If you were to ask most people about the importance of keeping regular dental visits as part of a total wellness plan, few would disclose that they prioritize this aspect of their health.

The reality is, over 30 million Americans do not receive regular dental care, and they suffer from a number of conditions related to poor dental health including decay, gum disease, and other infections that adversely affect their quality of life.

Benefits of seeing regular dental care

At a routine dental checkup, a dentist looks for signs of degeneration, decay and disease; he or she will make recommendations for follow up care to restore the health of your mouth, teeth and gums in an attempt to preserve your overall health and wellness. Making your dental health a priority will help to reduce your risk for chronic illness and disease down the road. Some other benefits of regular dental care include:

• Reducing the risk of significant decay and degeneration of soft tissues
• Being able to save teeth that may already have significant decay
• Being able to receive information about proper dental care procedures that can be implemented at home
• Being able to address other health issues related to poor health, such as headaches and poor sleep quality
• Being able to receive treatment for bad breath
• Being able to safeguard your overall health and wellness
• Preserving the health and beauty of your smile

That being said, it's important to schedule regular checkups and follow up visits for restorative care, particularly if you want a beautiful and vibrant smile.

New techniques in dentistry make it easier than ever!

Laser dentistry, a technique that has been used in dental offices since the nineties, make it easier than ever to improve your dental health.

Advancements in laser technology now make cleaning and restorative processes quick, efficient, and virtually painless, so even if you were one of those who suffered from dental anxiety, you can rest easy knowing that your experience will be significantly different than previous visits.

Laser technology falls into two main categories: hard tissue application and soft tissue application.

Hard tissue application

A hard-tissue laser makes it extremely easy to cut through hard tissue like tooth enamel and bone. They can be used for everything from shaping a tooth prior to a crown to removing old pieces of filling in preparation for new ones.

Additionally, this type of laser is used to shape and sculpt bone tissue in the jaw, resulting in cleaner cuts and improved healing time.

Other hard-tissue applications include:

• Tooth whitening
• Preparing teeth for fillings
• Sealing roots on sensitive teeth
• Removing all decaying and diseased enamel from teeth

Soft tissue application

Diode and YAG lasers are more well-suited for soft tissue applications, such as removing diseased gum tissue due to periodontitis, allowing surrounding healthy tissue to heal faster.

Soft tissue laser applications also include:

• Removing excess gum tissue
• Removing tumors and other growths in the mouth
• Removing gum tissue to correct sleep apnea
• Crown lengthening
• Treating cold sores
• Repairing tissue defects

Benefits of laser dentistry

This unique approach to total dental care is revolutionizing the quality of dental visits across the world; let's take a look at the advantages of laser dentistry and its many applications:

1. Laser dentistry reduces pain and discomfort

Plenty of procedures that were painful and uncomfortable before are now virtually painless, thanks to the application of laser technology. There is seldom a need for loud drilling that would promote discomfort and anxiety; people with varying levels of pain tolerance report that laser procedures are tolerable, and many patients no longer require the use of anesthetic, which speeds up healing and recovery. Dental fears and phobias become a thing of the past when patients who have struggled to maintain regular office visits discover that it is no longer a chore to do so.

2. Laser dentistry reduces anxiety and fear

People who have avoided the dentist for years attest to the fact that laser procedures are much more comfortable than traditional dental therapies. They find themselves overcoming past fears and phobias, and they return to their dentist more often, resulting in smoother, easier experiences for all involved.

3. Laser dentistry minimizes swelling and bleeding

Beams of highly concentrated light do the work of removing tartar, restoring gum tissue, and even performing certain types of oral surgery. Bleeding and swelling would most certainly be issues if it weren't for the application of laser technologies. Trauma to the mouth is greatly reduced, and healing time is improved greatly, making most procedures simple and efficient to perform.

4. Laser technology reduces the risk of infection

Laser light actually helps to sterilize areas of the mouth that come in contact with these highly concentrated beams. This natural sterilization process helps to kill bacteria and other viruses that could potentially become infection, making even the most invasive procedure safer to perform.

5. Laser technology prevents subsequent problems

The precision of laser technology prevents problems with fillings and crowns; advancements in the way these procedures are performed with the use of lasers helps this hardware stay in place longer. Another added benefit of laser technology is that it reduces trauma to teeth and surrounding structures, resulting in less of a need for follow up work.

No more excuses..get back on the road to a healthy smile!

The advent and improvement of laser dentistry gives us hope that the most resistant patient can again receive care that is comfortable and efficient. If you are someone that has been putting off going to the dentist, it's time to give yourself the gift of a healthy smile. You deserve vibrant health and wellness, and this includes having a healthy and vibrant smile. Don't hesitate; contact us today to see how we can help you restore your dental health and improve your quality of life.