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Prevention & Home care

The best way to prevent problems such as tooth decay and gum disease is to maintain proper oral hygiene, and come to the dentist for regular checkups and dental cleanings. We will customize an oral health care routine for you based on your needs, and make recommendations for everything from brushing and flossing, to mouth rinses, diet, smoking cessation, and even exercise! We will work with you to determine how often you will need to return to our office for cleanings and exams. For patients with healthy gums, this is usually every 6 months. However, for patients with active gum disease, we may recommend a more frequent recall schedule, such as every 3 or 4 months.

As a general rule, it is imperative to brush your teeth properly at least twice a day, and floss daily. An over the counter mouth rinse is helpful to flush away bacteria that cause gingivitis and tooth decay. We will demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques when we perform dental cleanings, and will help you determine which of the hundreds of dental products offered in stores will help you most.

We recommend use of an electric toothbrush, such as Sonicare to help remove harmful plaque and bacteria, and will help you choose the right brush for you. You should change your toothbrush, or replace the head of an electric toothbrush every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed. During each exam we will do a thorough screening of your oral cavity, and outer structures of your head and neck to screen for diseases such as oral cancer. Therefore, we recommend that everyone, even denture wearers, maintain regular visits.

What do healthy teeth and gums look like?

Some people think that if nothing is hurting, there is no reason to visit the dentist. This is absolutely not the case!! The American Dental Association recommends, on average, at least two visits per year to your dentist. During each exam, we will screen for oral cancer, gum disease, jaw problems, cavities, and several other potential problems. We will also educate you on what healthy teeth and gums look like, and how to properly care for and prevent problems. If you notice any pain, sensitivity, bleeding or puffy gums, dark or yellow spots on your teeth, gum recession, shifting teeth, or swelling, please make an appointment today!

What is a cavity?

A �cavity,� or caries, is a disease process in which the structural integrity of the tooth is compromised. Bacteria, such as streptococcus mutans, produce toxins and acid that remove the minerals from the tooth, creating a softer area that is more prone to fracture, and sensitivity or pain. An �incipient cavity� is a tiny cavity in the outer layer of the tooth known as the enamel. Oftentimes, if we catch a cavity in this stage, we can prevent it from growing to the point of needing treatment such as fillings or root canals. Once a cavity reaches the inner portion of the tooth, it is irreversible, and must be treated. Smaller cavities can be treated with fillings, but once they reach a larger size, they may need a root canal and/or a crown.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a process in which destruction of the tissues surrounding the teeth are destroyed by toxins produced by bacteria. These tissues, (the gum and bone), are the foundation for a healthy mouth, and destruction to these tissues can cause loosening of teeth, and eventual loss of teeth. Another name for gum disease is �the silent killer,� due to its correlation with health problems and the fact that oftentimes there will be no pain, even in serious cases. Any redness, tenderness, receeding gums, bleeding gums, puffy gums could be a sign of gum disease. If you notice any of these, please contact our office today!

At your initial visit, we will measure and record the health of your periodontal (gum) tissues. We will examine closely for any signs of gum disease and help you determine the right course of treatment. As your homecare routine is critical to the success of preventing or treating periodontal disease, we want to work with you to help you make great decisions for your health. At each subsequent visit, we will continue to track the health of your gums and listen to your feedback to determine if any changes in your oral healthcare routine are needed.

Why do I need to come to the dentist for cleanings and checkups?

Building a good relationship with your dental professionals is a key component to a lifelong healthy mouth and body. We take pride in working side by side with you to develop customized treatment and prevention plans for you. We listen to feedback and help you plan, making changes as needed. We care about you as a patient, and look forward to working with you.

During each dental exam, we will do a thorough exam of your entire oral cavity, including the outside of your head and neck, cheek, tongue, lips, palate, and teeth. We screen for oral cancer, gum disease, cavities, jaw problems, wearing of tooth structure, and much more! The oral cavity is one of the first places that many systemic diseases will appear, such as autoimmune problems and metastatic cancers. Oral cancer kills approximately one person every hour, so we take it seriously!

Plaque is a sticky substance which adheres to your teeth in the form of a biofilm. As minerals deposit into this film, it becomes attached to the tooth much like cement. This is called calculus, or �tartar.� The bacteria that live in plaque and tartar produce toxins and acids which cause cavities, bad breath, gingivitis and gum disease. While your toothbrush and floss are responsible for removing the majority of plaque before it turns into tartar, it is inevitable that some tartar will build up on the teeth. The only way to remove this tartar is by a professional dental cleaning, where we use highly specialized equipment and techniques to clean the teeth without damaging them. Much like a solid foundation is critical to the longevity and stability of a house, your periodontium (the gums and bone that surround the tooth), plays a vital role to the health and stability of your mouth, and your entire body! Recently, developments in healthcare have revealed that there is a direct link between periodontal disease (also called �gum disease�), and other health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. At Infinity Dental Care, we treat the mouth as an integral component to the health of the human body, and maintain the motto: �prevention is key!�

Why does it matter if my teeth are crooked?

Patients who have improperly aligned teeth (malocclusion) are at increased risk of developing problems such as fractured teeth, gum disease, recession, and other health problems. The position of the teeth in the mouth can have a direct impact on the underlying supporting gum and bone tissues. Crowded, or overlapping teeth, or areas with excess spacing, can cause food traps and areas where plaque bacteria are much more difficult to remove. These bacteria have a direct link with health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Teeth that have an improper bite are much more likely to develop areas of abfraction (splintering of the tooth next to the gumline). This exposes an area of the tooth that is much softer and more prone to cavities and gum disease. In order to prevent these problems, we may consider other treatment options such as a bite splint, nightguard, orthodontic movement of the teeth, or restorative treatment to help correct any areas of malocclusion. We will discuss this with you at your initial visit, or if you know you have crooked teeth, you can call today to schedule a free consultation to see if you are a candidate for clear braces. (link to Invisalign)

Is smoking really that bad for me?

Tobacco use has been proven to increase the risk of many diseases, from various forms of cancer to heart disease. It also has a direct correlation to periodontal disease, therefore, our recommendation is cessation of all use of tobacco. For anyone currently smoking or using other forms of tobacco, we can help you quit! We offer various treatments from counseling to medications to help break the habit, and it is our privilege and joy to help patients achieve the results they are seeking, in a non-judgmental manner.

Why should the dentist be involved in our family planning?

During and just after pregnancy, women are at increased risk of dental problems such as acid erosion, cavities, and gingivitis. Due to morning sickness and acid reflux often experienced during pregnancy, there is an increased amount of acid in the mouth which can lead to thin enamel and weaker teeth. Many women also notice a stronger gag reflex and nausea making it more difficult to brush and floss properly to remove the bacteria and food that lead to decay and gum disease. Many women also experience a drastic increase in bleeding and inflammation of their gums during and just after pregnancy. Hormone changes and other factors help contribute to something called �pregnancy gingivitis,� which exhibits as puffy gums that bleed easily when you are brushing, flossing or eating.

For the health of the mother and the developing child, it is incredibly important to keep the teeth as clean and healthy as possible while pregnant. Dr. Shirey has uncovered many helpful tips in her experience that she will be happy share with you as we structure a customized oral health care routine during this incredibly important and exciting time!

If you are not pregnant yet, but are planning to be soon, we recommend a thorough exam as soon as possible, so we can detect and treat any problems prior to conception. While we are able to complete some necessary dental procedures during pregnancy, we try to minimize the amount of exposure to medications, chemicals and radiation as much as possible for the health of the developing child. We much prefer to for the mother to have a healthy mouth before she conceives, so schedule your pre-pregnancy exam today!

At your initial visit, we will measure and record the health of your periodontal (gum) tissues. We will examine closely for any signs of gum disease and help you determine the right course of treatment. As your homecare routine is critical to the success of preventing or treating periodontal disease, we want to work with you to help you make great decisions for your health. At each subsequent visit, we will continue to track the health of your gums and listen to your feedback to determine if any changes in your oral healthcare routine are needed.