Caring For Your Gums Is Caring For Your Health

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Family First Dental can help treat your gum disease

At Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, we want all our patients to have a healthy smile. A healthy oral hygiene routine can prevent many health problems down the line. Today, we’re here to talk about one of these problems: gum disease. Also known as periodontitis, periodontal disease, or gingivitis, these phrases are all names for the same dental problem that can lead to tooth loss, gum inflammation, and many more problems.

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Preventing Gum Disease

Gum-related problems can cause physical health issues along with being a detriment to your oral health, which is why this is a major concern for dentists to watch out for. Those with gum disease are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular problems like heart attack or stroke.

The best defense against periodontitis is brushing and flossing regularly. By doing this, you eliminate the potential buildup of debris that can cause bacteria to grow in your mouth. Brushing alone does not do this, so be sure to floss daily as well to reach the areas in between your teeth. You should also visit your dentist twice a year, as these examinations can identify early signs of plaque buildup which leads to gum disease.

The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis. If you have red, swollen gums, bleed when you floss, or feel like you have bad breath even when brushing your teeth, you may be in the earliest stage of this problem. It is imperative that you see a dentist regularly, especially if you notice these symptoms. If caught early enough, there is a chance to treat this problem.

Treating Poor Periodontal Health

 If your gum problems were not caught in the early stages, there is still room to fix this problem. Each case will vary, but we can offer scaling and root planning to get a deep clean of the plaque and other build-up that is causing this situation.

Scaling, or Deep cleaning, varies from regular dental cleaning because we clean the areas underneath your gums.  This helps us remove harmful oral bacteria that lead to infection. In our office, we use ultrasonic and laser technology which allows us to break up plaque and tartar more effectively, and it is also more comfortable for the patient.

Root Planing is done during the same process of the deep cleaning. This part of the treatment encourages the gum tissue to reattach itself, preventing infection from spreading.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your dentist may recommend that you get these deep cleanings done in a few sessions to ensure that all the plaque is removed.

Schedule Your Appointment Today!

Don’t disregard your gum health! If you are experiencing early symptoms of gum disease, give us a call at Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, today at 913-381-2600.

Lasers Create Beautiful Gums

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Family First Lasers

A radiant smile not only adds to one’s physical appearance but also boosts confidence and leaves a lasting impression. Fortunately, our dental team utilizes the most advanced technology such as soft tissue lasers to promote optimal oral health. In this blog post, your experts at Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, discuss how lasers can create a more beautiful smile while also reducing the risk of gum disease.

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Still Need to Fill That Cavity?

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family first cavities

Are you putting off that cavity due to dental anxiety or maybe some other reason like finances? Waiting too long to take care of decay will cause it to spread deeper into the tooth. As the cavity gets bigger more extensive treatment may be needed and the risk of losing your tooth also increases. In today’s blog, your team of dental experts at Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, discusses ways to restore a damaged tooth.

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Is It Time To Talk About Teeth Whitening?

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Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Overland Park KS

Have you started to see that your teeth are growing duller or yellowed? If you have started to notice a change to the quality of your smile, take the time to speak with a trusted dental professional about what is happening. You may have a buildup of stains from the things that you eat and drink on a daily basis. These stains can be difficult to remove on your own, so take the time to meet with your dentist to learn about your options in teeth whitening treatment.

With our team of cosmetic dental experts at Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, you have two powerful methods of improving the shade of your smile. Set aside some time to talk with Dr. Cook about the changes that you have seen, and learn more about your condition. Those over-the-counter products may be ineffective at whitening your teeth, so before you reach for them, meet with a dentist for a cleaning and examination. Make the effort to keep your oral health front and center during your teeth whitening process!

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A Fresh Start With A Back-To-School Checkup

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Child orange Overland Park KS

If your little one has just started classes, have you made sure that they have everything that they need to make the year a success? Along with all of the pencils and notebooks for their fall semester, it may be time for their next semiannual examination and cleaning with their dentist. Just like you do, your child needs to see an oral health professional once every six months, and some smiles need a little extra care with an accelerated schedule.

With our team of family dental experts in Overland Park, KS, you have the opportunity to start their school year off on the right foot with a checkup. By scheduling these vital visits during this time of the year, you can keep them on a healthy timeline of preventive dental care. Since their semiannual checkup begins with a dedicated cleaning of their smile, you can give them a fresher feeling as they walk back into class. If it has been longer than six months since your last visit, it is time for your next appointment, as well!

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A Private Alignment Solution Through Invisalign®

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Headphones Overland Park KSWhen your smile is not at the level of quality that you would like to see, it can affect many different aspects of your life. After all, as humans, we are incredibly social creatures, and we tend to pick up on things like that during first impressions. If it is your alignment that is causing you trouble, then your condition can impact more than just your appearance, as well.

With Invisalign® clear aligner therapy treatment from our team of dedicated cosmetic dentistry experts in Overland Park, KS, you can make positive moves in improving your smile. This method of treatment uses a nearly invisible set of BPA-free aligner trays to gently, yet effectively, adjust your alignment. During your treatment, you will change out your progressive trays with a new set as you move closer to your cosmetic smile goal. With clear aligner treatment, you can improve the appearance of your smile in a more private way, giving you the opportunity to let your results do the talking! (more…)

An Appliance To Help Prevent Teeth Grinding

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Upset young man holds his cheek

If you wake up feeling tired with a constant soreness in your face or jaw, you may be suffering from a condition called bruxism. This habit often occurs unconsciously or when you are asleep. The repetitive grinding and clenching of your jaw back and forth begins to wear away at your smile’s enamel while sending extreme force into the joint of your jaw throughout the night. As the damage to your teeth progresses, you become susceptible to a host of additional oral health problems without treatment. By speaking to your dentist, you can receive a treatment to help safeguard your smile and relieve your pain.

At your Overland Park, KS, dental practice, we can provide a nonsurgical solution for protecting your teeth while you sleep. By designing a custom BPA-free mouth guard to wear at night, you can prevent each row of teeth from rubbing against one another to protect your enamel. Enjoy waking up feeling refreshed with an appliance that takes the stress off of your jaw. We can also explore cosmetic and restorative treatments to help you repair your smile after halting your nightly habit.

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Finding Your Way Back To The Dentist

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Hands Smiling Overland Park KSIf it has been some time since your last visit to the dentist for a routine cleaning and examination, use this as an opportunity to make your way back to a positive path for your dental prevention. Even with diligent teeth brushing and flossing, you still need to set aside the time to talk with a trained dental professional about your smile needs. This is a vital step in your oral health development, so stick to your schedule of care!

With our team in Overland Park, KS, you can keep the focus on your oral health with an appointment for a semiannual checkup, to help you feel better and have a stronger smile. Your appointment starts with a thorough cleaning of the surface of your teeth, giving you the chance to have a smile free of your problem buildup of plaque and tartar. In addition, your visits allow you and your provider to understand any changes that are happening in your mouth, giving you the ability to find a course of treatment when you need it. Stop skipping your checkups and make a plan for your preventive dental care! (more…)