Does the doctor check for oral cancer?

Yes, we do. Dentists and hygienists are your first line of defense in detecting and treating oral cancer. Each year in the US, approximately 30,000 people are newly diagnosed with oral cancer. Worldwide, the problem is far greater, with new cases annually approaching 300,000. In the US alone, a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. If you add the sub category of laryngeal cancers, the rates of occurrence (about 10,000 additional new cases per year) and death are significantly higher. However, the good news is, when found early, oral cancers have an 80 to 90% cure rate.

I brush my teeth every day. Why is it important to have my teeth cleaned at the dental office?

Careful brushing and flossing do a good job of keeping your teeth clean in between visits. But there are some places that can be difficult to clean thoroughly on your own, and over time, plaque and tartar can build up. This can cause all sorts of problems, including bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay, that can only be prevented with regular professional cleanings and in-office fluoride treatments. Coming back for regular visits also helps us catch and correct problems when they are small, which keeps your teeth healthier, saves you money, and makes your dental visits a lot easier.

I think I grind my teeth at night. What can I do about this?

Do you wake up with discomfort in your jaws or a persistent headache? If so, you may be clenching and grinding (sometimes called bruxing) while you sleep. Persistent bruxing can damage teeth and cause them to get shorter and shorter. It can also damage your temporomandibular (jaw) joints and even affect your hearing. If you suspect that you are a bruxer, call us today. Dr. Bailey may recommend a night guard or other oral appliance that can protect your teeth and provide you with some relief.

My 12-year old likes to chew ice. Is this harmful?

Chewing ice is one of the worst things you can do to your teeth. The cold makes them brittle and prone to small cracks. These fractures get bigger over time and eventually cause the tooth to break. It is best not to chew ice at all.

What do I need to know about gum health?

The Primary Cause of Lost Teeth Most people don’t realize that the primary cause of tooth loss isn’t cavities. It’s because of gum disease. And the alarming thing is that gum disease can be completely unnoticeable right up until you lose your teeth. Even though there might not be any pain, it is important to watch for warning signs such as loose or shifting teeth, or bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth. Gum Disease Can Contribute to Heart Disease and Even Stroke The American Dental Association estimates that 8 out of 10 Americans have some level of periodontal (gum) disease. And recent medical research continues to support the finding that gum disease, stroke, and heart disease are all linked. The American Academy of Periodontology reports: “studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.” Periodontal disease is characterized by bacterial infection of the gums. These bacteria can travel into the bloodstream – straight to the heart. Now the Good News Luckily, there are ways we can help you prevent and control gum disease before it is too late! Sometimes when the disease is very advanced, surgery can be required. Gum surgery is never fun, but it is very successful in controlling the condition. With mild to moderate periodontal disease, there are very effective NON-surgical procedures that, coupled with improved dental hygiene, can virtually halt the spread of the disease. But the easiest way is to let us help you keep gum disease from ever becoming a problem in the first place! We can help arrest your gum disease and bring your smile back to health. Give us a call today at (540) 684-5857.

What is a TMJ disorder?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the jaw joint near your ear. The ache, discomfort, or tenderness in or around the jaw joints can sometimes be caused by a TMJ disorder, or TMD. Signs that you might have a TMD are: Facial irritation or tenderness Jaw ache Ache in or around the ears Neck strain Jaw stiffness Discomfort while chewing Headaches Difficulty opening and closing the mouth Jaw “locking up” Jaw makes a clicking sound Teeth that don't come together properly when eating or chewing There are a variety of treatment options for TMD. Be sure to ask us about these.

What is Your Privacy Policy?

What information do we collect? We collect information from you when you place an order, respond to a survey, or fill out a form. When ordering or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, address, e-mail address, or phone number. You may, however, visit our site anonymously. What do we use your information for? Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways: To improve customer service (Your information helps us to more effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs.) To process transactions (Your information, whether public or private, will not be sold, exchanged, transferred, or given to any other company for any reason whatsoever, without your consent, other than for the express purpose of delivering the purchased product or service requested.) To administer a contest, promotion, survey or other site feature How do we protect your information? We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you place an order or enter, submit, or access your personal information. We offer the use of a secure server. All supplied sensitive/credit information is transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology and then encrypted into our payment gateway provider’s database, only accessible by those authorized with special access rights to such systems, who are required to keep the information confidential. After a transaction, your private information (credit cards, social security numbers, financials, etc.) will not be stored on our servers. Do we use cookies? We do not use cookies. Do we disclose any information to outside parties? We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect our or others rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses. Third Party Links Occasionally, at our discretion, we may include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites. Online Privacy Policy Only This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not to information collected offline. Your Consent By using our site, you consent to our privacy policy. Changes to Our Privacy Policy If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. Contact Us If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy you may contact us using the information below. www.NorthRiverDentalCare.com 10705 Courthouse Road, Suite 118 Fredericksburg, VA 22407 (540) 369-4939 Email Us

What's so bad about losing a tooth?

Losing even a single tooth can cause the other teeth to shift and move around. This can affect chewing and your ability to absorb nutrients from your food. It can also cause your face to change shape, often looking “sunken.” This can make you look much older than you really are. Your speech can even be affected. Because it’s harder to chew with missing teeth, you may find yourself favoring softer foods and more carbohydrates, which can cause you to gain weight and contribute to diabetes.

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North River Dental Care > Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This is just a sampling of often-asked questions. Have one of your own? Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (540) 369-4939 so we can assist you.

What's so bad about losing a tooth?
Why are soft drinks bad for your teeth?
My 12-year old likes to chew ice. Is this harmful?
I think I grind my teeth at night. What can I do about this?
Does the doctor check for oral cancer?
I brush my teeth every day. Why is it important to have my teeth cleaned at the dental office?
What is a TMJ disorder?
What do I need to know about gum health?
What is Your Privacy Policy?

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