Suffering from a toothache? Here at the Flint, MI, office of Dr. Frank Gordon, we can provide fast relief from your aching tooth. Here is what might be causing your dental pain:

Impacted Wisdom Teeth - Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the back of the mouth that don't have enough room to develop normally or emerge. Impacted wisdom teeth can result in tooth pain, damage to other teeth, and other dental problems. The pain may extend to the ears and jaw.

Knocked-Out Teeth - A broken or knocked-out tooth causes tooth pain. Broken or knocked-out teeth can occur from an injury. If you have a broken or knocked-out tooth, you should call your dentist immediately. If your tooth is fully knocked out, rinse it off and put it back in place. If you're not able to get it back in place, put it in a cup of milk or even water and seek dental care.

Dental Cavities - You may experience tooth pain if you have a dental cavity. Dental cavities are damaged areas in teeth that develop into tiny holes. When a dental cavity is just beginning, you may not have any symptoms at all. As the decay gets larger, it may cause symptoms including a toothache, tooth sensitivity, and a mild-to-sharp pain when consuming something cold or hot.

Dentin Sensitivity - Dentin hypersensitivity is a painful condition that occurs when the inner layer of the tooth becomes exposed. This condition can develop as a result of gum recession. It causes a sharp pain that worsens with pressure on the exposed tooth or when drinking cold or hot drinks.

Need Relief? Contact Our Flint Office Today

Don't let tooth pain affect the quality of your life. Call Frank Gordon Jr DDS at (810) 230-0990 today to schedule a dental appointment in Flint, MI.

What's so concerning about gingivitis and other forms of gum disease? Among other issues, if this infection is left untreated, it can lead to tooth, gum, and bone loss as well as severe attacks on your systemic health. Fortunately, your periodontist/endodontist, Dr. Frank Gordon Jr., treats gum disease in his Flint, MI, office, helping patients have vibrant smiles and improve their overall health.

Just what is gum disease?

You may have it and not even know it. Basically, gum disease is an infection stemming from destructive bacteria that live in soft plaque and hard tartar. These biofilms accumulate on and between teeth and under the gums.

Today, gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). However, many people don't even know they have it, as they can often ignore the subtle signs of the condition.

Signs of gum disease

Here are the symptoms of this potentially difficult oral health issue:

• Gum tenderness, puffiness, and bleeding
• Changes in gum color (redness or duskiness)
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Changes in the fit of a denture or in overall dental bite
• Exposed tooth roots because of receding gums
• Teeth which appear longer than they used to
• Pus
• Deep pockets between tooth roots and gums (greater than three millimeters is diagnostic for gum disease)

Treatment of gum disease

Mild gingivitis usually responds to improved at-home hygiene, dietary habits, and a professional cleaning from our Flint office that removes problematic plaque and tartar. More aggressive periodontitis may require antibiotics and treatments such as gum grafting to cover exposed root or laser debridement of infected tissues.

To stabilize and strengthen mobile teeth, Dr. Gordon may recommend a periodontal splint. For the best in tooth replacement, he places dental implants that retain a single prosthetic tooth or partial/full dentures as needed.

Contact Dr. Frank Gordon

Call our office in Flint, MI, for a complete evaluation. We are open Monday through Friday. Phone (810) 230-0090 today to schedule an appointment.

Have you been diagnosed with gum disease? Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is an infection of the structures around the teeth. A range of treatments is used to reverse or stop gum disease. In the early stages of periodontal disease, treatment usually involves non-surgical procedures. However, in more advanced stages, surgery from your periodontist may be needed. Dr. Frank Gordon, Jr., who is located in Flint, MI, offers non-surgical periodontal therapy to the patients he serves. Read on to learn about four non-surgical treatment options for gum disease.

Antibiotics/Antimicrobials: Antibiotic or antimicrobial treatments can be used alone or in combination with other therapies to reduce or eliminate the bacteria associated with periodontal disease. Antibiotics are taken by mouth or placed under the gums to treat periodontal disease.

Scaling and Root Planing: Deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease. This procedure from your periodontist in Flint, MI, removes plaque and tartar deposits on the teeth and root surfaces. Scaling and root planing helps to reduce pocket depths and heal gum tissue. In most cases, gum disease can be reversed with a deep cleaning addition to continued daily cleanings at home.

Periodontal Maintenance: Periodontal maintenance involves a cleaning that is deeper than a regular cleaning in a dental office. People with a history of gum disease need deep cleanings because periodontal pockets have developed. Pockets are spaces between the gums and teeth where dental plaque and calculus form. If new or recurring gum disease appears, additional diagnostic and treatment procedures must be considered.

Gingival Irrigation: After your dental provider has completed your scaling and root planing treatment, they may use in-office gingival irrigation to deliver antimicrobials below the gum line. The primary purpose of gingival irrigation is to reduce the amount of bacteria from the between the teeth and under the gum line, therefore lessening the severity of gum disease.

Ready to take charge of your oral health? You need to take control! Call your periodontist at (810) 230-0990 today to schedule a dental consultation in Flint, MI. We will help you reverse gum disease once and for all. You will experience exemplary service and state-of-the-art care at Franklin L. Gordon, Jr., D.D.S., M.S.

Have you been experiencing a persistent toothache and bad breath? If so, your dental pulp may have become inflamed or infected, a condition that can cause mass damage to both your dental and general health. Fortunately, here in Flint, MI, periodontist Dr. Franklin Gordon Jr. gives people the precise care they need in this situation. Read on to learn more.

Frequently asked questions about root canal therapy

What is a root canal? Root canal therapy is a treatment that removes any damaged dental pulp from a tooth's central interior chamber and its adjoined roots. A sealant called gutta-percha is then used to seal the canals and inner chamber, with a porcelain crown afterward being used to cover and reinforce the remaining tooth structure above the gum line.

Does a root canal hurt? Performed with local anesthetic here at our Flint practice, this in-office procedure is comfortable and completely free of discomfort. As you heal at home afterward, you may eat a soft diet for a few days and take over-the-counter pain medication if the site is a bit sore. Despite a sometimes negative public perception, most of Dr. Gordon's patients find relief of all their symptoms relatively quickly.

What tells the dentist I need a root canal? Your symptoms, X-ray evidence, and the findings from a complete oral examination determine if the procedure is right for you.

Will my tooth look and feel normal? Yes, your tooth will look great and blend in with the color and shape of your other teeth. You'll be able to bite and chew well, and while the tooth may be a bit sensitive to pressure, this will normalize relatively quickly.

Can I brush and floss my restored tooth? Yes, please do! The American Dental Association recommends twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing to keep all of your teeth and gums free of harmful plaque and tartar. Also, see your dentist semi-annually for a professional cleaning and check-up.

Bring other questions to Dr. Gordon

He'll be happy to answer them. If you are worried about a particular tooth, please call our office in Flint, MI, right away at (810) 230-0990.

Show your gum disease who’s boss. Here’s how to handle this common oral disorder.

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, occurs when plaque builds up under the gums. As the plaque hardens it causes the bacteria inside of it to multiply, which leads to inflammation and other potentially serious issues if left untreated. From the office of our Flint, MI, periodontist Dr. Frank Gordon, Jr., learn more about your treatment options and how to prevent gum disease from happening to you.

How do I know that I have gum disease?

Symptoms may be barely noticeable in the beginning; however, you may notice that your gums are inflamed, puffy, or tender to the touch. You may also notice that your gums bleed whenever you floss or brush your teeth. Bleeding gums is a classic warning sign that shouldn’t go ignored. If you are experiencing bleeding gums it’s time to schedule an appointment with our Flint, MI, periodontist.

How is gum disease treated?

Along with maintaining good oral hygiene your dentist may also recommend scaling and root planing, the most common treatment option for gum disease. This extreme deep cleaning goes under the gums and even removes plaque from the roots of the teeth. Depending on the severity of your gum disease, scaling, and root planing can be completed in one to two visits. You should come in at least every six months for scaling and root planing to maintain healthy gums.

There are also medicated rinses that your dentist might prescribe for you to use every day after brushing your teeth. Certain antimicrobial rinses, which are used in the same way as regular mouthwash, can reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Sometimes antibiotics may also be prescribed.

During scaling and root planing your periodontist may place little antibiotic fibers into pockets within the gums, which will slowly release antibiotics into these areas to kill the bacteria. Conversely, antibiotics may also be taken orally (for more persistent infections) or applied topically.

If you are looking for a dentist who can help you manage your gum disease or if you are experiencing changes in the health of your gums, don’t hesitate to call our Flint, MI, dental office today.