The Importance of Hygiene Visits
Plaque is a sticky, gooey substance, and while regular brushing can usually eliminate most of it,
any that remains can harden into tartar. A typical toothbrush and floss don’t stand a chance
against tartar. So tartar continues to accumulate below the gumline as well as on the surface of
your teeth. Soon, you risk more serious problems – the potential development of gum disease. Recent
research shows a clear link between untreated gum disease and other, more serious conditions like
heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Which means having your teeth cleaned by a professional hygienist
is one of the best reasons to visit your dentist. In fact, having your teeth cleaned regularly is
one of the easiest things you can do to stay healthy!
Senior Dental Care is Different
Just as our bodies alter as we grow older, our teeth and gums do too. Years of plaque accumulation,
as well as drinking coffee and tea or using tobacco, can make teeth turn dark. Ask us about techniques
that can reverse this. A reduction of saliva is sometimes a side effect of medications. There are
easy-to-use products that can make this condition more bearable. Your fillings are becoming older,
too – more prone to becoming weak and cracking. Regular check-ups will allow us to keep your fillings
in tip-top shape. Gum disease and root decay pose a higher risk of development in seniors. If your
gums become red or begin to bleed, or your teeth start to feel loose, contact us promptly. Remember,
daily cleaning and good nutrition are crucial for maintaining healthy gums.
Natural-Looking Fillings
Dr. Brent and Dr. Owens are pleased to provide white bonded fillings for patients who need a cavity filled or restoration
of minor damage to a tooth. These fillings aren’t like the traditional ones you may be familiar with. They
are a natural-looking white to match the color of your teeth, contain no metals, and can actually strengthen
your teeth. The way they bond tightly with the healthy part of the tooth allows her to save more existing
tooth structure, and there is less chance of decay in the future.
Saving Hopeless Teeth
A root canal…the very idea is enough to make people shudder. In the past, before the advent of proper tools
and anesthesia, the root canal earned a dreaded reputation. Dr. Brent and Dr. Owens understands your concerns and has this
procedure down to an art form. If you’ve heard others complain about root canals, you will be pleasantly
surprised to see how smoothly this procedure can go. Modern anesthetics and advanced technology render root
canals extremely manageable. When dental decay touches the nerve of the tooth (or the tooth has developed an
infection), and a simple filling will not repair the damage, extraction used to be necessary. This can cause
a whole new list of problems. But Dr. Brent and Dr. Owens will remove the infection – eliminating pain – and fill and seal
the tooth, saving it! Call us today and find out how we can help you save your teeth.
In-House Tooth Extractions
When teeth are infected or extensively damaged, extraction is the necessary solution. We are able to perform
most extractions in our office, so you won’t be inconvenienced by referral to another office. We can even
offer bone grafting at the time of extraction to help preserve vital underlying bone. Dr. Brent and Dr. Owens years of
experience allow them to perform this procedure with a gentle approach and minimal discomfort.
TMJ/TMD – Proper Bite Alignment Treatment Helps You Say ‘Goodbye’ to Headaches and Jaw Pain!
Do you recognize that dental occlusion (i.e. your bite) is sometimes the reason behind frequent headaches, aching
or popping jaws, or shoulder and neck pain? If your teeth have been worn down over the years or are missing due
to accident or dental disease, your jaw is not capable of returning to its intended relaxed position. This creates
tension in the muscles of your jaw and can cause a variety of pain that you may have already grown accustomed to
enduring. By reestablishing your dental occlusion, your jaw can be returned to the comfortable position that nature
intended. Relieving TMJ-related pain can sometimes be as simple as creating a removable night guard to be worn
while you sleep. Depending on the cause of symptoms, some may need a full mouth rehabilitation to reestablish
natural alignment.
