If you have ever lost a tooth, you might have more than just a gap between your teeth. If a lost tooth is not replaced, the bone in the jaw that supported the lost tooth starts to deteriorate. That’s because when you chew your food, there’s no more stimulation to the bone from the missing tooth’s chewing action. Over time,... read more »

When it comes to protecting your teeth, your first line of defense against tooth decay and cavities is tooth enamel, as it is the outermost covering that protects the more vulnerable dentin and tooth pulp below. Your enamel comes equipped for the job as the hardest substance in your body. However, because it doesn’t have living cells it can’t grow... read more »

When you come in for dental exams and we have cleaned your teeth and gum line and removed any hardened plaque, our dentist can look at them for any signs of trouble, such as cavities, loose or broken teeth, damaged fillings, and evaluate your risk rate of certain diseases which might also take into account your family history. We will... read more »

If you are thinking about an oral surgery to have a tooth extracted, then you have come to the right place! Oral surgery is a specialty requiring extra training and focus on the procedure. Luckily, our team is equipped to handle oral surgery and is happy to help you with the information you need to know, including the recovery process.... read more »

Cavities start out as small areas of tooth decay, but without proper treatment, they can grow to be very extensive and even result in the tooth being lost. In order to address a large cavity without extracting the tooth, we can place a dental crown that keeps the tooth protected. Two separate dental appointments with Dr. Tom Tetrick are usually... read more »

Have you ever heard of dry mouth before? If you were not aware, dry mouth is a condition in which your body's ability to process saliva is hindered. Although this may not seem like something that will affect the health of your teeth, your oral health care can suffer dramatically if dry mouth is present. To help combat risks associated... read more »

It’s easy to justify skipping your regular dental cleanings if your teeth are healthy and you don’t have any obvious dental problems. After all, these visits with the dentist take time out of your busy day and aren’t necessary if you don’t have cavities, right? The truth is that regular dental cleanings and exams protect you from developing serious dental... read more »

If you are a new parent, it’s normal to feel like there is a lot you don’t know about pediatric dentistry. Many new parents tend to feel overwhelmed and have a lot of questions about their children’s oral health care. Our team at Pine Ridge Dental can provide the answers you need. To learn more about pediatric dentistry and its... read more »

If you are ready to enhance your smile both in look and form, consider the use of a cosmetic dental treatment. Although cosmetic treatments at their surface are designed to dramatically enhance your smile’s appearance, in many instances they can also add a solution for fixing any minor errors and ailments that may have occurred. In situations where teeth are... read more »

If you enjoy salad, we’ve got some good news for you: leafy greens are great for teeth! With all of the foods out there that can damage teeth, we thought you might enjoy learning a bit extra about the ones that are good for teeth. Read this post to find out a little bit more, and ask us about healthy... read more »