General Dentistry

Gingivitis & Periodontal Disease
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for the roots of your teeth.  When the gums are not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house.

Signs of unhealthy gums may be as follows: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, or changes in the position of the teeth. Any of these signs may mean something is wrong. With the proper care, however, it may be possible to return your teeth or gums to a healthy state.

If you think you are having a problem, come in and see us so we can take care of it right away. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning (or root planing), and sometimes treatment with an antibiotic. If the gum disease gets too severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction. This is why it is important to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.

Fillings
Fillings are done to remove decay, and replace the affected tooth structure. It is called a filling because material fills a hole that decay left.  All cavities are treated with tooth colored fillings. Caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily and painlessly. If not treated early, decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection.

X-rays
X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and not to use them could lead to undiagnosed disease.  Dental x-rays are safe, and we only take them when necessary.

More Information
For more medical information please visit Dental Health Online.