You may have heard that once tooth enamel is eroded, it’s gone forever. This is partially true, but in the earliest stage of enamel erosion, a cavity can be reversed. Reverse a cavity before it needs a filling If you can prevent cavities in pre-teens, there’s a better chance that their teeth can stay healthy …
Many of Dr. Orey Pence’s patients walk in for sedation dentistry, dental implants, or cosmetic dentistry. Many for routine checkups and cleanings. And most really want to know if they are brushing appropriately. Having patients come for treatment and leave with questions answered—from which toothpaste to buy to proper tools and techniques—is our business. At …
Unfortunately, gingivitis (gum disease) is very common. But completely preventable. Here’s some simple ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy: If you keep your teeth and gums healthy, you will only need to visit the dentist for cleanings and checkups. Not major treatment. 1. Brush properly Brush for two to three minutes, at least …
General dentists in the Fishers area are trained in a wide variety of dental procedures. However, sometimes, your Fishers general dentist will refer you to a local Indianapolis specialist, or include a specialist as part of your treatment team. Following are some of the most common dental specialties found in the Indianapolis area: Endodontists Endodontists …
Do you have unexplained pain or clicking sounds in your jaw? They can be the result of a serious jaw condition. Some problems with the jaw and the muscles that control it are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD). But it’s also frequently called TMJ, because that’s the acronym for the name of the joint. Technically, …
Our bodies work differently. Some dental patients don’t react to local anesthetics by getting numb. This is understandably concerning when you need dental treatment. (And the word “concerning” may be a huge understatement!) It’s important to understand that bad experiences in the past don’t guarantee that you will never be able to become numb. At …
Some moms and dads in the Indianapolis area bring their child to a pediatric dentist. Others use a general or family dentist for every member of their household. What’s the difference between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist? Pediatric dentists have specialized training to treat infants, young children, and teenagers. They use special dental …
When you suddenly have to juggle extra balls, some are bound to get dropped. Perhaps you are going through a divorce or became the caregiver for an ailing parent. Perhaps you took on a second job or started night school to earn an advanced degree. Not every stressor is negative. A new baby, marriage, career, …
“My neighbor’s bad breath is scaring me.” I’m Dr. Pence with Pence Family Dentistry. I’d like to take a few minutes to share with you some facts about bad breath. Brushing just the teeth may not remove bits of food between the teeth and up in the gums. Bacteria can grow and stink from hidden …
Evolution isn’t always tidy and linear. For example, we have smaller jaws than our ancestor’s thousands of years ago, but most of our bodies haven’t adapted by generating fewer teeth. Two-thirds of us generate the same amount of teeth as early humans. These late-developing extra molars are called wisdom teeth and they pose unique oral …
