Common Myths of Gum Disease # 2

I don't have cavities so I can't have gum disease
Being cavity-free doesn’t ensure you are in the clear where gum disease is concerned. That’s because gum disease is painless and many people have no idea they have it. Gums that bleed easily or are red, swollen or tender is a sign of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease and the only stage that is reversible. When caught early gingivitis can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at the dental office, followed by daily brushing and flossing.

The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Tooth Anatomy

What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth?

• Crown- the top part of the tooth, and the only part you can normally see. The shape of the crown determines the tooth's function. For example, front teeth are sharp and chisel-shaped for cutting, while molars have flat surfaces for grinding.
• Gumline- where the tooth and the gums meet. Without proper brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar can build up at the gumline, leading to gingivitis and gum disease.
• Root- the part of the tooth that is embedded in bone. The root makes up about two-thirds of the tooth and holds the tooth in place.
• Enamel- the outermost layer of the tooth. Enamel is the hardest, most mineralized tissue in the body - yet it can be damaged by decay if teeth are not cared for properly.
• Dentin- the layer of the tooth under the enamel. If decay is able to progress its way through the enamel, it next attacks the dentin - where millions of tiny tubes lead directly to the dental pulp.
• Pulp- the soft tissue found in the center of all teeth, where the nerve tissue and blood vessels are. If tooth decay reaches the pulp, you usually feel pain.

What Are the Different Types of Teeth?
Every tooth has a specific job or function (use the dental arch in this section to locate and identify each type of tooth):

• Incisors- the sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four upper, four lower) used for cutting food.
• Canines- sometimes called cuspids, these teeth are shaped like points (cusps) and are used for tearing food.
• Premolars- these teeth have two pointed cusps on their biting surface and are sometimes referred to as bicuspids. The premolars are for crushing and tearing.
• Molars- used for grinding, these teeth have several cusps on the biting surface

 

The above article is from: Colgate.com


Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Common Myths of Gum Disease # 1

Gum disease is not that common
On the contrary, gum disease is extremely common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. Gum disease, an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth. Plaque that is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually harden into calculus or tartar.

The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Tooth Decay and Sensitivity

What Causes Tooth Enamel Damage?

What happens when tooth enamel is damaged? The exposed part underneath becomes vulnerable to decay. Cavities aren't the only problem.

Teeth with damaged enamel can become sensitive to extreme temperatures. Suddenly, eating ice cream or sipping hot coffee can be painful or unpleasant.

Above article from: WebMD.com/oral-health

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Children's Dentistry

Your Kids Will Be Happy in Our Care! 
Our doctors’ friendly and caring natures make children feel at ease during their treatments. We use the latest methods in children’s dentistry and administer them in a thoughtful and compassionate way. We teach kids how to care for their teeth with proper daily dental hygiene so they can keep their natural teeth for life. We enjoy meeting them for their first visit at age one and look forward to all their visits as they grow and change.

You can be assured we are capable of helping your children, no matter what age, feel comfortable at our practice. We want this and all generations of children to be anxiety free while sitting in the dental chair. And parents have let us know that we’re achieving this goal! Whether your child is anxious or rambunctious, we can have them relax to enjoy their visits.

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Cosmetic Denitstry

A New Smile Is Easy to HaveWe can give you the smile of your dreams with both excellent preventive care and advanced restorative techniques. With today’s dental treatments of veneers, bonding, crowns, and whitening, you can have your best smile in less time than you think and more affordably than you ever imagined. Let us show you how easy it is to have a makeover to a great smile.

A New Smile in Only Two Visits!
With porcelain veneers, you can correct problems of unsightly gaps, deep discoloration, or misshapen teeth in just two visits. No kidding! Veneers are sheets of dental ceramic that are very durable and the best quality. After some tooth reduction, they are bonded to your teeth and create a straight and uniform smile. They also are used for chipped or cracked teeth. They cover over these problems and can also conceal a worn-down or misshapen tooth. Veneers match the color of your other teeth to blend in and look completely natural.


Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com

Orthodontics Watertown SD

Early Detection of Bite Problems Makes for Easier Correction It is important to understand that wearing braces does not just straighten teeth but corrects the more serious problem of a malocclusion (bite disorder). Treatment at an early age can minimize the need for orthodontics or sometimes eliminate any need for braces. When this problem is detected at an early age, it allows for permanent teeth to come together as they should. Young children are at an advantage to more easily resolve this condition, as their bone is more pliable than an adult’s.

Our doctors are very qualified and use the latest techniques to make orthodontics comfortable and more attractive than ever. What used to be 3 – 5 years for treatment is now 6 – 24 months! Length of time varies according to personal needs and goals.  

Braces Do More than Straighten Teeth
Orthodontics do more than just give you a smile with straight, even teeth. Often teeth and jaws develop improperly, resulting in an improper bite that causes other problems. We offer specially designed oral appliances that guide the jaw and teeth into correct alignment. Having corrections of an overbite (upper teeth come over lower teeth), underbite (lower teeth are forward of upper teeth), and crossbite (teeth overlap on the sides) are more easily taken care as a child or adolescent, which helps to prevent more serious problems as an adult. 

Watertown Dental Care
600 4th Street NE, Suite 207
Watertown, SD 57201
(605) 882-0747
WatertownDentalCare.com