Total Dental Solutions Blog

Do you really need to go to the dentist? You brush daily, and you floss … most of the time.
Is your toothache that bad, really?
If you have dental anxiety, you may have had that conversation with yourself more than once. Feeling anxious, nervous, or fearful about dentists or dental treatments can be a real obstacle to maintaining your oral health.
You should also know that millions of Americans have some anxiety about oral care, including many who only go to the dentist when it is absolutely necessary.
At the office of George A. Hoop, DDS, we want to help change your perception of the dentist office. We strive to make our patients feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. This makes it easier to get the preventive care you need so you can avoid the painful times when dental care is unavoidable.
We have offices in North Naples and Fort Myers, FL. Please call (239) 594-8817 if you have questions about our approach to patient comfort.

We’re Here to Listen

Mentally, you understand that dental professionals like Dr. Hoop and our team want you to have the healthiest mouth that you can. That may not make it any easier to schedule a dental cleaning, however.
We understand that your feelings are not a personal judgment on us, and we are not judging you for how you feel. We want to work with you to find a solution that allows you to get the care that you need.
A bad dental experience can affect you for months, years, even decades. Patients in their 70s, 80s, and 90s have told us how events from their childhood made it hard for them to visit any dentist office. At the same time, we are glad they came to see us when they did.
If you are fearful about sitting in a dentist chair, please let us know. If you have concerns about specific procedures (like root canals) or particular tools (such as drills or needles), we want to know that as well. One of the most important things we do is we listen to our patients. By learning the things that affect your anxiety, we can find ways to work around it.

Sedation Options

Dental sedation has a long history, and in modern dentistry, we have a great understanding of how this can benefit patients of all ages.
We offer both laughing gas (inhaled sedation) and oral sedation (medication) that can prevent you from feeling pain and help you remain calm throughout your visit. These options also can stop you from gagging if that is a concern, and some patients say they have little memory of their treatments using sedation.
At the same time, many patients started coming to us because of our sedation option, but no longer use it because of how relaxed they feel around us.

What Works for You?

We are confident that we can find an answer to that question by working with you. If you’re ready to learn more, call (239) 594-8817 or contact us online to reach either of Dr. Hoop’s offices.

If you have a bucket list, oral surgery is probably not on it.
No one wants to have surgery on their mouth, but sometimes it is needed for your long-term oral health. Tooth extractions are one of the most common types of oral surgery.
Should you or a loved one need a tooth removed, we have two locations in Fort Myers and North Naples, FL that can help.
At the office of George A. Hoop, DDS, our focus is on saving teeth whenever possible. When tooth removal is in your best option, we will let you know. To schedule a consultation, call (239) 594-8817 today.

When You Should Remove a Tooth

Tooth infections don’t usually happen overnight, so there often are opportunities to correct a problem before an extraction is needed.
Nevertheless, tooth decay can develop into a cavity. This can be fixed with a filling or crown, but many people will postpone dental care for a variety of reasons. (This includes dental anxiety, which we’ll be discussing in our next post.)
As the cavity grows, you run the risk of tooth infection. When this happens, we will first see if a root canal could be done to save what’s left of the healthy tooth. Many times this is all that is needed.
If the decay is too great, however, a root canal may not be enough to rescue the tooth. In those instances, your best choice would be to remove the infected tooth and to replace the tooth with an implant and a crown. This prevents the infection from spreading, and it restores the appearance and the function of your tooth.
Decay isn’t the only reason your tooth could become infected, however. An injury could cause a deep break. Biting down on something hard may cause a crack to form in a tooth. Either a break or crack could allow bacteria to get inside your tooth faster than a cavity.
Injuries, accidents, and teeth grinding may also weaken the tooth. This can make it unable to support a dental crown, which could be another reason to remove and replace it.
Crowding also can be a concern, especially for someone preparing for orthodontic treatment. In those situations, it may be better to remove one or more teeth before trying to straighten them. This can make your treatment less complicated and reduce the time needed to complete the treatment.

Protecting Your Smile

You deserve to have a healthy mouth. Dr. Hoop and the rest of our team are dedicated to helping you do this however we can.
Prevention is always the best approach. Daily brushing and flossing and regular professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to the kind of infections mentioned above. Wearing athletic mouthguards during practices and competitions also can reduce your risk of the kinds of severe injuries that could lead to teeth being taken out.
Even so, we are here in Southwest Florida to help if you need a tooth taken out. You can contact us online or call (239) 594-8817 to request an appointment.

Innovation takes existing inventions and makes them even better. Mini dental implants are a great example of how innovation is helping restorative dentistry.
Mini implants are a smaller version of dental implants, but they can be similarly effective for restoring smiles and your ability to eat foods that you love.
If you think minis could help you or someone you love, plan to visit one of our offices in North Naples or Fort Myers, FL. Call (239) 594-8817 or contact us online to request an appointment.

We want every patient to understand their options for treating any oral health problem. This includes making sure anyone missing teeth knows about dental implants.
Implants replace the roots of missing teeth. They can keep your crown, bridge, or dentures secure. They let you eat the foods that you love. And implants can last the rest of your life.
To learn more, visit George A. Hoop, DDS, at either our Fort Myers or North Naples, FL dental offices. You can contact us online or call (239) 594-8817.
 

Since it’s Dental Implant Month, we wanted to share the story of one of our patients, Joel C.
He had a dental crown from a previous root canal. When that dental crown deteriorated, it was clear that another root canal would not be enough to restore his tooth.
After talking to George A. Hoop, DDS, Joel felt comfortable moving forward with his decision to get a dental implant instead.
You too should visit a dental office that helps you understand your options for any oral health situation. That’s what you will find at our locations in North Naples and Fort Myers, FL. Call (239) 594-8817 today or contact us online to request an appointment.