MORE GOOD REASONS TO SMILE

Just a Day Away

CEREC 3 and Illumine let our patients enjoy a healthy, beautiful smiles in just one visit.

A Truly Bonding Experience

Bonded restorations provide superior beauty and function.

Achieving a Beautiful Smile

Emergency Quick Tips

How to prepare for, or better yet prevent, dental emergencies.

A Lifetime of Smiles

The power of prevention keeps our patients smiling.

Home Page

Patient Services

Your Dental Team

Did you know you had pearly whites before you were even born? That’s right, your 20 baby teeth were already formed under your gums when you opened your mouth for the very first time. How well those first 20 teeth were cared for actually had a lot to do with the health of the 32 permanent teeth that started showing up when you were about six years old. Decay in a baby tooth can affect the adult tooth below it. A baby tooth lost before the permanent tooth is ready to take its place can cause shifting of the teeth around it and prevent the adult teeth from coming in straight.

Under Attack

Over the years your teeth will be attacked by a variety of physical, chemical and bacterial threats. The most destructive of these threats (unless you open bottles with your teeth) is plaque. You know, that nasty buildup that leaves our teeth feeling furry in the morning. Controlling plaque is the key to keeping your health smile for a lifetime.

No matter how clean you keep your mouth it will always be home to a host of bacteria that thrive on sugary deposits left on your teeth by starchy or sweet foods.

Plaque forms  into gel-like colonies where millions of these bacteria happily live and reproduce. These bacteria release by-products like toxins, enzymes and acids that eat away at your tooth enamel and irritate your delicate gum tissues. When left unchecked, plaque begins to inflame the soft tissues of the gums causing gingivitis.  This progressive disease causes red, puffy gums that are prone to bleeding. Gingivitis is the only stage of periodontal disease that can be cured.  Later stages, like diabetes, cannot be cured, only controlled  When periodontal disease is not controlled it will lead to loss of teeth and infection of the jaw bone.  Unfortunately, because the early stages do not cause any discomfort, many patients are not aware they have periodontal disease unless it is diagnosed by a dentist. If plaque is allowed to remain on your teeth it will be responsible for the formation of tartar, also known as calculus, which is a tough, discolored deposit rather like cement. No toothbrush in the world can remove tartar, only the instruments your dental professional uses will remove it safely and completely. According to a study done by Proctor and Gamble most people remove less than 50% of plaque when they brush.  So you probably have plaque that is turning into tartar right this minute.

Plaque can also break through the enamel  that coats your teeth and attack the more vulnerable dentin where the bacteria causes cavities or decay.  

Once this bacteria has colonized inside of your tooth the only way to destroy them is to remove the diseased section and replace it with an artificial material.  If the decay has destroyed a significant amount of the natural tooth an inlay, onlay or crown will need to be placed to protect the remaining tooth structure.  If bacteria has infected the pulp chamber the only solution is to remove the pulp and nerve, a procedure known as a root canal.

The War on Plaque

Having plaque and tartar professionally removed is essential to winning the battle. 

Making sure that you have a complete examination of your teeth and gums will keep dental disease from getting a head start. Dental x-rays allow us to diagnose decay between the molars before it is visible (and painful). Treating problems before they get any worse will save you money and painful emergencies. 

Many factors determine how often you should have a professional cleaning. Good home care habits make a difference, but even the most faithful brushing and flossing cannot overcome factors that affect the saliva production and content.  Since saliva plays an essential role in keeping your mouth clean and many medications and health conditions can compromise its effectiveness, if you are at risk for extensive plaque buildup we may recommend that you have your teeth cleaned more often than the traditional six months.

Tools of the Trade

Something to think about; a roll of dental floss costs about $3 and flossing takes about three minutes.  Extraction of an infected tooth can cost about $100 and takes about an hour.    Does it matter what kind of floss, brush, or toothpaste you use? The most important thing is that it is comfortable for you and allows you to reach all the surfaces of your teeth, including the ones in between your teeth.  Remember that it is the brush that does the work not the paste so choose a paste you like.  The most important ingredient to look for is fluoride which has been proven to harden your enamel, making it less vulnerable to the decay caused by bacteria.

   Toothbrushes come in all shapes and sizes, look for one with soft bristles which clean surfaces better and are kinder to your gums.  The size of head and angle of the handle are personal preference and should be selected to suit your mouth.  Choose a floss that slides between your teeth easily without fraying.  Then use your tools every day. 

Used consistently, and in conjunction with professional care, these tools will make your dental visits easier and keep you smiling for a lifetime.