5144 Riverdale Road, Suite 106 Memphis, TN 38141
Dentistry involves diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions, disorders, and diseases of the teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw. It is essential for overall oral health and can also affect the well-being of your entire body.
A dentist is a specialist who works to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Your dentist has completed at least eight years of schooling, and received either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree, or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. If your doctor is a pediatric dentist, this means that they specialize in caring for children from infancy through their teen years. Your dentist has received the proper education and training needed to work with young kids. Other specializations include:
- Endodontics (root canals)
- Oral and maxillofacial (including pathology, radiology, and surgery)
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
- Periodontics (gum disease)
- Prosthodontics (dental implants)
Regular visits to the dentist are essential for maintaining not only oral health but overall well-being. Dental care plays a crucial role in preventing tooth decay, protecting against gum disease, eliminating bad breath, enhancing your smile, and keeping your teeth bright and strong for a lifetime.
Regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile. Even if your teeth feel fine, there may be underlying issues that only a dentist can detect. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers a variety of treatments to address common concerns such as stained, chipped, or missing teeth. From professional teeth whitening to tooth-colored fillings and full smile makeovers, there are options available to help you smile with confidence. Visit your dentist today to explore how you can improve the appearance and health of your smile.
It is important to choose a dentist who you and your family feel comfortable with. You may want to consider multiple dentists before making a final decision. During your first visit, you can determine if the dentist is the right fit for you by considering the following -
- Is the appointment schedule convenient?
- Is the office easy to access and nearby?
- Does the office look clean and organized?
- Was your medical and dental history properly recorded?
- Does the dentist provide information on maintaining good oral health?
- Are the costs of treatment explained before scheduling?
- Is the dentist a member of the American Dental Association (ADA)?
- ALWAYS remember to brush your teeth at least two times a day, and floss at least once!
- Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities.
- Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth causing more plaque and possibly cavities) and avoid tobacco (this can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and eventually lead to oral cancer).
- Don’t be afraid to brush your tongue! By brushing your tongue, you will remove food particles and reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria. Tongue brushing also helps keep your breath fresh.
- Be sure to schedule your routine checkup. It is recommended that you visit the dentist every six months.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children see a dentist as early as six months old and no later than one year old. During this time, your child's baby teeth will be coming in and the dentist can examine the health of their first few teeth. After the first visit, remember to schedule regular checkups every six months.
It is recommended that individuals of all ages, including children, teenagers, and adults, visit the dentist for a routine checkup every six months. Those with a higher risk of oral cancer or gum disease may need to schedule more frequent appointments. Your dentist will assess your individual needs and advise you on the appropriate frequency of checkups.
A cavity is a small hole that forms inside the tooth because of tooth decay. Cavities are formed when plaque buildup on the outside of the tooth combines with sugars and starches in the food you eat. This produces an acid that can eat away the enamel on your tooth. If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Cavities can be prevented by remembering to brush your teeth at least two times a day and floss between teeth at least once.
A filling is a synthetic material that your dentist uses to fill a cavity after all of the tooth decay has been removed. Fillings do not generally hurt because your dentist will numb your mouth with an anesthetic. Fillings are made from a variety of different materials, including composites, gold, or ceramic. If you need a filling, be sure to talk to your doctor about what type is best for you and your teeth.
Your dentist and the American Dental Association recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth clean and healthy. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for best results. Spend at least one minute on the top teeth and one minute on the bottom teeth, and don't forget to brush your tongue for fresh breath.
Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months, especially if you brush twice a day for two to three minutes each time. If you use an electric toothbrush, check the instructions as you may not need to change the head as often. Patients with gum disease should switch their toothbrush every four to six weeks to prevent bacteria from spreading. Rinse your toothbrush with hot water after each use to keep it clean, and replace it immediately if you've been sick.
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is primarily caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria that is not treated in its early stages. Other factors that can contribute to periodontal disease include tobacco use, teeth grinding, certain medications, and genetics. Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease and can be treated if detected early. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to more severe gum disease, which can result in tooth and bone loss. Regularly brushing your teeth and visiting the dentist every six months can help prevent gingivitis and more serious cases of periodontal disease. Common signs of gum disease include red, irritated, bleeding, or swollen gums, chronic bad breath, loose or missing teeth, extreme tooth sensitivity, receding gum line, and abscessed teeth.
Regular visits to the dentist are crucial for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Food trapped in braces can lead to bacteria buildup, cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will collaborate with your orthodontist to ensure your teeth remain clean and healthy during treatment.
Contact our practice by phone to schedule your next dental checkup at your convenience. If you are a new patient, please inform our front desk staff so we can provide you with all the necessary information for your first dental visit.
Having bad breath (halitosis) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing issue. Many people may not even realize they have bad breath, but it is common, especially in the morning.
There are various reasons why someone may have bad breath, but in healthy individuals, the main cause is usually microbial deposits on the back of the tongue. Studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue can reduce bad breath by up to 70 percent.
What can cause bad breath?
- Morning time: Saliva flow decreases during sleep, allowing bacteria to grow and cause bad breath.
- Certain foods: Foods like garlic and onions contain compounds that can cause bad breath when exhaled.
- Poor oral hygiene habits: Food particles left in the mouth can promote bacterial growth.
- Gum disease: Bacteria and food debris under inflamed gums can contribute to bad breath.
- Dental issues: Cavities and poorly fitted dental appliances can also cause bad breath.
- Dry mouth: Certain medications, salivary gland problems, and mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth and bad breath.
- Tobacco products: Smoking can dry out the mouth and cause bad breath.
- Dieting: Ketones released during fat burning can cause bad breath.
- Dehydration, hunger, and missed meals: Drinking water and chewing food can help wash away bacteria.
- Medical conditions: Diabetes, liver and kidney problems, sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia can all contribute to bad breath.
Keeping track of your diet and discussing any recent medications or illnesses with your dentist can help identify the cause of bad breath.
Here are some tips for maintaining good oral hygiene:
- Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush approved by the ADA. Remember to replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.
- Floss daily to remove food debris and plaque from between your teeth and under the gumline.
- Clean your tongue and reach the back areas by using a tongue scraper or brushing.
- If you wear dentures or removable bridges, make sure to clean them thoroughly.
- See your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings, at least twice a year.
- If you have or have had periodontal disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits.
- Stop smoking or chewing tobacco, and ask your dentist for recommendations on how to break the habit.
- Drink water frequently to keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria.
- Use mouthwash or rinses recommended by your dentist to alleviate bad breath and kill germs.
If bad breath persists despite good oral hygiene practices, your dentist can help determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment. If necessary, your dentist may refer you to a physician for further evaluation.
Brushing our teeth is important for removing food particles, plaque, and bacteria from all tooth surfaces, except for in between the teeth. Unfortunately, our toothbrush cannot reach these areas, which are prone to decay and gum disease.
Daily flossing is the most effective way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only cleans these spaces, but also prevents plaque buildup, which can damage the gums, teeth, and bone.
Plaque is a sticky film made up of bacteria, food debris, and saliva that forms on the teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that can cause cavities and gum inflammation. If plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, leading to further gum irritation, inflammation, and bone loss, which can result in periodontal disease.
To floss properly:
- Take 12-16 inches of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches of floss between your hands.
- Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss between your teeth in a sawing motion.
- Curve the floss into a "C" shape around each tooth and under the gumline, gently moving the floss up and down to clean the sides of each tooth.
If you have difficulty using regular floss, floss holders are recommended.
Remember, daily flossing is essential for maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile for life!
If you’re feeling somewhat self-conscious about your teeth, or just want to improve your smile, cosmetic dental treatments may be the answer to a more beautiful, confident smile.
Cosmetic dentistry has become very popular in the last several years, not only due to the many advances in cosmetic dental procedures and materials available today, but also because patients are becoming more and more focused on improving their overall health. This includes dental prevention and having a healthier, whiter, more radiant smile.
There are many cosmetic dental procedures available to improve your teeth and enhance your smile. Depending on your particular needs, cosmetic dental treatments can change your smile dramatically, from restoring a single tooth to having a full mouth make-over. Ask your dentist how you can improve the health and beauty of your smile with cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic Procedures:
- Teeth Whitening: Bleaching lightens teeth that have been stained or discolored by age, food, drink, and smoking. Teeth darkened as a result of injury or taking certain medications can also be bleached, but the effectiveness depends on the degree of staining present.
- Composite (tooth-colored) Fillings: Also known as “bonding”, composite fillings are now widely used instead of amalgam (silver) fillings to repair teeth with cavities, and also to replace old defective fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are also used to repair chipped, broken, or discolored teeth. This type of filling is also very useful to fill in gaps and to protect sensitive, exposed root surfaces caused by gum recession.
- Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are thin custom-made, tooth-colored shells that are bonded onto the fronts of teeth to create a beautiful individual smile. They can help restore or camouflage damaged, discolored, poorly shaped, or misaligned teeth. Unlike crowns, veneers require minimal tooth structure to be removed from the surface of the tooth.
- Porcelain Crowns (caps): A crown is a tooth-colored, custom-made covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. Crowns protect and strengthen teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. They are ideal for teeth that have large, fractured or broken fillings and also for those that are badly decayed.
- Dental Implants: Dental implants are artificial roots that are surgically placed into the jaw to replace one or more missing teeth. Porcelain crowns, bridges, and dentures can be made specifically to fit and attach to implants, giving a patient a strong, stable, and durable solution to removable dental appliances.
- Orthodontics: Less visible and more effective brackets and wires are making straightening teeth with orthodontics much more appealing to adult patients. Also, in some cases, teeth may be straightened with custom-made, clear, removable aligners that require no braces.
Thanks to the advances in modern dentistry, cosmetic treatments can make a difference in making your smile shine!