GENERAL DENTISTRY
General Dentistry
The health of your teeth and gums affects your overall health. Cavities cause pain and can lead to tooth infection. Gum disease means you already have an infection in your gums, which can impact your overall health. The subject of “general dentistry” is primarily concerned with finding and correcting your oral health issues, and preventing further problems from occurring by educating you about correct oral hygiene practices.
Dr. Douglas Watson
and his team of dental professionals are here to serve the families of Endicott, NY, and nearby communities. If you’re looking for a dentist, or feel that you may have dental problems that need to be addressed, call us to make an appointment. Our number is (607) 748-1518.
Preventive Care
Preventing cavities and gum disease costs less than fixing dental problems once you have them. The longer a dental problem is allowed to continue, the more extensive and expensive treatment will be. That’s why part of our mission is to educate patients in proper oral hygiene practices which will give them healthy teeth and gums for the rest of their lives.
Part of preventive dental care involves getting regular checkups. If you have any cavities starting to form, they will be detected when you receive your detailed oral examination. Any existing fillings you have get checked for signs of tooth decay, too. Cavities can form at the edges of a filling, and fillings can crack or loosen over time.
In your checkup, your gums are also inspected for signs of gum disease. Catching this early makes treatment much easier and faster, and is important for your long-term oral health.
To understand the importance of regular checkups, you have to know the definitions of “plaque” and “tartar.” Plaque is simply a sticky substance which forms on your teeth between brushings. Tartar is a buildup of plaque and the minerals from your saliva. While you can remove plaque at home, tartar cannot be removed with normal brushing. Therefore, after the dental exam, one of our hygienists will give your teeth a professional cleaning. This removes any buildup of tartar on your teeth, leaving your teeth very clean.
We recommend “bite-wing” x-rays be taken once a year. These x-rays help us detect cavities and other problems which may be developing inside your teeth, hidden from normal view. However, occasionally a full mouth x-ray is needed. This is called a panoramic x-ray, and it shows the entire mouth in one picture. We use this type of x-ray to detect problems like bone abnormalities, fractures, and tumors.
Periodontics (Gum Disease Care)
Your gums should not bleed from brushing or flossing. Bleeding gums can be an early sign of gum disease. The field of dentistry which deals with gum disease is called periodontics. It comes from two Greek words meaning “around” and “tooth.” So periodontics deals with your gums and the bones which your teeth are attached to.
When your gums bleed easily from brushing or flossing, you may have the first stage of gum disease, called gingivitis. The word gingivitis simply means “inflammation of the gums.”
Gingivitis can usually be remedied easily with professional teeth cleaning by our hygienists, followed by regular brushing and flossing at home. Regular dental checkups should be maintained to ensure your gums remain healthy.
Left untreated, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis. Periodontitis simply means “inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth.” But in periodontitis, the tartar buildup has advanced below the gum line and allowed bacteria to grow there, causing the gums to become more inflamed and even infected. The body begins to destroy the gum tissue and bone structure which supports your teeth.
This process may not cause you any pain! So you may have bad gum disease and be unaware of it, except for the loosening of your teeth, receding gums, and bad breath that just won’t go away.
Periodontal disease can be remedied, but getting it treated soon is essential to regaining your oral health. If you suspect you have gum disease, call (607) 748-1518 now for an appointment
to have your gums checked.
Night & Sports Guards
Night Guards
Do you wake up with a sore jaw or a headache? These are two symptoms of grinding your teeth while you sleep. Many people grind their teeth or clench their jaws while sleeping and remain completely unaware of it. Over time, this grinding can damage your teeth and wear down the enamel.
Some of the symptoms of grinding teeth include:
A night guard can protect your teeth from the nightly grinding. We can custom-make your night guard so it fits perfectly, giving you comfortable protection for your teeth.
Sports Guards
A mouth guard protects your teeth from damage when playing any sport where facial contact is likely. We strongly urge you to come in for a custom fitting for a sports guard to protect your teeth, or your young athlete’s teeth.
Intraoral Camera
Wouldn’t you like to know what the dentist sees in your mouth? in our practice, we use an intraoral camera to look inside your mouth and see what’s actually going on there. The camera takes images of the inside of your mouth and displays them on a screen where you can see them. Dr. Watson can show you the areas of concern which need to be addressed.
When patients are able to see dental problems themselves, it helps them understand their exact condition and the treatments needed to correct them.
Come See Us
Whether you’ve been receiving regular dental care or haven’t seen a dentist for years, we’re here to help. No matter the condition of your teeth, we can help. Just reach out to us at our office and schedule an appointment. We’ll start with an exam to determine the exact state of your health, and will let you know any treatment you may need. Our number is 607-748-1518.