One of the easiest ways to prevent the decline of your oral health is to maintain a regular schedule of having your teeth cleaned by one of our dental hygienists. A professional cleaning will minimize the accumulation of plaque and calculus on your teeth.

 

Dr. Norman will also provide you with instructions on personalized home care. By working together, we can prevent the advance of gum disease and ensure healthy teeth and a healthy smile in the years ahead. It is important to know that research shows a direct connection between oral health and heart disease as well as other medical conditions.

 

Dr. Norman and her team can aid you in determining the treatment best suited to your specific needs.

Our dental team feels that it is extremely important that you understand exactly what periodontal disease (gingivitis) is and how it can affect you and your body.

 

Gingivitis is the medical term for early gum disease, or periodontal disease. In general, gum disease can be caused by long-term exposure to plaque, the sticky but colorless film on teeth that forms after eating or sleeping.

 

Gum disease originates in the gums, where infections form from harmful bacteria and other materials left behind from eating. Early warning signs include chronic bad breath, tender or painful swollen gums and minor bleeding after brushing or flossing. In many cases, however, gingivitis can go unnoticed. The infections can eventually cause the gums to separate from the teeth, creating even greater opportunities for infection and decay.

 

Although gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults, in many cases it is avoidable. If gingivitis goes untreated, more serious problems such as abscesses, bone loss or Periodontitis can occur.

 

Periodontitis is treated in a number of ways. One method, called root planing, involves cleaning and scraping below the gum line to smooth the roots. If effective, this procedure helps the gums reattach themselves to the tooth structure.

 

Pregnancy has also been known to cause a form of gingivitis. This has been linked to hormonal changes in the woman's body that promote plaque production.

 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding gum disease, please feel free to speak with Dr. Norman or one of our Hometown Family Dentistry team members today.

Digital x-rays help in the diagnosis and treatment of many dental procedures. They illustrate bone height, bone defects, infection, root involvement, tartar, tooth decay and more. Digital x-rays are also beneficial in determining if gum disease is progressing or if arrested.

 

Dr. Norman realizes the benefits for our patients when utilizing our digital x-ray system. A digital x-ray allows for quick on screen reference to facilitate your understanding of any areas of concern. As well, digital x-rays allow for minimal exposure time with 80% less radiation than normal x-rays.

 

Digital x-rays are immediately imported into our computer, allowing for the images of your teeth, supporting bone and gums to be large and crisp, stored in your file for future reference. Digital x-rays are faster, safer and environmentally friendly.

 

Please feel free to speak to Dr. Norman or one of our Hometown Family Dentistry team members on how this amazing technology allows us to bring patient care to a higher, safer and improved level.

Advances in dentistry materials have made metal fillings obsolete. Dr. Norman utilizes new composite materials to restore teeth because they are extremely durable, and they blend perfectly with your natural teeth. No more unsightly metal to detract from your smile; just a beautiful natural smile.

 

If you have any questions about the composite, white fillings that we utilize in our office, please feel free to speak with Dr. Norman or one of our Hometown Family Dentistry team members today.