Preventative Dentistry

What Causes a Toothache, Besides Cavities

"My tooth hurts. It must have a cavity." Well, maybe it does. However, other conditions can cause a tooth to be sensitive to hot or cold foods, to the pressure of chewing... or to just plain ache. A few of these other toothache possibilities are: Shrinkage of the gum down below the top part of the tooth (crown) onto the tooth surface. This part of the tooth (cementum) is as [...]

What Causes a Toothache, Besides Cavities2025-01-20T11:56:32-08:00

Regular Check-Ups

Come on in for a check-up, we’re happy to see you again! We enjoy catching up with the news in your life—and we pride ourselves on providing you that "stitch in time" that can prevent trouble. If a problem is developing in your mouth, we like to catch it while it's small. It's not just tooth decay, although that's where we look first. Then we'll check for early signs of [...]

Regular Check-Ups2025-01-20T11:52:21-08:00

Got Fluoride?

As we age, wrinkles and graying hair become evident. For adults, there’s no reversing the aging process. But happily, a lifetime of fluoride use can help reverse the demineralizing process! Bacterial plaque continually forms on teeth, producing acids that initiate the process of decay. That’s DE-mineralization. Fluoride helps add back calcium and phosphate. That’s RE-mineralization. Keep your fluoridation levels up! If you’re an adult, you should make a topical fluoride [...]

Got Fluoride?2025-01-20T11:51:24-08:00

A Cure for Dental Embarrassment

Are you avoiding the dentist because you’re afraid of the scolding you’re going to get for neglecting your teeth? Unfortunately, too many people feel this way. At our office, we don’t play guilt games. We’re more concerned with treating your needs, regardless of how long it’s been since you’ve seen a dentist. We understand how fear and embarrassment can create a cycle of procrastination. You might just be amazed at [...]

A Cure for Dental Embarrassment2025-01-20T11:50:43-08:00

More Power to You!

Have you ever heard the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” You probably have, and the reason is because it’s true. When it comes to deciding on dental care, however, it can sometimes be difficult to choose which ounce is right for you. Your mouth is unique—and so are your needs. Deciding between another filling or a new crown, for instance, means weighing several [...]

More Power to You!2024-09-04T08:45:20-07:00

Dentistry—Early Warning for Disease

Your mouth is an early warning system. Changes in tissue color, persistent sores, chipped and eroded teeth, and excessive tartar buildup are certainly unattractive. But, more important, these variations from the norm can also be vital evidence of serious ill health. What you don’t see can hurt you You may miss early warning signals on your own; they often cause little or no distress. That’s why it’s so important to schedule dental [...]

Dentistry—Early Warning for Disease2024-09-04T08:44:29-07:00

Manual or Mechanical?

Back and forth goes the argument—what toothbrush is best? Gadgeteers can spend $150 for an electric brush designed to rotate and oscillate, with angled neck, sure-grip handle, dual speed control, and even a timer. Researchers say that rotation-oscillation electric brushes remove plaque and reduce gingivitis better than any other kind—but only slightly better. Do-it-yourselfers can pick up a manual toothbrush for under $3 at the pharmacy. Replace it every three [...]

Manual or Mechanical?2024-09-04T08:44:11-07:00

Scaling and Root Planing

When Elbow Grease Counts Most periodontal patients in our practice become very familiar with the two primary therapies we rely on to treat gum disease: scaling and root planing. Sounds a little disagreeable, yes. But scaling and root planing are the beginning of the end of periodontal problems. The treatment is tried and true, with a simple goal—get the “junk” out of there. It’s a certainty. Plaque, calculus, and bacteria, [...]

Scaling and Root Planing2024-09-04T08:43:51-07:00

Holiday Stocking Stuffers

As you're looking for stocking stuffers this holiday season, the last things you might think to shop for are dental supplies. Although offbeat, many dental home care products make practical, fun Christmas gifts. Here are some ideas: Christmas is a good time to tuck a new toothbrush in everyone’s stocking. We suggest you purchase a soft-tipped brush with curved bristles. Soft bristles won’t scratch tooth surfaces or damage gum tissue. [...]

Holiday Stocking Stuffers2023-12-22T15:11:17-08:00

Quitting Chewing Tobacco

Chewing tobacco affects your dental health as well as the rest of your body. If you use smokeless tobacco and have thought about quitting, we can help. How do you kick the habit? We can help you kick your chewing tobacco habit. In addition to cleaning teeth and treating bad breath and puffy, swollen gums associated with tobacco use, we may decide to prescribe a variety of nicotine replacement therapies, [...]

Quitting Chewing Tobacco2023-12-22T15:19:00-08:00
Go to Top