06 Nov
Dental Cleanings, Dental Exams, Wadesboro Dentist, Wadesboro General Dentist

Wadesboro Dentist Explains Seriousness of Gum Disease

Gum disease doesn’t seem very serious. After all, tooth decay is the major need for dental repair, isn’t it?

Gum disease begins very subtly, and, unlike decay, doesn’t cause much discomfort at first. This is why gum disease can become very serious without a person being aware of the condition.
A general dentist discovers gum disease through a routine cleaning treatment, but dental cleaning treatments may seem rather unnecessary if a person’s teeth appear to be in good condition. This is where the fallacy lies. Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Gingivitis
In the early stages of gum disease, called gingivitis, plaque builds up and hardens on the necks of teeth. Plaque build-up is a feature of most Western dietary customs. Refined foods are a large part of Western eating habits, and refined food intake quickly attaches to the necks of teeth unless mechanically removed. Other factors that may contribute to gingivitis are pregnancy, substance abuse, certain medications or immune deficiencies.

Plaque on the necks of teeth and its toxins promote a chronic, inflammatory response in which the gums swell and become red. They gradually separate from the teeth, creating pockets, eventually destroying tooth enamel and bone.

Periodontitis
Without an examination by a general dentist, the condition of gingivitis is often overlooked, until periodontitis occurs. Chronic periodontitis happens when the inflammation and detachment of gum tissue undermines the tissues and bone supporting a tooth. As this support gives way, the tooth becomes loose and falls out. Often, this loosening is very painful, because serious infection from the toxins emitted by harmful bacteria is now pocketing within the gum tissue and underlying bone. Death of the tissues and systemic inflammation is almost certain at this point. Arterial inflammation is a common side-effect of periodontal disease, resulting in reduced blood flow, heart attack or stroke.

How to prevent gum disease
Gum disease prevention begins right at home. Flossing between the teeth is the most effective way to prevent gum disease. Flossing is not simply drawing a string between two teeth. The flossing must be performed so that the floss is drawn up along the necks of the teeth, cleaning them of plaque from bottom to top. Then the teeth need to be carefully brushed, with an eye towards thoroughly eliminating plaque and debris from each tooth. Rinsing the mouth with peroxide is often recommended.

A professional cleaning is advised for every six months, especially if bleeding of the gums has occurred. Click here to request your appointment now to see our Wadesboro, NC dentist.

Gum disease is a major contributor to adult tooth loss. Regular brushing and flossing, combined with professional cleaning, is an effective way to prevent gum disease.

05 Oct
Dental Cleanings, General Dentistry, Wadesboro Dentist, Wadesboro General Dentist

Kick Bad Breathe to the Curb with These 5 Easy Solutions

Do you have a stinky breathe? 

The mouth is the area in the body that gathers the most refuse. It is, after all, the part that we use for ingesting food, and as a result germs can accumulate here if proper care is not taken. When that happens, the mouth can give off a bad odor. Human beings are, after all, “hard wired” to respond adversely to the smell of an unhealthy body part so that they can remedy the situation. Here are five dental hygiene tips to keep the mouth healthy and smelling pleasant. Our Wadesboro general dentist will also discuss oral hygiene, cosmetic dentistry, and other solutions to rid your mouth of bad breath.

Tip #1: Brush and floss your teeth regularly.

The importance of brushing at least twice a day is, of course, one of the first things that a child learns. The brush should be replaced at least every two months; one that is too old will be too hard on the teeth.

In many ways, flossing is more important than brushing in maintaining a healthy mouth. Food particles can get trapped between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot get. It is the buildup of tartar from such particles that causes gingivitis. Trench mouth, a painful gum infection in which the mouth has an extremely bad odor, may also result.

Tip #2: Brush your tongue.

Many people do not realize this, but brushing the tongue is an essential part of brushing your teeth. Germs that can cause halitosis and tooth decay are ever-present here, and this stuff can stink very badly. The American Dental Association recommends using a tongue scraper rather than a toothbrush for the purpose.

Tip #3: Do not smoke or chew tobacco.

Tobacco is one of the worst things for your gums.

Tip #4: Chew sugar-free gum.

This is a good thing to do if you are in a situation where you cannot brush or floss. As it presses against the teeth, it absorbs some of the buildup of food residue.

Tip #5: Visit your dentist regularly.

The last of our dental hygiene tips is naturally the regular dental checkup. You should have two of these annually.

A general dentist can help spruce up your mouth so that it both looks and smells attractive to others. Our Wadesboro cosmetic dentist can do porcelain veneers and teeth whitening in addition to general dental work.

07 Apr
Wadesboro Cosmetic Dentist, Wadesboro Emergency Dentist, Wadesboro Family Dentist, Wadesboro General Dentist

4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Dentist in Wadesboro NC

Are you new in town or looking for a different dental experience?  There are many dentists to choose from in the Wadesboro area and so sometimes it can be overwhelming as you try to find a good fit for you and your family. It is important to choose a dentist who you feel you can trust. Look for a dentist who…

 1)  Is an Active Listener

You should feel like your dentist gives you a customized dental experience. Not a one size fits all appointment.  This can only be done if the dentist takes time to not only look in your mouth, but to listen to you.  The dentist might be an expert on what is going on in your mouth, but you are the expert on why.  What’s is going on in your life and how is that effecting your overall and dental health?  Are you a mom who is busy doing a fabulous job taking care of your children but tend to put yourself on the back burner?  Are you a bride preparing for your wedding and want the best smile of your life?  Did you just get your first job, have dental insurance for the first time since before college and want to get back on track? How do you feel about your smile?  If there is something you could change about your smile, what would it be?

Your dentist should be interested in you.  Not just your mouth.

2) Respects Your Time and Your Resources

A dentist should not keep you in the waiting room too long and should be punctual for appointments.  Scheduling coordinators should give you options for appointments that are convenient for you. If taking off work is difficult, find a dental office that offers appointments on Saturdays or late weekday hours.

 A dentist should also offer different billing options so that your financial resources can be optimized.  For example, hopefully they file your insurance, have financing options, and/or offer a cash discount if you are a cash paying patient.

3)  Educates You about all aspects of your appointment

The entire dental team should be good educators.

The dentist will educate you on all matters related to your oral health and how it effects your overall health and well being. This includes performing oral cancer screenings as a part of a head and neck exam.

The dental hygienist should educate you on what you can do daily to keep your teeth healthy and maintain your smile.

Insurance can get confusing.  What you will pay, what insurance will pay? Do you pay up front?  Or only the difference? The financial coordinator’s job is to help you understand all aspects of your financial arrangement.

4)  Stays Current with Technology and Continuing Education

You wouldn’t use a phone from 15 years ago.  So why go to a dentist who does not stay up to date with current technology?  Advancements in technology in the dental field offer many of the same benefits as those outside the field.  More comfort, less time, better results. For example, same day CEREC crowns mean less wait time for patients. They also mean no annoying temporary crown while you wait for the permanent one to come back from the lab.

Continuing education allows dentists to stay current with technology and procedures.  It gives them an opportunity to brush up on procedures they are already comfortable with and expand their scope of practice.

Not sure what your dentist does to stay up to date?  Just ask!  If your dentist is already doing this, he/she would most likely love the opportunity to share this information with you!

Overall, just remember to trust your gut.  Taking some time to find a dental practice that meets your specific needs is worth the effort. Perhaps that means calling to ask for an office tour and to meet the dentist and staff before scheduling your first appointment.  Once you find the right fit, you will be glad you did!