Gums

White Spots on Gums: 8 Causes, From Canker Sores to Leukoplakia, and When to Get Checked Noticed a white spot or patch on your gums? Dr. Liza Wakim explains eight common causes, from canker sores and thrush to leukoplakia, how to tell them apart, and when a white spot should be checked. White spots on […]

Gum Boil: What That Pimple on Your Gum Means and Why It Keeps Coming Back Noticed a small bump on your gum that drains, shrinks and then comes back? Dr. Liza Wakim explains what a gum boil really is, why popping it does not fix it, and when it needs to be seen right away.

Can Gum Disease Be Reversed? What’s Actually Treatable and What Isn’t Gingivitis is fully reversible. Periodontitis isn’t — but it is treatable. Dr. Liza Wakim explains the honest difference, what periodontal treatment actually involves, and what determines whether you keep your teeth. When a patient hears the words “gum disease” for the first time —

Gum Grafting: What Actually Happens Before, During, and After “Gum surgery” tends to sound a lot more intense than what a gum graft procedure actually involves for most patients. I get it — anything involving the word “surgery” near your mouth understandably raises the anxiety level. But once patients understand what’s actually happening, why it’s

Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis: Catching Gum Disease Before It’s Permanent Patients hear “gingivitis” and “periodontitis” used almost interchangeably, as if they’re just two names for the same thing at slightly different severities. They’re not, and the distinction matters more than almost anything else I discuss in a periodontal exam, because it marks the line between a