Dental Questions

Dr. Gathright subscribes to a number of industry journals to keep informed about the latest research and development in the dental industry. He also makes time for continuing education, and ensures that his staff does the same. As a team and as individuals, we feel it is our responsibility to be familiar with the latest techniques and materials available.

An average healthy adult typically benefits from a professional cleaning and checkup every six months. While twice daily brushing and flossing go a long way toward maintaining a healthy mouth, only a professional can check your teeth for plaque and remove any that has hardened into tartar. The bacteria that can cause gum disease live and multiply underneath this tartar. By removing the tartar, we can reduce the bacteria and thereby lower your risk for developing gum disease.

Our office accepts nearly all of the major insurance plans. We are knowledgeable about most of the major coverage trends and are happy to discuss the details of your plan with you before you receive treatment.

When you become a patient of our practice, we think of you as a person, not just another set of teeth to fix and clean. Our goal is to help you obtain and then maintain the best possible oral health. So, we take time to understand your dental history and evaluate the best options for your particular dental needs. Plus, we help you understand the whys and wherefores of preventive care through thorough patient education.

If your gums bleed after you brush, you may or may not require attention, depending on the source of the problem. Bleeding gums can be caused by any of the following: improper, rough, 'scrubbing' instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled tooth brush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If you still experience bleeding gums despite correct brushing and flossing, or if it happens every time you brush, you should contact our office to set up an evaluation.

Our web site is designed to help you learn all you need to about the various restorative and cosmetic techniques we offer. If you would like more information about a larger variety of topics, visit the American Dental Association.

Millions of people struggle with bad breath even though they practice good oral hygiene. The following is a checklist of procedures that can usually eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning (ask us if you need more information about this); regular professional cleanings, and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if you are still experiencing bad breath after following these routines, let us know and we can help you.

First, we can provide a plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your tongue and significantly alleviates odor. Or, we can recommend a specially-prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath.

Lastly, if we think a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition may be causing your bad breath, we would recommend a visit with your family physician or a specialist to identify the cause.

Dr. Gathright has a number of ways to improve the look of your front teeth without the use of unsightly braces. For slightly crooked or unevenly worn teeth, a bit of reshaping and the addition of porcelain veneers may be sufficient to give them a bright, uniform look. In some cases, we recommend Invisalign, which is a series of clear removable aligners used to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets . We would be happy to schedule an appointment to discuss how we can help to revitalize your smile.

Snoring can test any relationship! And, since it can be caused by a number of factors, we encourage you to have your spouse come in for a consultation and analysis with Dr. Gathright to determine the cause. In some cases, a person may actually stop breathing for short periods during the night - a condition called sleep apnea. In other cases, snoring can be caused by enlarged anatomical structures within the mouth and throat. During sleep, the throat area relaxes, allowing these structures to collapse against one another and obstruct clear airflow. In the latter situation, we can prescribe and fit a special appliance called a 'snore-guard', which gently holds the mouth and throat in an open position during relaxed sleep and thus prevents snoring.