How do I keep my teeth and gums healthy?

Through a simple routine of cleaning between the teeth, brushing, good eating habits and your regular dental check-ups. Your teeth and gums should remain healthy, and these are good ways to prevent dental problems. Most people brush regularly, but many don't clean between their teeth or even have regular dental check-ups. Little changes in your daily routine can make a big difference in the long run. Your dental hygienist or dentist can remove any build-up on your teeth and treat any gum disease that has already come up. But daily dental care is totally up to you, and the main weapons are the toothbrush and cleaning between the teeth.

How can I prevent gum disease?

It is very important to remove food debris and plaque from around your teeth as this will result in stopping your gums from swelling and becoming possibly infected. Tartar can develop if you leave plaque in your teeth, which can only be removed by the hygienist or dentist. Try to keep regular appointments so that your teeth can have a thorough cleaning when needed.

What is a veneer?

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit right over the front surface of a tooth, as
a false fingernail fits over a nail. Most of the times a natural color ‘composite' material is used instead of porcelain.

How can I prevent tooth decay in my child?

Tooth decay is mainly caused by not the amount of sugar in the diet, but how often your child eats it or drinks it. The more your child has sugary foods or drinks frequently, the more likely they are to come up with decay. As a result, it is important to keep sugary foods to mealtimes only. If a snack is given to your child, try to stick to vegetables, fruit (not dried) and cheese.

Some processed baby foods contain quite a lot of sugar. Try checking the list of ingredients for the sugar levels. But thorough twice a day brushing, preferably last thing at night, will help to prevent tooth decay.

Why would I need a crown?

It's an ideal restoration for teeth that have been broken, are weakened by decay or a very large / improper filling. A crown could be used for a variety of other reasons:

• To help hold a bridge or denture firmly in place
• If having a root filling that will need a crown to protect it
• If having discolored fillings and would like to improve the appearance of the tooth

South end/Airport Office
210 West Woodlawn Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40214
(502) 368-5529

Office Hours
Woodlawn Once Office
Monday 8-2 PM
Tuesday 8-5 PM
Wednesday 8-5 PM
Thursday closed
Friday 8-3 PM

Both offices are open 1 to 2 Saturdays a month from 8­am-1pm.