Maintaining excellent oral hygiene begins at home but is best supported by consistent visits to Stewart Judy DDS. To help prevent cavities and gum disease, consider these important steps:

Effective Brushing: Brush your teeth at least twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste approved by the ADA. This routine helps ward off decay and gum issues, reducing the likelihood of needing expensive cosmetic or restorative treatments later. Replace your toothbrush every two to three months to ensure optimal cleaning.

Correct Flossing: Flossing plays a vital role in keeping your gums and teeth healthy and preventing periodontal disease. Use an 18-inch piece of floss, gently sliding it between each tooth. Move the floss up and down several times, curving it around the tooth at the gumline. Remember to floss behind your last molar and clean around bridges or prosthetics with a floss threader if needed.

Consistent Dental Checkups: During each scheduled visit to Stewart Judy DDS, Dr. Judy will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, mouth, and throat. Your appointment includes:

Head and Neck Screening: A comprehensive check for oral cancer, facial assessment, muscle palpation, lymph node evaluation, and examination of the jaw joint (TMJ).

Dental Exam: Evaluation of gum health, tooth mobility, mucous membranes, saliva flow, bite alignment, removable dental appliances, and tooth contacts. Should cavities or damaged fillings be found, we’ll review treatment options with you.

Digital X-Rays: A complete set of advanced imaging to assess underlying dental conditions.

Professional Cleaning: Removal of plaque and tartar, polishing teeth, flossing, evaluating overall oral cleanliness, and offering personalized oral hygiene guidance. Feel free to ask about brushing or flossing techniques during this time.

After the exam, your dentist will discuss any necessary treatment plans, and our welcoming reception team will help you schedule follow-up care.

Regular dental visits combined with dedicated home care are essential for lifelong oral health. This proactive approach can help prevent the need for more complex cosmetic or restorative dental work down the line.

Fluoride helps reverse and prevent tooth decay in five ways:

1. Promoting Tooth Remineralization – Acids can demineralize a tooth — that is, create a weak spot that develops into a cavity. Fluoride helps promote the opposite process, called remineralization, which can reverse the very early stages of tooth decay.
2. Helping Teeth Become More Resistant to Tooth Decay
3. Fluoride actually strengthens teeth, giving them natural protection against future tooth decay.
4. Inhibiting Oral Bacteria’s Ability to Create Tooth-Attacking Acids
5. Fluoride disrupts bacteria’s ability to metabolize sugars, the process that leads to the attack of tooth enamel.

Gum disease progresses through multiple phases. The earliest phase, known as gingivitis, involves inflammation of the gum tissue. During this stage, gums may appear red, swollen, and bleed easily, but the underlying bone remains intact. If left untreated, the condition can advance, causing bone deterioration and loosening or even loss of teeth.

Treatment for gum disease depends on its severity. In the mildest cases, such as gingivitis, removing plaque and tartar buildup from the gum pockets is usually sufficient. More advanced gum disease may necessitate more intensive therapies, including gum and bone grafting procedures to restore damaged tissues.

Sensitive teeth can be caused by a range of factors. The porous part of the tooth, called dentin, is the region that registers pain, and dentin can become exposed due to:

• Fractured or chipped teeth
• Teeth injured by clenching or grinding
• Receding gums caused by gum disease or improper brushing

Teeth grinding can be caused by a range of factors; often, both emotional and physical factors are involved. Causal factors can include stress, sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, and crooked or missing teeth.