Treatment Overview

Strong, healthy teeth and gums are a cornerstone to individual health.  Healthy gums help combat disease by helping prevent bacteria from entering the blood stream through the oral cavity.  Moreover, they assist the bone structure of our upper and lower jaws in holding our teeth securely in place as we exert the force required to chew food to the point that it can be both easily swallowed and digested.  

Just as our overall health is supported in large part by healthy teeth and gums, the health of our teeth and gums is dependant upon diet, hygiene and proper care.  For most of us, this means avoiding refined sugars that foster decay; following a regiment of careful brushing and flossing, and adhering to a routine of regular checkups and cleaning.

The need for periodic cleaning is primarily due to our modern diet, comprised in large measure of refined sugars and starches. These sugars and starches are responsible for the buildup of tartar and other deposits, that despite our best effort, accumulate at the base and crevices of our teeth. Left unchecked, the buildup of tarter insidiously erodes the natural seal that our gums provide around our teeth and provide a path for destructive bacteria. Starches and sugars that sneak into and remain in the crevices quickly attack the enamel, causing decay of the tooth.

Complicating the situation is that no two mouths are the same, either chemically or anatomically.  Some individuals accumulate very little tartar and may only need to have them professionally cleaned once every other year, while others may require professional cleaning every six months. If the manner in which the teeth set make it difficult to reach with a brush and or  floss, more frequent cleaning will be necessary. In sum, a variety of factors enter into how often professional cleaning is required and can only be determined by a trained dental professional.

Regardless of the attention paid to oral hygiene, however, a number of factors are always at work that require periodic checkups by a dentist. Of these, decay and structural breakdown are the most common. Decay, as discussed above, occurs from the attack on enamel by sugars and other deposits that have skillfully avoided brush and floss. Breakdown is often the result of age and misalignment. In every instance, however, available treatment options have the ability to restore teeth and gums to a healthy state, as well as correct situations that precipitated the problem to begin with.

We are sensitive to the fact that along with a desire for healthy teeth and gums is an interest in the aesthetic appearance - what we refer to as the "smile" factor. How we appear to other in today's world is perhaps more important than at any other time in history. It is, after all, only natural to equate a bright, clean smile with sound oral health. For this reason, we offer a number of conservative cosmetic options that have the ability to naturally enhance  appearance while maintaining full functionality.

Although an overview of treatment options is provided in this section of the website, care is always individually tailored to address particular needs and then only after close consultation with the patient.

Please feel free to discuss any questions you may have regarding the content in our website with either Dr. Hopper or Dr. Mills. Either will be more than happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.

You may reach the clinic at 605-578-3810 or 800-641-2035, or
email us at: deadwooddental@mato.com