Dental Procedures & Services

Many types of brushes are available; just find one that is soft-bristled and comfortable in your mouth. The most important factor is the time and thoroughness of your brushing. Sonic-Care brushes, available at our office, make it very easy to take excellent care of your teeth, and have been clinically proven to remove significantly more plaque than ordinary toothbrushes.

Piercing the tongue and mouth can be detrimental to your dental health: the metal studs and hoops often cause cracks and chips, from knocking against teeth during chewing or talking. The tongue can take months to heal from a piercing, and can become seriously infected.

Taking care of primary teeth is vital to your child’s dental health! First, establishing good brushing and flossing habits sets kids on the right track for good dental health as an adult. Second, those baby teeth serve as place holders for the permanent teeth. If lost to decay, the permanent teeth are not guided into position properly.

Brush at least twice a day, spending about two minutes each time to systematically cover the inner and outer surfaces of each area of the mouth. Use a soft bristled brush that is a comfortable size for your mouth. Angle the bristles of the brush toward the gumline, and use small circular motions. Spend more time on any area where the gums tend to bleed.

Tooth Whitening provides a safe and easy way to remove tooth staining that builds up over the years. Coffee, tea, red wine, and cola will darken teeth, as will tobacco. Our custom bleach trays

are made of soft, clear plastic that fit comfortably over the teeth. We include the appropriate whitening gel for your needs, and teach you how to use it. Maximum whitening takes place over 2-4 weeks, and with occasional touch-ups, will last for years.

 Note:

Not all teeth or all stains will whiten, and dental work done with resin or porcelain will not whiten.

Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless “plaque” on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing doesn’t clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar. 

The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums that is called “gingivitis.” In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.

When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to “periodontitis” (which means “inflammation around the tooth”). In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. If not treated, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. The teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.

All adults should have thorough dental cleanings at least twice a year to remove plaque buildup.

The dangers of tobacco use, especially smoking, are well known. Both smoking and chewing tobacco can cause serious issues with the sensitive tissues of the mouth and gums. and stains teeth as well. If you would like assistance with quitting tobacco use, please let us know. Your dentist can prescribe a nicotine patch.