Dr. Daniel Aldieri

Sounds like your gums are inflamed which is sometimes referred to as gingivitis. Swollen gums will bleed when you floss them and can be painful. A thorough evaluation followed by some conservative gum treatment usually solves the issue. At home oral hygiene care and regular professional cleanings is the most effective way to keep your mouth healthy!

We usually see bleeding gums during cleanings if there is inflammation present like in the case of gingivitis. If your gums are generally healthy, the bleeding should be minimal during a cleaning. If the pain persists for more that a couple of days, be sure to contact your dentist for a follow up visit to evaluate why this could be happening. Warm salt water rinses may help to alleviate the discomfort.

If you have sores in your mouth for more than two weeks you should have a dentist or your physician evaluate those areas. Sores are common, sometimes they arise from a virus that lies dormant in your body and appear when you are run down. Other common sores are known as aphthous ulcers (canker sores) which can appear after trauma or be triggered by certain foods. Most last from 7-10 days. There are some prescription ointments or over the counter creams that are used to alleviate the discomfort but many times it just has to run its course.

Your baby will be fine. The amount of radiation is negligible with digital radiography. And the x-ray head is focused on just that portion of your mouth. Your abdomen was not irradiated and even so it was draped with a lead apron. Of course, it is sensible to minimize any elective procedures during pregnancy but for the most part, dental procedures, including dental x-rays are safe! If there is any concern contact your OBGYN.

Hello,

A waterpik is a great tool for flushing out debris from in between your teeth. Unfortunately, it does not do as good a job as traditional floss because the floss actually wipes the plaque away from in between your teeth. If your boyfriend isn’t flossing as all (like most people) then water flossing is better than nothing. A waterpik is also great for people with dexterity issues who may never be able to floss otherwise. So, yes a waterpik is great, but not a substitute for mechanical flossing.

Good luck and happy flossing!

The flap around the wisdom teeth is usually an indication that there is not enough room for them to fully erupt. They may be impacted underneath the soft tissue. Sometimes the tissue can be removed with a laser but many times removing the wisdom teeth is a more permanent solution. An evaluation by a general dentist and/or oral surgeon can help assess which is the better option for your particular situation.
Until then keep the areas clean and happy flossing!

Hello,
It is possible that your teeth have shifted. And sometimes when you bite your cheek it's easy to bite it again and again. An evaluation of your bite by a dentist will help determine what's going on!

Clicking in the jaw is a common occurrence usually caused by clenching or grinding. Some people experience pain associated with it, others do not. Depending upon the severity of the clicking and/or pain, sometimes anti-inflammatories are prescribed along with jaw relaxation techniques. If the clicking or pain persists a custom fitted bite appliance (night guard) will be fabricated to help alleviate the discomfort. A thorough exam is always needed before any treatment is performed