TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
The connection between oral health and overall health—known as the oral-systemic link—has become widely accepted and acknowledged in both the dental and medical fields. Collaboration between dentistry and medicine will assist in keeping our valued patients healthier in the long run.
ORAL HYGIENE: THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT
Grandma probably made her world-famous gumbo without having to measure the ingredients because she knew them by heart. It should be that way when it comes to taking care of your teeth, too. Brush twice a day, floss once a day, and mark your calendar with two checkups a year with Dr. Darr!
WHAT MAKES ORAL HYGIENE ESSENTIAL?
Clean teeth look and feel better, it’s true. Healthy gums also decrease the likelihood of over 50 systemic diseases, including:
THE PERIO TRAY
The Perio Tray is specially designed to deliver medication below the gumline and hold it there long enough to effectively kill the bacteria that causes gum disease.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR SMILE
CALL YOUR DENTIST DR. WILLIAM DARR OR SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE TODAY!
GUM DISEASE
We’ve talked about the importance of oral hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing. If you have gum disease, try not to worry too much. It is extremely treatable—and Dr. Darr and our team have suggestions to improve the condition of your gums as well as in-office treatments that can help.
HOW IS GUM DISEASE TREATED?
William Darr, DDS can offer deep cleanings as needed to bring the mouth and gums closer to their most optimal condition. If the gums need even more attention than deep cleaning, we can perform a scaling and root planing procedure. Our practice stocks CariFree® products to bring a little extra oomph factor to your gum care routine and maintenance. Consistent oral hygiene and prescription-strength dental care products like CariFree help elevate the condition of your gums to tiptop shape, keeping them at their healthiest level so gum disease will no longer be on your radar at all!
NO MORE METAL IN YOUR MOUTH
Old metal fillings can contain mercury, which can have toxic content that negatively affects the body. Dr. Darr can remove them, replacing them with options like:
ORAL CANCER: KEEPING A WATCHFUL EYE
Oral cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose, and as a result the rate of oral cancer is on the rise. Dr. Darr includes oral cancer screenings in routine checkups so we can team up with our patients to fight the disease together.
ORAL CANCER FACTS THAT MAY SURPRISE YOU
Tobacco and alcohol use are two of the most common risk factors for oral cancer, but the most current research shows that the #1 risk factor for oral cancer is now HPV (human papillomavirus). About 80% of U.S. adults will have HPV in their lifetime.
ORAL CANCER BY THE NUMBERS
Your Broussard dental team don’t want to scare you, but we do want you to take your oral cancer risk seriously. Here are some thought-provoking statistics:
- 8,000 AMERICANS DIE OF ORAL CANCER EACH YEAR IN THE U.S.
- THAT’S ONE PERSON EVERY HOUR!
TAKE CARE OF YOUR SMILE
CALL DENTIST DR. WILLIAM DARR OR SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE TODAY!
WHAT ARE SEALANTS?
Dental sealants are intended to prevent tooth decay. They are placed on the chewing surfaces of back molars to fill in grooves and keep out bacteria and plaque. If you are prone to cavities, ask Dr. Darr about sealants today!
MOUTHGUARDS
You may wonder if your family’s athlete needs a tailor-made mouthguard—and the smart answer is yes. Protection is needed not only in every game, but during all practices. 15 million Americans suffer sports-related injuries each year—and that number is not restricted to children. $500 million is spent replacing teeth from those injuries each year.
While there are inexpensive over-the-counter mouthguards available in sporting goods stores, they are ill-fitting, not very durable, and tend to fall out of the mouth at inopportune times. Because they are uncomfortable, they are usually not worn consistently.
NIGHTGUARDS BY THE NUMBERS
- 10-15% OF ADULTS IN THE US SUFFER FROM TEETH GRINDING (BRUXISM)
- BRUXISM CAN LEAD TO TMJ/TMD DISORDERS
- BRUXISM MAY ALSO CAUSE SENSITIVE TEETH AND EXCESSIVE ENAMEL WEAR
- CUSTOMIZED NIGHTGUARDS ARE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN OVER-THE-COUNTER KNOCKOFFS
