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White Teeth
Are your teeth as white as you would like them
to be?
Ask about our ZOOM whitening system today!
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Cavities
Do you have cavities needing repair?
Protect your health...make a New Years Resolution to have beatiful
teeth!
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Dental Health
Did you know your dental health can affect
your overall health?
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Dental Services
Whitening
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| Having a beautiful
smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve
the look they've been dreaming of with our simple
"bleaching" procedure.
It's safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at
any appointment if you would like to begin bleaching. You
can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and
lower, depending on how much of each shows when you talk and
smile.
We provide you with a special bleaching system that is
very easy to use. With only forty-five minutes to an hour of
wear per day, for ten days, our bleaching system brightens
your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth
structure or existing dental work in any way. Once your
teeth reach the brightness you want, only occasional
treatment is needed to maintain your new smile. We'll take
before and after shade checks to monitor your progress.
Dental bleaching can be used to correct many tooth
discolorations. These discolorations may have been caused by
staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the
latest in bleaching technology, we can offer a safe method
for creating a beautiful, "brilliant" smile. In cases of
extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the
only choice. But because of the low cost of bleaching
treatments, bleaching is nearly always worth a solid try.
Key Benefits
- Corrects brown, yellow and mottled tooth staining
- Works on people of all ages
- Is a quick and easy solution for a "dull" smile,
restoring brightness and bringing a smile alive.
How is it done?
The bleaching system is used for 45 minutes to an hour
every day for ten days, after which significant brightening
will occur. In some cases, the change is nothing short of
brilliant. For confidence in appearance, bleaching
technology offers improvements in yellowing, aging or
stained teeth. For very severely stained teeth, crowns or
veneers may be more appropriate.
Considerations
Over-the-counter bleaching agents are available at drug
stores and pharmacies but over-the counter remedies are not
as efficient at brightening as the products you can receive
from your dentist. |
We all have teeth - and we all want to keep them for life! The
purpose of Preventive Dentistry is to help each of us keep our teeth
and gums healthy today and every day.
There have been great strides made in preventing the incidence of
dental disease. One of the most successful efforts, spanning the
last 60 years, is the fluoridation of community water supplies.
Although drinking fluoridated water reduces dental decay by 15 to 40
percent1 that alone is still not enough to prevent dental
disease.
The two primary causes of tooth loss, decay and gum disease, are
generally caused by bacteria in the mouth. However, both of these
problems can be dramatically minimized, if not prevented, through
proper dental hygiene practiced on a regular basis. Some of the
elements of proper dental hygiene include brushing twice a day,
flossing, eating a balanced diet, limiting between-meal snacks, and
seeing your dentist twice a year for cleaning and exam.
Additional preventive methods include the application of dental
sealants and exposure to fluoride in the form of fluoridated
drinking water, thoothpaste, mouthwash, or fluoride treatments
directly applied by your dentist.
The vast majority of dental disease can be prevented, but only
through the consistent practice of the prevention methods discussed.
Please browse this topic area to learn more about the anatomy of
healthy teeth and gums, brushing and flossing technique, water
fluoridation, dental sealants, fluoride supplements, and the
relationship between smoking and dental disease.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease affects the gums and
supporting structures of the teeth. According to the American Dental
Association, at least 60% of adults in the United States have moderate-to-severe periodontal
disease! In a recent survey, 63% of Americans age 18 and older
exhibited some gingival bleeding (bleeding of the gums). Nearly 80%
of all employed Americans have some form of attachment loss (gums
that are pulling away from the teeth).
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Healthy Gums
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Gingivitis
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Early
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Moderate
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Advanced
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P e r i o d o n t a l D i s e a s e
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No doubt, you've heard some of the terms: Plaque,
Tartar, Calculus, Gingivitis, Periodontitis, Pyorrhea, Periodontal
(Gum) Disease. But what does it all mean? Quite simply,
Periodontal Disease starts when plaque and tartar (calculus) are
allowed to accumulate at the base of your teeth. The bacteria in the
plaque leads to an infection in the gums (gingiva) called
Gingivitis. Gingivitis is an early state of periodontal disease
where the gums may become red, swollen, and bleed easily. Left
untreated, the infection spreads to the tissue and bone that holds
your teeth in place, a condition called Periodontitis (Pyorrhea).
Because of the bacterial infection associated with Periodontitis,
tooth abscesses are also common.
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This patient has Periodontitis. Notice the bone
deterioration and uneven level of bone.
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Healthy gums and bone.
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What are the Signs of
Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal Disease is rarely painful, especially in
the early stages. Some of the common signs of Periodontal Disease
are:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
(healthy gums will notbleed)
- Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth (receded)
- Pus (infection) between the teeth and gums
- Loose permanent teeth or separating (drifting) teeth
- Persistent bad breath
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Change in the fit of a partial denture
What are the Dangers of Periodontal
Disease?
Periodontal Disease is the leading cause of tooth
loss among adults. More importantly, the infection releases toxins
into the bloodstream leading to serious health risks:
Sources: National
Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research
and American Heart Association
- There is a growing body of scientific evidence suggesting
possible links between periodontal disease and other systemic
diseases such as diabetes and coronary artery disease.
New scientific research indicates that bacteria may affect
the heart. People with periodontal disease, a bacterial
infection, may be more at risk for heart disease.
While further research is needed, preliminary findings
suggest that people with periodontal disease may be
significantly more at risk for fatal heart attacks.
More than 20% of Americans have heart disease. Please advise
us of any medical conditions, including heart disease. Your
periodontal health may affect your overall health.
New research indicates that infections in the mouth, such as
periodontal disease, may also be associated with increased risk
of respiratory infection such as pneumonia and bronchitis. While
further research is needed, you are well advised to maintain
good periodontal health which is part of your overall health.
Scientists have known for some time that people with
diabetes are more likely to have periodontal disease. New
research indicates a two-way connection: periodontal disease may
make it more difficult for diabetics to control their blood
sugar.
Additional studies are underway, but findings suggest that
controlling periodontal disease may help people control
diabetes.
New evidence also suggests that pregnant women who have
periodontal disease may be up to seven times more likely to have
a baby that is born premature and at a low birthweight.
Periodontal disease is an infection, and all infections are
cause for concern among pregnant women because they pose a risk
to the health of the baby.
We advise all pregnant women -- and all women of
childbearing age -- to come in for a periodontal screening
examination. Although the possible links between periodontal
disease and premature, low birth weight babies is still not
fully understood, we want to do our part to keep mother and baby
as healthy as possible.
The bacteria that cause periodontal disease are not confined
to the mouth. They are carried throughout the blood stream and
have the potential to cause health problems that appear in other
parts of the body. Please feel free to ask us if you have any
questions about the potential links between periodontal disease
and other systemic diseases.
Periodontal Disease
Self-Test
Research shows that periodontal disease affects three out of four
people at some time in their life. More than half of all adults have
some form of periodontal disease; and periodontal disease can be
found in adolescents, and even children.
Please use our self test to check if you or a loved one has the
warning signs of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can be
present even if overt symptoms are absent; therefore, it is quite
important to seek out regular professional care.
To see if you or a loved one are at risk for periodontal disease,
please answer the following:
| Do your gums bleed when you brush? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Are your gums red and/or swollen? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Have you lost any of your adult teeth? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Do you have bad breath or a foul taste in
your mouth? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Have you noticed pus draining from your
gums? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Are your teeth loose or are spaces
developing between your teeth? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Does your bite feel indifferent? |
____ yes
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____no
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| If you wear a partial denture (plate) - does
it fit properly? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Do your teeth appear too long? Too short? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Do you smoke cigarettes? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Did your parents lose their teeth? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Are you diabetic or is there a family
history of diabetes? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Are you experiencing undue stress? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Do you have heart disease? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Women - are you pregnant or planning to
become pregnant? |
____ yes
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____no
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| Do you have a history of respiratory
disease? |
____ yes
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____no
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If you have any of the above warning signs, please contact our
office - we will be happy to schedule you for a comprehensive
evaluation of your periodontal health.
Is There a Cure?
The good news is that periodontal disease is
treatable and preventable. We
provide you with professional care in our office and instructions on
proper home care.
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