Month: November 2016

If you were told that the health of your mouth was an indicator for the health of the rest of your body, you’d likely be pretty surprised – right? After all, how can your mouth give away the health of the rest of your body?

Well, the truth is that if your mouth isn’t healthy, the rest of you likely isn’t either. So let’s look at how that connection is made and why it’s important to keep your oral health in as good shape as possible.​

Gum disease

The most common oral health problem is gum disease. Whether it’s mild gingivitis or full-blown periodontitis, when you have any form of gum disease it means there’s a significant amount of bacteria present in your mouth.

That bacteria can easily cause other health problems. Gum disease, left untreated, has been linked to causing oral cancer, heart disease, and tooth loss. Obviously those aren’t health problem you ever want to have to deal with.​

Bad breath

If you have chronic bad breath, it’s likely a sign that your mouth either isn’t making enough saliva, you’re not brushing correctly, or you’re not ridding your mouth of as much bacteria as you possible could when brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash.​

Chronic bad breath can be a sign of an underlying condition, and again the bacteria that cause it can cause other problems for your overall health as well.​

Your oral health will always be an indicator for your systemic health, which is why it’s so important to ensure you keep your mouth in tip-top shape. For tips on how to accomplish that, call us today at 205-473-0044.

Have you ever heard of impacted teeth? Do you ever wonder exactly what an impacted tooth could do the health of your smile? Do you know what you can do to address this issue? Fortunately, there are a number of things you could consider doing.​

An impacted tooth is a tooth that can’t fully emerge from your gums, typically because it doesn’t have enough room. Your wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars, are the most likely to become impacted. An impacted tooth can lead to other problems and can disturb the position of your other teeth. However, an impacted tooth can be completely painless, so you may not realize you have an issue.​

If you have an impacted tooth, your gums could also swell or become infected. This may be painful and could cause infections in your other teeth. An impacted tooth could also lead to infections in your jaw and ear as well. You may be able to recognize an impacted tooth if you have a constant bad taste in your mouth, bad breath, or pain when you bite or chew.​

Usually, our team can address this issue simply by removing the tooth. If you’re interested in learning more about impacted teeth, please don’t hesitate to contact Pell City Dental Center PC at 205-473-0044. Dr. Scott Barnett and our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

At Pell City Dental Center PC in Pell City, Alabama, we offer dental implants for our patients seeking long-lasting improvements to your smile. Unfortunately, there are some myths around dental implants that might deter some of our patients from looking into this type of restoration. To better understand implants, we would like to dispel some of these myths today.​

Myth: Dental implant placements are painful

Dental implant placement is a surgical procedure, so there can be some discomfort and pain, but no more than having a tooth extracted. Dr. Scott Barnett and our team will ensure that you are as comfortable during the procedure as possible, offering aesthetic options to suit your needs.​

Myth: Dental implants can be rejected or even fall out

Dental implants are made from biocompatible materials—typically titanium, so your body shouldn’t reject it. In fact, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons has found that dental implants have a success rate of 95 percent.

Myth: Dental implants are expensive

While dental implants do cost more than dentures or dental bridges, initially, in the long run, dental implants are more cost-effective because they last longer than dentures or bridges, lasting up to 25 years.​

Myth: Any dental provider can do an implant, so you can shop for a bargain

Discount dental providers may cut corners using less experienced staff, outdated equipment or poor quality materials leaving you with sub-standard results. If you want your dental implant to last, you want quality work done using quality materials. Dr. Scott Barnett will ensure that your dental implant is the highest quality available.​

Myth: Dental implants are only for healthy young people

Dental implants can only be done when jaw growth is complete, but once that happens you can have a dental implant restoration successfully performed up into your 90’s. Most health issues which are treated and controlled will allow you to be a successful dental implant candidate.​

At Pell City Dental Center PC in Pell City, Alabama, Dr. Scott Barnett and our team are always happy to provide our patients with the quality care they deserve. So, if you are ready to find out whether you are a good candidate for a dental implant, please give our team a call today at 205-473-0044!