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By now, everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. But the truth is its broad-reaching health effects are not all known by everyone. This is especially true of oral health. Smoking can have serious repercussions in this regard. To give you a better idea of how smoking can affect your oral health, Drs Julie Bailey, Jacob Woods, Marci, Glenn, and Brian Beck and our team have listed some issues that can arise.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can have steep ramifications for anyone that gets it. Surgery can be required to eliminate the cancer before it spreads to more vital parts of your body. Any type of cancer is about the worst health effect you can get, and this especially holds true to the affects that smoking has on your mouth. The type of mouth surgery required with oral cancer can leave your face deconstructed in certain areas, and it is all due to smoking or use of other tobacco products.

Tooth Discoloration and Bad Breath

At the very least, it is fair to say that as a smoker you will often have bad breath, and while you may try to cover it up with gum or mints, tooth discoloration is a whole other story. The chemicals and substances in cigarettes stick to your teeth staining them brown and yellow colors that are increasingly difficult to disguise.

Gum Disease and Loss of Bone

Another effect of smoking is the increased risk of gum disease. Your gums may start to recede, which can eventually lead to the loss of teeth. Smoking can also increase bone loss and density in your jaw which is vital to the health of your mouth. Gum disease and bone loss are two signs that smoking is definitely bad for your mouth.

When it comes to the health of your mouth, the question is not whether smoking affects your health, it's how does it affect your health and to what degree. If for no other reason than because smoking involves your mouth as its entry point, it is safe to say that it can have long-lasting and detrimental consequences on your oral health.

To learn more about smoking and your oral health, contact our Tallahassee, FL office to schedule an appointment with Drs Julie Bailey, Jacob Woods, Marci, Glenn, and Brian Beck.

Hearing that you need a root canal can be highly intimidating. What is a root canal? It is the removal of the nerve supply from the tooth. Here, Drs Julie Bailey, Jacob Woods, Marci, Glenn, and Brian Beck will describe the parts of a tooth and explain the reasons for a root canal and how it is done when you visit us in our Tallahassee, FL office.

Your tooth is made up of many layers. The outside layer is called enamel and is made of minerals. The middle layer is dentin, which is also a calcified tissue, but less dense. The center of the tooth is called the pulp, and that hosts the nerves and blood vessels. A root canal is the removal and replacement of this center with a sterile filling.

A root canal is needed when an infection spreads to the center of the tooth. This can be from trauma (recent or previous), a cavity, a severe crack, or other compromise that causes nerve damage. An X-ray and examination are required to see if a root canal is needed. Symptoms may include but are not limited to pain, swelling, change in tooth color, and over-reaction to temperature change or pressure.

When it is time to begin, you’ll receive local anesthesia (via injection) to make you most comfortable. A rubber dam is used to isolate the tooth, while other equipment determines the nerve location and maintains a sterile working environment. All of the infected area is removed including the nerve tissue and blood vessels. Then, medicines are used to sterilize and alleviate any pain. Next is the placement of a filling material in the spot where the nerve used to be.

When your nerve and blood supply are taken away, the tooth is non-vital, or dead, and can become weak and fragile. If your tooth is badly decayed, a large portion of it will have to be removed. It is recommended to place a crown on the tooth to keep the enamel from breaking or falling apart. If you do not get a crown, you could eventually lose the tooth to more decay or infection. The tooth could also break off completely and you would have to have an extraction. The crown fits over the top of the tooth and secures it from breaking down.

A root canal saves the life of a tooth that would otherwise succumb to further infection and eventually extraction. Infection is the cause of most-needed root canals. If you are ever unsure what is happening at your appointment, don’t be afraid to ask questions so you understand the procedure completely.

Not that we need a specific reason to celebrate the incredible people who make our office run, but September is Office Manager Appreciation Month! With that in mind, we want to celebrate Lisa, our amazing Office Manager!

Lisa has been working at Tallahassee Dental Associates for 16 years! She plays a pivotal role in making sure our practice runs smoothly and that our patients have the best possible experience. Anyone who knows Lisa, knows how approachable she is. Lisa always does her best to listen to any issues that arise and handles them in a fair, timely manner to ensure our office is working to the best of our ability. In addition to her fantastic problem solving skills, Lisa is able to manage many tasks at once and makes sure to provide input on ways to continuously improve.

One of our awesome patients left us a review specifically mentioning Lisa and we feel this is the kind of experience she provides: "Lisa was so helpful with my insurance trouble. She calmly explained what happened and helped me solve it."

Our whole office wants to thank Lisa for her commitment to our practice and all that she gives to the team.

In addition to celebrating Office Manager Appreciation Month, this month our practice is also highlighting our digital scanning services! Are you in need of bridge or crown work? We have digital scanners that make the process quick and easy for our patients. No need to bite on any runny material for impressions! We also think it’s pretty cool that our patients get to see what is going on inside their mouth with the digital impressions. Be sure to give our office a call if you need to set up an appointment!

A smile makeover is usually a combination of one or more cosmetic dental procedures. To achieve your desired result, Drs Julie Bailey, Jacob Woods, Marci, Glenn, and Brian Beck may perform or suggest a variety of options. The entire process is designed specifically for your unique cosmetic needs, and Drs Julie Bailey, Jacob Woods, Marci, Glenn, and Brian Beck will make sure all your concerns regarding your smile are addressed.

Here are some of the most common procedures in cosmetic dentistry and how they work:

• Tooth whitening – Whiter teeth are achieved through a bleaching process typically using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Yellower teeth usually respond well to this procedure, while brown-colored teeth stained by fluorosis or taking tetracycline do not respond as well to whitening. Tooth whitening is not for everyone; if you have sensitive teeth, gum disease, or poor enamel, Drs Julie Bailey, Jacob Woods, Marci, Glenn, and Brian Beck may recommend against tooth-whitening services.
• Orthodontics – Braces are one of the tried-and-true ways of achieving a healthier smile. Braces are typically worn between 12 and 24 months to reposition the teeth in a straighter and safer alignment. Since your bite is also corrected during this process, it helps ensure you won't have any trouble down the line. There are several different types of braces available these days including: traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners.
• Veneers – Veneers are thin, tooth-colored material (porcelain or resin) designed to be placed on the front surface of teeth to improve their overall appearance. They can be used in cases where the color, shape, size, or length is not as desired. Veneers are usually used in cases where teeth are discolored, chipped, worn down, misaligned, irregular, or have gaps.
• Implants/bridges – Dental implants and bridges are used to replace missing or broken teeth. Nowadays, both implants and bridges are commonly performed procedures. Implants integrate directly with the jawbone, while bridges are placed over the adjacent teeth to the missing tooth. Implant technology has advanced a great deal in recent years and highly biocompatible ceramic materials are becoming more commonplace.

Getting your perfect smile will take time and patience, but the end result will be well worth it! Please schedule an appointment at our Tallahassee, FL office about the cosmetic dental services we offer, and achieve the smile you've always wanted!