Care For Your Smile

There are 3 major diseases that all patients are susceptible to:

Cavities - infections of teeth caused by bacteria
Periodontal disease - otherwise known as gum disease - caused by:

Bacteria
Bruxism (night time grinding)
Clenching (daytime habit caused by stress)
Irregular bite
Lack of certain oral tissues/thin bone/ tooth position
Systemic diseases such as diabetes
Defective fillings - all fillings made from amalgam(mercury/silver) will fail at some point

Bite disease

This is wearing away of tooth structure
Causes cracked tooth syndrome
Causes root canal inflammation/infection
Can cause facial pain syndromes

Preventive dentistry

Is the minimizing/avoidance of dental disease. To do so involves:

Limiting the amount of carbohydrates
Proper oral hygiene
Visits to the dentist at appropriate times base upon your individual needs

The visit consists of:

Hygiene--in our office that is a periodontal scaling
Prophylaxis
Necessary radiographs
Doctor exam, if needed
Home care instruction, if needed
Recommendations of prevention/treatment
Intra-oral photographs, if needed

Fighting Plaque

By fighting plaque, you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. Today, in fact, older adults are keeping their natural teeth longer because of scientific developments and an emphasis on preventative dentistry.

Good oral hygiene requires an understanding of plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless layer of bacteria. When you eat carbohydrates (foods made of sugar or starch) you feed this plaque, which in turn produces acids that attack tooth enamel, cause cavities, and develop a hard substance called calculus (tartar). Uninterrupted, the acid attacks can result in tooth decay and gum disease (also known as periodontal disease). If left untreated, gum disease can cause loss of teeth and bone.

At any age, you can begin the fight with plaque and keep your teeth and gums healthy. It's really quite easy. Simply:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces. While you're at it, brush the top surface of your tongue to eliminate bad breath and bacteria buildup.
Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay-causing bacteria lingers between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. If a snack is needed, nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit should be chosen.
Schedule regular check-ups. Visit the doctor regularly (every six months) for professional cleanings and oral exams.
Ask the doctor about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
Wear mouth protection such as a mouthguard when you play contact sports or extreme sports.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Tooth decay (cavity or caries) can develop on any surface of any tooth. Because cavities grow, they are much easier and less expensive to treat when they are small. A decaying tooth may not hurt, so you may have a cavity and not realize it. The dentist checks for tooth decay at your regular check-ups and will periodically use x-rays to check for decay between teeth. The dentist treats tooth decay by cleaning out the cavity and placing a restoration (filling) in the tooth.

By following the strategies listed above, you can prevent tooth decay.

Preventing Gum Disease

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. At each regular checkup the dentist will measure the depth of the shallow v-shaped crevice (called a sulcus) between your tooth and gums to identify whether you have gum disease.

Some gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums.
Certain periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket; generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.
Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis.
In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing.
In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out, or have to be removed by a dentist.
Gum recession: when more of the tooth is exposed above the gum line it looks like your tooth is long. This is a form of gum disease where there is no pocketing or bleeding. The tooth has less bone support and can start tilting over; the tooth can become sensitive to cold air/fluids, and more prone to cavities (the structure of the tooth is weaker here).

If you notice any of the following signs of gum disease, see the doctor immediately:

Gums that bleed easily
Red, swollen, tender gums
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
Persistent bad breath or bad taste
Pus between your teeth and gums
Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Any change in the fit of partial dentures

It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs.

That is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend on the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed.

Good oral hygiene at home is essential to keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don't have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Normal, healthy gums: Healthy gums and bone anchor teeth firmly in place.

Gingivitis: Gums are red, swollen and bleed easily.

Periodontitis: Unremoved plaque hardens into calculus (tartar). As plaque and calculus continue to build up, the gums begin to recede (pull away) from the teeth, and pockets form between the teeth and gums.

Advanced periodontitis: The gums recede farther, destroying more bone and the periodontal ligament. Teeth — even healthy teeth — may become loose and need to be extracted.

The good news is that you can help prevent gum disease by taking good care of your teeth every day and having regular dental checkups.

How to Brush Your Teeth

You should replace your toothbrush every three or four months — or sooner if the bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush will not do a good job of cleaning your teeth. Children's toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently than adults because they can wear out sooner.

How to Floss Your Teeth

People who have difficulty handling dental floss may prefer to use another kind of interdental cleaner. These aids include special brushes, picks, and sticks. If you use interdental cleaners, ask the doctor about how to use them properly to avoid injuring your gums.

Dental products:

The greatest advance in home care products has been the invention of the electric tooth brush. I have personally used one for over 15 years. I would never go back to a manual brush.

The two we recommend and stock in our office are the:

Sonicare
The Oral B Braun 3D

For those that want an irrigator in addition to brushing we stock:

The hydro floss oral irrigator

These are the only brushes that have legitimate scientific evidence to prove their claims. In addition, the research was not paid for by the respective companies.

By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet, and visiting the doctor regularly, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.