Sometimes a patient will think, "This tooth is too far gone for treatment."

Today it's rare that we find a tooth that can't be saved. When a patient comes to us with a tooth which is in such deep trouble that we can't treat it, we feel badly that they waited so long to do something about it.

Many years ago, patients were sometimes told by their dentists that they had a hopeless tooth, but often that's no longer the case. With modern advances in dental technology, we can now save teeth that twenty years ago might have seemed untreatable.

You may have a friend or a relative who has a serious dental problem such as a very loose tooth, a deep periodontal infection, or even some bone loss in their jaw. Although they may think that their situation is beyond help or that there is little that can be done about these conditions, you should talk to them. Tell them such problems are usually far from irreparable.

Advise them how they can benefit from the wonderful treatment that today's dentistry can offer. Put the hope back in hopeless.

Can you believe? There's good news about bad breath...it's a warning sign of periodontal disease.

Bad breath, or halitosis, can come from the same bacteria that can cause disease in your gums, jawbones, and other oral tissues.

How can you tell if you have halitosis? It's often hard to detect by yourself. One way is to smell your dental floss for unpleasant odor after you brush and floss. You can also ask someone close to you to be honest with you about your breath.

If you think you may have a breath odor problem that brushing and flossing thoroughly and regularly don't clear up, please get it looked into right away. That way you'll make your breath sweeter and fresher while you get any gum disease you may have under control.

We never tire of repeating this good advice: "Brush and floss. Brush and floss." Brushing alone can't do it all -- brushing cleans the surfaces of your teeth, but flossing loosens particles in those nooks and crannies where brushing can't possibly reach.

If you're not used to flossing, you may find it a little awkward and even uncomfortable for the first few tries. Stick with it. You'll soon be an expert.

It sounds odd, but it's possible to brush your teeth too hard!

The surfaces of your teeth are very durable, but they can be damaged by brushing too vigorously. Pressing too hard while brushing can lead to abrasion -- meaning you are actually wearing down your tooth's enamel. Continued abrasion can ultimately cause wear to the dentin and to the cementum that holds the tooth in the gums.

Signs of overbrushing may include tooth sensitivity to hot or cold, dark yellow or brown spots where enamel has worn thin, and general discomfort on the surfaces of teeth.

What can be done? For starters, don't press so hard while brushing. Fluoride treatments and desensitizing toothpastes may help at home, or we may suggest desensitizing treatment in our office. For serious abrasion or highly sensitive teeth, we may recommend bonding a filling to protect the area.