3 Things That Could Be Staining Your Teeth

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Stains on your teeth can be disheartening and upsetting. If your teeth are stained, knowing what’s causing the discoloration and what you can do about it can help you take care of your teeth. Your dentist in Onalaska, WI, can provide insights into stained tooth enamel, so you can hopefully resolve the problem and move forward.

1. Foods and Drinks

Foods and drinks are a common reason that teeth turn yellow. Some of the most common staining foods and drinks include berries, beets, coffee, tea, wine, dark-colored sauces, curry, and soda.

If you consume a lot of foods and drinks that stain tooth enamel, try swishing with water when you’re done eating, and stay hydrated throughout the day. Staying hydrated and swishing with water can help wash food and drinks off your tooth enamel when you’re done eating.

2. Poor Oral Hygiene

Failure to clean their teeth properly is one reason that many people get stained teeth. Brush your teeth twice each day and floss once daily. See the dentist every six months. Taking good care of your teeth can help you avoid stains and other damage.

3. Smoking and Tobacco Products

Smoking and tobacco products cause stains on tooth enamel. These stains can go deep into the tooth, and can be very difficult to get rid of. Stopping the use of tobacco products can help prevent your teeth from becoming more stained.

If you’re unhappy with the color of your teeth, you may benefit from teeth whitening in Onalaska, WI. The dental professionals at Valley Dental are here to help. We offer teeth whitening and can help you determine the cause of your tooth enamel discoloration. Call today.

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 for gum 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.

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.

The 3 Types of Dental Implants Explained

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Has your dentist in Onalaska, WI, recommended you get dental implants? If so, learning all you can about them will help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you. So let’s talk about the three types of dental implants. Then, after talking it over with your dentist, you can decide which route to go.

The Three Types of Dental Implants Explained

There are three commonly used dental implants in Onalaska, WI, from which you can choose.

  • Endosteal Dental Implants

Endosteal implants are the safest and most commonly used dental implants on the market. Most people do well with endosteal dental implants. However, you must have a good, healthy jawbone; otherwise, the post won’t have anything to fuse to. These have posts that look like screws and are inserted into your jaw. Then your new teeth will be fitted onto those posts and secured.

If you don’t like the idea of screw-like posts being inserted into your jawbone, you might consider the second most common type of dental implant, which is the subperiosteal dental implant.

  • Subperiosteal Dental Implants

Subperiosteal dental implants rest on the top of your jawbone rather than being inserted into your jawbone. However, they still sit under your gums. A metal frame is inserted under your gums, and it has a post attached to it. Your gums will then heal around that frame to hold it in place. Your new teeth are then secured to those posts.

  • Zygomatic Dental Implants

Zygomatic dental implants are rarely used because it is an extremely complicated dental procedure. This method should only be used if you don’t have enough jawbone for the endosteal type of implant.

What’s Next?

If you need a dentist in Onalaska, WI, please Contact Valley Dental today. We have been providing the highest quality dental services in the safest possible environment to our patients since 1993. And we look forward to serving you too!