What Is Dental Plaque?

General Dentistry, Integrity Dental, Patient Information

At Integrity Dental, we want our patients to become educated about how to improve their oral health. The best way to improve your oral health is to have an excellent oral hygiene routine. Unfortunately, if you don’t clean your teeth correctly, you may develop plaque. If you have seen any commercials for dental health products, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, you may have heard the term dental plaque mentioned. Do you know what dental plaque is and why it is so harmful to your oral health? Plaque is a sticky film that coats the teeth and is caused by bacteria introduced into the mouth from food and drink.

Lower Stress To Improve Oral Health Issues

Emergency Dentistry, General Dentistry, Integrity Dental, Patient Information

Do you wake up in the morning feeling tension in your jaw and face? Or do you regularly experience dental discomfort but do not have dental decay? If so, you may be grinding your teeth. The correct term for teeth grinding and clenching is bruxism. Patients who experience bruxism have a greater chance of experiencing severe dental issues, such as cracks or breaks, due to the repeated pressure on the teeth. One major cause of bruxism is stress.

Is It Time To Schedule Your Next Dental Visit?

Emergency Dentistry, General Dentistry, Integrity Dental, Patient Information

When was the last time you visited our office for a hygiene examination and cleaning? If it has been longer than six months, you are due for a visit. One of the best aspects of summer is the relaxed schedule, making it the perfect time to visit our office. If you have been meaning to schedule your next visit but are always too busy, now is a great time to call our office, before the hustle and bustle of the fall begins. Once fall arrives, time will move quickly, and it will be the holiday season before you know it. The longer you go between appointments, the greater the chance you have of experiencing dental problems. Read on to learn more about the importance of receiving routine dental care.

Care For Your Teeth This Summer With These Helpful Tips

General Dentistry, Integrity Dental, Patient Information

We are thrilled that summer is here! All of the children are out of school, the hot weather has arrived, and the schedules are lighter. We have loved hearing about all of your wonderful plans for this season. We want to remind you of the importance of continuing to care for your oral health. We would hate for you to have an amazing summer and start the fall with a dental emergency or oral health problem.

Are Your Beverage Choices Harming Your Oral Health?

General Dentistry, Integrity Dental, Patient Information

With summer right around the corner, we know that many of our patients are going to be attending parties, BBQ, and may be traveling as well. Attending a special event or a trip is a time to indulge in foods and drinks that may be harmful for your oral health. You may be familiar with foods that are not good for your oral health, but did you know there are many beverages that are harmful as well? Sugary drinks such as soft drinks, lemonade, and fruit punch flow in abundance during the summer months. It is important to remember that it is wise to consume these types of beverages in moderation.

Always Protect Your Teeth

Emergency Dentistry, General Dentistry, Integrity Dental, Patient Information

Do you or someone you care about play a sport? Once thought of as an activity for children or professional athletes only, more adults than ever before are participating in various sports for exercise or enjoyment. It is wonderful to see so many people joining in different activities. If you are participating in a physical activity, there is always a risk that a dental emergency may occur. Do you know what to do if you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency? Read on to learn what to do in an emergency and about dental hardware that can help protect your teeth.

Pregnancy And Oral Health

Family Dentistry, General Dentistry, Integrity Dental, Patient Information

Are you or someone you care about planning to start a family, currently pregnant, or a new parent? The arrival of a little one can be extremely exciting, and it seems like there is always something to purchase or prepare. After a baby is born, a new parent needs time to adjust to the routine of caring for an infant. Along with the preparations for a newborn, you should be taking your oral health into consideration. You may be surprised to learn that pregnancy can negatively affect your oral health and lead to severe dental complications. Pregnancy hormones can make you more susceptible to decay and gum disease. Below are recommendations for dealing with your oral health during all stages of pregnancy.

You Definitely Don’t Want This…

General Dentistry, Integrity Dental, Patient Information

We are passionate about routine dental care in our office because we don’t just want to clean and shine your teeth, but we also want to look for other common diseases that can be affecting your oral health. Since our team spends so little time caring for your teeth over the course of the year, the bulk of your oral care is left up to you. If you are not cleaning your teeth properly by brushing and flossing thoroughly, you run a high risk of contracting gum disease. The buildup of tartar and bacteria along the gumline can lead to an infection in the gums. Thankfully, if detected in time, we can treat gum disease. Read on to learn more about the treatments we offer to restore damaged gums.

What To Know About A Tooth Extraction

Emergency Dentistry, Integrity Dental, Patient Information

At Integrity Dental, we do everything we can to save your natural teeth. Unfortunately, that is not always possible, and there are times that we recommend an extraction to our patients. An extraction may be needed for a number of reasons such as severe decay, complications from gum disease, trauma to the mouth, or even to help prepare the mouth before orthodontic treatment. A tooth extraction is when the entire tooth structure, including the root, is fully removed.