Virginia Beach Root Canal Therapy

Our teeth are made up of three layers. On the outside is a protective layer called enamel. Beneath that is a sensitive layer of dentin. At the very center of a tooth is the nerve, which is composed of a pulpy material.

A serious toothache can be a sign that there’s something wrong with this innermost layer. Sometimes a toothache like this is caused by a deep cavity, and sometimes it’s the result of an injury. If you’re experiencing a severe toothache, you may have an infection that needs to be treated with a root canal from our Virginia Beach office.

• Other signs include:
• Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Swollen or tender gums
• Recurring pimple around your gums
• Pain when you chew

With a root canal, Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck can help by removing the infected pulp from your tooth, filling the center with an inert substance, and cap the tooth with a crown. Removing the infection will save your smile and offer relief from your uncomfortable symptoms. It will also mean saving the root underneath. Why is that important? Because your jaw relies on your tooth roots to stay healthy and strong throughout your life.

Do you have questions about root canal therapy? Are you struggling with a severe toothache? Let Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck talk to you about your smile. With an oral health assessment our Virginia Beach team can help you understand what kind of care you need. Dr. Folck and Dr. Santos offer root canal therapy to patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story, Sandbridge, and surrounding areas.

Periodontal Therapy for Virginia Beach

In our last post, we talked about the connection between oral health and overall wellbeing. Today we’d like to talk a little more about gum disease, its symptoms, and how it can be treated.

The symptoms of gum disease include:

• Red or swollen gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Pockets between the teeth and gums

Regular checkups at Smile by Design are important because they give Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck a chance to look for symptoms like these. Regular appointments are also important because not every patient who struggles with gum disease will exhibit all of them.

If our Virginia Beach team finds anything, we can put together a treatment plan designed around your specific needs. One of the most common treatments for gum disease is scaling and root planing. Using a combination of scaling and root planing plus extra homecare, Dr. Folck and Dr. Santos can help you gain control over your symptoms and enjoy better oral health and overall wellbeing.

Are you struggling with gum disease? Data indicates that a majority of American adults will at some point. Call Smile by Design today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Folck and Dr. Santos are happy to serve patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story, Sandbridge, and surrounding areas.

Oral Health and the Health of Your Heart

In just a few days, couples across the country will be celebrating Valentine’s Day. Given how much the heart figures into Valentine’s cards, candy and decorations, now seems like a good time to make you aware of the connection between your oral health—and specifically gum disease—and your overall health. Are you surprised to hear that there’s a connection at all? Many people don’t realize that one exists, but according to recent data, it does.

Gum disease starts with the accumulation of bacteria and plaque around the gum line. Over time, as these two irritate the mouth’s soft tissues, an infection will develop, resulting in symptoms like bleeding, sensitivity, swelling and more. Given enough time, gum disease creates pockets between the teeth and gum line. From these pockets bacteria and plaque can gain access to the body’s bloodstream, traveling to, among other places, the heart, where they can contribute to clotting and even heart attacks.

Gum disease has also been linked to other kinds of health problems, including:

• Alzheimer’s
• Stroke
• Pre-term birth
• Diabetes
• Pneumonia

How can you prevent health problems related to gum disease? By following a few simple steps.

First, make sure you’re following a good brushing and flossing regimen. Brushing twice a day—or after every meal, if you can—will help you keep bacteria and plaque from building up around your teeth, while flossing once a day will help you clean between your teeth. You can also add an antibacterial mouthwash to your routine to make it more effective.

The next step you can take is to see Dr. Folck or Dr. Santos on a regular basis for checkups and cleanings. Checkups will help us spot gum disease before it develops into a serious problem; cleanings give us a chance to remove bacteria and plaque you couldn’t get by yourself at home.

Do you have questions about the oral health-heart health connection? Is it time for your next checkup and cleaning? Call Smile by Design today for an appointment. We serve patients from Virginia Beach, Fort Story, Sandbridge, and beyond.