Gum overgrowth

Is it normal for gums to kind of grow down as you get older? When I turned 14 mine started creeping down. It makes me look weird. How can I fix it?

Miranda R.- Minnesota

Miranda,

Sometimes the hormonal changes your body goes through during puberty can lead to gum overgrowth. If it is from hormones, it will fix itself when your hormone levels normalize. However, this can also be caused from poor oral hygiene and can lead to gingivitis (gum disease).

Sometimes an antibiotic will be needed to deal with bacteria, but this really depends on the severity of your case. I recommend you talk to your dentist and see what he or she thinks.

You may also be interested in learning about Porcelain Veneers.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Review of Luster White Premium At Home Teeth Whitening

Luster White Premium is advertised as an at-home type of Zoom Whitening. Does it really work?  Your teeth will get whiter….for a while, then the whitening will fade away. Rather than the whitening coming from a bleaching agent that whitens your teeth from the inside out as you get with professional teeth whitening, Luster White has a pigment in the “super whitener”–zinc oxide– that sticks to your teeth and makes them look whiter. This is  only temporary. The light that come with the kit does nothing and seems to only be psychological in nature.

My opinion is that it is a waste of money. If you’re determined to do an over-the-counter kit instead of professional teeth whitening, than I’d suggest Crest Whitestrips. They will whiten your teeth, though it will take significantly longer than it would if you went through a dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.