Mercury-Safe Dental Care

At Evans Dental Care, we’ve been utilizing mercury-safe dentistry for 20 years and we will continue to do so for many more. This is because we understand the concerns of toxic materials and how they can affect our patient’s oral health. Not only are the materials we use safe for our patients, they are systemically compatible and safe for the environment.

Mercury is commonly used in amalgam fillings which are why you will never see one in our dental office. In fact, we don’t use metals in our office and we are very careful when removing metal fillings from the mouth to replace them with ones that are mercury-free. Instead, we use composite resins and ceramics in addition to bioceramic dental implants because they serve the same purpose without the risks and blend with your natural teeth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding mercury-free dental care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.evansdentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Evans Dental Care in Williamsburg, VA, call 757-349-8877.

Acid Reflux and Teeth

Evans Dental Care is a holistic dental practice, meaning we emphasize the connection between oral health and overall health. One of the most obvious ways in which the teeth are impacted by problems elsewhere in the body is the effect of acid reflux, which erodes enamel.

A person is said to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) if they experience heartburn twice or more per week. Heartburn doesn’t actually have anything to do with the heart; it’s caused by the sphincter separating the stomach from the esophagus opening and allowing stomach acid to escape. The acid burns as it travels upward (which also puts patients at risk for esophageal cancer) and harms the teeth when it reaches the mouth. Due to their position, the upper molars are the first to be affected. Acid reflux can be identified as the problem by how the teeth take on a glazed appearance before becoming pitted.

Mineralization therapies can help to prevent erosion and matter that has already been lost can be replaced with partial crowns. But to prevent GERD, patients should reduce their intake of caffeine and alcohol, as well as fried meats, citrus juice, and onions and garlic. They should also avoid eating large meals before lying down.

Dr. Peter Evans operates Evans Dental Care at 103 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. To schedule an appointment, visit Evans Dental Care or call 757-349-8877.

 

Types of Teeth

As a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Peter Evans is proficient in a vast array of dental and oral health procedures. But in order for patients to understand the options available to them, they first have to understand the different functions their teeth serve and what kinds of problems each is most likely to encounter.

Adults usually grow four incisors, two cuspids, four premolars, and six molars in each jaw, totaling up to thirty-two teeth. The incisors are the flat teeth and the front of the mouth that are used for tearing pieces of food. They are the most important teeth for speech function and are the most common location for caries in babies. The cuspids are also called canines and eyeteeth. They are for piercing and stabilize the overall arch of the teeth, but the upper ones often have difficulty erupting.

The molars and premolars have horizontal area and multiple cusps. Their large roots and ligaments allow them to tolerate the pressure of chewing. Lower molars usually have two roots, upper molars often have three. The molars furthest in back are the wisdom teeth. They are the largest teeth and commonly have difficulty erupting as well, but they are more often removed than corrected.

Dr. Peter Evans operates Evans Dental Care at 103 Bulifants Blvd., Suite B, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. To schedule an appointment, visit Evans Dental Care or call 757-349-8877.