Ladd Dental Group

Taking Caring of your Teeth and Gums   "No matter what your age, you need to take care of your teeth and mouth. When your mouth is healthy, you can easily eat the foods you need for good nutrition. Smiling, talking and laughing with others also are easier when your mouth is healthy. Tooth Decay (Cavities) Teeth are meant to last a lifetime. By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can protect them for years to come. Tooth decay is not just a problem for children. It can happen as long as you have natural teeth in your mouth. Tooth decay ruins the enamel that covers and protects your teeth. When you don’t take good care of your mouth, bacteria can cling to your teeth and form a sticky, colorless film called dental plaque. This plaque can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Gum disease can also cause your teeth to decay. Fluoride is just as helpful for adults as it is for children. Using a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse can help protect your teeth. If you have a...

Are Dental Implants Right for You ?  " Complete and partial dentures are removable appliances that allow you to replace missing teeth in a very non-invasive way. On the other hand, a dental implant requires a surgical procedure in which a titanium post is rooted into your jaw bone, creating a sturdy foundation for your replacement tooth or teeth. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. When you are faced with deciding between a denture or an implant, it’s essential to be well-informed so that you can choose the option that will work best for you.  Why Would You Need Dentures or Dental Implants ? Not everyone is born with a perfect smile, and accidents can happen that cause missing teeth. Perhaps you grew up in an area that didn’t use fluoride in the water or genetics played a role in tooth loss thanks to gum disease. Whatever the reason, if you are missing a few or all of your teeth, dental implants or dentures can be the answer you’ve been looking for. ...

AFTER WISDOM TOOTH REMOVAL "The removal of impacted teeth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if instructions are followed carefully.  IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WISDOM TOOTH SURGERY : The gauze pack placed over the surgical site should be kept in place and replaced as needed for bleeding. Take the prescribed pain medications as directed and start taking in fluids. If liquids are well tolerated, the diet can be advanced to soft cool to room temperature foods. Avoid chewing foods until after tongue sensation has returned. Place ice packs to the sides of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on swelling for explanation.  BLEEDING Bleeding will occur after surgery, and it is not uncommon to ooze blood for 24-48 hours after surgery. Keep in mind that oral bleeding represents a little blood and a lot of saliva. Placing a gauze pack ...

What is Comprehensive Dental Care?   "The best definition of comprehensive dental care is whatever type of dental treatment that is required to either maintain your dental health (if you are a “dental youth”), or to restore your dental condition to be as close to a dental youth or dental adult, as possible. How do people get into trouble with their teeth, and why should we restore these teeth?  After all, many of us have that family member or relative who is able to eat anything with a minimum of teeth. There are really  Four Reasons Why People get into Trouble with Their Teeth. 1. Decay.    Did you know that there are between 32 and 37 types of bacteria in our mouths that cause dental decay?   Scary, huh?  Dental decay is definitely on the decline, thanks to fluoride, availability of regular dental care, and education about the importance of regular dental care. But for some people, with “bad genes” or who take many medications , dental ...

Dental insurance versus dental discount plans "Before jumping into details, here’s a quick overview of the two offerings: Dental insurance Individual dental insurance costs more than insurance through an employer. According to the most recent figures from the National Association of Dental Plans, individual plans cost $4-$15 more per month than group plans (those offered through employers) and $20-$35 more for family plans. In 2016, the average DHMO (similar to HMOs for health insurance) premium cost $14.06 per month for employee-only coverage. The average DPPO cost $24.49 per month. Premiums for individual insurance would be higher, based on past research. DHMOs are generally cheaper than DPPOs , both in premium and in service cost, but only if you go to an in-network provider, according to  Guardian Life Insurance . Most DHMO networks are small, limiting your provider options, and you may be required to choose a primary care dentist. DPPO plans have larger networks an...

What is a Root Canal? "A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a  tooth  that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a  root canal procedure , the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the  tooth  is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the  tooth  will become infected and abscesses may form.  "Root canal" is the term used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. The tooth's nerve lies within the root canal.  A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory -- to provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.   Why Does Tooth Pulp Need to Be Removed? When a tooth's nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks do...