I Have A Toothache – What Should I Do?

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A toothache can be a troubling problem. If you have a toothache, it could be a sign of a serious issue, like a dental infection. Knowing the potential causes of a toothache and what you can do about a toothache can help you take care of your teeth.

If you have a toothache, see a dentist in Jay FL. Your dentist can help you identify the reasons for your toothache. Your dentist can also help you address the problem so it doesn’t worsen.

What Causes Toothaches?

Toothaches are caused by many problems. Some examples of the reasons that you might have a toothache include:

  • Your tooth is injured or cracked: A broken or injured tooth may hurt, especially when you bite down or drink something sweet.
  • Cavity: If your tooth has a cavity, you may experience a toothache and bad breath that won’t go away when you brush your teeth.
  • Dental infection: A dental infection can lead to a severe toothache. If your tooth aches badly, you could need emergency treatment for an infection. Talk to your dentist as soon as possible.

What To Do If You Have A Toothache?

If you have a toothache, you probably need treatment from a dentist. If you don’t see a dentist soon, a minor toothache could turn serious. Some toothaches are even signs of a dental emergency in Jay FL.

If you have a toothache, call the dentist to make an appointment. Let the person on the phone know that you have a toothache. If you’re in severe pain, you probably need to see the dentist immediately. Call today.

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3 Benefits of a Regular Family Dentist

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If you’re looking for a dentist in Jay, FL, it helps to have a good strategy in mind. A good family dentist is more than just convenient for you; it can help you simplify your schedule and improve the whole family’s oral health. We’ll look at the benefits below.

1. Your Dentist Can Learn About Everyone

When your dentist sees you and your kids, it’s often easier for them to both assess the family’s current health and make better recommendations for the future. For example, if gum disease runs in the family, the dentist can focus on prevention for the kids before the problem has the chance to advance.

2. It’s Easier to Keep Up with Appointments

If you and your kids are constantly pulled between school, work, sports, and all of your other time commitments, bringing everyone to the same dentist can be a literal game-changer. Not only will you be able to take care of multiple to-do items in one visit, but you’re less likely to miss out on an important teeth cleaning in Jay, FL.

3. Prevention Is Key to Better Oral Health

A regular family dentist is the cornerstone of prevention, which is the most important factor in all of health care. The more you take care of the little stuff now, like plaque, tartar, and cavities, the less likely you are to need more involved procedures like root canals, deep cleanings, or extractions.

If you’re looking for a family dentist that will put you first, contact the offices of Jim D. Lassiter DMD to schedule an appointment. We can help you get everyone on a schedule that works for you!

Jim D. Lassister DMD

 What’s the Difference Between Deep Cleanings and Standard Cleanings?

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If you hear the term deep cleaning at a dentist’s office, you might assume it’s similar to a regular cleaning. However, deep cleanings target a different part of the mouth than standard cleanings. Understanding the differences between the two can help you maintain your dental hygiene and schedule the best procedures for you.

Standard Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning

With standard cleaning in Jay, FL, the dentist will remove plaque and tartar that’s formed above the gum line. They use specialized instruments to scrape off even the hardest film formed on your teeth. However, plaque and tartar can attack more than just your teeth.

When the bacteria builds up under the gum line and root surfaces, it must be removed with a deep cleaning. A standard cleaning can only go so far, which is why the dentist will sometimes recommend deep cleaning if they need to go deeper and smooth out the surfaces of the root. Deep cleanings are usually done by quadrant, and you may need to schedule multiple appointments to get it done.

Prevention Dentistry in Jay, FL

For some people, bacteria and plaque live largely on the teeth. For others, plaque will quickly make its way into the gumline. The best way to prevent deep cleanings is to brush and floss regularly and to visit your dentist in Jay, FL at least twice a year, though even this may not be able to stave off the need for an occasional deep clean.

If you’re concerned about your teeth and gums, contact the offices of Jim D. Lassiter DMD today to schedule a standard cleaning.

Jim D. Lassister DMD – What to Expect When You Need Periodontal Therapy

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Periodontitis, which is a form of gum disease, causes severe gum inflammation. Some of the most obvious symptoms of gum disease include red and swollen gums that may or may not bleed. If you have gum disease and do not treat it, you may eventually need one or more teeth extracted.

Periodontitis tends to be more common among people over age 30, and it gets steadily worse over time without proper attention to oral hygiene. Approximately 47 percent of adults over age 30 have some form of gum disease, and that number increases to 70 percent for senior adults. Periodontal therapy in Jay, FL, is critical to reverse the progression of gum disease.

Causes and Symptoms of Periodontitis

The primary cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. If you do not brush and floss your teeth as often as you should, bacteria stick to plaque and tartar already present on the surface of your teeth. When bacteria builds up too much, it becomes lodged in between your teeth and gum line, which is difficult to reach with a toothbrush or dental floss.

The signs of gum disease are not always obvious. We encourage you to schedule an exam with Dr. Jim Lassiter if you notice one or more of the symptoms listed below.

  • Bleeding gums
  • Discolored gums
  • Gum tenderness
  • Loose teeth
  • Pain when chewing food
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Pus along your gum line
  • Red and/or swollen gums
  • Teeth do not fit together properly

The most typical form of periodontal therapy in Jay FL is root planing and scaling, which are forms of dental deep cleaning. It is only when gum disease becomes quite advanced that Dr. Anderson may recommend surgery. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions about this common oral health condition.

Jim D. Lassister DMD: Signs You Have a Cavity, and What to Do About It

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A cavity can be a source of pain and discomfort. If left untreated, cavities can also turn into severe decay and dental infections. Your dentist in Jay, FL can help. AtJim D. Lassister DMD, we provide cavity fillings to patients to protect their teeth and keep them in good condition.

What Is a Cavity?

A cavity is a damaged area in the tooth caused by tooth decay. Cavities happen due to a combination of bacteria and poor oral hygiene. Eating sugary foods and drinking sugary beverages can contribute to the development of cavities, particularly if you’re not cleaning your teeth properly at night.

How Can You Tell You Have a Cavity?

Some cavities show no noticeable symptoms, while others do. Here’s what to watch for:

  • Toothache and tooth sensitivity
  • Visible holes in the teeth
  • Black or brown spots on the tooth
  • Pain when eating or biting down
  • Pain when drinking sugary drinks
  • Visible holes or pits in the tooth enamel

What Can You Do About A Cavity?

If you have a cavity, see the dentist as soon as possible. If the cavity gets worse, the area of decay could spread to the interior of the tooth. If the pulp inside the tooth gets infected, you may need a root canal.

Jim D. Lassister, DMD, provides cavity fillings in Jay, FL. We diagnose and treat cavities regularly to help our patients maintain healthy teeth and gums. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of a cavity, call today to make an appointment

Where Care and Compassion Meet Dental Expertise

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Dr. Jim Lassiter of Lassiter Smiles goes a giant step beyond competence in dental procedures to serve his clients with care and compassion, often willingly taking a patient with an emergency need on short notice. Dr. Spencer Taylor now works alongside Dr. Lassiter in the technology-rich Jay, Florida, dental clinic.

Service Above All

It is this attitude of service from Dr. Lassiter and his team that distinguishes the practice and continues to attract new clients. Because Lassiter Smiles prioritizes regular examinations and preventive care, family members are more likely to retain their natural teeth throughout their lifetimes. Regular examinations and dental cleanings, filling cavities as necessary, and recommending ways to keep gums healthy form the basis of care.

However, if restorative or cosmetic procedures are warranted to improve oral health or improve a smile, a patient can be assured that the team at Lassiter Smiles will recommend the most appropriate options, including straightening, whitening, crowns, or implants. Today’s computer technology today has even made the possibility of same-day crown replacement a reality, eliminating the need for a temporary crown and a return visit to the dental chair.

In addition, Dr. Lassiter routinely screens for potential gum disease and oral cancer.

Call Now for an Appointment

If you’re new to the Jay, FL, area, you can rest assured that you and your family will receive the best possible and most comprehensive care available. Contact us now to schedule an appointment. If you’re an established patient of Lassiter Smiles, we’ll look forward to seeing you at your next scheduled checkup.

Whatever your dental needs might be, we invite you to schedule a consultation so that we may discuss your options for healthy teeth, a bright smile, and lasting oral health.

Remember, we are here to serve your entire family’s dental needs, now and in the future.

3 Reasons to Choose a Family Dentist

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If you’re in the process of choosing adentist in Jay, FL, it’s important to consider a family dentist practice. Family dental practices have many benefits that can make going to the dentist a more rewarding and convenient experience.

At Jim D. Lassister DMD, we’re a family dental practice that offers a range of services and convenient dental care to all our patients. Below, we’ve listed three reasons to choose a family dentist as your next dental provider. Here’s what to consider.

1. Your family dentist can stay with you throughout your dental health journey.

Family dentists are trained and experienced at treating patients of all ages, from young children to seniors. This is what allows family dentists to treat family groups.

This means that when you start going to a family dentist, no matter what your age, you know that you’ll be able to stay with that dentist for as long as you want. You won’t have to switch dentists when you age out of their patient population.

2. Family dentists offer a range of dental health services.

Family dentists are a one-stop shop for dental care services, including cavity fillings, implant installation, crown installation, teeth whitening, and more. It’s better to visit a dentist who can meet all your dental needs rather than having to go to a new dental provider when you need specialized services.

3. Taking the whole family to one dentist is convenient. 

Driving the kids to the dentist or accompanying your aging parents to the dentist is easier if you’re familiar with the dental office. When you use a family dentist for your whole family group, you can rest assured that you’ll know where to go when it’s time to take someone to the dental office.

Need a dental cleaning in Jay, FL? Call Jim D. Lassister, DMD, to make an appointment.

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The Latest Treatments for Periodontal Disease

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When it comes to periodontal disease in Jay, FL, the fight is ongoing. Yet there’s never been a more powerful backup than there is today. Modern dentistry has armed us with cutting-edge ways to launch our attack past the “just good enough” and onto an entirely new level of care. Here are some ways we’re redefining the war on periodontal disease.

Gum Graft Surgery

When your gums recede, you may feel like you’re losing the battle. Gum graft surgery could restore hope. This procedure removes tissue from one area of the mouth and grafts it to the receding areas. Not only does it halt periodontal disease in its tracks, but it also saves your teeth.

Antibiotic Treatments

The enemy often lies deep within the pockets around your teeth. Antibiotics can locate and destroy pathogenic bacteria that have infected these pockets, making full recovery impossible. These might come in a pill form or added directly to the infected tissues. Your dentist in Jay, FL, can prescribe these antibiotics to you.

Regenerative Procedures

What if bone and tissue loss around your teeth was so extreme that you had just one chance in months to save your gums? You’d go for it. Regenerative procedures take that shot. This is when we restore tissues and bones that anchor our teeth. This gives gums a better open field to heal and regenerate.

Laser Therapy

What if one procedure could remove diseased tissues, disinfect your pockets, and stimulate healthy tissue growth? It can. Lasers offer a precise, noninvasive means of waging war on periodontal disease.

Enzyme Suppressants

Certain enzymes actively help with periodontal disease. They destroy your gums. They help periodontal disease spike in intensity. Now researchers are working on ways to halt them. If they succeed, the fortifications around your teeth that are vital for their protection could stand taller, and longer.

Oral Probiotics

Probiotics today can control bloating and improve your digestive system’s balance. Some oral probiotics are showing great promise in reducing inflammation and severity of periodontal disease.

Need a Jay, FL Dentist?

Periodontal disease is a formidable adversary. But we won’t let you battle it alone. We’re here for you. Call Jim Lassiter, DMD, today. Our office uses modern tools and treatments with our dental expertise to help you treat your periodontal disease. Don’t give periodontal disease control over your life. Contact us today, and we’ll take control of it together.