Lake Pointe Dental Care

True or false…did our first president, George Washington, have wooden teeth? Surprisingly most Americans believe he did when in reality, he tried dentures made of many materials—but never wood! Washington’s life-long dental problems are well documented. In fact, when he became the first president of the United States at age 47, he only had one natural tooth left in his mouth. And as one of the wealthiest men in America at that time, Washington could afford the very best in dentistry. He had dentures made from gold, hippopotamus tusk, elephant ivory, and even human teeth as he searched desperately to find a proper and comfortable fit. While Washington is known for his place in our country’s history, his dental problems serve as an excellent warning to us all: “look after your teeth and they will look after you.”

Anytime you have a toothache, the first thing most people do is reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. While this may provide some temporary relief, to discover the cause of your toothache and the right treatment, you will need to see our office to determine the exact cause of your pain. Specifically, it must be determined whether the pain due to decay or trauma to a tooth involving the central pulp tissue containing the nerve—the most common cause for severe toothache. This will require endodontic (“endo” = inside, “dont” = tooth) treatment or what is commonly referred to as a root canal treatment, which will remove the pain and allow you to keep the tooth.

If you are like most people, your first response is, “Yes…especially if someone else is paying for it!” While this humorous response reveals the fact that cost may be a factor, in reality, there are many other things to consider first. Have you identified all of your concerns in detail along with your specific long-term goals? Another helpful tool you can use is to bring photos of smiles you like so that your cosmetic dentist can literally see your perception of beauty. Being prepared prior to your first smile enhancement consultation is key to obtaining the best results.

You may have heard the term “dental implant,” but do you really know what it is? Teeth essentially can be thought of having two main parts: the crown, the part of the tooth that can be seen above the gum tissues, and the root, the part that is suspended in the bone by periodontal ligament (“peri” = around; “odont” = tooth) that keeps the tooth in place. A dental implant is a tooth replacement system in which an extracted tooth and its root are replaced with a new metal “root” (implant) that is typically made of titanium. The new tooth, usually made of porcelain, is then attached to the implant via a retaining screw and abutment connector.

Once the warm weather of spring arrives, many people get motivated and start their annual spring-cleaning ritual. This activity usually is focused on cleaning out closets; however, this year, why don’t you try something new and use this same approach to your oral healthcare. Toss your old toothbrush in favor of a new one and schedule an appointment with our office for a thorough exam and cleaning that includes an oral cancer screening. You can also use this appointment as an opportunity to discuss any cosmetic concerns or questions you have regarding your smile. One common trend reported in the spring is the peaked interest in tooth whitening. A professional bleaching has numerous advantages over all at-home, over-the-counter (OTC) methods.

This new technique and technology is fantastic! I know what you are thinking, “who gets excited about some kind of tooth tool?”….. well, I do – and you should too. The quality of our fillings just got better!