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Comments about what we do at Peterson Family Dentistry:
"Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful! When
I had a problem with a tooth, Dr. Peterson called me on
her day off to let me know how quickly she could get me
in. That was outstanding!"
"You don't make me feel like a 'bad' patient if
I need work on my teeth."
Thank you for the feedback. It helps us make the practice
better. This newsletter was one of your suggestions. Once
every few months, we will send you information to help us
work together at caring for your teeth for life. Make sure
we have your current e-mail address on file so you can receive
the newsletter and future offers and promotions!
Congratulations
Toothbrush Winner: Rita Calatola-Pofahl
Congratulations Rita! Rita was randomly chosen from
those who answered our service survey. She went home with
a brand new Oral B Triumph electric toothbrush.
Benefits of Oral B Triumph Electric Toothbrush:
Improves gum health: Helps prevent and reverse gingivitis
Helps with plaque removal
Delivers superior teeth whitening results
Penetrates between teeth to sweep away plaque
Helps reduce excessive brushing force, which can lead to
gum recession
Helps you brush for two minutes
Dr. Peterson offers special prices to patients on this toothbrush
- ask her about its benefits
When I got my
teeth cleaned, it hurt! What can I do about it?
A few patients have recently asked why it hurts when
they get their teeth cleaned.
There are a couple of reasons why a dental cleaning may
hurt:
Recession of the gums. Gum tissue can recede or pull
away from the teeth for many reasons. The most common reason
is aggressive use of a toothbrush that abrades and damages
the gums. Orthodontic treatment (braces), oral piercings,
and heredity can also cause this.
Gum disease/gingivitis
There are many things you can do at home to keep your
gums healthier and make your cleanings less painful. Read
more about this problem and Dr. Peterson's
tips.
Dr. Peterson
Donated her Services to Make a Smiling Success!
Recently Dr. Peterson participated in Mission of Mercy,
a free, one-time dental clinic set up through the WDA, (Wisconsin
Dental Association) to help low income families and individuals
suffering from dental infections and pain. She was one of
170 dentists and 900 volunteers that teamed up to give more
than 1,500 people free dental care. The clinic was scheduled
in La Crosse, WI and delivered more than $850,000 worth of
free services. Dr. Peterson says, "if we all do what
we can to help those in need everyone benefits."
View more photos of the event at: http://www.wda.org/categories/46-mission-of-mercy/subcategories/180-media-room/documents/813-media-room#eventphotos
Several patients have recently asked why it hurts
when they get their teeth cleaned.
One reason why a dental cleaning can hurt is recession of
the gums. Gum tissue can recede or pull away from the teeth
for many reasons. :
- The most common reason is aggressive
use of a toothbrush that abrades and damages the gums. Dr.
Peterson says, "People get in the habit of brushing
their teeth so hard that they are sawing their gums off.
They would be better off holding their toothbrush with a
lighter grip, or getting an electric toothbrush that tells
them if they are brushing too hard."
- Orthodontic treatment (braces)
- Oral piercings
- Heredity
Unfortunately, once the gums have receded, they will not
grow back on their own. When gums recede, the roots of the
teeth become exposed and these roots can be very sensitive
to things like hot and cold, or to touch. Some things that
can help make recession areas less sensitive are:
- The use of a sensitivity toothpaste
- Regular fluoride applications either
at home via a fluoride rinse or gel or applications at the
dental office
- Use of a desensitizer prior to dental cleanings
- Use only soft bristled toothbrushes and do not brush
too aggressively
- Use small circular motions to brush – don't
saw back and forth
If a patient's recession is very severe or the sensitivity
from it is particularly bad we may refer you to the care of
a periodontist, a dentist that specializes in gum treatments.
They can perform grafting that can recover these sensitive
roots with new gum tissue to protect them. If you think you
suffer from recession, please let us know so we can find the
best way to manage your sensitivity!
Bleeding Gums?
Another reason why dental cleanings can hurt is the presence
of gum disease or gingivitis. Healthy gums don't bleed
when flossed or when you have a dental cleaning. Bleeding
means that inflammation is present and the gums are diseased.
The easiest way to prevent gum disease and gingivitis is by
using good habits at home.
Preventing Pain and Improving Health
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day (in the morning
after breakfast and at night right before bed) for at least
2 minutes at a time is just the first step.
- Dry brushing your teeth without toothpaste first. Toothpaste
makes everything feel slippery and smooth in your mouth
and you can't always tell if you got all the plaque
off. By brushing first with a dry toothbrush you can check
with your tongue to make sure everything feels smooth and
clean and then use the toothpaste to freshen your breath!
- Flossing daily is the step that most patients skip and
it is the most important one for keeping the gum tissues
in good health. Flossing removes the plaque and bacteria
that accumulates between the teeth. This plaque and bacteria
are what cause gum disease and gingivitis, as well as bad
breath. When plaque and bacteria sit on the gums the gum
tissues become inflamed, red, swollen, tender, and bleed
easily.
Cleanings Remove Hardened Tartar
The goal of a dental cleaning is to remove the hardened
plaque called calculus or tartar. When plaque has been sitting
on the teeth and gums for too long, it hardens into this tartar
that cannot be removed by a toothbrush or floss and must be
removed by dental instruments. This hardened tartar causes
irritation to the gums, like a sliver in your finger. By keeping
good habits at home, you will have less hardened tartar to
have to be removed at your dental cleanings.
Easy Home Care
There are some other things you can do at home to keep
your gums healthier and make your cleanings less painful.
- Rinsing daily with a mouth rinse can help to kill the
bacteria that cause gum disease. The best rinses for this
would be Listerine or Crest Pro Health.
- For people who have a hard time holding
or using dental floss, a waterpick can be helpful. There
are many varieties of waterpicks available. Waterpicks are
especially useful for patients who have bridges, braces,
or spaces between the teeth. Dr. Peterson is particularly
fond of the H2Oral Irrigator. www.h2oralirrigator.com
Please ask us if you have any questions about sensitivity,
there are many excellent products and techniques out there
that can help patients minimize pain and keep their teeth
for life! We are here to help you keep your teeth and gums
as healthy as they can be!
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