Good oral health practices prevent dental decay and periodontal disease from setting in. Although tooth decay is one of the most common dental problems in America, it is preventable through the proper care of your teeth and gums, and we can help you with that.
Good oral health and good overall health go hand-in-hand. Your diet can affect your teeth, in that good food choices can go a long way to protecting you from gum disease and cavities. In turn, bad oral health can negatively impact your overall health. Numerous studies and the Surgeon General have confirmed links between advanced gum disease and increased health risks:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Lung infections
- Pre-term, low birth weight infants
- Respiratory diseases
Our general dentistry practice focuses on the treatment and elimination of factors that can cause your teeth and gums to deteriorate. in order to discover these potential factors, it is important to us to conduct a complete dental exam. This may involve:
- Obtaining a thorough health history
- Soft tissue examination
- Periodontal examination
- A set of individual x-rays and/or
- A panoramic x-ray
- Mounted diagnostic models
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease happens when a gum infection has spread into the bone and permanent damage has occurred. There are several stages of this disease, but through soft tissue management it can be detected early and can be controlled. As part of our commitment to keeping you in excellent oral health, we will routinely perform a periodontal disease screening exam.
Dental Restorations
Restoration of the original structure, size and appearance of your teeth provides aesthetic results as well as health benefits. Restoration can be achieved through use of white fillings, porcelain crowns and veneers or through metal materials.
Not only can restorative dentistry improve your smile, but it can also offer relief from headaches and neck pain. Restoring teeth to their original structure allows facial muscles to function in their natural position, in turn alleviating head and neck aches due to an abnormal bite. Ignoring compromised teeth will eventually lead to serious and painful abscesses.
Additionally, restorative dentistry addresses:
- Issues of decay
- Replacing older restorative work with new natural-looking materials
Restorative Materials
Tooth-colored materials (ceramic and plastic) are preferred where the tooth will be visible, while metal materials (gold and metal alloys) are more practical for use in the back of the mouth where strength and durability are important.
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