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Wednesday, November 28, 2018

What is Gum Contouring?

At the dental practice of Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS we see many patients who are unhappy with their smiles for various reasons.  The overall look of your smile includes the gums, and even when a patient has healthy teeth and gums they may be dissatisfied with the overall appearance of their smile due to excess gum tissue or a lack of tissue.  Gum contouring is a way to give any patient their best smile.


A lack of or excess of gum tissue can cause a smile to have the look of elongated teeth or a gummy smile.  To create a balanced look between gum and tooth, a gum contouring procedure can include removing gum tissue, placing gum grafts, or both.  Excess tissue is removed using a laser or scalpel tool.  Soft tissue grafts are harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth, and placed where gum tissue is lacking or has receded.  The result is an even ratio of tooth to gums throughout the whole mouth.  Don’t let your gums keep you from your best smile!


To learn more about gum contouring 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.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Drinking Water for Oral Health

Drinking water is important for your health at all ages.  At the dental practice of Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS we have seen adult patients that are guilty of not drinking enough water, so we know it can be tough to monitor if kids are getting enough too.  We want to encourage you and the kids in your family to stay hydrated and healthy!


We all know kids love drinking juice and soda, but we forget that these beverages leave unwanted sugar behind on the teeth.  The type of bacteria that causes cavities feeds on sugar, and produces acid that wears away enamel. Enamel is not replaceable, so it’s important to take care of it even from a young age.  When kids drink juice or soda, it is helpful just to drink some water afterwards to dilute acids and wash away food particles and residue. You and your children should be drinking at least eight 8oz glasses of water each day.  Drinking tap water with fluoride is important to help prevent cavities.  If you’re worried that your children may not be drinking enough water, come see us to discuss tips that might help them drink more!


We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early, and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community!  To learn more about the services we offer, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

Monday, November 19, 2018

Flossing Traditional Braces

In our previous post, Dr. Lis Bradley DDS taught patients how to properly brush with traditional braces. Now, it’s time to teach you how to properly floss. This technique will help keep harmful bacteria away from brackets and wires and protect your teeth and gums in the process. Patients with and without braces should aim for flossing at least once a day or after every meal.



  • Use waxed floss, because unwaxed floss is more likely to get caught and shred in your braces.

  • Use about 18 inches of floss and thread it carefully.

  • Take the floss and gently thread it under the main wire of the braces before passing it between two teeth. Then remove the floss and re-thread it under the main wire to pass between the next pair of teeth.

  • Be sure not to snap the floss. Simply move the floss up and down carefully against the side of each tooth.


If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide 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.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Brushing with Braces

The importance of oral care is heightened when braces are applied to the teeth. This is because there are more spaces and places for food to get trapped. When food isn’t adequately brushed away, plaque will begin to accrue on enamel and can potentially cause periodontal disease for the patient. Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS and staff can’t monitor how much you brush, but we trust patients to follow this technique while aiming to brush at least twice a day.



  • Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.

  • Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.

  • Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.


If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide 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.

What is Gum Contouring?

At the dental practice of Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS we see many patients who are unhappy with their smiles for various reasons.  The overall look...