A checkup every six months is the appointment that keeps the others short. We look over your teeth, gums, bite and the soft tissue in your mouth, take X-rays when they are needed, and give your teeth a professional clean to remove the plaque and tartar that brushing cannot reach.
Most problems are painless when they start. Finding them at this stage is the difference between a small repair and a big one.
Cavities are the most common reason adults need treatment. We repair them with tooth-colored composite fillings, which bond to the tooth and blend in with the shade of your enamel, so a repaired tooth still looks like a natural one.
Catching decay early usually means a smaller, simpler filling, and a shorter appointment.
Gum disease is common in adults and often painless in its early stages, which is why bleeding gums are worth mentioning. Left alone, it can damage the bone that holds your teeth in place.
Early gum inflammation often settles with a thorough cleaning and better daily habits. More advanced cases are treated with a deeper cleaning below the gumline, followed by regular maintenance visits to keep things stable.
If cold drinks, hot coffee or sweet food make you wince, something is exposing the layer beneath your enamel. Worn enamel, receding gums, a cracked filling and grinding are all common causes, and they are treated differently.
Tell us where it hurts and what sets it off. Once we know the cause, the fix is often simple, from a change of toothpaste to repairing the tooth.
Plenty of adults grind or clench their teeth in their sleep without knowing it. The signs we see are flattened, worn teeth, and the signs you notice are a sore jaw, headaches in the morning or teeth that feel tender.
A custom night guard is molded to your teeth and takes the force of the grinding instead of your enamel. It is a small appliance that prevents a lot of wear.
A toothache, a chipped tooth, a filling that has come out or a swollen gum needs to be seen, not waited out. Call us and tell us what has happened, and we will fit you in as soon as we can.
In the meantime, keep the area clean and avoid very hot or very cold food and drink. If a tooth has been knocked out, keep it moist and bring it with you.
