Are Your Teeth Wearing Down?

Are your teeth kind of worn down?

Sort of beat up? Looking a little older than you look yourself?

Like this?

Lots of people come to us with teeth like this. They've been chewing all their lives and things have just gotten worn. Or chipped by accident.

This is not a character flaw! It's just a condition. It happens. Sometimes fast, sometimes a little at a time.

You know, we get used to the way we are. Gradually we lose a little here and a little there and before we know it things are not what we want them to be.

Like this:

If this is beginning to look like you, please call us. We know how to restore the lost structure and make your teeth whole again. It's easier than you probably think.

Worn teeth are fragile, can get really sensitive and make you look old. And they change your bite and that's usually not good.

This is the 21st century. Dentistry does not struggle with worn, old-looking teeth like these anymore. Neither should you.

Don't live with worn out teeth. Call us. We can help.

Evaluations. Some of the Most Important Time We Spend With You.

Our patients know how much importance we place on regular evaluations.

So I wanted take a few minutes to explain what is happening when you are with us for that hour or so.

Because those visits can make all the difference between having oral health and teeth you like for your lifetime or a future with lots of dental problems.

And those little visits can actually save your life. Did you know that the links between dental health and a variety of systemic disease is growing every day and is now acknowledged by the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and other major organizations dealing with some of the most life-threatening diseases?

So what do we do?

First we catch up on what’s going on with you. Our patients are family and we want the news. You are much more than a transportation system for your teeth to us.

We'll ask you if there have been any changes in your general health or medications you may be taking. We need to know that to be sure you are safe when we care for you.

We'll ask you if you have any concerns or wishes.

And then it begins. Our tour is done with you watching and we talk with you while we work. An evaluation is a conversation, not a lecture.

All our patients know about plaque – that sticky transparent film of biofilm that attaches to your teeth and is dead center as a cause of most dental disease. We make sure our patients know all about that and how to prevent it from taking over.

So we use a special stain to make your biofilm visible. This lets us – and you – see where you might be missing it so we can help you get on it. Tools and techniques are reviewed so you can have the power to control your own bacteria instead of being a victim of them.

And let's face it. We all need a little motivational boost every once in a while. Right? Of course right.

Next we take a tour of the mouth you brought in.

First is the health of your gum tissues and deeper supporting tissues. This is what dentists call your periodontal health. We look for places where your gum tissues may bleed (healthy tissues don't bleed), areas where gum tissue may have separated from the roots of your teeth (healthy gum tissue is tightly attached to the necks of your teeth), and the general color and tone and contour of your tissues.

We look for teeth that may be getting mobile (teeth with healthy support are not loose).

We check to see if you are building up tartar and where it is.

Next we take a look at your teeth themselves. We look for visible decay, chips, cracks, and any signs of abnormal wear.

We check the dentistry you already have to be sure it is functioning well and is in good condition.

If you are scheduled for x-rays we took them at the beginning. And if something we see makes us want an x-ray of it, we do that now.

And we'll update our photos of you if necessary.

We will conduct a careful exam for oral cancer. We'll evaluate your bite and your jaw joint function.

We're not just interested in identifying potential problems. We will compliment you on what we see that is good, healthy, strong. And we will share our thoughts about what we wish were different about your mouth and your smile. We'll talk with you about these things.

If we have suggestions for care, we’ll make them and answer questions. We'll schedule any follow up testing or treatment.

And if you are scheduled for professional cleaning services, we'll do that.

And by the way, we'll probably share a laugh or two. Dentistry should be fun. Laughter is good medicine.

This is the way people keep their teeth for a lifetime and avoid dental trouble. You, the patient and we, your coaches, work together in a partnership to create your dental future.

Working together, we can accomplish your goals.

A bright smile is the most convincing form of human communication. We want you to keep yours always.