New Year, New Oral Hygiene Habits

CEREC Crowns offer a convenient, durable solution for damaged teeth. Learn about tooth crowns, the CEREC process, and how they can restore your smile at Anderson General Dentistry.

Our family dentists want to help you properly take care of your child's teeth. Here are some reasons why your child needs to see a dentist as an infant.

Anderson General Dentistry provides teeth whitening services for Anderson, SC. Click here to learn more about tips for preparing for your teeth whitening appointment!

As we age, we often face more frequent and severe dental troubles. It’s common for many people at some point in their lives to consider having one or several teeth removed. While most dental professionals try to conserve natural teeth if possible, the best option could be to remove diseased, cracked, or damaged teeth and explore replacement options. Dental implants are metal devices that get attached to the jawbone, providing an artificial root so restorations have something to anchor to. These restorations are the artificial teeth that complete the patient’s smile and give them the ability to properly chew. The professionals at Anderson General Dentistry would be happy to walk any new patient through the process of dental implant installation during a consultation. You should always consult a professional before making big decisions about your dental health, but it’s a good idea to be informed about how dental implants could help you. In addition to providing a natural smile and the ability to chew, these devices can: Prevent teeth from shifting. If empty spaces aren’t filled, the remaining teeth will eventually shift to try to fill them. Prevent bone loss. Implants provide the stimulation necessary to keep the bone in the empty space strong. Give you a better fit. Dentures will slide around in your mouth and won’t stay in place as well as implants. Last a lifetime. You won’t have to worry about regularly replacing dental implants as long as they’re well maintained. Conserve your jawbone & appearance. Missing teeth can cause the jawbone to deteriorate and the face to appear sunken. Call or contact Anderson General Dentistry today to schedule a consultation at our Anderson, SC office. We would be happy to help you decide if getting dental implants is the right option for you.

When you have kids, it is likely you know how chaotic the routine of everyday life can be. From everyone having different obligations, you want to make sure that scheduling dentist appointments doesn’t become a hassle. Rather than complicating your schedule by visiting different dentist offices multiple times a year, it might be time to find a dentist who can address the needs of your entire family! In addition to the convenience of having only one dentist to go to for the whole family, a family dentist also offers other benefits. Treatment for All Ages – Family dental practices provides a variety of services to accommodate both children and adults. This usually includes services such as preventive care, restorative work, and even cosmetic treatments. Track Your Child’s Development – When you visit a family dentist, they have the training and expertise to track your child’s development and habits that are seen in their dental health and play a role in their everyday lives by offering different procedures that your child needs. Spot Inherited Problems – As your family visits the same dentist, it is easier to spot gum problems and tooth decay trends that might be common within the family. Typically, when a parent shows signs of a problem, the dentist will give special care and attention to watching for these signs in the developing child. This type of early preventative treatment can help your child avoid some of the dental problems that might have been inherited. Speedy Visits – Busy schedules are extremely common in most families and this can make it difficult to set dentist appointments for every individual family member. Family dentists can make it possible to get an appointment to accommodate the entire family. This significantly saves time and makes going to the dentist less stressful. For more information on why a family dentist might be exactly what you’re looking for, give Anderson General Dentistry a call today!

TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a jaw issue that affects several people. The pain usually occurs in the neck and facial area and typically causes ear pain and headaches. Different difficulties occur, such as trouble opening the jaw, problems biting and chewing, and/or a clicking sound that comes from the jaw when biting. If you think you may be developing TMJ, consider these possible causes of the disorder. Physical Injury When experiencing an injury, such as a broken or dislocated jaw, it can result in inflammation and pain to the temporomandibular joint. Usually this is a sharp and severe pain that will resolve after a few weeks or months. Although, if your jaw does not heal properly, injury can potentially cause chronic TMJ. Arthritis Arthritis is joint pain caused from a breakdown of the joint itself, typically from aging and overuse. While it is common to get arthritis in knees, hands, and spine, sometimes people will develop arthritis in the temporomandibular joint as well. This type of arthritis will usually start with gradual pain in the joint. It is important to get treatment early on if your TMJ is caused by arthritis. Teeth Grinding It is very common that people grind their teeth in their sleep. The reason why this is a major cause of TMJ, is because it is difficult to prevent, as usually it is not done consciously or on purpose. Teeth grinding can cause wearing down of teeth and misalignment, causing more stress on the jaw. Teeth Clenching Like teeth grinding, teeth clenching requires strenuous use of jaw muscles. This can occur during stress or sleeping, without even knowing it. Over time, this can cause excessive wear and tear on the disc that protects the temporomandibular joint. Autoimmune Diseases When the body’s immune system malfunctions and begins to attack its own tissue, it creates an autoimmune disease. These diseases often affect joints and connective tissue, resulting in TMJ disorder. There are many cases that the effects can be so severe where the joints cannot be moved. There are several therapies that can reduce autoimmune activity that will help treat the resulting chronic disorders like TMJ.

We at Anderson General Dentistry offer routine preventative and oral hygiene services for all ages. The most important step in preventative care is detection at an early stage. This can help you avoid costly and painful tooth problems. Our office provides preventative care for the entire family. We are committed to giving you and your family the best care with everything you need to maintain healthy teeth and gums. It is important to have your teeth checked on a regular basis. Please call us to set up an appointment.

Gum disease, also known as Periodontal Disease, is a relatively painless infection of the tissues in your mouth that surround your teeth. This is considered to be one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Factors That Can Increase Your Risk Of Gum Disease Are: • Poor Oral Hygiene • Genetics • Diabetes • Certain Medications • Smoking • Teeth That Are Hard To Keep Clean First Sign of Gum Disease: Gingivitis The first sign of gum disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when plaque and tartar have remained on the teeth for a couple of days and irritate the gingiva . If your gums are red, swollen and bleed easily those are signs of gingivitis. This can be reversed through visiting your dentist office for a dental cleaning and daily brushing and flossing. Advanced Stage of Gum Disease: Periodontitis Chronic periodntitis affects 47.2% of adults over 30. This is caused by inflammation that can lead to pocket development between the gums and teeth the longer that plaque and tartar remain on the teeth. Signs of this can be swollen & tender gums, gums that recede from the teeth, loose teeth and if tooth alignment has changed. It is a good time to see the dentist if your gums are puffy, bleed easily and are dusky red. If you are suffering from gum disease call one of our dentists today for an appointment!