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Topic: Preventative Dental Care

Want the Secret for a Lifetime of Dental Health?

Healthy teeth all during your lifetime is not as complicated as people make it out to be. Dental health is really a simple recipe – with only three key ingredients.

Lifetime Healthy Teeth Solution #1:  Treat dental problems immediately

Get cavities, infections and dental problems treated as soon as you become aware of them. Waiting for dental problems to fix themselves will never make things better.

Cavities are more easily treated when they are small. If left too long, the cavity will inevitably progress to an abscess. The filling that would have treated the cavity, will not fix the abscess. Treatment becomes more costly and possibly more radical, such as taking teeth out rather than saving them, or root canals rather than fillings.

Gum infections spread deeper and eat away at the jawbone that holds your teeth in. This bone, once eroded will never grow back – leaving your teeth unsupported and mobile. What could have been treated with a routine cleaning now requires gum and bone surgery, or even extractions.

Lifetime Healthy Teeth Solution #2:  Eat healthy for your teeth

When talking about healthy eating habits for our body, experts commonly suggest a balanced diet – rich in lean meats, fruits and vegetables with several small meals each day rather than the three big meals, which our parents and grandparents recommended.

While a balanced diet is good for your body’s general health, the manner in which food is eaten during the day can have a big influence on whether your teeth develop problems or not.

When we eat, the bacteria in the plaque on our teeth and in the mouth use the food particles to produce acids, which then eat away at the teeth. Compounds present in saliva act to neutralize these acids and minerals in saliva then act to repair the damage done by the acid attack after eating. It commonly takes ninety minutes to two hours to neutralize an acid attack after eating.

Researchers have shown that eating or drinking anything other than water on more than five different occasions each day lessens the time for saliva to neutralize the acids between each acid attack – and may not be adequate. This means that the teeth may be under acid attack for most of the day and this will inevitably lead to enamel damage, decay and tooth loss.

Lifetime Healthy Teeth Solution #3:  Regular 6 month dental check-up and clean

If you want to keep your teeth for life, being reactive and waiting for dental problems to manifest before seeking professional help just won’t do it.Mason and Jaime

Good health for your teeth and gums, just like any other body system requires being proactive, not reactive. You never hear cardiologists recommend their patients waiting for their arteries to clog to the point where you have a heart attack and then having surgery to have the diseased arteries ‘bypassed’. Common sense would say this approach is obviously inferior to a program of regular exercise and a healthy diet.

It’s the same with teeth. Waiting for teeth to abscess and having root canals does not make sense compared to regular six month visits, yet only half of the population have a regular dentist and not even all of those have regular check-ups every six months. Common sense just doesn’t seem to be that common these days.

Keep that awesome smile!

Southport Dental | About Us Video

At Southport Dental we appreciate our patients and new patients are always welcome! We offer a wide range of dental services for the entire family.

Our emphasis is on oral care education and the prevention of dental problems.

Check out our video to learn more about our practice: 

 

Our friendly and professional staff is always available to answer questions about your dental health and about the dental services we recommend for your treatment.

Southport Dental is located on Emerson Avenue between Southport Road and Stop 11. The office is just south of the I-65 bridge, on the East side of the road, in front of the Rosegate Senior Community. Call us at 317-494-7366 to schedule an appointment.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

 

Southport Dental | Overcoming Dental Fear!

Overcoming Dental Fears IndianapolisAre you afraid to see the dentist? As humans, we are often scared of the unknown. Dental phobia can be one of those unknowns and is incredibly common with estimates that it affects betwen 13% to 24% of people around the world. Being afraid of the dentist means different things to different people. Maybe it’s the thought that the treatment will hurt. It could be that you haven’t seen a dentist in years and are embarrassed by your teeth. Whatever the reason, dental health is crucial to your overall health. Many Americans are at risk of gum disease and early tooth loss-conditions that can affect your physical, social, and mental health.

If it has been a while since you have seen a dentist, make it a point to schedule an appointment soon. The dentist understands your fears. On your first visit to the dentist, the goal is to calm your fears, perform an exam, and make you feel as comfortable as possible. The dentist will then discuss with you the results of the exam and the recommended dental services. When considering treatment, patients are clearly presented with pros, cons, and all available options.

Our staff at Southport Dental is happy to offer dental services to you and your entire family. Only necessary procedures are recommended. In other words, no one is pressured with “up selling” like many chain dental practices.

When our patients require dental care, we offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of every member of the family. We are always available to answer questions about your dental health and about the services we provide for your treatment.

We are accepting new patients! Give us a call today at 317-494-7366.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Southport Dental | 10 Facts You Should Know About Tooth Decay

stages of tooth decay IndianapolisTooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. To repair a cavity, the decay must be removed and replaced with a manmade substance.

There are different types of materials used to fill cavities, including gold and metal alloys.

If you have ever had tooth decay, you should know:

  1. Tooth decay is one of the most common of all diseases, second only to the common cold.
  2. Tooth decay affects more than one-fourth of U.S. children ages 2 to 5, half of those ages 12 to 15, and more than 90 percent of U.S. adults over age 40.
  3. Tooth decay causes pain, suffering and disability for millions of Americans each year — even more disturbing, tooth decay is preventable.
  4. If it is not treated, in extreme and rare cases tooth decay can be deadly. Infection in an upper back tooth can spread to the sinus behind the eye, from which it can enter the brain and cause death.
  5. Tooth decay is an infectious process caused by acid-producing bacteria. Your risk for decay can be assessed in our office with a simple test for specific bacterial activity.
  6. Three factors are necessary for tooth decay to occur: susceptible teeth, acid-producing bacteria and a diet rich in sugars and refined carbohydrates.
  7. Babies are not born with decay-causing bacteria in their mouths; the bacteria are transmitted through saliva from mothers, caregivers, or family members.
  8. Fluoride incorporated into the tooth structure protects teeth against decay by making the enamel more resistant to acid attack.
  9. Sealants, which close up the nooks and crannies in newly erupted teeth, stop bacterial collection where a toothbrush can’t reach. Teeth with sealants have been shown to remain 99 percent cavity-free over six years.
  10. Restricting sugar intake is important in preventing tooth decay. Your total sugar intake should be less than 50 grams a day (about ten teaspoons) including sugars in other foods. A can of soda may have six teaspoons of sugar — or more!

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and discuss possible tooth decay issues. We are accepting new patients!

You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Tooth Decay – The World’s Oldest and Most Widespread Disease.”

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

 

Spring Break Dental Tips from Southport Dental

Spring Break Dental TipsSpring break is just a few weeks away. It’s a time when you and your family look forward to getting away together on vacation.

Your vacation is not the time to neglect your teeth. Your overall oral health shouldn’t take a break!

There are a few spring break dental care tips you should know and consider while on vacation.

  1. Drink water. Drinking water throughout the day will reduce the buildup of plaque on your teeth.
  1. Avoid sugary drinks. High sugar drinks such as soda erode the enamel on your teeth.
  1. When traveling, have all regular oral heath essentials with you. Bring healthy snacks (such as apples) that act as a cleanser for your teeth. Carry travel-size toothbrushes and mouthwash for road trips.

Whatever your plans are this spring break, remember to keep up with your dental care. Spring break isn’t the time to give your teeth a break! If you would like to schedule an appointment before your break give us a call.

The staff at Southport Dental is dedicated to providing you and your family the highest quality dental care.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

Why Do I Need a Regular Dental Exam?

Dental Exam Indianapolis

Dental exams are normally on the bottom of our to-do list unless we have a tooth causing pain. However, if you are doing so then not only are you missing the opportunity to keep your teeth longer, you are also missing out on learning about other medical issues you haven’t considered.

Here are some other conditions we can alert you to when you have a dental exam.

  • Anemia – Gums that appear light pink or almost white can indicate a very low iron level, which is an indicator of anemia.
  • Antidepressant Use – The dry mouth that comes from taking antidepressants can create a problem with increased cavities in your teeth.
  • Stress – When you are stressed, your body creates more cortisol, which is the main cause of inflammation. During stressful times, gum and tooth problems are likely to worsen. Not only is the risk of inflammation greater, but we also tend to neglect things like our teeth when stressed.
  • Diabetes – One of the many side-effects of this disease is the repeated creation of abscesses on the teeth roots and sometimes between teeth. This is often one of the earliest signs of diabetes.
  • Autoimmune disorders – Many times these disorders can cause either red or white spots in the mouth. While the spots themselves are easy to treat, if left untreated, they can turn into ulcers. These ulcers are extremely painful and difficult to treat.
  • Heart disease – This is the big one. The same bacteria that cause gum disease also causes heart problems by clogging the major arteries feeding the heart. It is very likely that a person with long-term gum disease may also have heart trouble.

We are accepting New Patients! Call us at 317-494-7366 to schedule an appointment.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.


 

Want to Take Care of Your Smile? There’s an App for That!

dental phone apps

There’s an app for nearly everything today.  If you are looking for ways to take care of your smile and maintain good oral health, just download an app on your smartphone.  These dental apps will help in taking care of your teeth.

Check out some of the most popular dental apps that help maintaining proper dental care and have a little fun at the same time!

We are accepting New Patients!

Call us at 317-494-7366 to schedule an appointment.

About Southport Dental PC

New patients are always welcome. We will not make you wait weeks to get the dental visits you want. Let us know what you want to accomplish at your first visit and we will make it happen! We take the time with our patients to explain their treatment options and inform them of additional preventive care.

Contact us today to learn more.

 

What our patients are saying about us.

5 STARS! ! Not only is Dr. Mills very professional and an excellent dentist,but his staff is right up there along with him in professionalism and concern for each individual patient. You could not ask for a more caring staff headed by a well-qualified dentist who is excellent when an anxious patient has to undergo oral surgery by having 8 or more teeth extracted in preparation for dentures. I cannot thank my married daughtger enough for telling my husband and I about Dr. Mills and his wonderful staff! Rating: ***** 5 STARS!!!!!
- Barbara N.

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