Your Healthiest Smile Helps Keep a Healthy Body

Everyone knows that your oral health is not only about a beautiful smile. It’s about building and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Were you aware that the cause of most tooth loss is not decay? It is gum disease. Recent studies have confirmed a link between gum disease and your health. But it’s not all bad news. Gum disease can be controlled successfully, often without resorting to surgery. We want everyone to have excellent oral health. Our promise for you includes paying close attention to all of your dental needs so you look your best, as well as having a healthy smile.

The Importance of Having Regular Hygiene Visits

One important reason to visit a dentist is to have your teeth cleaned by a trained hygienist. Plaque and tartar build up on teeth over time. Plaque is soft and sticky, but conscientious brushing can often clean off most of it. But plaque can solidify into tartar, which is too difficult to remove with your typical toothbrush and floss. Tartar accumulates under the gumline as well as on the tooth surface. If not removed, you risk more serious problems with your oral health later. Recent research reveals a link between untreated gum disease and serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Getting a teeth-cleaning regularly is a great thing you can do to stay healthy!

Root Canal Therapy – A New Approach

Damaged or infected teeth used to require extraction, which can create problems and should be avoided if possible. The good news is that we are experienced in the latest root canal therapies. A root canal is a method to repair a tooth by removing the pulp chamber and repairing it with a filling material. This is frequently needed when decay reaches the nerve of the tooth (or the tooth has simply become infected), and a standard filling won’t work. Not too long ago, that situation would have required the tooth to be removed. When dentists began performing root canals, they were quite dreaded by patients, and the root canal has gotten a reputation as something undesirable. However, with the latest anesthetics and techniques, these types of procedures are very manageable for patients.

Care for Our Older Patients is Different 

As we age, our bodies change. The same thing applies to our teeth and gums. Years of plaque buildup, as well as consuming tooth-stainers such as coffee, tea, or tobacco, can make teeth darken. Ask us about how we can help you combat these problems. Dry mouth is sometimes a side effect of taking medications. There are various products that can help with this condition. Your fillings and previous dental work are aging, too. They can weaken or crack over time. Regular check-ups allow us to monitor your existing fillings. Gum disease and decay can be bigger problems with seniors. Daily brushing and flossing, along with good nutrition, are critical for healthy gums. If you have problems with bleeding gums or loose teeth, contact us immediately.

Listen up if You Are Diabetic or Pre-Diabetic

Did you know about the connection between your oral health and the ability to control blood sugar levels? Many dentists are not as prepared to help diabetics with their dental health. Gum disease makes your diabetes worse, and then diabetes makes your gum disease worse. It’s a vicious cycle for anyone. You’ll be happy to know we received special training on the type of dental care required for diabetics. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today for a free consultation about dentistry for diabetics. We never criticize patients for putting off dental care. You can be assured of a friendly visit and completely non-judgmental treatment. Call today so we can help you.

A Wide Variety of Filling Choices

For ages, the silver-mercury amalgam has been the typical filling used in dental practices. They work well, are generally affordable, and are covered by insurance companies most of the time. In addition, our practice offers beautiful restorations that are tooth-colored, metal-free, and can actually make your teeth stronger. The primary reason many patients are choosing the white bonded fillings is because they blend into your own natural tooth structure. So nobody even knows you have a filling! They also bond very securely with the healthy tooth structure to decrease the opportunity of future decay. We offer both options, and will be happy to discuss which method would work best for you.

Are You Struggling to Stay Awake During the Day?

If you or someone you know finds themselves falling asleep during the day, or snoring loudly or having interrupted breathing while sleeping, it might be sleep apnea. The usual treatment for sleep apnea has been the CPAP machine. You are fitted with a device that forces a continuous stream of air into the patient’s nose or mouth while they sleep. Often, people find this uncomfortable and they just stop wearing it altogether.

If you have sleep apnea and find the CPAP is not working for you, dentistry has new treatment options such as compact oral appliances. These appliances are acrylic devices that fit similar to an orthodontic retainer or sports mouthguard. They carefully realign your tongue and jaw to open the breathing pathway and allow increased air flow to the lungs as you sleep. They are easy to maintain, easy to clean, and convenient for traveling. They have been a success for more than 90% of the patients who use them and are an alternative to a CPAP machine. If you have problems with snoring or a physician has diagnosed you with sleep apnea, please call our office for a complimentary consultation.

If it’s time for your next cleaning, or if you’re ready to schedule a no-cost/no-obligation consultation, schedule online or call us now at (352) 674-9077.