Month: October 2012

In this day and age of excellent dental care, the availability of fluoridated tooth pastes, and an abundance of education, it’s hard to believe that the most pervasive threat to children’s health today is tooth decay.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. A new survey released by the Ad Council reports that only 44 percent of American kids brush their teeth two or more times per day.

That leaves the majority of kids at high risk for costly and painful dental problems. It’s reported that more than 16 million kids are suffering from untreated tooth decay in the U.S.

It’s hard to believe and it’s certainly not something to be taken lightly. Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to complications including tooth loss, severe pain, chewing problems and tooth abscesses. Bacteria from gum disease can also enter the bloodstream, sometimes causing infections in other parts of the body, such as the heart.

The problem is easily solved. Preventing this common chronic childhood disease takes less than 5 minutes a day spent brushing and flossing. Support your good home dental hygiene with a professional cleaning and checkup every 6 months, and your kids have a great chance of keeping their smiles for their lifetimes.

Don’t let your kids suffer from tooth decay. Make sure they brush and floss at least 2 times a day and get regular dental care. To schedule your child’s checkup and cleaning, just call my Lewisburg dental practice today.

Have a cracked tooth? Even one so tiny you don’t think treatment is necessary? Consider this: every tooth fracture needs prompt treatment. No chip or crack is insignificant.

Unfortunately, some cracks are too small to be seen, even by a trained eye – which is why regular dental checkups are necessary. Sometimes there is a hairline crack in what looks like a healthy tooth. You may not be aware of the damage until you begin to experience pain. You may not even be sure which tooth is causing you trouble.

Don’t ignore a chip or a crack in a tooth. Untreated, tooth fractures grow larger and longer, inviting bacteria and tooth decay. Cracks in teeth also darken and age your smile. Taking quick action can help save you pain, time and expense.

The good news is that most cracks are superficial, involving only part of the crown, and maybe a bit of the root structure. With fast and effective direct bonding, we can stop a small fracture getting larger and more dangerous.

In fact, 90 percent of all cracks need nothing more than a simple treatment like tooth-colored fillings, porcelain veneers, or dental crowns.

Bottom line? Don’t put it off taking care of a little crack . . . unless you want it to become a big problem. If you chip or crack a tooth, call my Lewisburg dental practice immediately. We’ll get your problem fixed quickly and comfortably.