Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, with 75% of adults over 35 showing problem signs.What is often referred to as the silent mouth disease, initial symptoms can easily go unnoticed.Bacteria lives in plaque, which hardens over time and can cause gum irritations such as gingivitis.

Left untreated, bacterial infections affect the gums, ligaments and bone supporting the teeth, and can enter the blood stream and may be related to other diseases such as Heart Disease and Diabetes.
  
To read the entire article , please visit plus.HealthyTeeth.org

Southridge Dental
2811 12 Avenue Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 466-2458
Southridge-Dental.com 

Preventative Dentistry For Oral Cancer

An Easy Screening for Oral Cancer

It is a startling statistic, but every hour one American dies from oral cancer. But with a quick and easy screening method, this cancer can be detected and cured in most cases. 

We provide visual screenings for our patients at their six-month check-ups and cleanings. If Dr. Miller or Dr. Squires or the hygienist identifies any abnormal oral tissue, you will be referred to an oral surgeon. This screening is noninvasive, easy, and one that could save your life!

Southridge Dental
2811 12 Avenue Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 466-2458
Southridge-Dental.com 

Bad Breath (also known as Halitosis)

Learn more about Bad Breath, which is also known as Halitosis.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Southridge Dental
2811 12 Avenue Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 466-2458
Southridge-Dental.com 

Alternative Dental Gum Disease Treatment

Alternative Approaches to Halting Gum Disease

Gum surgery can control periodontal disease, but there are other methods that are easier and can stop the problem. With improved hygiene, nonsurgical methods can be very effective. But if the problem is too advanced, surgery may be necessary. Both approaches are often covered by dental insurance plans.

Southridge Dental
2811 12 Avenue Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 466-2458
Southridge-Dental.com 

A Guide to Sedation Dentistry

If the thought of seeing your dentist gives you chills every six months, an anesthetic may be the solution. Sedation dentistry uses a combination of techniques, ranging from nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" to general anesthesia, to relax a patient during surgeries or otherwise uncomfortable appointments. For even the most severe dental phobias, there is no longer a reason to avoid the dentist altogether.

Settings that Practice Anti-Anxiety

The dental office has long been the most common setting for routine dental procedures that use sedation and anti-anxiety techniques. These techniques can be used for any type of dental procedure depending on the needs of the patient. Ultimately, your fears and phobias can be managed so that you can receive the dental care you require no matter where the treatment takes place.
Are You a Candidate for Sedation?

Your overall health, as well as physical and mental conditions you may be battling at the time, are important to be able to safely undergo certain types of sedation ñ especially in the dental office. Certain of these conditions may require clearance from a physician: cardiac disease, hypertension, diabetes and respiratory diseases should all be addressed prior to a given type of sedation. Your dentist will take a thorough medical history and physical assessment before proceeding, and if need be, recommend a product like Colgate® Total®  Advanced Deep Clean to get home care on the right track. He or she may also ask you to receive medical clearance from your physician.

To read the entire article written by James Burke Fine DMD, please visit Colgate.com

Southridge Dental
2811 12 Avenue Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 466-2458
Southridge-Dental.com 

Do I Need a Root Canal?

If you have been experiencing problems with a tooth, you may wonder, "Do I need a root canal?" Root canals, also known as endodontic therapy, are performed when the nerve or pulp of the tooth becomes infected and inflammed due to dental decay, a cracked or broken tooth or an injury to the tooth, according to the American Dental Association. During the procedure, a dentist uses a drill to remove both the nerve and pulp and seals up the tooth to protect against further damage. Only your dentist or a dental specialist called an endodontist, can determine whether a root canal will adequately treat your problem. Here are a few possible symptoms of the need for a root canal and some steps for dealing with them.

General Possible Symptoms
The most common symptom that may indicate the need for a root canal is tooth pain, according to the American Association of Endodontists. The intensity of the pain can range from mild to severe; it may lessen or intensify throughout the day, or it may get worse only when you bite down on the tooth. Some patients experience prolonged sensitivity to hot food or liquids. Your gums may also feel tender and swollen near the problem area.

First Steps
If you notice any of the above symptoms, contact your dentist right away. Explain your symptoms by phone to a staff member, who may arrange for you to come in right away or may recommend emergency care depending on the severity of your symptoms. To soothe the pain and alleviate swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your jaw. 

To read the entire article written by Rebecca Desfosse, please visit Colgate.com

Southridge Dental
2811 12 Avenue Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 466-2458
Southridge-Dental.com 

Dental Sealants for Children

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the importance of dental sealants as a preventive dental treatment for your children!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Southridge Dental
2811 12 Avenue Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 466-2458
Southridge-Dental.com 

Invisible Dental Aligners

Invisible Orthodontics

We are very pleased to offer our patients ClearCorrect™ invisible aligners that will change your smile to one with straight, uniform teeth in as few as 9 – 15 months. They correct the same problems as traditional braces – overcrowding, crossbite, overbite, underbite, and wide gaps – but do so with complete discreetness.

This system uses 3-D imaging to outline a treatment plan for your new smile. A series of clear thermoplastic aligners are created to fit over your teeth. Every two weeks you advance to a new set of aligners, as your teeth are gently moved into a new position for your perfect smile. Treatment time is generally one year, but varies for each patient based on personal needs. Evaluation in our office is only every one to two months.

Southridge Dental
2811 12 Avenue Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 466-2458
Southridge-Dental.com 

When Surgical Extraction of Teeth is Necessary

You want to keep your teeth for a lifetime, but circumstances can arise that prompt your dentist to recommend removing a tooth for the good of your dental health. And although many of your teeth are easily removable, it's occasionally more complicated, and requires a more involved procedure. Here's why the surgical extraction of teeth may become necessary, and how your dentist differentiates these procedures from others.

Why Can't a Tooth be Saved?
The American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site suggests teeth are usually removed due to trauma, disease or crowding. When a tooth cannot be repaired with a filling or a crown because of an accident or extensive decay, an extraction may be your best recourse. Teeth that aren't supported by enough bone due to periodontal disease are also candidates for removal, according to Warren Dentistry, necessitating the use of a gum-protecting toothpaste like Colgate TotalÆ Clean Mint following extraction. Infected (abscessed) teeth that don't respond to root canal treatment may need to be taken out, as well.

Keep in mind it's not unusual for an orthodontist to recommend an extraction or two before orthodontic treatment begins because of crowed teeth. Similarly, wisdom teeth are frequently extracted because of the awkward position in which they grow behind your molars.

To read the entire article written by Donna Pleis, please visit Colgate.com

Southridge Dental
2811 12 Avenue Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 466-2458
Southridge-Dental.com 

Stress & Oral Health

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about Stress and your Oral Health!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Southridge Dental
2811 12 Avenue Road
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 466-2458
Southridge-Dental.com