What, exactly, is a root canal?

Our team knows one thing no patient likes hearing when visiting our office is “root canal.” But what, exactly, is a root canal, and when might you need one? A root canal is a treatment uses to repair and save a tooth that is infected or badly decayed to the point where the nerve is involved. In the past, if a patient had a tooth with a diseased nerve, dentists in most cases would recommend an extraction. Today, however, with a procedure called root canal therapy, available at our office, you may save that tooth—and your beautiful smile—after all! Here are some symptoms that indicate a decayed or infected tooth, courtesy of WebMD:

• Severe toothache pain upon chewing, biting or application of pressure
• One tooth consistently more sensitive to hot or cold than other teeth
• Pain that hurts without any stimulus, keeps you awake or wakes you up at night
• A tooth that feels loose
• Discoloration (a darkening) of the tooth
• Pain that persists weeks following a filling or replacement of a filling
• Chronic pain and/or pressure that may extend to the ear, eye or neck

 If any of these symptoms apply to you, we recommend you schedule an appointment with us right away. The best way to avoid a root canal is to practice good oral hygiene at home, and that includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing to reduce plaque and bacteria. For more tips on how to avoid root canal therapy or for general questions about your dental treatment, we invite you to ask us during your next visit to our office! We also invite you to ask us on Facebook!

If I have braces, do I still need a dental checkup every 6 months?

Thanks for the question! Yes! In fact, it's even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit our office regularly. When you're wearing braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush normally can't reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis and even gum disease. Believe it or not, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease. Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Our team will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while you're undergoing orthodontic treatment.
If it has been more than six months since your last visit to our office, please give us a call! We look forward to your next visit!

Independence Day Facts, Tips, and Party invitations!

It’s hard to believe, but July is already here and half of 2012 has already passed! As July 4th approaches, our team thought it would be fun to share some facts and safety tips for celebrating our country’s independence day.
Fun Facts: • Betsy Ross, according to legend, sewed the first American flag in May or June 1776, as commissioned by the Congressional Committee. • The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation. The colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament. • The word ‘patriotism’ comes from the Latin patria, which means ‘homeland’ or ‘fatherland.’ • The first public Fourth of July event at the White House occurred in 1804. • And what could be more fitting than spending the day in a place called “America”? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, with 21,941 residents. Check out American Fact Finder.
Safety Tips: • Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers. • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. • Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers. • To prevent a trash fire, be sure to douse the spent fireworks with plenty of water from a bucket or hose after fireworks complete their burning and before discarding them. • Make sure fireworks are legal before buying or using them.
What are your plans this 4th of July? Share them with us! We’d love to hear what you and the rest of the community will be doing to celebrate! (Don’t forget to make sure there are no restrictions on fireworks! Check out this link to see if fireworks might be an issue for you this year.)
Also, check out these 4th of July party invitations, eGreeting cards, and delicious recipes!
July 4th eCard inviations!
Happy Independence Day eCards
Independence Day Recipes

Photo by shawnajean