Causes of Gap Teeth

Are you sick of having a gap between your top front teeth? Brentwood dentist Dr. Lis Bradley can help with that! There are a variety of treatments available for gaps between teeth (which are scientifically known as diastemas), but which one is appropriate will depend on what caused the gap to develop.

Sometimes, the gap is due to something as simple as the teeth being small for the size of the mouth. If the gap is small enough, it may be possible for us to cover it using veneers. Our DURAthin brand fit right over a patient’s teeth, sparing them the enamel removal needed for thicker veneers. We may also choose ClearCorrect orthodontic treatment, which will close the gap using invisible, custom-crafted aligners.

However, if the patient is thrusting their tongue against their teeth or has a habit of sucking their thumb, the gap will reopen. Some people also have thick labial frenums, which are the vertical strips of tissue on the inside of the top lip. This could prevent the teeth from closing together and need to be surgically reduced.

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 Anxiety

Studies show that at least 40 million Americans avoid the dentist because of fear and anxiety. Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS does not want her patients to fall into this category. If you have a fear of pain or a fear of injections, we have options that can help take the edge off. If you’re nervous about an upcoming dental appointment, allow us to ease your fears.

It’s common to feel anxious before a dental appointment. You may lose sleep the night before, or you may experience an increased feeling of nervousness while waiting in the office. One of the most important factors in overcoming dental anxiety is communicating with Dr. Bradley before, during, and after your appointment. If dental anxiety is left untreated, it can lead to oral health problems which will only require more dental treatment.

If you have questions or concerns about dental anxiety, 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

Exposed areas of the tooth can cause pain, especially when eating food and drinking beverages that are hot or cold in temperature. The pain is often sharp and sudden and can be temporary until you go for seconds. If you experience sensitive teeth, you may need to improve your oral care routine or break some bad oral habits. Fortunately, Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS can give you the tools to reduce sensitivity.

Tooth sensitivity is caused by the movement of fluid within tiny tubes located in the dentin of the tooth, which results in nerve irritation. This may occur because of a lack of brushing and flossing or because a person is brushing too hard. If a tooth or several of the teeth are highly sensitive for more than three days, it’s best to get a diagnostic exam from Dr. Bradley to fix the problem.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth sensitivity, 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.

Clean Your Tongue

When you are brushing and flossing whether it is in the morning or right before bed, how much attention do you give your tongue? Cleaning your tongue in addition to cleaning your gums and enamel can improve bad breath, possibly eliminate it, and leave your mouth feeling cleaner overall. Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS suggests investing in a tongue cleaner, but you have all the tools you need right at home.

Your toothbrush is a powerful tool and it can be used to clean the tongue. It may tickle at first, but brushing the tongue has many benefits, such as fighting bad breath, improving your sense of taste, and controlling unwanted bacteria that can contribute to tooth decay. If you don’t wish to invest in a tongue cleaner, a spoon can be a helpful tool to clean your tongue. Simply turn the spoon sideways and gently scraper forward any film that is on the tongue. Your mouth will instantly feel cleaner.

If you have questions or concerns about oral hygiene or dental health, 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.

Retainer Basics

If you’ve recently completed orthodontic treatment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS, you’ll need to select a retainer to help maintain the straightness of your teeth. If you don’t wear a retainer after all that hard work, your teeth will begin to shift back to their original location. (This is especially common in the lower front ones.) While orthodontists offer fixed retainers and those are good for some purposes, they cannot be removed for cleaning purposes or to allow patients to eat the full range of foods they did before. The removable retainers offered at our office are more commonly used by people who have completed Clear Correct treatment and want to continue a similar style of care.

Removable retainers are created from a mold of your teeth using acrylic material and hooks or clasps that insert in and around the back of the teeth to hold them in place. They should be removed any time you eat, brush your teeth, or engage in contact sports, but otherwise, be worn throughout the day and night.

If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic maintenance options, 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 Bonding

One of the cosmetic services that Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS provides to patients is dental bonding. Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material is applied and hardened with a special light, which helps bond the material to a tooth. Dental bonding is used to fix aesthetic repairs while working to restore a tooth back to its natural function.

Dental bonding is used to repair decayed teeth, teeth that are chipped or cracked, and/or to improve the appearance of discolored teeth. Dental bonding takes very little to almost no preparation, and the use of anesthesia isn’t always necessary. Dental bonding is one of the least expensive of cosmetic dental procedures and can usually be performed in one visit to the office.

If you have questions or concerns about cosmetic 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.

Causes of Filling Failure

We provide patients with inconspicuous, comfortable fillings at Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood dental office, and as scientists study fillings more, our procedures continue to improve. We want to pass along the results of a study on filling failure that provides some good news as well as information about when people need to especially be on their guard.

Fillings do not usually last longer than ten years before needing to be replaced, but a few factors cause them to fail early. Two of the most common of these are smoking and alcohol use. The new study also found that early filling failure tends to run in families, suggesting there could be a genetic component. For people in these categories, it is especially important to maintain regular dental check-ups, so we can examine each filling’s viability and replace it before failure allows decay to resume or function to be compromised.

The study also had a very positive finding. White-colored composite fillings, which have recently emerged as an alternative to amalgam ones, have just as high a rate of success. This is good news because the white fillings are generally thought to be more attractive and avoid some of the problems with metal, such as sensitivity to coldness and heat.

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