Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is one of the most common contributory factors to tooth decay and other oral health problems. We at Dr. Lis Bradly’s office want our patients to understand how this condition puts them at risk for infections as well as some steps they can take to prevent it.

Scientifically known as xerostomia, dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. This is a problem because saliva helps clean the mouth of food debris and makes it easier to swallow. Without it, bacteria are able to multiply more quickly. Saliva also helps to prevent acid from eroding tooth enamel and allows patients to get more comfortable sleep, improving their immune function.

Usually, dry mouth occurs in older people, but this is because it is a common medication side-effect. Sjögren’s disease, which is most common in older women, is another common cause. Some ways of ameliorating dry mouth are to artificially stimulate additional saliva and to avoid consuming things which dry the mouth out further. Sugary and caffeinated drinks are taxing on the salivary glands, as are alcohol and spicy food. Sugar-free gum is a good way of getting saliva flowing, and fluoride treatments bolster teeth’s resistance to decay.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit LisBradleyDDS.com or call 615-778-0810.

 

Inlays and Onlays

Replacement crowns are one of the most important means of restoring damaged teeth available at Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood office. But reshaping a tooth is an intensive process and not always necessary for lesser damage. When the surface areas of the back teeth have been damaged, Dr. Bradley can repair them much more simply with a partial crown.

Molars and premolars have wide grinding surfaces made up of points, called cusps, separated by indentations. The indentations are a trap for food debris and acid, which makes them vulnerable to decay. Sealants can be used to plug an indentation, but a permanent partial crown, called an inlay, can also be used to cover them. An onlay is a larger partial crown which also replaces at least one of the cusps.

When preparing a patient for a partial crown, Dr. Bradley will drill away the decayed area and take an impression of the patient’s mouth. The impression will then be sent to a dental lab where the restoration is milled from porcelain that matches the patient’s tooth color. The patient will wear a temporary artificial crown in the meantime. When the restoration is ready, it can be cemented in at a follow-up appointment. The whole process is very easy on the patient and massively improves their comfort and bite function.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit LisBradleyDDS.com or call 615-778-0810.

 

Scaling and Root Planing

Lis Bradley, DDS sees patients experiencing every stage of gum disease. Gum disease can progress quickly without a regular oral hygiene routine, but more people are looking for ways to prevent that from happening. For patients who want to protect themselves from later stages of gum disease, scaling and root planing are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure that helps stop gum disease in its tracks.

Scaling is the process of your dentist using various tools to scrape and clean any and all plaque off the surface of the tooth all the way down to the gums.  Root planing is the term for any minor contouring that may be done to reshape the tooth closer to the gums.  Each of these steps is important to complete so the gums have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to.  Local anesthetic is used during this procedure and depending on your case, your dentist may recommend completing the treatment over a series of appointments.

To learn more about scaling, root planing, and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

Sealants

Dental sealants are a preventative measure used to preserve the teeth and tooth enamel, and are the best defense against early tooth decay. Lis Bradley, DDS applies sealants for pediatric patients to protect their teeth and help them get the best start for a lifetime of great dental health.

Most tooth decay in children and teenagers occurs on the chewing surfaces of molars, where the pits and grooves tend to trap food and bacteria.  Molars first come in at 5-7 years of age, and a second set comes in between the ages of 11-14. It is best to have a sealant placed when the molars first come in to ensure they are protected early. 

Sealants are applied to surfaces of these molars just like paint. The plastic resin fills any pits and grooves on the surface and then hardens.  Now the surface is protected from bits of food being stuck and bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.  The sealant also protects tooth enamel from plaque and acids.  Sealants can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years and can be reapplied of necessary.

To learn more about sealants and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.