The Importance of Hygiene Visits
Participating in regularly scheduled cleanings done by a professional hygienist is one of the best ways to increase
your chances for excellent health. Plaque clings in the hard-to-reach places of your mouth. Even with methodical brushing,
some of it will remain in the grooves and pockets of your teeth and gums. If it’s permitted to stay, plaque hardens into
tartar, which is outside the scope of your typical toothbrush and floss to remove. Tartar accumulates below your gum line
as well as on the enamel of your teeth, forming a serious threat that invites decay and even gum disease to occupy your mouth.
Recent research shows a clear link between untreated gum disease and other life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease,
stroke, and diabetes. Which means having your teeth cleaned is one of the most essential reasons to visit your dentist!
What is Wellness Dentistry?
The best course to retain your good health is not to get ill in the first place. To the degree that your good health is
determined by shunning bad habits and fixing issues when they are small, it is possible to avert high-risk health factors.
That’s what we call “Wellness Care.” And that’s just what we promote in our dental practice. We can unquestionably get your
teeth and gums healthy and remedy any damage just like any dental office can. But we take it a step further and show you how
to avoid dental issues before they become huge problems.
We start with a detailed examination. Most of our patients state they’ve never experienced such an exhaustive examination of
their gums or teeth. We study your bite and how your teeth fit together, we check for oral cancer, gum disease, signs of wear
on your teeth, and any indicators of problems that you might encounter later. We want to halt issues in their tracks, making
your teeth and gums healthier so you will spend less time in a dental chair!
Saving Hopeless Teeth
A root canal can circumvent the need for an extraction, saving teeth with roots that have been damaged or infected. A root canal
is a method of rehabilitating a tooth by removing the pulp chamber and replacing it with filling material. This is often required
when dental decay impacts the nerve of a tooth (or the tooth has become infected). Our dentists are accomplished in advanced root
canal therapy. We use up-to-date anesthetics and technology, making a root canal a manageable form of treatment.
Senior Dental Care is Different
As we get older, our teeth become worn and lose strength. Prior dental work can show the wear of time. There is a greater risk for
gum infection, as well. So we check our patients for the indicators – red, swollen, or bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, and
loose teeth. After years of caffeine and tobacco consumption, teeth may need professional whitening to return their original luster.
Some of your medications will decrease the necessary flow of saliva through your mouth, and we have products that will alleviate this
complication. We advocate good nutrition, daily hygiene, and routine check-ups to help your smile stay brilliant and keep your natural
teeth healthy for a lifetime.
Oral Cancer – Minimize Your Risk
Oral cancer takes one American life every hour! For the last 40 years, this mortality rate hasn’t improved. But with early discovery,
there is a 90% cure rate for oral cancer. That’s why we perform a visual inspection at every six-month checkup and cleaning. If Dr. Cox,
Dr. Kunkel, or our hygienist sees anything that indicates a need for concern, they’ll refer you to an oral surgeon. Don’t become a
preventable statistic! Get screened for oral cancer.
A Less Obvious Repair
Most people choose to avoid visible dental repairs, which is why the traditional silver-mercury amalgam filling is no longer a desirable
option. A metal filling is an effective, budget-minded repair, but metal does not bond well to teeth. We offer restorations that are a
natural-looking white. These composite materials bond to the healthy part of your tooth, minimizing preparation of the tooth. They’re a
state-of-the-art restoration that contain no metals, can strengthen your teeth, and are nearly invisible when compared to the metal filling.
You’ll love the way these look.
TMJ/TMD – Say ‘Goodbye’ to Headaches and Jaw Pain!
Incorrect bite alignment can be the source of tremendous pain, and not just in your mouth. Dental occlusion (i.e. your bite) is sometimes
the reason behind recurrent headaches, aching or popping jaws, and even the misery surrounding the area of your shoulders and neck. If your
teeth have worn down over the years or been lost due to accident or dental disease, your jaw won’t be able to settle into the proper position.
This unnatural state produces strain in the muscles of your jaw, and can lead to an assortment of body pains you’ve grown accustomed to and
even attribute to other sources. By fixing your dental occlusion, your jaw can rest in the position that nature intended. We’ve made this
highly technical procedure, known as a full-mouth rehabilitation, available to our patients. Don’t live with the pain a moment longer. We
invite you to discover the benefits that this procedure may bring to your quality of life.
If it’s time for your next cleaning, or if you’re ready to schedule a no-obligation consultation, call us now at (864) 226-4300.