makes it hard to access all surfaces of the teeth, and plaque is often left in the hard-to-reach areas. As a result, the teeth become more prone to decay. It is not uncommon for one to have their braces removed only to find out they have several new cavities.

As it is more difficult to remove plaque with braces and other orthodontic appliances, the risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease is also elevated.  With gingivitis, the gums become inflamed, red and tend to bleed easily. If it is not treated and reversed, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, a disease that can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Gingival Hyperplasia is a condition that may be experienced when plaque is not properly removed. When this occurs, the gums become enlarged and inflamed to such a degree that they begin to impact the appearance of your smile.

Special aids are used to clean the teeth during orthodontics. Floss threaders can be used to clean between teeth and under wires. Water picks are also great for getting plaque out of hard to reach areas around braces.

It is not impossible to manage plaque when you have braces. Instead, it is important to make plaque control a priority in order to protect your health and achieve the results that you desire. To learn more on how to properly clean your teeth and orthodontic appliances, contact your cosmetic dentist in Henderson NV today.

Of course, tooth replacement is a smart way to combat the negative consequences of tooth loss. However, choosing the appropriate tooth replacement solution may be the most important part of your decision. Rather than settling for a temporary, uncomfortable, or unattractive solution, consider speaking with your dentist in Henderson, NV about the advantages of dental implants.

Unlike any other form of tooth replacement, dental implants bear the closest resemblance to your real teeth. According to your unique needs, an implant can replace a single tooth or it may be modified to support a larger restoration such as a bridge or denture.

Soon after your implant procedure has been completed, you will begin to appreciate the beauty and confidence that permanent teeth can provide. The pleasure of smiling will be all yours and those around you will be unable to differentiate between your real teeth and your dental work.

Chewing the foods that you love will also be more pleasurable with teeth that are securely anchored to your jawbone. In addition to stabilized chewing efficiency, implants create an important dynamic in relation to the jawbone. By preventing bone loss at the site of the missing tooth, implants help to preserve the youthful contours of your face and lips.

What’s the cumulative effect of a smile that’s been restored with implants? With the help of your talented implant dentist in Henderson, NV, the answer is an effortlessly youthful appearance and an increased level of self-confidence.

Find out how you can enjoy the advantages of dental implants by calling for your appointment today.

Your Cosmetic Dentist in Henderson NV will take the time to make sure that you are at ease before any procedure begins. This includes an explanation of all procedures and answers to any questions before your treatment begins.

It’s important to let your dentist know if you suffer from dental anxiety. Often, adults feel they can’t express their fears, but it is important to make your dental team aware so that you have a more relaxing experience.  Sometimes, simple communication with your dentist or hygienist can put you at ease before a procedure. Don’t be shy about asking them questions.

During your dental visit, try to keep your mind distracted from the procedure being performed and put your thoughts elsewhere. Many patients find that headphones or televisions can aid in relaxation.  If you feel the need to take a break during treatment, let your dentist know. Moving at a slower pace may lessen your anxiety.

Nitrous Oxide, also known as laughing gas, is commonly used with anxious dental patients. Once it is inhaled, you’ll drift into a relaxed, euphoric state. Prescription drugs, like Valium, can be taken prior to a dental appointment to produce a mild form of sedation. When taking these prescription drugs, it is important to have someone drive you to and from your appointment.  Patients suffering from extreme cases of dental anxiety may opt for deeper levels of sedation.

Dental technology is constantly changing and improving.  With new state-of-the-art equipment, dental procedures are now more painless than ever.  The distressing horror stories associated with old-fashioned dentistry are a thing of the past. Local anesthetics can eliminate virtually all pain during a dental procedure.

So, don’t put off your appointment for Dental Implants in Henderson NV any longer. Call today to schedule your next visit and discover how your dentist can provide you with a comfortable atmosphere to ensure your best dental experience yet.

Because National Children’s Dental Health Month is right around the corner- it’s observed each February- and many of our younger patients are in orthodontic treatment, we’re sharing information on why these routine dental visits are particularly important if you have braces.

Crowded, crooked teeth create areas in which food can get stuck. Over time, plaque and tartar can build in these areas and this can lead to more serious issues including tooth decay and gum disease if left untreated, says Henderson NV dentist Dr. Heeyup Ghim. Orthodontic treatment is great at combatting this, because teeth that are in alignment are easier to brush and floss.

“However, it’s important for patients with metal or ceramic brackets to remember that while they’re in treatment, these appliances can create additional areas in which food particles and bacteria can hang out,” Dr. Ghim says. “The importance of maintaining a good dental hygiene regime becomes even more important during the treatment process.”

It typically isn’t necessary for you to visit our office more frequently when you have braces, but you definitely need to be sure you keep your regular dental appointments, which are typically every six months. At these appointments, we can remove any plaque and tartar that may have formed around your brackets. If we see buildup in particular areas, we can show you some tips on how to brush and floss to prevent it from recurring.

Patients in orthodontic treatment often need a few extra tools in their oral hygiene kit, due to the propensity for food to get lodged in and around appliances. Your orthodontist probably has given you a stash of supplies, but if not, the following items are recommended to have on hand:

• An electric toothbrush- sonic toothbrushes are excellent at cleaning around orthodontic appliances and dislodging food particles.
• Floss threaders- this helps you fish dental floss through your appliances so you can effectively floss between teeth.
• Soft picks- these tiny, flexible and pointy picks can help you dislodge food stuck in your appliances and between teeth after meals when you’re unable to brush.
• Interdental brushes- these resemble small bottle brushes and can be straight or curved. They’re another great tool for cleaning food from around your orthodontic appliances.

Keeping your teeth healthy is our reason for recommending that you maintain your dental appointments and keep a supply of dental health tools handy. But how about another incentive: keeping your teeth healthy can mean the difference between completing your orthodontic treatment on schedule, or having to wear your braces even longer than originally prescribed.

“It’s a fact that healthy teeth are easier to shift into alignment,” says Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, an orthodontist in Minneapolis who stresses the importance of dental health to her patients.

When you don’t take care of your teeth and maintain a regular professional cleaning schedule, you increase your chances of plaque buildup and tartar formation. If plaque and tartar are left to accumulate on the teeth, it can begin to irritate the gums and lead to gingivitis. This is a condition where your gums become red and swollen, and they can begin to bleed easily.

“When this happens, it becomes more difficult to shift the teeth properly during orthodontic treatment,” Dr. Eisenhuth says.

Teeth don’t move as easily when your orthodontist must battle gum inflammation.

You can further destroy your treatment schedule if you get a cavity during orthodontic treatment.

“It’s possible to get a cavity in an area that necessitates the removal of one or more brackets or bands before we can fill it properly,” Dr. Ghim says. “This will result in lost treatment time.”

If this situation occurs, you may have to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to have the necessary appliances removed. Then you’ll have to come back to our office to have the cavity filled. Finally, you’ll need a repeat visit with your orthodontist to have your appliances replaced.

“All of the time while your appliances are removed is time in which you’re not in active orthodontic treatment, and that means you lose some treatment momentum,” he says.

So do yourself a favor: if you want to get ideal results from your orthodontic treatment and take measures to ensure you finish treatment on time, make dental hygiene a priority.