We provide a full range of dental care services and dental treatments. Our dental services include: children's, cosmetic, family, general, implant, orthodontic, preventive, restorative and sedation dentistry.
An Alternative to Regular Implants Some patients are not candidates for regular implants due to diminished bone density. If you are frustrated with the problems from your dentures, you can possibly still have the stability and strength of implants with mini implants. In just one visit, you can have them positioned and then on the same day you can eat whatever foods you like! It is a quick and easy solution to a problem you may have been dealing with for a long time. You will be very pleased with the results they bring.
Perhaps you’ve been neglecting a good oral health routine. Or, you’ve done your best, but you’ve developed plaque and tartar buildup. A regular routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing is an important part of regular plaque removal for everyone. But if you have risk factors that have caused a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums to harden into tartar, your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest scaling or root planing your teeth to remove the buildup. If left untreated, severe tartar buildup along and under the gum line can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which may increase the risk of gum disease. Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal. Here’s what to expect if your dentist or dental hygienist recommends these techniques:
You won’t feel it. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area.
Scaling: Your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the areas both above and below the gum line.
Root Planing: Your dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools to smooth rough spots on the tooth roots. This process not only removes bacteria and helps reduce plaque buildup, but it provides a smooth surface for gums to reattach to the teeth.
After a scaling and root planing procedure, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions and maintain an oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. If your gums are sensitive after the procedure, try a spongy floss, such as Oral-BÆ Ultra FlossÆ, to help prevent painful flossing. The above article is from: OralB.com
Dr. Baker will always take the time to discuss your problems, concerns, and goals with you. Oral health is more far-reaching for your overall health than you may think. Many patients have chronic problems that are an offshoot of a problem with your teeth, gums, and jaws. Some of the issues occur from illness, injury, bite problems, and everyday wear and tear. Many people live with TMJ, bruxism, periodontitis, misshapen or crooked teeth, and missing teeth that often cause headaches, migraines, chronic bad breath, and toothaches. There are many treatments that can relieve these problems and add quality to your daily life.
After digital X-rays, photos, and imprints of your mouth, Dr. Baker outlines your options for treatment to painlessly achieve excellent oral health and a beautiful smile. We also discuss phased treatment and financing to make your dream smile come true.
No More Noticeable Fillings The silver-mercury filling was commonly used by dental practices for decades. But this metallic amalgam contrasts with the color of teeth and can be very noticeable. It also does not bond tightly to enamel, and often allows decay to set in under the filling. Patients mostly object to the appearance of a dark restoration in light teeth. They don’t like how obvious it is when they laugh or speak. We use only modern composite resin fillings that bond tightly to teeth to greatly reduce any chance of decay setting in. Patients are very pleased with the virtually invisible filling that can be made to match the shade of the tooth. These natural-looking restorations also add strength to the remaining tooth structure and can last for years.
Flossing As Prevention For Bad Breath Need another reason to floss your teeth at least once a day? Flossing daily helps improve bad breath by effectively removing the food particles and bacteria that contribute to it. That makes flossing one of the easiest ways to prevent and banish bad breath. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is more common than many people realize. You may joke about bad breath, whether it’s your own or someone else’s, but it’s an important oral health issue. Bad breath can be more than an embarrassing social problem-it can be a sign of disease or illness. Saliva is Your Friend Less saliva means that your mouth is more susceptible to plaque buildup, which can create an unpleasant smell on your breath. Pay extra attention to any of the following circumstances that can reduce the saliva in your mouth and promote bad breath:
Drinking alcohol. Alcohol-containing beverages may promote a dry mouth and cause bad breath. So don’t forget to floss after an evening out on the town, no matter how much you’re tempted to hop into bed and forget about it.
Early morning. Saliva stops flowing while you sleep, so you may be prone to bad breath in the morning. If so, mornings may be the best time for your daily dental flossing.
Being hungry or thirsty. When you’re dehydrated, there’s not as much saliva in your mouth, so you’re prone to bad breath and increased bacterial buildup. Drink enough fluids and remember to floss. Also, remember that chewing food increases the saliva in your mouth, so if you’re skipping meals or dieting, you may develop bad breath.
If you’re dieting and eating less frequently, a mint floss can not only help bad breath by removing bacteria, it may help you with your diet by providing a fresh taste in your mouth that makes you less tempted to snack. People who are following extremely low carbohydrate diets also sometimes report bad breath, but these reports are anecdotal. If you’re on a low-carb diet, or any restrictive diet, you may be promoting bad breath. If you must restrict your food intake and eat infrequently, drink plenty of water to help maintain the level of saliva in your mouth to help prevent bad breath in addition to following a good oral care routine. To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com
How Tongue Scrapers Work If you suffer from halitosis, or chronic bad breath, you’re probably looking for ways to help manage the problem. If so, consider a tongue scraper. They’re relatively inexpensive and available at most pharmacies. Tongue scrapers are often touted as the way to improve bad breath, but there is very little research to show that they are any more effective than simply brushing the tongue with your toothbrush as part of your toothbrushing routine. Trying a tongue scraper can’t hurt, and they’re easy to use. Simply hold the scraper at the back of your tongue, and bring it forward, scraping gently but firmly along the tongue as you go. Although tongue scrapers are harmless, you can probably prevent halitosis just as well by following a consistent oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. And keep these points in mind as part of your daily oral hygiene plan:
Keep your toothbrush fresh. Be sure to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, even if you don’t have bad breath, but especially if you do.
Keep an extra brush at work. Keep a spare toothbrush and toothpaste at work so you can brush your teeth after lunch.
Drink plenty of water. Keeping your mouth moist helps minimize the amount of bacteria in your mouth that can cause bad breath.
