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Keeping our gums healthy is just as important as keeping
our teeth healthy. That's why its important to know how to keep
our gums healthy.

What is gum disease?
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease (periodontal disease)
You may notice the gums swell up, turn red in color, and may bleed.
Periodontal disease results in the following:

Inflammation of the gums
Gums can pull away from the teeth or loosen
Gums feel tender when touched
Bad breathy
Pain while chewing
A change in your bite and teeth structure

Periodontal disease is seen mostly in adults.
Early prevention of periodontal disease and gingivitis in kids is important.

Excerpt from the CDC:
A recent CDC report1 provides the following data related to prevalence of periodontitis in the U.S.:

47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease increases with age, 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.
This condition is more common in men than women (56.4% vs 38.4%), those living below the federal poverty level (65.4%), those with less than a high school education (66.9%), and current smokers (64.2%)

Preventive measures can include:
brushing the teeth properly
choosing the right toothpaste
flossing daily
taking care when rinsing out the mouth
using mouthwash
having regular dental checkups
stopping smoking - Adults and teens only

5 easy ways to keep the gums healthy

1. Brush the teeth properly
with the following:
Brush your teeth twice a day
Gentle Short strokes, 45 degree angle strokes,
Circular, up and down and side to side Strokes
Every 3-4 months - replace the toothbrush
Don't forget to get the back and front of the teeth

2. Choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste
There are many sizes of toothbrushes and toothpastes
made for kids. Look for the ADA seal of approval and
check to ensure that the toothpaste has fluoride.

3. Floss Daily
Removing food particles and plaque can
seem like a daunting task.
Fortunately, flossing can help with that.
tartar can develop if we do not floss.
Tartar is a hardened buildup of bacteria.
This can lead to gum disease.
So let's not forget to floss.

4. Mouthwash is your friend
Mouthwash can be used for kids but it is suggested
for kids 6 years old and up.
Mouthwash can help with the following:

Remove left over food particles
Slows down tartar buildup
Plaque reduction
Prevent gum disease

Although mouthwash can help with these,
it is important to note that it is not meant to
replace brushing your teeth and flossing

5. Regular dentist visits/checkups
At a typical dental checkup you may spend time
with the hygienist. Professional dental cleanings
help to remove tartar and can help to eliminate plaque.
Early signs of gingivitis, gum disease or any other
infections can be detected.

Looking for the best kids dentist near the Paterson,
Passaic, and Union City areas?

We are here serving Paterson, Passaic, and Hudson NJ,
Dover NJ, and the surrounding communities.
We offer comprehensive oral health
services ranging from routine cleanings to emergency treatment.

We are committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment
to keep all members of the family comfortable in the office.
Paterson (973) 742-4200
Passaic  ( 973) 574-1000
Union City (201) 325-8444
Dover   (973) 891-4015

Find reviews and updates on Facebook,
learn more about our practice online,
or give us a call

It is true that gum disease is more likely to
occur in adults but it is important to take preventive measure early.
That's why brushing, flossing, mouthwash use and regular dental visits is vital for kids.

Periodontitis occurs when plaque and tartar spread below the gum-line.
Gums can get inflamed due to the bacteria under the gums.
Damage can get worse which can lead to space in new spots being developed.

Here is a comprehensive list for signs of unhealthy gums:

Painful chewing

Gums appear red or swollen in certain spots

Bleeding after kids' brush or floss their teeth

Gums bleeding even without brushing

Gums pulling away from the teeth (receding gum line)

Recurrent bad breath

Changes in a child's bite (The way the Teeth fit together)

Loose teeth and spacing

Pus between the gums and the teeth

Sensitive teeth

Looking for the best kids dentist near the Paterson,
Passaic, and Union City areas?

We are here serving Paterson, Passaic, and Hudson NJ,
Dover NJ, and the surrounding communities.
We offer comprehensive oral health
services ranging from routine cleanings to emergency treatment.

We are committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment
to keep all members of the family comfortable in the office.
Paterson (973) 742-4200
Passaic  ( 973) 574-1000
Union City (201) 325-8444
Dover   (973) 891-4015

Find reviews and updates on Facebook,
learn more about our practice online,
or give us a call

Are braces necessary or cosmetic?

Both. Braces serve multiple purposes
and are highly effective to correct several
pressing and important dental issues to can
carry on for life if not treated.

S1: Correcting bites so you can chew better
S2: Straightening teeth
S3: Help to avoid tooth decay due to misalignment
S4: The beautiful smile you’ll have at the end is a bonus.

Its a common curiosity for parents
to wonder if braces are purely cosmetic.
Braces are not just cosmetic.
They happen to be necessary for several reasons

Common Problems that require treatment with braces:
The top teeth should always come over the bottom teeth.
1. Cross Bite
2. Open Bite (thumb suckers)(extended pacifier)
3. Underbite
4. Overbite/ overjet
Both overbite and underbite signifies that either the
top or lower jaw has not fully developed yet.
These issues can lead to others such as TMJ and sleep apnea.
5. Misaligned or rotated back or front teeth
6. Tooth spacing
7. Tooth crowding
8. Mal-positioned teeth
9. Unerupted or impacted teeth

How can braces benefit your child?
Prevent future issues such as:
Sleep apnea
Night time grinding teeth
TMJ
Tooth Decay

When teeth are straightened, it is much easier to
brush the teeth and floss. This helps to prevent tooth decay.
Cavities can develop is bacteria stays logged in the teeth.

Braces help with TMJ issues and Sleep apnea

Facial structures can be affected by misaligned teeth and
can also be fixed by braces as the braces restore the
facial appearance while straightening the teeth.

Some may wonder if braces make teeth weak.
braces utilize controlled force to straighten teeth which
includes re-modelling the bone structure around the teeth as well.
This let's us know that they do in fact move but they once again
become firm in their sockets.

Orthodontic treatment is safe and does not make the teeth weak.

Braces can restore your facial aesthetics, smile and
realign your teeth. So they are both necessary
and cosmetic.

Overall, as dental professionals we aim to
identify underlying issues and diagnose and monitor these conditions early ,and can easily fix them with braces, or other orthodontic appliances.
This will help to prevent future decay and discomfort.

Multiple factors:
Child’s medical history,
Not fixing their Smile, timing, and cost can influence long-term effects

Looking for the best kids dentist near the Paterson, Passaic, and Union City areas?
We are here serving Paterson, Passaic, and Hudson NJ,
Dover NJ, and the surrounding communities.
We offer comprehensive oral health
services ranging from routine cleanings to emergency treatment.

We are committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment
to keep all members of the family comfortable in the office.
Paterson (973) 742-4200
Passaic  ( 973) 574-1000
Union City (201) 325-8444
Dover   (973) 891-4015

Find reviews and updates on Facebook,
learn more about our practice online,
or give us a call

What are the health benefits of braces? 
The first thing some may think of is cosmetics, but braces provide more than just great looking smiles.

1. Orthodontic Braces Help with Proportions
Ortho braces help with the following:

- Misalignment of teeth
- Overbites and underbites
- Overjet bites
- Periodontal problems ( elaborated below )
- Issues chewing and speaking
- Unmatched dental midlines

2. Orthodontic Braces Prevent Gum Disease
It's not a surprise that wearing braces can
be a factor in the cause of gum disease in
regards to the difficulty of brushing and flossing.
But without braces straightening of teeth,
one can find that food can set in between teeth.

Brushing and flossing consistently can help prevent
gum disease.

3. Orthodontic Braces Prevent Tooth Decay
Although braces can increase the risk of developing tooth decay,
braces can help to prevent tooth decay by straightening teeth.
Braces only become a factor in tooth decay development when
food particles become trapped under the braces and in between teeth
, and are not addressed.

Consult with the Orthodontist about dietary restrictions.
For example, The Orthodontist may explain why it is
imperative to limit the eating of candy.

4. Orthodontic Braces Prevent Cavities
If tooth enamel gets weak, tooth decay can occur.
Sugars and bacteria can combine to create plaque
which can create decay. If this occurs, cavities can
develop. As we spoke about previously,
braces can be a factor in prevention of tooth decay,
therefore leading to preventing cavities.

5. Orthodontic Braces Help with Digestion
You read that right.
Because braces help to create fewer gaps in
between teeth, chewing food can become easier
and leads to faster digestion.

6. Orthodontic Braces Prevent Injury
Braces can act as a shock absorber.
They can protect the teeth and lower jaw from
potentially breaking. Even though this is
the case, braces can get damaged upon impact.
If your child plays sports, consider a mouth guard
to protect their jaw, teeth, gums, and braces.

7. Orthodontic Braces Prevents Bone Erosion
To understand how braces can prevent bone erosion/loss,
we first should understand the causes of bone loss.

Alveolar Bone loss is irreversible.
Jawbones are essential for holding teeth
in place. While bone loss itself is not a disease, it can
be the result of an underlying issue.
Unfortunately many oral health conditions can cause

Here are the most common:

• Bone loss
• Tooth loss
• Gum disease
• Receding gums

8. Orthodontic Braces Help with Self-Esteem
Braces don't just help with straightening
teeth and correcting issues like malocclusion,
bruxism, and preventing the aforementioned
preventions. Braces are also cosmetic
and help to straighten and beautify great smiles.
This surely helps with confidence and self esteem.
Now, who wouldn't want to show off their awesome smile?

Looking for the best kids dentist near the Paterson, Passaic, and Union City areas?

We are here serving Paterson, Passaic, and Hudson NJ,
Dover NJ, and the surrounding communities.
We offer comprehensive oral health
services ranging from routine cleanings to emergency treatment.

We are committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment
to keep all members of the family comfortable in the office.
Paterson (973) 742-4200
Passaic  ( 973) 574-1000
Union City (201) 325-8444
Dover   (973) 891-4015

Find reviews and updates on Facebook,
learn more about our practice online,
or give us a call