Teeth are held firmly by the gingiva and the supporting bone of the periodontium. Bad oral hygiene results in the formation of plaque. If not removed in time it calcifies into a hard mass called tartar/calculus. Professional cleaning removes this and arrest further destruction of supporting bone. However, tartar often holds together teeth that are already weakened by chronic gum disease, thus masking existing tooth mobility. Therefore, removal of the tartar deposit at this stage may give a false feeling of teeth becoming loose. Nevertheless, its removal is only the first step towards oral health.

Common signs are bleeding, red and swollen gums. Irrespective of the person's complexion, gums should never be red/swollen. Persistent bad breath, receding gums, increasing inter-tooth spaces, teeth becoming loose, and vague aching/itching/discomfort around gums are other common signs.

Gum diseases are the main cause; other causes are sinus, lung, stomach & throat infections.

Gum colour varies from person to person (like skin color). Black color does not indicate disease; only red gums do.

Keeping the mouth clean is not an easy job - almost everybody needs professional cleaning. But it is essential particularly for those who are unable to prevent tarter accumulation on their teeth.

During pregnancy some changes in the body’s hormonal levels occur, causes gums to be hypersensitive and to overreact to any local irritation. Even the presence of small quantities of plaque the inflames the gums, sometimes causing big localized swelling. A few weeks after childbirth, the mother's hormonal level normalize; then, the gums’ condition usually returns to that pre-pregnancy.

Yes, but not commonly, unless they have very poor oral hygiene.

Sometimes, prolonged gum infection spreads to the pulp of the tooth causing death of the tooth itself. Such a tooth requires both root canal and periodontal treatment.

Gum disease left untreated for a long time leads to loss of supporting bone around the roots of the teeth. The lost bone is replaced by unhealthy soft granulation tissue, which although does not reduce the tooth mobility, keeps the gum margin at almost the normal level. During treatment, the unhealthy granulation tissue is removed, resulting in the collapse of the gum tissues into the spaces left behind by the removal. As a result, the gums recede and make the teeth appear longer. This can be corrected through procedure.

Bleeding gums indicated presence of gum disease. As poor oral hygiene is the primary cause of gum disease, we should realise that it is our improper brushing and flossing techniques that cause the problem. Correct techniques should be adopted, which should be supplemented by mouth wash.

Not really, but they are helpful for physically handicapped patients.

Shaky teeth or mobility is caused by loss of supporting structures of teeth, i.e., the bone. When there is plaque on the teeth, the gums inflame, triggering bone loss, and hence, mobility of teeth. Hereditary factors also play a role in early loss of teeth. Systemic conditions like Uncontrolled Diabetes can also lead to early loss of tooth.

Oral hygiene maintenance is only way to prevent mobility and tooth loss. Conscious and concentrated brushing, flossing, and use of interdental brushes help to remove plaque. Regular dental check-up is necessary to treat any bone loss at an early stage.

It depends on the type and amount of bone loss. Bone loss of less than half the root length can be treated by placing bone grafts to regain the lost bone. Mobility of teeth can be reduced by splinting them to neighbouring teeth to aid in healing.

Try to gently remove the object with dental floss and avoid damaging the gums. Do not use sharp instruments. The best item to use is a plastic toothpick that has an angulated tip. If not successful in removing the object, visit us.

Plaque and calculus are main reasons for bleeding gums. Some systemic conditions can also cause bleeding, but they are very rare. Bacteria in plaque cause gums to swell and soften, leading to bleeding while brushing or when under pressure with fingers or tongue.

This is because of gum inflammation, but no worries - it just needs cleaning of teeth. Profuse bleeding, though, needs our attention.

Gum massage helps to strengthen gums and reduce bleeding. It should be done after scaling to attain the desired benefits.

A mouthwash is a solution used along with regular oral hygiene methods, like brushing and flossing, to prevent plaque formation, and/or to treat certain specific conditions like gum infections, bad breath, ulcers, etc. It supplements brushing and cannot replace brushing. It can also be used by patients who are disabled and cannot perform proper oral hygiene, by patients who have undergone oral surgeries or trauma, and by patients with orthodontic appliances.

Only brushing is not adequate to maintain good oral hygiene, as it fails to remove plaque and food debris present in-between adjacent teeth. This inter-dental area can be cleaned by use of dental floss or interdental brushes. Floss is used in areas of tight contacts between teeth and when there are no spaces between teeth. Interdental brushes are used when the space between teeth is large to remove food debris and plaque.

Sometimes, the problem is because of a prominent frenum of the tongue (also called the "tongue tie"). This is the part that links the bottom of your mouth to your tongue. It can be easily cut and removed by Laser-assisted surgery - where there is no pain, no bleeding, and much better post-operative healing. The laser cutting also makes the procedure very quick, and poses no danger to the tongue. The best part is, there is no swelling or post-surgery pain to contend with.

Laser is infact fast becoming an integral part of current denistry, with procedures such as root cleaning, gum incisions, bleaching, depigmentation of gums, cutting excess tissue (like here) of the upper and lower jaw, and also removal of the flap covering erupting teeth. Further, crown lengthening procedures, and disinfection of root canals and root surfaces can also be used. Now, some lasers can be used to even cut teeth and bone in a very safe and contained manner with no pain.

These Laser surgeries are done under very little or no anesthesia, with no bleeding during surgery, no pain, and very minimal or no post-operative complications arising or care required.