Teeth Development

Throughout your life, you will have two sets of teeth: primary (baby) teeth and secondary (permanent) teeth.  At age 6-8 months, the primary teeth appear; all 20 are in place by age three.

Permanent teeth will begin to grow around age six, and except for wisdom teeth, are all present between ages twelve and fourteen.  The next teeth to grow in are the 12-year molars and finally the wisdom teeth (3rd molars).  Wisdom teeth typically begin breaking through from age seventeen and on.  The total number of permanent teeth is 32, though few people have room for all 32 teeth.  This is why wisdom teeth are usually removed from the oral cavity.

Your front teeth are called incisors.  The sharp pointed teeth are the canines.  The next side teeth are referred to as pre-molars or bicuspids, and the back teeth used for chewing are molars.  Your permanent teeth are the ones you will keep for life, so it's important that they are brushed and flossed regularly and that periodic dental check-ups by a dentist are followed.

Teeth Development

Oral Health Helps Overall Health

As if good teeth are not a sufficient reason to keep your gums and mouth in peak condition, your overall good health is ample motivation.

Gum disease - gingivitis - commonly caused by inadequate brushing and flossing, and lack of regular professional cleanings, is present in about 90% of the population; that in turn leads to more serious periodontal disease, which causes or exacerbates other bodily health issues, including holistic well-being.

Conditions caused directly by gingivitis and periodontal disease include:  bad breath, gum abscesses, tooth loss, digestive disorders and oral pain.  Plus it results in greater health care costs to you.  Prevention is better than the cure!

Because the micro-organisms and bacteria in your mouth travel into your bloodstream, your mouth becomes the gateway to your overall health.  For example, there is a labor-inducing fluid in oral bacteria that is proven to cause premature and low-weight births.  In diabetics, who are more susceptible to various other diseases, studies show that regular professional dental cleanings helps control their blood sugar levels.

Most of the oral bacteria that enters the blood stream are harmless, but in a weakened heart or compromised immune system, opportunistic bacteria increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.  Periodontal disease can also worsen respiratory problems and complicate osteoporosis.

Be sure to brush twice a day and floss daily, but there is no substitute for regular professional cleanings to prevent gum disease.  Call us today!

ZOOM! Ignite the White!

The Zoom! Chairside Whitening System is a scientifically advanced tooth whitening procedure.  It's safe, effective and fast.  In only one office visit, your teeth will become dramatically whiter.  Zoom! Chairside Whitening is ideal for anyone looking for immediate results.  The convenience of Zoom! makes it the perfect choice for the busy individual.

The procedure is simple.  It begins with a short preparation to cover your lips and gums, leaving only your teeth exposed.  The Zoom! Dental Professional then applies the Zoom! Whitening Gel, which was scientifically designed to be used with the Zoom! Lamp.  The Zoom! Lamp and Whitening Gel work together to gently penetrate your teeth, breaking up stains and discoloration.  With proper care and maintenance, your smile will have a lasting sparkle.

We offer the "in-office" whitening procedure by 'ZOOM!' which can whiten your teeth as many as 8 shades in about two hours. As we include take home bleaching trays and "touch-up" bleach, your teeth will stay white for years to come.  Contact us here for an appointment request to schedule a consultation to see if you're a candidate to do the Zoom! Tooth Whitening. 

Don't Lose Your End of Year Insurance Benefits!

We know that by now, you understand that any advice we give to you is out of genuine concern for your well-being.  Whether we recommend a treatment plan, suggest a lifestyle change or encourage you to use up your annual insurance benefits, our sole motive is to help you achieve optimal oral health.

As we get close to the end of the year, time starts to run out for you to make the most of your dental insurance before it expires December 31st.  It could also be an advantage to go ahead with your dental care and get started on some of it this year, while rolling into the new year and complete your recommended treatment with the new years benefits! 

Please take a moment to check your remaining insurance maximum...then call us to schedule an appointment and make the most of your benefits!

Cracked Tooth Syndrome

When you feel sharp pain during biting functions, a cusp of a tooth may crack and start flexing.  If this is the situation then you will experience cracked tooth syndrome.  The pain will not be permanent since the cusp may take the right position and angle, and thus cause no pain.  However, when consuming  hot, cold, sweet or sour foods it seeps into a crack and triggers sometimes deadly pain.

This condition is treated by placing a crown over the tooth.  This crown restores and protects the tooth. If the affected tooth remains untreated for some time, the situation may get worse and even require extraction or root canal therapy since the tooth will fracture sooner or later.

Usually these cracks are so tiny that they cannot be noticed or seen with the visible eye.  Only cracked tooth pain can signal about the problem.  Cracked tooth symptoms will not vanish as time passes, chances are that pain will only intensify.

Cracked tooth symptoms:

• Sharp pain when biting
• Pain when drinking and eating cold/hot food and beverages
• Sensitivity of a tooth to air
• Occasional toothache

Thus, the sooner you see a dentist the more chances you have to save a cracked tooth.  A bright healthy smile is something we value so much!