Fluoride: The Superhero of Cavity Fighting

Don't Neglect Your Oral Health

Adults 40-60

A white smile is a great accessory for anyone. Talk to your dentist to find out which whitening option is right for you.

 

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We all know life can be busy, but don’t neglect your oral health. Your dental care is just as important now as it was when you were a kid. Untreated dental disease can lead to serious health problems such as infection, damage to bone or nerve and tooth loss. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day and see your dentist regularly. This simple routine can help you remain Mouth Healthy for Life. 

Missing Teeth

Did you know that the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth? If you are missing one or more teeth, there are plenty of reasons to correct the problem. Talk to your dentist for more information about improving your smile. 

To learn more, visit our other Adults 40-60 pages on MouthHealthy: 

• Healthy Habits 
• Concerns unique to you
• Nutrition tips 

Then test yourself with the Fact or Fiction Adults 40-60 quiz. Keeping your mouth healthy now can help you stay Mouth Healthy for Life.

Good Oral Health

      Your mouth is made up of more than just teeth, so good oral health goes beyond simply brushing and flossing. In addition to your teeth, your mouth is made up of gums, oral mucosa, the upper and lower jaw, the tongue, salivary glands, the uvula, and the frenulum. All of these structures play an important role when it comes to good dental health and are routinely examined when you receive dental care.

The Oral Mucosa

When you open your mouth and look in the mirror, everything that isn’t a tooth is covered by a protective lining called the oral mucosa, which is a mucous membrane similar to the mucous membranes that line your nostrils and inner ears.

The oral mucosa plays an essential role in maintaining your oral health, as well as your overall health, by defending your body from germs and other irritants that enter your mouth. A tough substance called keratin, also found in your fingernails and hair, helps make the oral mucosa resistant to injury.

The Gums

Your gums are the pinkish tissue that surrounds and supports your teeth. Also covered by oral mucosa, gums play a critical role in your oral health. Healthy gums are firm, cover the entire root of the tooth, and do not bleed when brushed, poked, or prodded. Gum disease can ultimately lead to tooth loss, so taking care of your gums by flossing daily is just as essential to dental care as brushing your teeth.

The Upper and Lower Jaw

Your jaws give your face its shape and your mouth the structure it needs for chewing and speech. Human jaws are made up of several bones: The upper jaw contains two bones that are fused to each other and to the rest of your skull, while the lower jawbone is separate from the rest of the skull, enabling it to move up and down when you speak and chew.

The Tongue

The tongue is a powerful muscle covered in specialized mucosal tissue that includes your taste buds. The tongue is not just important to your oral health — it's also considered an integral part of the body's digestive system — it's responsible for moving food to your teeth, and when chewed food is ready to be swallowed, the tongue moves it to the back of the throat so it can proceed into the esophagus. In babies, the tongue and the jaw work together to enable the infant to breastfeed. Additionally, the tongue plays an essential role in the ability to speak by shaping the sounds that come out of your mouth.

The Salivary Glands

You have three sets of salivary glands in your mouth and neck: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. These glands produce saliva, which contains special enzymes that help break down food, making it easier for you to swallow. Saliva is critical to good oral health, because it protects your teeth and gums by rinsing away food particles and bacteria and by helping to counteract acidic foods that can wear down the protective enamel on your teeth.

The Uvula

The uvula is the small flap of tissue which hangs down at the back of your throat. The uvula is composed of muscle fibers as well as connective and glandular tissues. Like other soft tissue structures in the mouth, the uvula is covered by oral mucosa. The uvula has long been a source of curiosity for scientists as all of its functions are not yet fully understood. However, it seems to play some role in speech and in keeping the mouth and throat moist.

The Frenulum Linguae

The frenulum is a flap of oral mucosa that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This tissue allows the tongue to move about as it does its job. If an infant is born with a frenulum that is too short, or not elastic enough, he or she can have trouble breastfeeding. A short frenulum can also affect speech.

The next time you’re brushing your teeth, spend a minute looking at the parts of the mouth that lie farther inside the oral cavity. Knowing what these structures do and what they look like can help you to maintain optimal oral health.

Pediatric Dentistry

Catering to the dental needs of kids requires a special touch. Pediatric dentists are specially trained to treat the oral health needs of children, from infancy through their teenage years. This involves in-depth knowledge about children's behavior, as well as their growth and development. Pediatric dental offices are also designed to make kids feel comfortable and relaxed – with plenty of toys, activities and a warm, inviting and fun décor.

Dental Fillings

Dental Fillings

If you've been told you need a dental filling, you're not alone: 92% of Americans have had at least one cavity. Dental fillings are the tried-and-true treatment for treating cavities – and they come in a variety of options to suit every need. Dental fillings can be made of silver amalgam, composite, porcelain and even gold. Amalgam fillings have been used by dentists for more than a century and are still the most common and cost-effective type of dental filling. But composite fillings, which are made of a tooth-colored plastic and glass composite, are quickly becoming the preferred dental filling due to their natural appearance and durability. The type of dental filling used is determined by a number of factors, including size and location of the cavity, as well as your budget.

Faster, Safer … & Environmentally Friendly

 

We learn a lot about your oral health through a visual examination of your

teeth and gums. But even with 20/20 vision, there are things that can’t be

seen with the naked eye. Technological tools are invaluable in helping us

detect potential trouble, and by far the most effective of these is the dental

radiograph, or x-ray.

We are now able to offer our patients a new type of x-ray, the digital

radiograph, which offers benefi ts beyond the traditional x-ray. We place

a sensor that is about the size and shape of a domino on the inside of your

cheek. It sends signals to a computer which are translated into large,

crisp, electronic pictures of your teeth, supporting bones, and gums. The

pictures can be enlarged and colored for clarifi cation and are stored in

your fi le for future reference.

Because digital radiographs require 90% less radiation than

traditional x-rays, you can relax ... the radiation is so low, you

no longer have to wear a lead apron and we don’t have to leave

the room!

The digital radiograph makes it easier and less expensive to

detect, diagnose and plan treatment long before problems become

visible to the naked eye. We’ll recommend digital radiographs

periodically, as you need them. It’s the best and safest way to guard

your smile against unexpected problems!

Sobering Stats

Exams count

       Did you know that, according to one study, we are among fewer than 20% of dentists performing oral cancer screenings? Screening can save lives and experts believe that late diagnosis is an important contributor to oral cancer’s high rate of mortality. We’re proud that we have been so proactive in encouraging you not to miss your annual exam. As well, these exams provide us with an opportunity to educate you about signs and symptoms and the need for self-exams at home. Those at risk are older adults who consume alcohol and tobacco and young adults who have been exposed to the human papilloma virus (HPV-16). So if it’s been a while, please call and book your recall appointment today.