Do you regularly feel like your teeth don’t feel clean? Perhaps you feel like there is a film across your teeth, or your teeth may even have a “fuzzy” feeling. If this sounds like something you experience regularly, you may have plaque buildup on your teeth. Plaque is something common that many people have on their teeth, and it’s easy to remove, but failure to do so properly can lead to a number of problems. Read on to learn more about the problems caused by plaque.
At Integrity Dental, we want to help our patients maintain optimal oral health. One way we do this is through cleaning and checking their teeth thoroughly during routine oral hygiene examinations. When we detect a problem, we make treatment recommendations based on our findings. One of the most common dental issues we see in patients of all ages is cavities. Of course you’ve heard about cavities, and maybe you’ve even had one or two, but do you know how they form and how to prevent them?
Tooth sensitivity is a sensation that unfortunately happens to many of us from time to time. This uncomfortable sensation is often felt when eating and drinking foods and beverages that are extremely hot or cold. When tooth sensitivity happens on occasion, it is nothing to cause concern. However, if you regularly experience tooth sensitivity and it is causing you to avoid foods or makes it difficult to clean your teeth properly, it may be alerting you to a problem with your oral health. These are common causes of tooth sensitivity:
Have you been noticing signs of pink or red when you are brushing your teeth? If so, it may mean that you have bleeding gums. Bleeding gums does not automatically indicate a problem with your oral health, but if you notice it is occurring frequently, it should prompt you to visit our office to ensure there isn’t a problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by something as simple as trapped food between your teeth, and once you floss and brush thoroughly, the problem is gone. Some other possible causes of bleeding gums include:
Thankfully, in many cases, we are given a warning sign before something goes wrong. For example, cars have warning lights to indicate you are low on gas or that there may be a problem with your vehicle, allowing you to get your car checked before it breaks down and leaves you stranded. Your mouth works in much the same way. There are often warning signs that you have a problem in your mouth and it needs to be evaluated and repaired. The longer you ignore the warnings, the greater chance you will experience a dental emergency. Read on to learn warning signs in your mouth that you should never ignore.
You may be surprised to know that your tooth enamel, which is the outer covering of your teeth, is the strongest substance in your body. When you give it some thought, it makes sense considering all of the biting and chewing we do on a daily basis — not to mention that our teeth are constantly exposed to the elements and frequently in harm’s way. Although your tooth enamel is strong, and can withstand a lot, it is not indestructible and can easily be damaged when it is not cared for properly.
Do you avoid visiting our office due to severe anxiety about the dentist? Or do you know you need dental treatment and have postponed scheduling due to fear? If so, you are not alone. There is a large percentage of people who experience all degrees of anxiety when it comes to the dentist, ranging from slight nervousness to outright fear. No matter how you feel, we are here to help you be comfortable getting the dental care you need. We believe that all of our patients deserve to be heard and cared for in the way that is best for their overall health and oral needs. We offer different sedation options for patients who may need some extra support to help them relax while under our care. Continue reading to learn more about the sedation dentistry options we offer.
At Integrity Dental, we care about more than just the state of your teeth. We are passionate about our patients visiting our office for routine hygiene examinations so we can inspect for any problems or look for indicators that there is an issue with the state of your oral health. Tooth decay is so widely known that many patients are surprised to learn that we also check the state of your gums and look for other conditions such as oral cancer. The health of your gums plays an important role in your oral health overall. You may be surprised to learn that periodontal disease, also commonly referred to as gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss.
We know that when patients visit our office they are focused on their oral health. They want to get their cleaning or needed treatment and be on their way. Many patients are surprised to learn that we care about the state of your overall health as well. Different medical conditions and medications can change the way we treat your mouth and may change what we are looking for during your examination. For example, patients with various heart conditions need to take antibiotics before receiving a cleaning or dental treatment. Other medications that you may be prescribed can also change the environment of the mouth and leave a negative impact on your teeth and gums.
Have you avoided visiting our office for a needed treatment or hygiene examination due to nervous feelings or fear of the dentist? If so, you are not alone. A large percentage of adults in America experience some form of anxiety before visiting the dentist. Some adults experience such severe anxiety that they have not visited the dentist in many years. At Integrity Dental, we believe in creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for our patients to receive the exceptional dental care they need. We encourage patients to be honest about their feelings so we can help them get the dental care they need in a way that works for their needs.
