Orthodontist - Baltimore
3 Locations in Baltimore!
Locations
3 convenient orthodontic office locations in Baltimore Maryland!
Pikesville Office
1314 Bedford Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21208
(410) 653-6379
Harbor Orthodontics
2 East Lee St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-659-0770
Parkville Office
8813 Waltham Woods Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21234
410-882-2100
Gum Disease (Gingivitis)
Our team of dental specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with your teeth and gums. Please use our dental library to learn more about dental problems and treatments available. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us.
The Right Time For An Orthodontic Check-Up: No Later Than Age 7
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends all children get a check-up with an orthodontist no later than age 7 because, while your child's teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect.
Schedule an appointment if you recognize any of the following problems in your growing child:
Early or late loss of baby teeth- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Speech difficulties
- Biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
- Facial imbalance
- Grinding or cleaning of the teeth
Tips For Good Oral Health
Good oral health is important, and some people may need orthodontic treatment to achieve it. The following list contains steps to help ensure your child's smile stays healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Watch for Signs of Trouble Problems such as early or late loss of baby teeth, difficulty chewing or biting or mouth breathing are all reasons to schedule a check-up with an orthodontist.
See anOrthodontist No Later Than Age Seven Even with baby teeth present, an orthodontist can detect existing or developing problems. An early evaluation is essential.
Brushing and Flossing To ensure proper dental health care, it's important to get childern on a consistent schedule of brushing after every meal and flossing once a day.
Eat a Healthy Diet Sugary itmes such as candy and soda pop cancause cavities. Parents are urged to control how often and how much of the sugar-laden items their childern consume.
Put an End to Bad Oral Habits If thumb and pacifier sucking are prolonged, either habit may cause problems with proper growth of the jaw and with tooth alignment.
Change Your Child's Toothbrush Regularly A toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months, whenever the bristles show signs of wear or after an infectious illness like strep throat.
Take Care of Braces Children currently in orthodontic treatment should avoid hard, sticky, chewy or crunchy foods thatmay harm braces and potentially prolong treatment time.
Guard Teeth While Playing Sports Make sure your child wears a mouth guard while playing sports to lessen the chances of fracturing or knocking out teeth.
Visit the Dentist Regularly A child should have the first dental visit no later than the first birthday, and regular checkups every six months thereafter.
For more information on orthodontic treatment, visit www.braces.org
Gingivitis is the medical term for early gum disease, or periodontal disease. In general, gum disease can be caused by long-term exposure to plaque, the sticky but colorless film on teeth that forms after eating or sleeping.
Gum disease originates in the gums, where infections form from harmful bacteria and other materials left behind from eating. Early warning signs include chronic bad breath, tender or painful swollen gums and minor bleeding after brushing or flossing. In many cases, however, gingivitis can go unnoticed. The infections can eventually cause the gums to separate from the teeth, creating even greater opportunities for infection and decay.
Although gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults, in many cases it is avoidable.
If gingivitis goes untreated, more serious problems such as abscesses, bone loss or periodontitis can occur.
Periodontitis is treated in a number of ways. One method, called root planing, involved cleaning and scraping below the gum line to smooth the roots. If effective, this procedure helps the gums reattach themselves to the tooth structure.
Pregnancy has also been known to cause a form of gingivitis. This has been linked to hormonal changes in the woman's body that promote plaque production.