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.

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.

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.

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.

Replace Teeth With Implants

Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS has restored many smiles saved by single-tooth dental implants.  Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth.

An implant is placed over a series of appointments because of the healing time required.  Implants are titanium screws inserted through an incision in the gum. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly.

After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second minor procedure.  The doctor may need to expose the head of the implant by removing some gum tissue, and the crown is screwed to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth looks like part of the natural smile, and with proper care will last for decades!

To learn more about single-tooth implants and all the services we provide, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

Periodontal Maintenance

In its most advanced stages, gum disease can lead to gum recession, and even tooth loss.  Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS wants to make sure it never gets to that point for you and your family!  When plaque builds up on a tooth, the gum starts to pull away from the tooth and form a pocket around the buildup, which only leads to more gum recession.  A deep periodontal cleaning, also called a scaling and root planing procedure, is used to treat this buildup and prevent the later stages of gum disease.

Scaling and root planning are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure your dentist can perform to help reverse the progress of gum disease.  The procedure beings with scaling, which is the process of the dentist removing plaque from the surface of the teeth, all the way down to the gums. Root planing is the term for any minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the root.  When plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that have pulled away will have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to as they heal.

To learn more about deep periodontal cleaning and all the other treatments provided at the dental practice of Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

A Bright Smile is a Healthy Smile

Taking good care of your mouth – teeth and gums – does more than help ensure you have a bright, white, smile. The mouth is the doorway to our body and its first line of defense. It performs more essential functions than any other part of the body. Good oral hygiene and oral health can improve your overall health, reducing the risk of serious disease and perhaps even preserve your memory in your golden years. To preserve your oral health, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS.

Your smile speaks volumes about who you are and leaves an everlasting impression, so it’s only natural that you want it to be as radiant as possible. To accomplish the whitening of your teeth, we utilize a tray whitening system here at the office and it is completed in just 2 steps. The first step is to make an impression of your teeth. With this impression, we'll craft you custom whitening trays that you can use over and over.

If you have questions or concerns about teeth whitening services, 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.

Porcelain Veneers

If your teeth suffer some undesirable defects, such as being cracked, chipped, or discolored due to stains, Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS thinks you may be a candidate for porcelain veneers. Dental veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials that are designed to cover the front side of teeth. They are an ideal choice if you wish to improve your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.

Veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns in many situations because they offer a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color, size or shape. When bonded to the teeth, they are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, wine, or even cigarette stains. Therefore, if you are seeking a bright smile that stays perfect, veneers are your best option. Because dental veneers are an irreversible process, it is critical that you are involved and informed every step of the way.

If you have questions or concerns about porcelain veneers or cosmetic dentistry, 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.

Dental Implant Restoration

Dental implants are a permanent and appealing solution to replace missing or extracted teeth. They provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. In most cases, anyone healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery can be considered for a dental implant. Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS can provide implant candidates with a brand new smile over the course of a few months.  

The first part of the process is to install the implant itself, where a screw is placed into the jaw bone. Afterward, an incision is made in the gum so that the implant can be inserted. Multiple implants can be placed at once if necessary. After the implants are placed the gums are sutured. After the implant has healed it is time to place an abutment on the implant. The abutment serves as the base for your new tooth. Once this is placed, an impression of the abutment is taken and is used to create your permanent restoration. The entire implant process is performed over the course of several months depending on the individual patient case.

If you have questions or concerns about dental implant restoration, 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.

A Bright Smile is a Healthy Smile

Taking good care of your mouth – teeth and gums – does more than help ensure you have a bright, white, smile. The mouth is the doorway to our body and its first line of defense. It performs more essential functions than any other part of the body. Good oral hygiene and oral health can improve your overall health, reducing the risk of serious disease and perhaps even preserve your memory in your golden years. To preserve your oral health, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS.

Your smile speaks volumes about who you are and leaves an everlasting impression, so it’s only natural that you want it to be as radiant as possible. To accomplish the whitening of your teeth, we utilize a tray whitening system here at the office and it is completed in just 2 steps. The first step is to make an impression of your teeth. With this impression, we'll craft you custom whitening trays that you can use over and over.

If you have questions or concerns about teeth whitening services, 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.

Cavity Prevention

To keep it simple, a cavity is a hole in your tooth. Many people believe that it’s only children who get cavities, but changes in your mouth as you age make them an adult problem too.  As you get older, your gums pull away from your teeth and this exposes the tooth roots of your teeth to dental plaque. Therefore, if you eat a lot of sugary or high-carb foods, you’re more likely to get cavities. If you suspect you have a cavity, schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS.

Cavity treatment depends on how bad the cavity is, but to prevent them you can start by brushing your teeth after every meal, using dental floss daily and rinsing your mouth to prevent the formation of plaque. When foods with carbohydrates like bread, cereal, milk, soda, cake, or candy stay on your teeth they can lead to tooth decay because the bacteria in your mouth turn them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and your saliva combine to form plaque, which clings to the teeth.

If you have questions or concerns about preventive oral care or general dentistry, 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 TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS can help patients prevent and recover from the negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer from discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and 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.

Scaling and Root Planing

In its most advanced stages, gum disease can lead to gum recession and even tooth loss.  Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS wants to make sure it never gets to that point for you and your family!  When plaque builds up on a tooth, the gum starts to pull away from the tooth and form a pocket around the buildup, which only leads to more gum recession.  A scaling and root planing procedure is used to treat this buildup and prevent the later stages of gum disease.

Scaling and root planning are two parts of a deep cleaning procedure your dentist can perform to help reverse the progress of gum disease.  The procedure beings with scaling, which is the process of the dentist removing plaque from the surface of the teeth, all the way down to the gums. Root planing is the term for any minor contouring to smooth the surface of a tooth near the root.  When plaque has been removed and the tooth root has been smoothed, the gums that have pulled away will have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to as they heal.

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

Restorative Dental Services

Restorative dentistry is defined as the study, diagnosis, and treatment, or diseases of the teeth and their surrounding structures. At the office of Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS, it is the goal of our entire staff to give our patients the smile they desire, while restoring function to his or oral cavity. Restorative dental services may include cosmetic enhancements, but they typically revolve around rehabilitating the teeth and gums.

Restorative dental services may include dental crowns, bridgework, esthetic fillings, and dental implants. Though crowns, bridges, and implants differ, each of them is designed to restore teeth with a natural look and feel. Additionally, dentures are a common restorative device used to replace missing teeth for people with no teeth. They can also be used in mouths where several teeth need to be replaced. To determine which restorative service is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS.

If you have questions or concerns about restorative dental services, 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.

First Pediatric Dental Visit

A child’s first dental visit is a monumental time in their life. After all, the very first visit is what sets the foundation for his or her future oral health. Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS is here to help parents instill proper oral care habits in their child from infancy to teenage years. Doing so will prevent periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other dental diseases.

During your child’s first visit, Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS will examine his or her mouth, teeth and gums, as well as evaluate adverse habits such as thumb sucking. She will also check to see if your child needs fluoride treatment and teach him or her all about cleaning their teeth and keeping their gums healthy. If your child has well surpassed the age of one, you will need to limit their sugar intake as a method of cavity prevention. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care and can offer dental sealants as a way to protect your child’s teeth. Once the oral exam is complete and you are satisfied with your experience, we will suggest a schedule for regular dental visits.

If you have questions or concerns about pediatric dentistry, 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.

Losing the First Tooth

If your kid is turning into a big kid, losing the first baby tooth is on the horizon.  It’s an exciting sign of growing up, but many kids still feel anxious or uncomfortable dealing with the unfamiliar sensation of a loose tooth.  Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS wants kids and parents to be prepared and understand why this pain occurs so your child can still have a positive tooth loss experience.

Before a baby tooth is lost, it begins to break free of its nerve endings.  This is the natural process that makes the tooth feel loose and wobbly at the gums, and the area will become swollen and red.  It can be painful, and for kids a great way to soothe tooth pain is applying a cold compress to the outside of the mouth in the affected area.  Children may complain that they find it hard to bite or chew with loose or missing teeth.  It’s still important to keep eating healthy while they grow new teeth so encourage soup, pureed fruits, and cooked vegetables.  A few tales of the tooth fairy can usually ease the pain a little, too!

To learn more about tooth loss and 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 Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is the term for removing excess gum tissue from the surfaces of teeth.  Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS removes gum tissue from patient’s mouths for aesthetics and for function.  We see many patients unhappy with their smiles, and even patients without any damage to their teeth feel like their gums keep them from enjoying their ideal smile.  When gum tissue is removed for function it is typically for making room to affix a restoration, like a crown, to a tooth.

Whether a crown lengthening procedure is done for function or aesthetics, it is a simple in-office procedure. Local anesthetic is used while your dentist removes excess gum tissue with either a scalpel or laser tools.  If tissue is being removed for a restoration to fit you may only require tissue to be removed from a couple of teeth.  Some people have more gum tissue than others and it results in a gummy smile, which can be corrected throughout the entire mouth.  The result is a visually pleasing ratio of teeth to gums that creates an even smile! 

To learn more about crown lengthening 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.

Bad Breath Treatment

Bad breath can be very embarrassing, but it is a common condition and there are numerous ways to fight it. Medically called halitosis, bad breath can result from poor dental health habits, and may even be a sign of other health problems. At her dental practice, Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS will review your medical history for conditions that can cause bad breath and treat it depending on the cause.

You may not always know that you have bad breath. That’s because odor-detecting cells in the nose eventually get used to the smell. Other symptoms depend on the underlying cause of bad breath such as infections in the mouth, respiratory tract infections, dry mouth and other illnesses like diabetes and liver disease. If a medical condition is not the cause of your bad breath, it can simply be reduced and prevented by practicing proper oral hygiene, seeing your dentist regularly, and kicking bad habits such as smoking.

If you have questions or concerns about bad breath or halitosis, 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.

DURAthin Veneers

At the dental practice of Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS, our staff gets a lot of questions from patients asking about the latest cosmetic fixes available for their teeth.  There are options available for just straightening and just whitening, but a set of custom veneers is the only way to completely change the look of your smile without undergoing a single dental procedure. Patients with stained teeth, chipped or cracked teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a dazzling smile with veneers. DURAthin veneers are made of a high-quality porcelain and require minimal preparation to the teeth!

 To fit a patient with a new set of custom veneers, we plan on two to three appointments.  First, you will consult with a dentist and discuss the look and shade best for your new smile.  It may be necessary to prepare the teeth with light contouring, which is just to ensure a great fit for your new veneers.  Once the teeth are prepared, impressions of the upper and lower teeth are taken.  These impressions are sent to a dental lab where your veneers will be manufactured in order to custom-fit the final product.  Veneers can typically be fabricated within 14 days, and on your final visit the veneers are bonded directly to the surface of your teeth for you to wear home and wear forever!

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

Periodontitis

Plaque is a sticky substance that remains on the teeth after we consume certain foods. This colorless membrane is the most common cause of periodontal disease, which is why Dr. Lis Bradley DDS, wants patients to remember that it’s important to maintain an adequate oral care routine. We’ve previously mentioned gingivitis, a mild form of periodontal disease that can be reversed by flossing every day at least once a day. If gingivitis is left untreated, it will develop into a more aggressive form of gum disease – periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a level of gum disease that damages soft tissue and bone that supports the tooth. When plaque sits on the teeth for long periods of time, it will cause the gums to recede and pockets to form. Maintaining a good oral care routine by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, you will save yourself from invasive periodontal treatment in the future. When periodontitis strikes, a deep cleaning will be necessary to remove any decay.

If you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease, 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.