Pugh Family Dental

Four out of five people have periodontal disease and aren't aware of it. Most people don't know because the disease is typically painless in the early stages. Unlike tooth decay, which often causes discomfort, it's possible to have periodontal disease without noticeable symptoms. Regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important and will help detect if periodontal problems exist. Periodontal disease begins when plaque, a sticky, colorless film of bacteria, food debris, and saliva, is left on the teeth and gums. The bacteria produce toxins (acids) that inflame the gums and gradually destroy the bone. Brushing and flossing regularly and properly will ensure that plaque isn't left behind to cause damage. In addition to poor oral hygiene, several other factors may increase the risk of developing periodontal disease: Smoking or chewing tobacco - Tobacco users are more likely than non-users to form plaque and tartar on their teeth. Certain tooth or appliance conditions - Bridges that no longer fit properly, crowded teeth, or defective fillings that may trap plaque and bacteria. Many medications - Steroids, cancer therapy drugs, blood pressure medications, oral contraceptives. Some medications have side effects that reduce saliva, making the mouth dry and plaque easier to adhere to the teeth and gums. Pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and puberty - Can cause changes in hormone levels, making gum tissue more sensitive to bacterial toxins. Systemic diseases - Diabetes, blood cell disorders, HIV/AIDS, etc. Genetics may play a role - Some patients may be predisposed to a more aggressive type of periodontitis. Patients with a family history of tooth loss should pay particular attention to their gums. Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease Red and puffy gums - Gums should never be red or swollen. Bleeding gums - Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss. Persistent bad breath - Caused by bacteria in the mouth. New spacing between teeth - Caused by bone loss. Loose teeth - Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone). Pus around the teeth and gums - A sign that an infection is present. Receding gums - Loss of gum tissue around a tooth. Tenderness or discomfort - Plaque, calculus, and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth. Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.

Brushing our teeth removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from all tooth surfaces except between the teeth. Unfortunately, our toothbrush can't reach these areas that are highly susceptible to decay and periodontal (gum) disease. Daily flossing is the most effective way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from forming, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone. Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It's a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (acids) that cause cavities and irritate and inflame the gums. Also, when plaque isn't removed above and below the gumline, it hardens and turns into calculus (tartar). This further irritates and inflames the gums and gradually destroys the bone. This is the beginning of periodontal disease. How to floss properly: Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about two inches (5cm) of floss between the hands. Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion. Curve the floss into a "C" shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth. Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss. Daily flossing will help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for life.

If you're feeling self-conscious about your teeth or simply want to improve your smile, cosmetic dental treatments may be the answer to achieving a more beautiful, confident smile. Cosmetic dentistry has become increasingly popular in recent years, not only due to advances in cosmetic dental procedures and materials but also because patients are becoming more focused on improving their overall health. This includes dental prevention and achieving a healthier, whiter, more radiant smile. Many cosmetic dental procedures are available to improve your teeth and enhance your smile. Depending on your particular needs, cosmetic dental treatments can dramatically change your smile, from restoring a single tooth to completing a full mouth makeover. 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, though 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 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 for filling in gaps and protecting 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're ideal for teeth that have large, fractured, or broken fillings and 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. In some cases, teeth can be straightened with custom-made, clear, removable aligners in place of braces. Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, cosmetic treatments can make a difference in making your smile shine.

Porcelain veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually crafted to cover the fronts of teeth. They're very durable and won't stain, making them a highly popular solution for those seeking to restore or enhance the beauty of their smile. Veneers may be used to restore or correct the following dental conditions: Severely discolored or stained teeth Unwanted or uneven spaces Worn or chipped teeth Slight tooth crowding Misshapen teeth Teeth that are too small or large Getting veneers typically requires two visits. Veneers are created from an impression (mold) of your teeth that is then sent to a professional dental laboratory where each veneer is custom-made (for shape and color) for your individual smile. With little or no anesthesia, teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the front surface of the teeth to accommodate the small thickness of veneers. The veneers are carefully fitted and bonded onto the tooth surface with special bonding cements, and occasionally a specialized light may be used to harden and set the bond. Veneers are an excellent dental treatment that can dramatically improve your teeth and give you a natural, beautiful smile.

Since teeth whitening has become the number one aesthetic concern of many patients, numerous products and methods are available to achieve a brighter smile. Professional teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile. Over-the-counter products are also available, but they're much less effective than professional treatments and might not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade. The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which can become darker over time. Smoking and fluids such as coffee, tea, and wine can also contribute to tooth discoloration, making teeth yellow and dull. Sometimes, teeth can become discolored from taking certain medications as a child, such as tetracycline. Excessive fluoridation (fluorosis) during tooth development can also cause teeth to become discolored. It's important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you're a good candidate for bleaching. Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach, and your dentist may offer other options, such as veneers or crowns, to cover up such stains. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it's also important to evaluate any old fillings, crowns, etc., before bleaching begins. Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth. Since teeth whitening isn't permanent, a touch-up may be needed every several years to keep your smile looking bright. The most widely used professional teeth whitening systems: Home teeth whitening systems: At-home products usually come in a gel form that is placed in a custom-fitted mouthguard (tray) created from a mold of your teeth. The trays are worn either twice a day for approximately 30 minutes or overnight while you sleep. It usually takes several weeks to achieve the desired results, depending on the degree of staining and the desired level of whitening. In-office teeth whitening: This treatment is performed in the dental office, and you'll see results immediately. It may require more than one visit, with each visit lasting 30 to 60 minutes. While your gums are protected, a bleaching solution is applied to the teeth. A special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent while the teeth are whitened. Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity after having their teeth whitened. This sensation is temporary and subsides shortly after you complete the bleaching process, usually within a few days to one week. Teeth whitening can be very effective and can give you a brighter, whiter, more confident smile.

With many state-of-the-art dental treatments and prevention options available in dentistry today, there are fewer reasons for having to extract (remove) teeth. When something does go wrong with a tooth, we try to do everything possible to restore the tooth to its original function. Removing a tooth is the last option because we know that removal may lead to severe and costly dental and cosmetic problems if the tooth isn't replaced. Losing a tooth can be a very traumatic experience, and it's unfortunate when it happens. Injury, accident, fracture, severe dental decay, and gum disease are the major reasons for having to remove a tooth. If teeth are lost due to injury or need to be removed, it's imperative that they be replaced to avoid cosmetic and dental problems in the future. When a tooth is lost, the jaw bone that helped support that tooth begins to deteriorate, causing the teeth on either side to shift or tip into the open space of the lost tooth. Also, the tooth above or below the open space will start to move toward the open space because there's no opposing tooth to bite on. These movements may create problems such as decay, gum disease, excessive wear on certain teeth, and TMJ (jaw joint) problems. These problems and movements don't occur immediately but will eventually appear, compromising your chewing abilities, the health of your bite, and the beauty of your smile. Options for replacement of missing teeth: Removable bridges - This type of bridge is a good solution for replacing one or more missing teeth, especially in complex dental situations where other replacement options aren't possible. They're usually made of tooth-colored artificial teeth combined with metal clasps that hook onto adjacent natural teeth. Removable bridges are the most economical option for replacing missing teeth but might be the least aesthetically pleasing. This is because the metal clasps on the appliances are often impossible to completely conceal. Fixed bridges - This type of bridge is generally made of porcelain or composite material and is permanently anchored (cemented) to a natural tooth adjacent to the missing tooth site. The benefit of this type of bridge is that it's fixed (not removable) and very sturdy. The disadvantage is that in order to create a fixed appliance, two healthy natural teeth will need to be crowned (capped) to hold the bridge in place. Dentures - This type of tooth replacement is used when most or all of the natural teeth are missing in one dental arch. Dentures are removable artificial teeth that are made to closely resemble the patient's original teeth. Implants - These are an excellent way to replace one or more missing teeth. They can also provide great support for ill-fitting dentures. A dental implant is an artificial root that is surgically placed into the jaw bone to replace a missing tooth. An artificial tooth is placed on the implant, giving the appearance and feel of a natural tooth. Implants are very stable, durable, and the most aesthetically pleasing tooth replacement option. If you're missing teeth, ask us if they need replacement and what options are available to you. Together, we'll select the best replacement option for your particular case. Prevention and early treatment are always less involved and less costly than delaying treatment and allowing a serious problem to develop.

Most of us have fillings in our mouths that date back many years, and some may have even been placed during our childhood. These fillings may now be old, dark, and unattractive, making us feel self-conscious when we smile, laugh, and talk. Old fillings aren't only unattractive, they may also be defective. When a filling is old, the margins (space between the tooth and filling) may eventually open and allow bacteria and food debris to enter, potentially causing dental decay. Your dentist can check your fillings and evaluate if they're defective and need replacement. Also, if you simply want to replace fillings that are unattractive, you and your dentist can decide which ones should be replaced first and what replacement options would best suit you. Many state-of-the-art dental filling materials and procedures are available today that are quick, painless, and cost-effective for replacing old, unattractive, or defective fillings. Options for replacing old, unattractive, or discolored fillings: Composite (bonding) fillings - These are tooth-colored fillings that can be closely matched to the color of your existing teeth. They're particularly well suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of teeth and are one of the best ways to improve the health and beauty of your smile. Crowns (caps) - These types of restoration are used when a tooth is too damaged and cannot be repaired with a filling or other type of restoration. A crown is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens the remaining tooth structure and can be made of gold, porcelain, and other tooth-colored materials. Inlays/onlays - These restorations are custom-made fillings. They can be made of composite resin, porcelain, or gold and are made by a dental laboratory and placed by a dentist. Inlays and onlays are usually best for the posterior chewing surfaces of teeth and are utilized to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective or unattractive fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Porcelain veneers - Used primarily in the front teeth, veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually crafted and permanently cemented to the front surface of teeth. They're an excellent solution for fixing discolored, pitted, chipped, malformed, or slightly crooked teeth. Veneers are also used if you have unwanted spaces. Veneers are very durable, natural-looking, and don't stain. This makes veneers a very popular solution for restoring a smile impaired by old, unattractive fillings. As you can see, various options exist for replacing old, unattractive fillings. These treatments will provide strong, natural, and long-lasting replacement solutions to enhance the health and beauty of your smile.

Many people are unaware that having periodontal disease (the destruction of gum tissue and bone that hold our teeth in place) can affect your overall health. Periodontal disease is one of the most common infections, often more prevalent than the common cold. Periodontal disease isn't only the number one reason people lose teeth; it can also affect the health of your body. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and in its earliest stages, it's called gingivitis. It starts when an accumulation of plaque (a colony of bacteria, food debris, and saliva) isn't regularly removed from the gums and teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins and acids that irritate and infect the gums, eventually destroying the jaw bone that supports the teeth. When periodontal disease isn't treated, it can eventually lead to tooth loss. Numerous studies have examined the correlation between gum disease and major medical conditions. These studies suggest people with periodontal disease are at greater risk of systemic disease. They also indicate that periodontal disease can allow oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs, beginning new infections. Research suggests that periodontal bacteria in the bloodstream can: Contribute to the development of heart disease Increase the risk of stroke Compromise the health of those who have diabetes or respiratory diseases Increase a woman's risk of having a preterm, low-birth-weight baby While much research still needs to be done to fully understand the link between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, research has shown that infections in the mouth can cause problems elsewhere in the body. To ensure a healthy, disease-free mouth, we recommend the importance of regular dental checkups and cleanings, which include a periodontal evaluation. Also, diligent home care and a proper diet can help reduce plaque and bacteria in the mouth. Remember the mouth-body connection. Taking care of your oral health can contribute to your overall medical health.