Sensitive Teeth

If you brush your teeth too hard, your gums will eventually suffer. This is because the bristles from a toothbrush can cause gum sensitivity and this can make it difficult to consume hot or cold beverages. If the thought of eating ice cream, biting into an apple, or sipping hot coffee makes you cringe, it may be time to visit Dr. Fredrick Shaw of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group for an oral exam.

Tooth sensitivity occurs when tooth enamel that protects our teeth becomes thinner, exposing the underlying surface. Sensitive teeth can make eating and drinking hot/cold beverages a painful experience and the cause is usually due to lack of oral hygiene habits. It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to remove food particles that can cause bad breath and periodontal disease.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth sensitivity, please give us a call. To learn about other services we provide at our practice, visit www.fredrickshawdds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491. 

Scaling and Root Planing

Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease and is fortunately easy to treat.  However, when left untreated it progresses into periodontitis, which causes permanent damage.  Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group offers scaling and root planing, two parts of a deep-cleaning procedure meant to stop gum disease in its tracks.

Scaling and root planing is a simple and non-invasive procedure done in the office.  It begins with scaling, the term for the dentist removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the tooth all the way down to the gums. Depending on the case, a dentist may recommend completing this process over two appointments, and a patient may request local anesthetic.  This is followed by root planing, which means minor contouring to the surface of the tooth near the root.  When gums have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to, new growth of tissue is encouraged and gums heal giving the patient a clean slate against gum disease.

 

To learn more about scaling root planing, and all the services we provide at the practice, visit FrederickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

The Importance of Regular Cleanings

Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group encourages patients to maintain a great oral health routine at home, but it is still important to come into the office for biannual professional cleanings.  The Academy of General Dentistry recommends you have a dentist or hygienist perform a dental cleaning every six months. Even when you regularly brush and floss, some harmful bacteria grow in your mouth that cause gum disease and can only be removed by a dental professional.

It’s important to see a professional regularly to locate and monitor areas in the mouth that may need special attention, and a dentist can tell you if you may be neglecting an area in the mouth or skipping an important step in your regular oral care routine. At a cleaning, a hygienist uses professional tools to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria build-up from your teeth that is too tough to remove on your own.  The teeth above and below the gum line are both thoroughly cleaned with scaling tools to rid them of plaque and tartar. After the surfaces of the teeth are cleaned, the hygienist flosses between every one of your teeth and may apply fluoride if recommended by the dentist. If you need your teeth cleaned, don’t wait any longer!

To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit FrederickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frederick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars to enter our mouth as an adult. Wisdom teeth don’t always erupt, however, and when they don’t they remain impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth mean that the teeth are dormant under the gum and they don’t plan on waking up anytime soon. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, Dr. Fredrick Shaw of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group will likely suggest extraction to avoid further complications.  

Impacted wisdom teeth don’t always cause symptoms. A person may feel immense pain or no pain at all. Impacted wisdom teeth can be problematic because as they attempt to erupt, they may appear angled, and this can cause damage to surrounding teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth also pose a risk for infection, and this can make it difficult to open the mouth and may cause swelling around the jaw. Not all patients need to have their wisdom teeth extracted, but it is a safe bet to have them removed.

If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth or wisdom teeth extraction, please give us a call. To learn about other services we provide at our practice, visit www.fredrickshawdds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.