You already know what it takes to preserve your good health and your good looks. And it shows! Just as routine medical exams can help prevent future health problems, and dental exams are equally important. New evidence shows that an infection from periodontitis, or gum disease, can put you at risk for other serious conditions like heart disease, stroke and more!

According to the American Dental Association, "Patients with moderate to severe periodontitis are at a higher risk for developing coronary heart disease and are at elevated risk of dying of coronary heart disease. Pregnant women with moderate to severe periodontitis are at risk for premature labor and infants with low birth weights."

Fifty percent of all people over the age of 18 have at least the early stage of gum disease, gingivitis. Three out of four over the age of 35 are afflicted by gum disease at one time or another. You should be aware that the early stages of gum disease occur WITHOUT PAIN! Yet, your gums and bones may be silently and seriously damaged by an infection that spreads from your gums to other parts of your body! Also, perfectly healthy teeth can eventually become loose and fall out.

Heart Disease: Bacteria get mixed up with blood-clotting cells called platelets, forming a clump that travels through the blood vessel and may promote the formation of heart-stopping blood clots.

Lungs: It has been shown that those with extensive tartar build-up and plaque on their teeth are at risk for chronic lung disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia.

Diabetes: One study showed that diabetics with gum disease were three times more likely to have heart attacks than those without gum disease.

Spontaneous Pre-Term Births (for women)- Women with gum disease are 7 to 8 times more likely to give birth prematurely to low-birth-weight babies. Researchers believe that a low-grade infection maybe linked to pre-term birth.

1. Clean, fresh breath.

2. Professional cleaning reaches areas you can't.

3. Once calculus forms it can't be brushed away, and calculus build up is the primary cause of gum disease.

Your daily program of self-care will go far toward maintaining your dental health. But there is one other crucial part: scheduling and keeping regular dental appointments. Routine dental visits can save you time and money! We can identify early stages of both tooth decay and gum inflammation, when they are still quick, easy, and inexpensive to treat.

Even if you faithfully brush and floss your teeth every day, you'll still need professional cleanings at least every six months. No one is capable of removing absolutely all of the plaque from his or her teeth, and once calculus forms, you can't brush it off. While calculas doesn't cause decay, if not removed professionally, it becomes unsightly, contributes to bad breath, gum inflammation, and possible gum infection, .

After cleaning, your teeth are polished. This procedure smoothes the surface of your teeth and makes it harder for plaque to stick to them.

Professional cleaning is performed by our specially trained dental staff. Plan on having your teeth cleaned at least twice a year!

Don't let it catch you by surprise!
You can have a healthy smile on the outside and have severe gum disease on the inside...without even knowing it! In fact, gum disease is the chief cause of tooth loss after age thirty-five! That means gum disease can catch you by surprise...unless you take steps NOW to prevent this serious dental disease.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is the destruction of the supporting tissues around your teeth. It is the most common non-contagious disease in the world, afflicting over 75% of the U.S. population. Chances are, you may already have the beginning stages of gum disease!

Gum Disease: The Silent Battle
Because gum disease is often painless in the early stages, it may go unnoticed until it's almost too late. That's why daily home care, regular dental check-ups, and professional cleanings are so vital to prevent gum disease.

In its advanced stages, gum disease can cause the loss of perfectly healthy teeth. Yet, you'll be pleased to learn that most patients who use effective oral hygiene, combined with regular professional care before the disease advances, will never lose a tooth as a result of gum disease!

Modern dentistry has much to offer in the way of prevention and treatment of gum disease, including state-of-the-art techniques that weren't available to you even a decade ago. When you come in for regular dental check-ups, we can help you prevent gum disease before it gets the best of your smile!

You have a toothache. You call for an appointment. Your have your tooth filled and you're on your way again...until you feel another toothache.

It's that simple. Right? Wrong! We don't want to have to drill away any of your otherwise healthy tooth structure! We want you to keep your own, natural teeth for as long as possible. By understanding what causes decay, you can take a few simple steps to preserve your teeth as long as possible. You can break the decay chain!

Here's The Equation
How you care for your teeth and what you eat play a large part in preventing tooth decay.

Your teeth are composed of two basic parts: The crown (above the gum line), and the roots (below the gum line). Enamel covers and protects the crown of your tooth. It's the hardest material in the body! It consists primarily of calcium, which is a mineral that can be dissolved by acid. This is significant because when plaque combines with sugar it creates an acid, and an acid attack can cause your enamel to soften.

Acid gradually creates tiny pits on the tooth's surface. These areas make perfect hiding places where the bacterial plaque can collect and start breaking down your tooth structure. Food lingering between teeth will also leave those areas vulnerable to decay.

Have Decay? Don't Delay!
If the decay process has reached the pulp and causes an infection, we can treat symptoms of infection and possibly restore the tooth with a root canal. But once the pulp is infected or exposed as a result of decay, we cannot bring the pulp to life again!

Before you ever experience pain, sensitivity, or tooth discomfort, please schedule a dental exam. If you have signs of decay, do not delay in getting immediate attention for the problem. You have a choice between having a tiny filling or an extensive root canal. It's all in the timing. Preventive care and early treatment can save you time, money and embarrassment! That's right! Tooth decay causes more than just dental bills. Untreated decay can cause bad breath, an unsightly appearance and low self-esteem.

Feel good about yourself and look great--with a fresh smile!

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