Nearly half of American adults over 30 suffer from gum disease. Gum disease occurs in stages, ranging from mild gingivitis to more serious periodontitis. If you are experiencing symptoms of gingivitis, such as some swelling or slight bleeding in your gums, you may not realize the potential risk lurking in your mouth. The truth is, if gum disease is not eradicated or properly treated by your dentist, it can lead to several unsettling health problems – including those beyond your mouth.

Periodontal infections begin simply, when bacteria and its acid byproducts get trapped along the gum line. This causes the soft tissues of the mouth to become irritated and inflamed. While gingivitis does not cause any bone damage or tissue loss, the more advanced stages of gum disease do. Periodontitis causes inflammation that is serious enough to form pockets between gums and teeth, which collect more bacteria and destroy the supportive bone and tissues of the teeth. The major consequence of gum disease within the mouth is tooth loss, but it doesn’t stop there. (more…)

If you are considering porcelain veneers, you considering one of the most profound advancements in cosmetic dentistry. While veneers hold powerful capabilities to transform your smile, the concept behind them is quite simple. Here is a closer look at how veneers work and their unique advantages over other cosmetic dental services.

Veneers are wafer thin shells of porcelain that are strongly bonded to the front surface of your teeth. To ensure the veneer adheres properly to the tooth, a very small portion of your tooth must be removed. Therefore, porcelain veneers are irreversible. However, don’t let that scare you. The advantages of veneers are significant and they include the following: (more…)

If you are like most Americans, you lead a busy and stressful life. Whether you are a student, young parent or working professional, the day-to-day stress can start to take its toil on your health. While you may be familiar with how stress affects your heart health and intestinal health, it can also compromise your oral health.

High levels of stress are often associated with a lowered immune system. In such cases, your body’s ability to fight off infection is impaired. When it comes to your mouth, this can mean a greater vulnerability to gum disease. Gum disease is a chronic infection of the gums and supporting tissues of your teeth. If you let stress get the best of you and neglect to seek treatment for gum disease, you can end up with serious dental problems, including tooth loss. (more…)

What are your sensitive teeth trying to tell you? If you experience slight or severe pain when you eat or drink something hot or cold, you are not alone. Tooth sensitivity is a common dental problem that affects approximately 1 in 3 people. Your sensitive teeth may be so severe that even walking outside in the cold air triggers tooth pain. It is always important to discuss any level of tooth sensitivity with your dentist. However, to understand how you can best treat a sensitive tooth, you must first determine its cause. Most tooth sensitivity occurs when the tooth’s enamel wears so thin that the dentin layer of the tooth is exposed. With the dentin layer exposed, there is easy access to nerve branches, thus causing sensitivity. Some common causes of tooth sensitivity include:

• Brushing your teeth too hard. This can wear away the enamel layer
• Poor oral hygiene. This may allow tartar to build up at the gum line
• Long-term tooth wear
• Untreated cavities
• An old filling with a crack or leak
• Receding gums that expose the tooth’s roots
• Frequently eating acidic foods or drinking acidic liquid

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If you suffer from fear or anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist, you are not alone. In fact, over 35 million Americans have some level of anxiety surrounding dental care. For many, it is more than simply being afraid. At Salt Run Family Dentistry, we go above and beyond to accommodate patients with dental phobia. It is a very real condition that we can absolutely address in our office. From providing sedation dentistry to offering relaxing office amenities, there are ways to eliminate your anxiety and fear surrounding the dental chair. (more…)