I interact with a great many general dentists in our area who provide exceptional care. These doctors truly have the best interests of their patients and know when to perform a procedure and when it’s best to refer the patient to a specialist.

When a patient is comfortable and confident with their general dentist, they may insist that he or she perform all procedures. This can often be the case with high fear patients. Although some patients resist being referred to a specialist, this can place a generalist in an awkward position. To appease the patient, some will attempt to perform periodontal treatment, root canals or extractions that should be performed by specialists in these areas.

All of us in the dental profession, deep down, know our capabilities; things we are well-trained and qualified to do. We are also aware there are particular procedures where we will be less effective than a specialist. Attempting some of these can be downright risky when not performed by adept hands.

If your dentist encourages you to see a periodontist and you’re resistant, I advise starting with a consultation appointment to discuss the treatment you need and any concerns you have.

I have tremendous faith in our community of general dentists and admire their ethics, skills, and commitment to optimal patient care. However, there are a few in every profession who make decisions based on profits rather than those they serve. Getting effective treatment for periodontal disease can be performed in an effective and efficient manner by a periodontist.

A dental specialist’s goal is to provide you with optimal treatment for particular oral needs and work in conjunction with your general dentist for your best outcome possible. To discuss your needs, call (828) 274-9440.

In the dental profession, we often see decay that seems reoccurring. While some people are more susceptible to an oral bacteria that is particularly harmful to tooth enamel, the real culprit is often in our hands, not our DNA.

In conversation, patients will occasionally admit they sip on a soda throughout the day. This continual intake of a sugary beverage may give a little perk to their time at a desk, but it places an ongoing attack in your mouth.

Every time you eat or drink something (other than water), an acid attack occurs in your mouth. If you’ve ever heard that digestion begins in the mouth, this is the first stage of the process. While that acid helps in digestion, your teeth are getting bombarded with the acid, which is not beneficial to teeth. So, when you sip on a soda over a long period of time, the acid attack is continual.

Even artificially sweetened drinks without sugar (in any form) are harmful, as the mouth perceives the contents as food. And, as if you needed an added reason to toss the can, research has now found that the caramel coloring in sodas is actually a cancer-causing chemical 4-methylimidazole, or 4-MeI.

Labels on these brown sodas list the chemical as “caramel coloring,” which sounds innocent. Yet, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer says it contributes to cancer when consumed in certain amounts.

Dry mouth increases your risk for cavities and gum diseases. Nothing cleanses the mouth like good, clean water. And, you can sip that all day, every day and your smile will thank you!

If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to quit smoking, here are some added reasons to stick to your commitment. Your smile — teeth, gums, throat, lips, all soft tissues in the mouth — will thank you as much as your lungs!

Publicity campaigns have helped to make the American population more aware of the deadly and debilitating effects of smoking. Lung cancer is widely associated with cigarette smoking. However, oral cancer takes the life of one person every hour. Oral cancer also has one of the worst survival rates, but is curable if detected in early stages.

Smoking doesn’t just cause bad breath and stained teeth, other problems include a higher risk for gum disease, tooth loss, cavities, breakdown in dental work, and slower healing after dental procedures.

You may already know that plaque is cause of dental decay, however, smoking boosts plaque buildup on teeth, leading to decay. The tar and nicotine in cigarettes stick to gums, teeth and other places in the mouth. This is one reason that smokers often have bad breath.

Smoking also has a drying effect to the mouth, decreasing the flow of saliva. This creates an environment where bacteria breed and thrive. Smoking also causes many challenges to the gums. The results of tobacco use cause a decrease in blood flow, throughout the body as well as to oral tissues. This can cause serious problems to the gum tissue as well as the bones of the mouth’s structure.

Gums can become severely inflamed and send bacteria into the bloodstream through tears in oral tissues. Once this inflammation penetrates areas below the gum line, it becomes a difficult process to treat and eliminate. Gum disease is the nation’s leading cause of tooth loss.

Every dentist wants their patient to enjoy a successful outcome for dental treatments. For smokers, we discourage smoking during healing times since they risk a lower rate of success and higher risk for complications than non-smokers.

The good news is, once you quit smoking, the health of your gums will increase tremendously, which you should notice in a year or less after quitting.

Remember, your gums and teeth are vital parts of your body. They deserve just as much respect and care as other parts of the body. Enjoy your resolution by knowing your smile will improve greatly along with the rest of you!