What is Periodontal Therapy?

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At Valley Dental, we use the term periodontal therapy to describe the diagnosis and treatment of all types of gum disease.Periodontal disease in Onalaska WI are infections that affect the gums, periodontal ligaments, and alveolar bone. Knowing the stages of gum disease and the symptoms associated with this common oral health issue is critical to beating it and returning to good oral health.

What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?

The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, and it is completely reversible at this point. The other piece of good news about gingivitis is that it affects only the gums and no other structures. However, it can turn into mild, moderate, or advanced periodontitis if left untreated.

Mild Periodontitis causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, and you may begin losing some bone. In the middle stage, gum disease causes more bone loss due to bacterial erosion, and your gums become sore and tender. You risk losing some or all your teeth when gum disease reaches the advanced stages. Bleeding gums, pus on your gumline, and chronic bad breath are all associated with advanced periodontitis as well.

Symptoms of Periodontitis

Please schedule an appointment for an evaluation forgum disease in Onalaska WI right away if you notice any of the symptoms listed below.

  • Dark red or purple gums
  • Gums bleed easily
  • Loose teeth
  • Pain when chewing food
  • Pus on your gumline
  • Swollen and tender gums
  • Teeth have pulled away from your gums
  • Your two rows of teeth do not fit together like they used to

Advanced and untreated gum disease can cause infections in other parts of your body and contribute to the development of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Please reach out with additional questions or to request a consultation at your convenience.

What to Expect During Your Next Routine Dentist Appointment

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If you don’t often go to routine dentist appointments, you may not know what to expect. Your routine dentist appointment is an opportunity to see the dentist, ask questions, get your teeth cleaned, and find out whether you have any dental problems that need to be addressed. Here’s what to expect when you make an appointment with yourdentist in Onalaska, WI.

Cleaning

Before your examination, you’ll receive a cleaning from a dental professional at the office. Your dental professional will use basic tools like a scaler and an ultrasonic scaler to remove plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth.

The dental professional will also use a mirror to see inside your mouth and spray the inside with water from time to time. The cleaning usually takes up most of the time at the dental office.

The dental professional may also polish your teeth and give you a fluoride treatment to strengthen your tooth enamel. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a long time, they may also give you an x-ray to see what’s happening inside your teeth.

Examination

Once the cleaning is over, the dentist will examine your teeth to look for problems like cavities, infections, and wisdom teeth that aren’t growing in properly. The examination is important for identifying problems that may be occurring in your teeth.

Chance to Ask Questions

Once the examination is over, you’ll be allowed to ask questions or talk to your dentist about any concerns you have. Your dentist can teach you how to brush and floss your teeth. If your dentist has identified problems with your tooth and gum health, they’ll tell you the next steps.

Is it time for you to make an appointment fordental cleaning in Onalaska, WI? Call today.

Oral Hygiene Habits to Develop in 2024

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What are your goals for the new year? If you don’t have any yet, now is the time to consider making 2024 the year you improve your oral hygiene habits.

As your dentist in Onalaska, WI, the professionals at Valley Dental are here to help you take good care of your teeth. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you develop good oral hygiene habits. Below are a few suggestions we can offer for ways to improve your oral hygiene.

Time Your Toothbrushing

You’re supposed to brush your teeth for two minutes each time you brush. If you haven’t been doing that, now is the time to start. If you use an electric toothbrush, your toothbrush should time how long you take to brush your teeth. If your toothbrush is a manual toothbrush, then you’ll need to use an app or the timer on your phone to brush your teeth.

Visit the Dentist Twice Annually

Did you visit the dentist twice in 2023? If not, then 2024 should be the year you start seeing the dentist every six months. Seeing the dentist every six months is a good way to keep the tartar and plaque off your teeth. Your dentist can also help you avoid conditions like gum disease.

Address Your Dental Risks

Some conditions (like diabetes) and lifestyle choices (like smoking) can put your teeth at risk. Knowing your risks and what you can do to protect yourself is important. Next time you’re at the dentist’s office, ask the dentist if you’re at risk for any dental conditions and, if so, what you can do to take care of your teeth. Start implementing those changes in 2024 to reduce your risk of developing a dental condition.

Do you need a dental appointment in Onalaska, WI? If so, call Valley Dental today to get your appointment on the schedule.

4 Tips for Taking Care of Your Teeth This Fall

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Fall is a time of Halloween candy. Fall is also the start of the holiday season, which means that taking care of your teeth at this time of year can come with some challenges. Visiting the dentist in Onalaska, WI, and taking special care of your teeth at this tasty time of year can help you avoid cavities and other dental problems. Here’s what we recommend.

1. Limit Sugary Drinks and Snacks

You don’t have to give up your favorite pumpkin-flavored coffee, nor do you have to totally refrain from eating the kid’s Halloween candy. However, limiting your intake of sugary drinks and snacks can help you avoid dental decay and damage to your tooth enamel. Whenever possible, enjoy sugarless snacks or crunchy fruits that help keep your teeth clean. Eat the apple, and hold the caramel!

2. Replace that Toothbrush

Your toothbrush should be replaced every three months. When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? If you can’t remember how long you’ve had this brush, it may be time for a new one.

3. Use those Dental Benefits

Your dental insurance likely offers benefits on an annual calendar. If you don’t go to the dentist twice this year for cleanings, then you’ll lose out on those benefits. Make an appointment with the dentist before the end of the year comes.

4. Watch for Symptoms

Watch for signs that your teeth are having a problem. Tooth pain, swelling and sudden tooth sensitivity are all signs that you may need to visit a dentist.

Schedule Your Next Dental Visit

Is it time for a dental checkup in Onalaska, WI? Call Valley Dental today to make an appointment.

3 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Teeth Whiter in the New Year

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White teeth can help your smile shine, but what can you do to achieve whiter, brighter teeth? Many things! As your dentist in Onalaska, WI, we can offer advice and services that can make your teeth bright, white, and beautiful. If you’re unhappy with the way your teeth look, we can help. Here’s what you need to know about maintaining whiter teeth in 2023.

1. Get Your Teeth Professionally Whitened

With professional teeth whitening in Onalaska, WI, you can enjoy teeth that are several shades lighter than they are currently. Professional teeth whitening services are affordable and effective. At Valley Dental, we offer professional whitening services that can help you achieve the whiter, brighter appearance that you’ve been hoping for.

2. Swish Water After Eating Staining Foods

One of the ways that teeth lose their white, bright, beautiful appearance is by eating foods and drinking beverages that stain. One way to mitigate this problem is to drink water. Swishing with water after eating can wash away the staining agents and help keep your teeth whiter for longer. So, hydrate your body after consuming things like tomato sauces, coffee, red wine, beets and more.

3. Improve Your Dental Hygiene Routine

Is your dental hygiene routine up to snuff? You should be brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once daily and seeing your dentist twice annually. When you visit the dentist, they can show you how to brush and floss properly, to get your teeth as clean as possible.

To improve your dental hygiene routine, start by making an appointment with the dentist at Valley Dental. Call today to get your teeth whitening or dental cleaning on the calendar.

3 Benefits of Routine Dental Checkups

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Seeing the dentist on a routine basis is very important! If you fail to see one of these specialists every few months for a checkup, serious health consequences can occur. In fact, those who skip out on regular dental visits tend to have a higher risk of developing oral disease and other severe dental problems.

Need even more reasons to visit the dentist? Keep reading to learn 3 benefits of routine dental checkups.

Provides a Professional Clean

Even if you floss and brush properly every single day, it’s impossible to clean every inch of your mouth. Unfortunately, those hard-to-reach areas can experience an excessive buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria. This is one of the reasons why a dental checkup is essential. During these appointments, a dental expert professionally cleans your teeth and gums. This helps to attack those troublesome areas, removing bacteria and lowering the chance of tooth decay.

If you’re interested in a routine dental checkup and teeth cleaning in Onalaska, WI, Valley Dental is here to help. Contact us today to make an appointment!

Looks for Signs of Oral Cancer

During a dental checkup, a dentist will also look for any signs of oral cancer. As oral cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms, this is why dental checkups are vital. If this issue goes unnoticed, it can turn into a life-threatening situation over time. When checking for signs of cancer, a dentist utilizes a special light to detect dead tissue caused by tumors. This is referred to as a VELscope cancer exam. This process isn’t painful at all, and the entire exam only lasts one to two minutes.

Keeps Teeth Looking Great

Let’s face it—everyone wants a white smile. However, brushing properly and using teeth whitening solutions doesn’t always lead to the best results. This is another area where an experienced dentist can help! During a checkup appointment, a dentist performs a thorough cleaning process to remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause stains if left untreated.

To work with the leading dentist in Onalaska, WI, contact Valley Dental today to get started!