One of the most valuable reasons to visit the dentist is to have your teeth cleaned by a professional hygienist. Plaque and tartar develop on teeth over time. Plaque is soft and sticky, but daily brushing can usually remove the majority. However, plaque hardens into tartar, which is beyond the abilities of the typical toothbrush and floss. Tartar builds up below the gumline as well as on the tooth surface. If plaque isn’t removed, you risk more serious problems with your teeth and gums in the future. Recent research shows a definite connection between untreated gum disease and other serious problems like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Having your teeth cleaned regularly is a great thing you can do to stay healthy!

Teeth with damaged or infected roots used to require extraction, which can create a lot of problems and should be avoided when possible. The good news is that our team is highly experienced in advanced root canal therapy. A root canal is a procedure to fix a tooth by removing the pulp chamber and replacing it with a filling material. This is often needed when dental decay reaches the nerve of the tooth (or the tooth has become infected), and a standard filling won’t be suitable.

Not too long ago, the situation mentioned above would have necessitated the tooth be extracted. When dentists began performing root canals, they were quite dreaded, and the root canal has developed a reputation as something to avoid. However, with the use of modern anesthetics and technology, root canals are often manageable.

Just as our bodies evolve as we age, our teeth and gums do as well. Years of plaque buildup, as well as consuming coffee, tea, or tobacco, can darken teeth. Ask us about procedures that can combat these problems. Reduced saliva flow is sometimes a side effect from taking medications. There are simple products that can often help this condition. Your fillings are getting older, too. They can weaken and crack. Regular check-ups allow us to stay on top of existing fillings. Gum disease and root decay can be serious problems with seniors. Daily cleaning and proper nutrition are critical for healthy gums. If you have bleeding gums or your teeth start to feel loose, contact us immediately.

For years, the silver-mercury amalgam was the typical filling material used in dental practices, and many practices continue using it. While they are a satisfactory restoration, amalgams have certain shortcomings. Metal does not attach well to teeth, so decay will eventually leak into the tooth. One of the biggest reasons many of our patients choose the white bonded fillings has to do with appearance. Many people just don’t want an ugly black plug in their teeth. We offer modern restorations that are a natural-looking white, contain no metals, and can strengthen your teeth. They also securely bond with the healthy part of the tooth so there is much lower chance of decay in the future.

Third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, develop later than other adult teeth, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. These teeth are located at the back of the mouth, often causing impaction if they don’t fit in the arch of the upper or lower jaw. Impaction prevents the tooth from growing straight up; instead, it becomes trapped in the jaw bone.

This can create a range of problems as they push and crowd other teeth, causing improper growth. Cavities easily develop as wisdom teeth are difficult to clean. Infection can even occur in the jaw bone. A good solution is to have them removed as soon as they develop, before these problems and the density of the jaw bone increases, making extraction more difficult. We are able to do this procedure in our office instead of referring you to another location.