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.

Tooth Sensitivity in Children

Patients at Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood dental practice can expect compassionate care for their whole family. Nobody, including children, should have to endure toothaches. But when diagnosing the cause of tooth sensitivity in children, there are some additional factors to keep in mind.

Adult teeth are often somewhat sensitive when they first break through the gum line. This problem will usually go away on its own and until then we can point parents toward safe pain relievers. But if a tooth is impacted (meaning it is trapped), extraction or orthodontic work may be necessary, which is why it’s safer to take children’s complaints seriously.

Children suffer from higher rates of tooth decay than people of any other age, and this is the most likely cause of their toothaches. However, it is also possible that they are brushing too hard and damaging their gums. We can teach them better brushing technique in either case. Children also suffer from high rates of sinus infections, which can cause pain that radiates into the upper teeth. Dental problems may be an indicator of an undiagnosed disease such as diabetes or the result of medications which cause dry mouth as a side effect, so it’s important for parents to think of dentists as part of a larger medical care team.

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

 

Dental Instruments

Our instruments at Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood dental practice are naturally objects of curiosity. They may also be objects of apprehension. To help patients become more comfortable with their dental care, we thought it would be a good idea to explain a little about what our tools are for.

Dental explorers are the instruments we use the most frequently, along with the handheld mirror. Also known as probes, explorers are small metal hooks that can be used to scrape away bits of tartar. They are used to push against enamel and examine gum pockets to determine whether there is an active infection. A variety of probes exist to check the various parts of teeth from different angles and scrape tartar from under the gums.

When we find tooth decay, we numb the patient with an injection and remove damaged enamel with a drill. The drill sprays water onto the teeth while in use to prevent heat damage. Once the decayed enamel has been removed, we mix the composites for a filling on a small spatula. Application and shaping of the filling are done using burnishers, which are instruments with blunt or rounded ends. If a filling needs to be removed, we remove debris with an evacuator, which is a more powerful version of the ejector used to vacuum away saliva.

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

 

Electric Toothbrushes

Whenever you’re at the supermarket, you see a dizzying variety of oral hygiene products. At Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood dental office, we help our patients to determine which tools best suit their needs. One of the most important decisions to make is whether to use a manual or electric toothbrush, and there are arguments to make for both.

Electric toothbrushes can make tens of thousands of brush strokes per minute. This means that any tooth surface a user puts the toothbrush on gets scrubbed thoroughly, but the user is still responsible for reaching every part of each tooth. Studies have not found that people who use electric toothbrushes have lower rates of decay than people who use manual toothbrushes properly, but to use a manual toothbrush properly, a person must brush for at least two minutes per session.

The obvious advantage of an electric toothbrush is for people who have difficulty moving their hands. Many electric toothbrushes also come with apps that can inform the user if they’ve missed a spot or are overbrushing. Some are kid-friendly to teach them good hygiene habits. Electric toothbrushes are expensive, but they’re a useful option for people who have been unsuccessful with the non-motorized kind.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit Lis Bradley or 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.

White Spot Lesions

One of the most common cosmetic problems seen in dentistry is the appearance of white spots on the teeth. At Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood dental practice, we can assist patients with this problem, but we want them to understand why it is a health concern and what they can do to prevent it.

White spot lesions are the result of minerals being removed from the teeth’s surface. They are recognizable by their chalky appearance and can result from acid reflux. However, the more common reason for their development, particularly on the front teeth, is tooth decay. Bacterial infections create acid, and the removal of minerals on teeth is the first step in the formation of a cavity. For this reason, white spots are also known as incipient lesions.

Proper oral hygiene at home and professional cleanings can arrest the progress of a white spot. However, the discoloration is likely to remain unless the patient receives remineralization treatment. They may also want to consider bonding or veneers, depending on the extent of the damage. White spots commonly form near orthodontic brackets, where patients have the most difficulty brushing. People with braces need to brush especially carefully. For those who are eligible, the ClearCorrect orthodontic system our office offers has the benefit of not using brackets.

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

 

Tooth-Colored Fillings

A tooth-colored filling is a dental filling that is designed to match the aesthetics of a natural tooth. Dental fillings are used to fill cavities or holes in the teeth that have been caused by dental decay. Also known as composite resins, these types of fillings provide solid durability and resistance to fracture in small to mid-size fillings that need to withstand the pressure of chewing. If you need a dental filling, Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS can discuss your options.

The procedure for a tooth-colored filling can be completed in one appointment. Because tooth-colored fillings bond directly to tooth enamel, they are strong and resist the wear and tear that comes with chewing food. To keep your white fillings looking their best, you’ll need to maintain a proper oral hygiene regimen by brushing at least twice a day for two minutes, flossing for at least once a day, and visiting us twice a year for routine dental cleanings.

If you have questions or concerns about dental fillings, 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 Crowns

A dental crown is a fixed prosthetic device that is cemented onto existing teeth or dental implants by Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS. There are several reasons a dental crown may be necessary. Dental crowns help repair and strengthen teeth that have been damaged by dental trauma or decay, they can improve a tooth’s appearance. Dental crowns can last a lifetime with proper oral care.

There are several types of materials that are used for dental crowns and Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS can discuss these options with you during a consultation. The procedure for receiving a dental crown usually takes two visits. During the first appointment, Dr. Bradley will prepare the tooth, take the tooth impression, and place a temporary crown. In between these two appointments your permanent crown will be made, and the second visit will include placing the permanent crown!

If you have questions or concerns about dental crowns, 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.

Tooth Decay in Seniors

Patients can count on us for lifelong dental care at Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood office. According to the most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control, tooth decay in seniors is far too common. Estimates for the number of people over sixty-five with untreated caries are as high as one in five. We believe that education is one of the best means of combatting this scourge.

Many seniors with tooth decay are people who had healthy teeth earlier in life. While their lack of access to fluoridated water during their formative years makes them more vulnerable to decay, the fact that their health worsened implies something changed in their oral hygiene practice. Some common problems are limited dexterity, which makes brushing and flossing difficult, as well as switching to foods that are sticky and high in sugar. Many seniors also take medications which cause dry mouth as a side effect. This makes them more vulnerable to oral infections because saliva is one of the most important means by which the body removes food debris.

With the expertise of Dr. Bradley’s team, all of these problems are fixable. There are many home dental products designed for people with limited dexterity we can recommend, as well as means of keeping the mouth moisturized. We also accept CareCredit health care financing, providing seniors with another way of covering their 6-month check-ups.

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

 

Acid Reflux

One of the biggest threats to oral health is acid reflux. Dr. Lis Bradley regularly treats patients who have lost tooth enamel to this disease but we want to raise awareness of it so patients will know how to recognize and prevent it.

Acid reflux is the result of the sphincter separating the stomach from the esophagus opening and allowing acid up a patient’s digestive tract. In the esophagus, acid causes the painful sensation of heartburn, as well as ulcers. If it reaches as far as the mouth, the upper back teeth will usually be the worst affected. The damage of acid reflux occurs in stages, with the teeth taking on an appearance that is frosted and glazed before developing pits and cracks and losing their cusps.

To prevent acid reflux, patients should reduce their consumption of acidic, alcoholic, and caffeinated beverages, as wells as foods that are high in acid and fat. They should also avoid eating large meals before lying down and try to maintain better posture. Fluoride treatments can help protect teeth from acid reflux, but nothing can regrow lost enamel. However, fillings and partial crowns can be used to restore damaged teeth.

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

 

General Dentistry

As a general dentist, Lis Bradley DDS, takes responsibility for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide variety of oral health conditions. From missing teeth to misalignments, or gum disease to tooth decay, Dr. Lis Bradley utilizes the most advanced technological tools on the market to uncover and treat problems as early as possible. It is the primary goal of the doctor’s to provide exceptionally accurate and pain-free treatment plan.

Dr. Lis Bradley is highly educated in dental hygiene and trained in cosmetic and restorative dental procedures. For several years, instead of specializing in just one area of dentistry, the doctor has developed oneself in the services of crowns and bridges, preventive care, teeth cleanings and much more. The first step in providing a smooth dental visit for the patient involves gaining the patient’s trust. Dr. Lis Bradley does this by diagnosing the patient’s condition and having a thorough discussion about moving forward.. At the dental practice of Dr. Lis Bradley, patient wellness is a priority and good oral hygiene is paramount to the patient's overall health.

If you are searching for a general dentist, look no further and give our office a call. To learn about services provided at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.