We all want to look and feel our best, especially when it comes to our appearance, but it can be a challenge sometimes. Working, taking care of children and the daily grind makes it hard for some to visit the dentist and maintain their dental health. So what are some common concerns of our Placerville patients that we have observed and can help you avoid?
Gum Disease
Gum disease, or gingivitis, is inflammation of the gum tissue. Most of us have some degree of gingivitis, because despite what we might tell the dentist, most of us do not floss daily! If left unchecked, gum disease leads to serious dental complications and higher dental bills. When plaque and tartar build up, bacteria multiply and cause bleeding from irritated tissues when you brush or floss (they also cause bad breath). The only way to cure gingivitis is with a balanced diet and a good daily oral care routine that includes flossing and brushing everyday.
Ignoring home care and dental visits causes gingivitis to progress into periodontitis. Periodontitis destroys teeth and the bone under the gums. Deep cleaning treatments are required to treat periodontitis. Allowed to proceed unchecked, repairing periodontitis usually requires different forms of oral surgery, such as the pinhole surgical technique or gum grafting. The Placerville Dental Group encourages our patients to develop a daily oral care routine and make semi-annual visits for exam and cleanings to keep gum disease at bay. Without this, you cannot have optimal dental health.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
A temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is diagnosed when the TMJ complex does not work properly, usually due to misaligned teeth, stress, arthritis, trauma or teeth grinding (bruxism). TMJ problems make it painful to eat, talk and chew. During consultations with patients, our Placerville dentists seek the underlying causes of your TMJ pain, so they can prescribe the best course of treatment, starting with simple, yet effective, treatment options first.
Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth may be caused by tooth decay, worn fillings, gum disease, worn enamel or gum recession. It’s a common dental problem and many people experience teeth sensitivity that comes and goes. The good news is that it’s treatable! If you experience tooth sensitivity, mention it at your next cleaning appointment. Simply switching toothpastes or using certain mouth rinses can sometimes solve the problem. Finding the real cause, is the most important thing, so mention it at your next appointment at our local Placerville dental office.
Tooth Whitening
Healthy teeth come in varying shades, so “yellow” teeth may make you self-conscious, but not be a health concern. We know that many patients want whiter teeth, and our dentists know how to brighten your smile, even during just one visit. Many non-prescription products claim to offer professional results, but this is simply not the case, even when used as directed. If you are interested in tooth whitening, contact us, as we are happy to answer all your questions about teeth whitening.
Maintain a bright and healthy smile with the help of the Placerville Dental Group. Our local dentists are located in central Placerville and provide the best treatment for all our patients so they can spend less time with us and more time enjoying life.
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