Raise your hand if you know how to brush your teeth? That sounds like a question to ask small children, but the reality is that many adults who raise their hands have only an incomplete knowledge of how to brush their teeth. The same principle is also true of flossing. Just putting the floss in between the teeth is not good enough, because flossing, like brushing, requires some knowledge of technique. Most of us learned to brush and floss at an early age, and we may feel that we have mastered both. All too often, however, adults are going through the motions, but not the correct motions. How to hold and use a toothbrush and dental floss are skills that need to be learned and re-learned by adults. At Denise Dental Studio, we will give you simple yet effective tips to show you how to brush and floss properly. This
In the old days, dental x-rays required longer exposure times, higher radiation, and film processing. At Denise Dental Studio, we use state-of-the-art digital x-rays with short exposure times, low radiation, and no need for film. There are many advantages to the patient. First, the total amount of radiation used when taking dental x-rays is a fraction of that used for conventional dental x-rays. Next, the images are available almost instantly, which saves the patient time in the dental chair. Finally, the x-rays are digital and stored on our office computer for easy retrieval. They can be viewed at any time from a computer—no special light box is required—and they can be easily e-mailed to other dentists who are part of the patient’s treatment team. Another benefit of digital x-rays is that there are environmentally friendly because there is no need for the chemicals that were previously used to develop film.
Bleeding Gums are Not Normal Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth? Some people think that if their gums bleed just a little when they brush or floss, then that might be normal or no cause for concern. The fact is that bleeding gums are never normal. They are a sign of inflammation caused by bacteria. Regular brushing and flossing are essential to control periodontal (gum) disease, but gums that bleed are a warning sign that should not be ignored. If your gums bleed for any reason, contact our office to schedule an appointment. Dr. Denise will advise you of your options and develop a customized treatment plan. Good oral hygiene prevents bleeding gums by cleaning away bacteria that are responsible for red and puffy gum tissue. In our office, we recommend regular visits with our dental hygienists as well as home care techniques that we
Dr. Denise has decided to protect as many children’s teeth in the area through a Donated program. This program is directed to our local community sports teams. The blog will be updated as the mouth guards are made. Call the office to enter the program today. Here is Jake wearing his new guard: And JT: Here is Noah Meaux: And Adam Granata: And Many More:
What are dental sealants, who should have them, and how long do they last? Sealants are a thin, plastic coating that are painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth — usually the back teeth (the premolars, and molars) — to prevent tooth decay. The painted on liquid sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and groves of the teeth forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth. Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the dental sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants. Sealants can protect the teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups.
With rising media concerns about infection control practices in Dental offices, it seems an appropriate time to address this issue in our blog: “Infection control procedures are precautions taken in health care settings to prevent the spread of disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed special recommendations for use in dental offices. Your dentist cares about your safety and works hard to prevent the spread of infection. Before you enter the examining room, all surfaces, such as the dental chair, dental light, drawer handles and countertops, have been cleaned and decontaminated (disinfected.) Additionally, our office covers these equipment with protective covers, which are replaced after each patient. Non-disposable items like the dental tools are cleaned and sterilized between patients, in an autoclave. Disposable items like needles or gauze are placed in special bags or containers. Infection control precautions also require all dental staff involved in patient care
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth to repair a broken or badly damaged tooth. A crown restores a tooth’s shape, size, and strength. A dental crown differs from a dental veneer in that it covers more tooth structure because the tooth is more badly damaged, often by decay. Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, porcelain covered metal, or all-porcelain. The procedure for installing a dental crown requires two dental office visits. During the first visit, the damaged tooth is prepared to receive the crown. If a large area of the tooth is missing due to decay, the tooth will be built up to support the crown. After the preparation, dental impressions will be made to send to a dental lab, where the permanent crown will be manufactured. A temporary crown will be fabricated to cover and
