The acid that plaque causes to attack your teeth breaks down the enamel, which is how you end up with sensitivity, discoloration and varying degrees of tooth decay.  Gum disease and bad breath are also caused by plaque.

How can you control plaque buildup?  Sounds like it’s pretty nasty stuff, right?  It most certainly is.  Since it accumulates in hard to reach areas of the mouth, when not removed daily it eventually hardens into a substance called calculus.  No, we’re not referring to that high school math class that came somewhere after geometry and trigonometry.  You’re probably more familiar with its more common name, tartar.  The best way to rid yourself of plaque and tartar buildup is to have regular cleanings from a dentist or dental hygienist like the qualified professionals we have here at our Memphis dentist office.  Our dental professionals can also give you instructions on proper brushing and flossing habits to follow at home; the first step in avoiding plaque buildup.  Your diet can also have an effect on plaque.  Limiting sugar and carbohydrates can help reduce plaque.

Something else to avoid is periodontal disease.  Often patients come to us with red, swollen and bleeding gums.  This is a classic sign of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease.  Gum disease is a very serious issue because of its link to potentially life-threatening issues like cardiovascular disease and strokes.  The inflammation and bacteria caused by periodontal disease increase the risk for heart disease and stroke so it is imperative to minimize this condition if you are seeing any signs of it.  Teeth that have become loose or abscessed are also indicators of more serious gum disease and must be treated.

Our dental hygienists and dentists in our Memphis dentist office are gentle and friendly and will make sure you are well taken care of.  Gum disease, plaque buildup and tooth decay are all serious issues so if you are concerned that you may be at risk for any of these we don’t want you to hesitate to make an appointment for a thorough checkup so we can take steps to begin to minimize the progression of these conditions.  Left untreated they can lead to many health issues.

If you have been hesitant to make a dental appointment due to fear of dentists let us assure you that our experienced staff at our Memphis dentist office can offer you anti-anxiety treatment options as well as sedation dentistry.  Don’t wait another moment to ensure your oral health.

Our qualified personnel believe in stressing to patients the importance of a healthy diet.  Too much sugar in the diet can increase plaque buildup, which can lead to dangerous gum disease.  We encourage patients to load up on healthy dairy products, veggies, fruits and whole grains to help maintain a healthy body and mouth.

We also cannot stress enough the importance of good daily brushing and flossing habits.  Brushing twice a day and flossing before bed will help ensure that you will be at a much lower risk for tooth decay and plaque and tartar buildup.  Regular dental checkups are also essential to help avoid fillings and other dental procedures that can end up being quite costly.

When you see a dental professional here in our friendly Memphis dentist clinic you can rest assure that you are being treated by one of the most highly trained professionals in the area.  Beyond their dental schooling, our dentists regularly complete advanced training courses to further their knowledge of the field.  They are always excited to learn about new techniques and methods in many areas such as bonded restorations, gum therapy, root canals, cosmetic dentistry and the latest in laser dental treatments.  These continuing education courses help them to remain current in the latest technology and equipment being offered in dentistry today.

Our Memphis dentists are currently accepting new patients and look forward to providing you with compassionate care in a warm and friendly environment.  Nervous patients are welcome too!  We are happy to work with you to overcome any feelings of dental anxiety you may have and have many options available to help you cope with nervousness and anxiety.  Your utmost comfort and well-being is our ultimate commitment and it is our desire that every patient should have a pleasant and satisfactory experience when they visit us.

After an initial exam we will present you with a treatment plan outlining any necessary procedures that is designed to provide you with optimum oral health.  Coverage of most dental insurance plans is accepted, and we offer financing options as well.  We specialize in developing individualized payment plans; we never want any patient to neglect treatment due to an inability to pay.

It will be our pleasure to meet and serve your dental needs here in our Memphis dentist office.  Our people are looking forward to discussing your oral health care needs with you.

You may be interested in a teeth whitening procedure, as are many of our patients whose teeth have become stained or discolored from various foods or smoking.  Food particles in substances such as wine, coffee and tea can bind to tooth enamel, causing staining.  As the teeth’s enamel wears away yellowing occurs when dentin becomes exposed.  Aging can also contribute to discoloration.  These are all types of teeth staining that will respond well to professional teeth whitening.  We offer the latest in whitening technology and can help you achieve a whiter smile in a very short amount of time.  This is a very affordable procedure that provides long lasting results.

Porcelain and laminate veneers are options for teeth that are not likely to respond to teeth whitening.  We are skilled in the use of these veneers and can advise you if this is a good option for you.

Enamel shaping and gum lifts are also popular cosmetic procedures we often provide in our Memphis dentist office.  We can reshape your teeth by making them longer or shorter.  Pointed teeth can be rounded off to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.  Gum lifting can make the teeth appear longer by removing some of the soft gum tissue at the base of the front teeth.  Both of these procedures are relatively painless, although some discomfort is not unusual.  We do have options for anti-anxiety treatments available if you feel that you will be overly distressed during treatment of any procedure.  Again, your comfort is our chief concern.

Our Memphis dentists strive to keep up with the latest technology and techniques by completing many hours of continuing education classes each year.  This ensures that we will always be able to offer you the most cutting edge methods of cosmetic dentistry.  Our expertise in many cosmetic dental procedures has given us a reputation as a leader in cosmetic dental industry.  We are among the most respected Memphis dental offices in the local and surrounding areas and our high standards for achieving customer satisfaction set us apart from many others you may encounter.  We always strive to exceed our customers’ expectations so it’s no surprise we often receive referrals from other patients.

If a flexible credit option is something you desire, our friendly finance team will be happy to customize a payment plan for you that will work with your current budget and needs.  We are dedicated to individualized care here in this Memphis dentist office.  You will never be treated impersonally.  No matter what your concern may be, we are always happy to do our best to address your unique needs.

Weddings tend to be other special events that often call for a bit of brightening up of the teeth.  Brides surely don’t want a sharp contrast between their teeth and their lovely white gowns, so teeth whitening can be an excellent option for this special day as well.

Don’t forget job interviews!  It’s a tough market out there in this tough economy and you want every advantage you can get when you’re going in for that great job interview you’re so thrilled about.  Being prepared doesn’t just mean anticipating the interviewer’s questions and having ready responses.  Having a bright, confident, healthy-looking smile can take years off your appearance and give you a leg up on the competition.

Got a high school reunion coming up?  Who doesn’t want to look refreshed, younger and more attractive when seeing people again that they may not have seen in years?  Remember that your smile is the first thing people notice about you and it makes a memorable impression.  Why not do all you can to make a great impression on all your old classmates and consider teeth whitening from one of our Memphis dentists?

Why not just choose a commercial teeth whitening system from the supermarket or discount retailer?  Chiefly because these products are formulated at much lower concentrations of the main whitening agent than that of what our Memphis dentist can provide for you with an in-office procedure.  We can also use light therapy to speed up your system, achieving more optimum and longer lasting results for you.

Our Memphis dentists do not advise purchasing whitening systems over the Internet as the majority of these products tend to be ineffective.  Also some of the companies offering them have been reported to have been involved in scams.  These occur by offering customers “free samples” with only a minimal shipping charge.  Their credit cards are then charged monthly fees without their understanding that they are being signed up for these programs.  We certainly wish to advise any of our potential patients of this practice so you can take steps to avoid it happening to you by only ordering over the Internet from reputable companies you know and trust, or by simply having your teeth whitening performed by a reliable dental professional.

Tooth decay, which causes cavities, is one of the main reasons you will want to have your dental checkup.  Our Memphis team will check for cavities and can fill them for you if any are found.  We adhere to the highest standards of safety and understand the recent concern about mercury toxicity in amalgam (silver) fillings.  While amalgam fillings are very strong and durable, and more inexpensive than their composite counterparts, we are happy to provide composite (white) fillings if this is your preference.  You can also always feel free to discuss any other issues of health or safety with our Memphis dentists.  We are committed to promoting patient education and want our patients to be well informed about their treatment.

Tooth erosion, the wearing away of the teeth’s enamel is another issue for many folks.  When the enamel gets worn away the teeth can become discolored, experience sensitivity or even crack.  During a dental checkup with one of our Memphis dentists you may receive information on how to minimize tooth erosion.  Your dentist can also suggest products that can help with tooth sensitivity.

We will also screen you for oral cancer during your dental checkup.  Did you know that oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world?  Newer studies also show a link between oral cancer and human papilloma virus, so this is something we screen for very carefully.  Regular checkups can help detect tiny cancerous lesions in your mouth you may be unaware of.  Because it often goes undetected for some time before symptoms appear, having a regular dental exam by one of our Memphis dentists can even help save your life!  The survival rate for oral cancer is high when caught early.

Are your gums swollen?  Do they bleed easily?  That could be a sign of early gum disease.  You will have this inspected during your checkup.  Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is reversible and can be treated easily.  Cleaning the buildup of plaque and tartar that causes gum disease is the first step.  However, if you are not having regular dental checkups and cleanings, this buildup will not be removed and the gum disease will progress to more serious periodontal disease.  This inflammation will lead to a condition in that body that causes a breakdown of bone and tissue.  The result will be permanent bone and tissue loss.  If teeth are not protected, serious tooth loss can result.  Because the inflammation becomes widespread throughout the body, your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke also increases.

We urge you not to put off the important task of having a dental checkup; it’s an investment in your overall health.