Author: Jennifer Wells

Are you choosing the right toothpaste? The overload of different brands and labels can be overwhelming when shopping for your oral healthcare. To reduce the confusion while standing in the toothpaste aisle, here are a few tips to look for while making your next purchase.

–          Make sure the toothpaste is ADA approved. The American Dental Association is the primary source for oral health care. This will ensure that the product will work efficiently.

–          Fluoride is a must! Fluoride prevents decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and sugars. It can also reverse early decay through the remineralization process.

–          Pick toothpaste that meets your needs. If you have sensitive teeth, find toothpaste that reduces sensitivity. If you have some staining, look for something that will improve your teeth by whitening. Talk to your dentist about any concerns you have, they may have some recommendations. Read the labels to see if it’s the right choice for you.

–          If you are buying for a young child, look for toothpaste that has their favorite characters or color. This may help to make the experience enjoyable for them.

–          Not all toothpaste is for everyone, try different brands to see what you like.  And remember a tube of toothpaste goes a long way when you use the correct amount.  It only takes a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to get the job done!

It is with mixed feelings that today we say farewell to our team member Sarah Hobbs. A feeling of sadness to see her go, and yet happiness to see her extending her career boundaries.

Sarah first joined our team last year, fresh out of dental assisting school (in fact, she did her final rotation for school in our office). We have had the fortunate opportunity to see her grow over the last few months into a valuable and versatile member of our team. We have found Sarah to be a very conscientious, professional and hard-working young woman.

Sarah’s outgoing and friendly personality helped to create a pleasant environment to work in. Her contributions have been a great benefit to our office and, undeniably, she will be missed here. It is definitely our loss and someone else’s gain.

We have no doubt that wherever Sarah takes her career, she will continue to prove herself as an asset. Please join us in wishing Sarah the very best of luck and the greatest of success in all her future endeavors.

Dr. Gawthrop and The First Impressions Team!

What is a Root Canal?

A tooth has multiple parts or layers.  The outer portion on the tooth (the white part you can see) is the enamel, it is the strongest part of the tooth.   The outer portion on the root (what is in the bone) is cementum, it is very soft.  Inside the enamel and cementum is dentin.  The dentin contains small tubules that reach from the enamel/cementum to the pulp.  The tooth’s pulp is the innermost portion of the tooth and it supplies the blood, nerves and nutrients to the tooth.  A Root Canal consists of removing the tooth’s pulp and replacing it with an inert, biocompatible material called Gutta Percha.

A Root canal can usually be completed in one or two appointments depending on the condition of the tooth.  It is a relatively simple procedure resulting in little or no discomfort.  The Dentist or Endodontist will numb the tooth with local anesthetic, open the tooth to expose the pulp, remove the pulp and shape the canals with small file like instruments, and then fill the canals with gutta percha.  The tooth is then closed with a temporary filling to prevent reinfection from saliva.  Following the root canal procedure, a tooth will need a permanent restoration.  For anterior (front) teeth usually a filling is enough to give the tooth strength.  For all posterior (back) teeth, a crown is necessary to prevent the tooth from breaking.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal??

A Root Canal is needed when the pulp of the tooth becomes infected or inflamed, and is unable to repair itself.

The four most common causes of an infection or inflammation of the pulp are:

1. Deep cavities
2. Repeat dental procedures
3. A cracked or broken tooth
4. Injury to the tooth (trauma)

You may need a root canal even if you are not experiencing any pain.  Once a tooth is infected, the bacteria can leak out the bottom of the tooth and form an abscess.  This abscess eats away at the bone holding the tooth in place.  If a Root Canal is not performed the tooth will need to be extracted.

If you take good care of a Root Canaled tooth it can last a lifetime.  Visit your dentist at least every six months to help you maintain a healthy mouth!

-Dr. Jennifer Gawthrop