Toothbrush Abrasion – Don’t Brush Too Hard

Plaque is a soft, sticky film that sits on the teeth after we consume a meal. In fact, dental plaque is so soft, that it doesn’t require vigorous brushing to be cleansed away. If you’ve ever heard that too much of a good thing is bad for you, the same rule applies when brushing your teeth. Those who tend to “over-brush” or use excessive force while brushing, are likely to end up with sensitive teeth and gums. Dr. Fredrick Shaw encourages patients to take his or her time while brushing the teeth and most importantly, be gentle.

Toothbrush abrasion affects both the teeth and gums and is more likely to occur from brushing too hard, instead of not brushing enough. This is because vigorous brushing can wear down the enamel on the teeth and cause gums to recede. The solution to this problem is changing your toothbrush to one with soft bristles and brushing the teeth with care. You will not achieve any benefits from brushing too hard so don’t be afraid to take your time.

If you have questions or concerns about dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about our sedation options and all the services we provide at the practice, visit FredrickShawDDS.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fredrick Shaw in Austin, TX, call 512-451-7491.

What is a Bone Graft?

Bone grafting has become a routine throughout medicine because of how it helps bodies heal.  A bone graft procedure consists of harvesting bone material from a healthy part of a patient’s body, and transferring it to a site that needs reinforcement. When a dental patient needs an implant to replace a lost or damaged tooth, a bone graft is used to strengthen the jaw. At Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group we perform bone grafts for patients to prepare them for a permanent tooth replacement.

If tooth loss or gum disease has left a portion of the jaw bone vulnerable, a replacement tooth cannot be placed until the jaw bone is strong enough to receive the implant. The doctor will harvest bone material from another part of the patient’s mouth and graft it to the jaw bone. This gives the deficient bone a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the site. The healing process can take several months, and should be monitored by a dentist until the bone is strong enough to handle the placement of an implant.

To learn more about bone grafting 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.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting is primarily used to treat receding gums, especially where tooth has been exposed. When plaque and bacteria build up at the gum line, the gums start to pull away from the teeth and stretch, forming little pockets around the buildup. Even when these little pockets are cleaned out, they remain at the gum line and cause the gums to recede.  The doctors of Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group can help you correct this by repairing deficient gums with a gum graft. 

A gum graft procedure consists of harvesting healthy tissue from the roof of the patient’s mouth and transferring it to the site that needs reinforcement. This gives the deficient gum a replacement, and encourages growth of new material around the graft.  Gum grafting can be performed when receding gums become unsightly, or to cover teeth that have been exposed by receding gums and become much more sensitive.  If you think you could benefit from a gum graft, please contact us.

To learn more about gum grafting 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.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

At the office of Dr. Fredrick Shaw, we support Oral Cancer Awareness Month to encourage patients to request oral cancer screenings nationwide, throughout the month. An oral cancer screening is an important part of a dental appointment because it can detect cancer symptoms in the earliest stage when they are easiest to treat. It’s important to know that just because Dr. Shaw may suggest an oral cancer screening; this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have cancer.  

Oral cancer typically appears as a growth or a sore in the mouth that does not go away after a matter of weeks. However, we don’t encourage you to wait weeks if you notice a red or white patch of skin that is causing you pain. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include a lump or thickening in the cheek, a sore throat or the feeling that something is caught in the throat. In our office, we provide patients with oral cancer screening to detect cancer in its earliest stage when it is easiest to treat. It’s important to visit us every six months to reduce your chances of developing these symptoms. Treatment will depend on the patient, but radiation therapy and surgery are common methods of treating oral cancer.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care or dental health, 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.