Total Dental Solutions Blog

If you ask a dentist, they might tell you that the five scariest words in English are, “You need a root canal.”
This isn’t because root canal treatments are actually scary. Modern procedures are practically pain-free and often painless. However, they have a worse reputation than they deserve because of older techniques and how they have been portrayed in popular entertainment.
That’s really too bad because many people could avoid a lot of pain if they would just get a root canal at the first signs of a tooth infection.
At the offices of George A. Hoop, DDS, we can help you clear up the problem so you can get back to living a normal life. Call (239) 594-8817 to schedule an appointment at either of our locations in North Naples or Fort Myers, FL.

Your Teeth Should NOT Hurt

This is something everyone should remember. Your teeth should not cause you pain.
Now, some people’s teeth are more sensitive than others. So, keep in mind that you should seek help if you are noticing different issues or more intense problems than you experience normally.
These are all symptoms of a possible tooth infection:

• Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
• A noticeably darkened tooth
• Pain when biting or chewing with a particular tooth
• A pimple-like bump on your gums near your painful tooth
• Swollen, tender gums near to tooth that is causing you pain

If you are noticing even one of these problems, it’s better to get your mouth checked sooner rather than later. Again, you can call (239) 594-8817 to set up an appointment.

Removing the Infection

Toothaches are often the result of bacteria reaching the soft tissue called pulp at the center of a tooth. Bacteria can cause the pulp to become inflamed. This can put pressure on the nerves inside your tooth, which can cause a variety of painful sensations.
A root canal is how we remove the infected pulp and other tissues from the tooth. Once those tissues are gone, we can fill the tooth with a special material to support the healthy parts of the tooth that are left behind. A dental crown can seal the tooth to restore its function and protect against further damage.
Before we do any of this, however, keep in mind that we offer local anesthetic and both inhaled and oral sedation. By taking advantages of these options, you can remain pain-free throughout the treatment. As you recover, you’ll notice the pains you had been experiencing before will fade away.

Feel Like Yourself Again

As nice as it would be, your toothache is not going to go away on its own. You want to be able to bite, chew, speak, and just breathe without feeling like your tooth is in pain. We can help. We want to help, and we’re close.
Dr. Hoop has offices in North Naples and Fort Myers, FL to help you feel like yourself again. Call (239) 594-8817 today or contact us online if you want to end your pain.

Your spouse is tired and worried. Your snoring kept her awake — again — last night.
And since she was awake, she also heard you stop breathing over and over … and over … again. She’s concerned about your health and about getting a good night’s sleep.
You may be able to help her and yourself with our sleep apnea treatment at the offices of George A. Hoop, DDS. By treating this sleep disorder, you can snore less, wake up feeling refreshed, and experience less daytime sleepiness.
Take our short quiz below to find out if you might be at risk for sleep apnea. Then, to find out if our CPAP-free treatment option could work for you, call (239) 594-8817 or contact us online. Request an appointment at either of our dental offices in North Naples or Fort Myers, FL.

We want to make dental care simple for adults in Southwest Florida. As you’ll hear our doctor, George A. Hoop, DDS, explain in the video below, we want to be a “one-stop shop” for your dental needs.
Dr. Hoop has a unique background with training in general dentistry and specialty training in periodontics. With locations in Fort Myers and North Naples, FL, we can help with cosmetic, restorative, and preventive care.
If you want to know more about our comprehensive approach to dentistry, call (239) 594-8817 or contact us online.

It’s been a little longer than it should have been since your last dental checkup. That’s OK. We aren’t judging.
But we do want to encourage you to come back. At both offices of George A. Hoop, DDS, in North Naples and Fort Myers, FL, we offer comprehensive dental care for adult patients.
That’s why we want to share three great reasons for you to visit our general dental office. Call (239) 594-8817 today to plan your visit!

#1: Preventing Problems

For anything health related, prevention should always be plan A. That’s especially true for your oral health because it can affect more than just your mouth.
To give you just one example, people with gum disease also are more likely to experience heart disease. And the bacteria that cause periodontal problems also affect your risk of having a stroke.
Preventive dental care is a team effort. On a daily basis, you should be brushing (for two minutes, twice daily) and flossing (also every day). A couple times each year, you should be visiting us for a dental checkup. This includes a cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup and reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.
We also give you a thorough dental exam in an effort to catch problems as soon as possible. This way your treatment is more effective and less invasive.

#2: Mouth Pain

Your teeth and your gums should not hurt. If they are, that means something is wrong.
If you have a toothache, you could have a cavity or you may have an infected tooth. In either situation, we have ways that we can help. Whether you need a filling or a root canal, we can remove the problem and restore the function of your teeth and the appearance of your smile.
If your gums hurt, that’s often a sign of advanced gum disease. In many cases, pain is one of the last symptoms of this condition. Many times, you will notice other symptoms such as bleeding or swelling of the gums before you notice any pain. The sooner you seek help, the less likely it is to cause bigger problems — including tooth loss!
If you have a sore jaw, this could indicate a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problem. We can help in those situations, too. Teeth grinding is a common cause of TMJ disorders, and we can make a special mouthguard to protect your teeth and reduce your pain.

#3: Too Embarrassed to Smile

Lots of people feel the need to hide their smiles, and that makes us sad.
You may be missing a few teeth. You might have broken or cracked teeth. You could have yellow, stained teeth, or maybe you just wish your teeth were straighter.
The good news is you can feel comfortable smiling again! Cosmetic services like veneers, professional whitening, and orthodontic care can give you the smile of your dreams.

We Hope to See You Soon

At either of Dr. Hoop’s offices, you can take advantage of our preventive, restorative, and cosmetic care. Whatever your oral health situation, we would be happy to help you maintain or improve your smile. You just need to call (239) 594-8817 or contact us online if you would like to make an appointment.

Bobbi has been a patient of ours for more than 20 years. As you’ll hear in the video below, she was a little skeptical during her first visit. She wondered if our doctor was the right person to treat her.
Today, she will tell you that he does his work painlessly — and she’s had root canals, fillings, and bridges.
If you are looking for pain-free dentistry in Fort Myers or North Naples, FL, George A. Hoop, DDS, has an office near you. Call (239) 594-8817 or contact us online today to make an appointment. Find out for yourself with Bobbi keeps coming back to see us.