Blog

How Often Should I have A Professional Tooth Cleaning?

Posted on: 05.27.15 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

The common belief is that you should visit your dental hygienist and have a professional tooth cleaning every six months. Did you know that this recommendation was not developed by a dentist or even based on dental science? It started around WWII as part of a Pepsodent toothpaste ad that promoted “Brush Twice A Day and See Your Dentist Twice a Year”.

The purpose of a professional cleaning is to eliminate both hard and soft deposits (plaque and tarter) from your teeth, which harbor bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. A professional dental cleaning also removes the stain that accumulates from foods and beverages. The stain not only makes your teeth look darker, but also creates a rough surface that the bacteria can stick to.

If you have a low risk for cavities and gum disease in combination with keeping your teeth clean effectively at home, then having a professional cleaning twice a year is sufficient. However, for patients who have a higher risk for cavities or gum disease one of the most effective methods of prevention is to have a professional tooth cleaning more often to reduce the bacteria in your mouth. Professional cleanings may be recommended 3, 4 or more times a year. We will look at your individual risk factors and discuss an interval for professional tooth cleanings that we think will keep your teeth healthy.

What Are Dental Implants?

Posted on: 01.8.14 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

For many people with missing teeth, a dental implant can be the best choice for replacing them. The main benefits of dental implants are:

The next best thing to natural teeth
Strong, stable & comfortable
Protects healthy bone
Protects healthy teeth
Longest term solution vs. other restorations

Dental implants are a titanium replacement for the tooth root. Every tooth has two major parts; the part you can see above your gum tissue is called the “crown” of the tooth. The majority of the tooth is hidden beneath the gum and this is the “root” of the tooth. When you loose a substantial portion of the crown of the tooth due to a cavity or fracture the root alone can no longer be used to hold a replacement such as a porcelain crown. In these cases the root of your tooth will be removed and you can have a dental implant as a replacement to the tooth root.

Modern dental implants are made of titanium and come in varying lengths and diameters. Once the dental implant is placed, your body will attach bone to its’ external surface. Once this “integration” process has taken place, a porcelain crown can be attached to the implant. The inside of a dental implant is hollow and threaded to accept a screw; an “abutment” screws into this hollow area and extends above the gum line to hold the pretty porcelain crown.

For most people, dental implants are a great choice due to their predictability, function, comfort and appearance!

Do You Need A Dental Night Guard?

Posted on: 12.17.13 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

Many people wear or have been advised to wear a dental night guard. The phrase “night guard” can be confusing, and is often used interchangeably with “appliance”, “splint”, “orthotic”, “NTI” or other terms. In general when we think of a dental night guard we are describing a dental device worn over the teeth during sleep. Despite having many different names, one of these devices may have been recommended to you. In practice there are about six different categories of dental night guards based on how the device impacts your teeth, joints and muscles.

The most common reason that a dentist might recommend a night guard is to protect your teeth from tooth wear. The first step is to recognize that your teeth are wearing down or dissolving. If the loss of tooth is being caused by the top and bottom teeth rubbing or clenching together, then a night guard can dramatically reduce the damage to the teeth.

Night guards may also be recommended to treat TMJ disorders and facial pain by protecting your jaw joints and helping the muscles in your face relax. Many patients who suffer from tension headaches report pain relief with one of the six designs of night guard. If you think you may need a night guard we are happy to work with you and identify whether or not it will benefit you and which type is most appropriate.

Fluoride Treatments Aren’t Just For Kids

Posted on: 11.5.13 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

Flouride Varnish Application

The risk of getting a cavity can change over the course of your life and is dependent on many factors. Some of the things that put you at risk of getting cavities are not within your control, like your genetics and the natural strength of your teeth and resistance of your immune system to the bacteria. However, there are many factors that are within your control: What you eat, how you care for your teeth at home and how often you have your teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist.

Fluoride treatments have been the standard for helping patients reduce their risk of getting cavities and create a balance against the risks. In children we use fluoride treatments to balance factors like poor brushing and flossing and high carbohydrate diets. The fluoride hardens or strengthens the teeth making them more resistant to getting a cavity. Today’s fluoride treatments are applied to the teeth as a varnish, gel or foam.

For most adults home care and diet are not the challenge, changes in saliva and health issues pose the biggest risk. There are over 500 commonly prescribed medications today that have a negative impact on your saliva. Saliva is your immune system in your mouth and a primary defense. Even if your mouth doesn’t feel dry, your saliva may not be doing its’ job. Normal aging and common health issues can also alter your saliva, dramatically increasing your risk of getting cavities. Fluoride treatments are one of the best measures to prevent or reduce cavities. We typically use fluoride varnish, as it is easy to apply and highly effective at a lower cost.

Does Tooth Bleaching Damage Teeth?

Posted on: 10.1.13 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

Venus White Professional Tooth Bleach

A common question patients ask who are considering professional tooth whitening/bleaching is whether it damages the teeth. The answer is a resounding NO. The active ingredient in professional tooth bleaching products is either Carbamide Peroxide or Hydrogen Peroxide. It is the oxygen molecules that actually lighten the color of your teeth by both removing stain on the outside and lightening the internal color of the tooth.

The bleaching chemical is absorbed into your tooth and liberates oxygen which bleaches the tooth structure on the inside. This same chemical is also used to treat gum disease as it kills some of the bacteria that cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. It can even help prevent cavities. So contrary to hurting your teeth, it is actually beneficial to your overall dental health.

Excessive bleaching, which is the use of at home trays continuously over extended months or years can cause minor pitting to the enamel, but even this has been shown to be minor and easily reversible once bleaching is discontinued.

Tooth bleaching is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing. At this tine we do not have enough information to confirm it is safe.

Am I Too Old For Invisalign Clear Braces?

Posted on: 09.20.13 By Dr. Lee Ann Brady

Most of our patients are adults and yet we do quite a bit of Invisalign Clear Braces, or “aligners” as they are often called. So if you think you are too old to move or straighten your teeth, think again.

There are may reasons to straighten your teeth. Of course we commonly think about improving the appearance of your smile with braces. This is one of the most common reasons someone chooses Invisalign. For our adults patients however, at least half decide to straighten their teeth for health reasons. When your teeth are crowded and overlap one another it is much harder to keep them clean. Your toothbrush is less effective on crooked teeth and flossing becomes much more important. As we age and we become more at risk for cavities and gum disease, having worn braces pays back benefits.

Some adults have their teeth straightened to help correct problems with how their teeth meet, their bite (or “occlusion” as we like to call it). Bite issues can cause the teeth to wear prematurely, muscle pain and headaches and problems with your TMJ (jaw joints). Whatever the reason you are interested in wearing Invisalign, there is no age limit.

If you are simply curious, please call the office for a complimentary consultation.

« Previous Page