Since you are a patient who has benefited from restorative dentistry, you should know all the options available to you for tooth replacement. Whether you have a full or a partial denture or have lost a single tooth, an implant may be the solution for you.

 Dental implants are “artificial teeth” that are surgically placed into the jawbone. These “artificial teeth” are stable and secure. Implants can often make the sore gums and clicking noises associated with dentures a thing of the past. Dental implants look natural and feel secure.

We’d be happy to discuss with you whether implants are right for you. Please call our office at 740.474.4396 to arrange a visit. As always, thank you for being our valued patient

Is sinking your teeth into a spoonful of ice cream or sipping a cup of hot coffee a painful experience? The answer is a resounding yes for nearly 40 million Americans who suffer from sensitive teeth. One in seven adults experiences hypersensitivity when they eat, drink or touch their teeth. Fortunately, dentistry can offer simple and effective treatments for this uncomfortable condition. 

In cases of sensitive teeth, the first thing we do is rule out other possible dental problems. Next, we will advise you on simple ways to reduce this discomfort at home.  This may include the use of desensitizing toothpaste. If the desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, we may suggest in-office techniques. A fluoride gel, which strengthens tooth enamel or other barriers that reduce the transmission of painful sensations, may be applied to the sensitive areas of the teeth.

Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing gums from receding which is the most common cause of tooth sensitivity. If you brush your teeth incorrectly, or even over-brush, gum problems can result. Another, less common cause is the loss of enamel (the outer coating of your teeth). Ask us if you have any questions about how to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

If you have sensitive teeth, please give our office a call at 740.474.4396 to discuss your options and put an end to this problem. As always, we appreciate you choosing The Guter Center as your dental care provider.

We are now offering Botox and dermal filler for our patients for therapeutic purposes and to enhance your esthetic dentistry.  Let us help you with your TMJ, muscular pain, or enhance your smile. 

Radiate beauty from the inside out by receiving a facial esthetic teratment from those who know it best.  You can now achieve the esthetic improvement you desire, all in one quick visit.  The treatment takes only minutes, and you can see results within days after your treatment which will continue to improve the first week.

Dr. Guter is a member of The American Academy of Facial Esthetics which is dedicated to providing the most advanced minimally invasive techniques for beautiful facial esthetics.

Millions of people use Botox, Juvederm, and Restylane, to achieve a more relaxed adn smooth facial appearance, while still having freedom of expression.  Combining this whith teeth whitening or porcelain veneers, you will have a much more youthful appearance in just two visits.

Ask about your personalized facial esthetic treatment options today!

Best wishes of the season! The holidays give us a chance to reflect on the past year. Our dental team would like to take this opportunity to say that we’ve enjoyed caring for your and your family’s dental health. We hope that our attention to customer service and quality care has made your visits to our office enjoyable.

The greatest gift that you can provide to us in the New Year is the gift of referrals.  Recommending our dental practice to your family and friends tells us that we’re doing something right. Please keep us in mind if you have new neighbors or co-workers who may need dental care.

Once again, have a fantastic holiday.  We wish you the best of health and happiness in the New Year!  

Sincerely,

Dr. Guter and Team

P.S.  The holidays are filled with candy and other delicious goodies, so please take the time to brush at least twice a day and floss once a day to prevent tooth decay.

Oral cancer is a disease that kills more people nationwide than either melanoma (skin cancer) or cervical cancer. Each year, approximately 29,000 people learn they have oral cancer. However, many people are unaware of the need for cancer screening and regular dental exams.

Cancer can affect any part of the mouth, including the lip or tongue. The incidence of oral cancer increases with age. Smoking and use of smokeless (chewing) tobacco, alcohol, sun exposure, and poor oral hygiene also increase your risk.

Symptoms of oral cancer include:

• A persistent sore or irritation that does not heal
• The development of red and/or white lesions
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust, or small eroded area
• Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
• A change in bite.

Periodic oral examinations are essential to maintain good health. During a dental check up, we will do a thorough oral examination to detect cancer at an early stage when it can be treated most successfully.

Please call us at (740) 474-4396 to schedule an appointment for a dental examination. We want to help you eliminate your risk factors and maintain your oral health for a long, happy life. Again, thank you for choosing The Guter Center as your dental care provider.

As your dental provider, it’s my job to remind you not only to practice good oral hygiene, but also to make smart nutrition choices. As you may know, consuming foods and beverages high in sugar puts you at risk for tooth decay.

When sugar is consumed repeatedly in large amounts, the harmful effects on teeth can be dramatic. Sugar supplies food for acid-producing bacteria that live in your mouth. In turn, the acid can eat away enamel on teeth. To reduce your risk of tooth decay, follow the tips below:

• If you consume sugary foods and drinks, do so with meals.
• Limit between-meal snacks and sugary beverages. If you crave a snack, choose nutritious foods.
• If you chew gum, choose sugarless gum.
• Drink water. Consuming optimally fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay.
• Brush your teeth twice daily and floss daily with dental products that have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
• See your dentist regularly.

Almost all foods have some type of sugar so it cannot be completely eliminated from your diet. Many of these foods contain important nutrients and add enjoyment to eating. But there is a risk for tooth decay from a diet high in sugars so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced, nutritious diet for you and your kids. 

If you have any questions regarding nutrition and your oral health, feel free to contact me at (740) 474-4396 to set up an appointment.  In the meantime, take care of yourself and your health.

Keep Smiling,

Dr. Guter

Many people suffer from a condition called Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth. This unpleasant condition may be caused by certain diseases and treatments, use of prescription drugs, and even emotional stress.

Xerostomia results when a person has an inadequate flow of saliva. Saliva has many important functions in your mouth.  It coats and lubricates the oral tissues, cleanses the mouth, and neutralizes acidic and alkaline foods. If you have insufficient saliva production, over a period of time, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Some at-home treatments include drinking more fluids and using sugarless lozenges and artificial saliva. It is also important to have regular dental checkups and to brush and floss daily. Other ways to ease dry mouth include:

• Sugar-free gum or candy to stimulate saliva flow
• Artificial saliva
• Frequent sips of water
• Alcohol-free oral rinses
• Restricting intake of caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.

If you find dry mouth to be a problem, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us. We can help to identify its source and develop a treatment plan. Feel free to contact our office at 740.474.4396 We value you as a patient and want you to be as healthy as possible.

Do you wake up with dull headaches, vise-like pain, or stiff, sore jaw muscles? If so, you may have a condition called bruxism, a habit of grinding or clenching the teeth. Many people are unaware they even have the disorder because it often occurs while they are sleeping. However, dental professionals can usually detect the telltale signs of wear on your teeth.

Stress, sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, or crooked or missing teeth may cause bruxism. Teeth grinding can cause teeth to become painful or loose. Patients can literally grind away parts of their teeth, leaving them with worn surfaces or fractured enamel. It is estimated that up to 95% of people experience bruxism at some point in their lives.

Bruxism can not only cause aching muscles, but can wear down your teeth and damage dental work.

Luckily, treatment for bruxism is available. If you think you might be grinding or clenching your teeth, schedule an appointment to talk with us about your symptoms and possible treatment plans.  As always, we look forward to providing you with outstanding dental care.

We are here to tell you about sealants, an easy and affordable way to help prevent tooth decay. We know that your children’s dental health is a high priority in your family, and sealants are an excellent defense against cavities for most children.

A sealant is a clear or white material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay occurs most often. The sealant acts as a barrier that keeps out plaque and food and decreases the risk of tooth decay. Sealants are easy to apply. Each tooth requires only a few minutes for application.

Properly applied and maintained sealants are very effective in preventing pit and fissure decay. Applying sealants can save both time and money. More importantly, your child may avoid the discomfort and anxiety associated with more invasive dental treatment.

Please call our office today if you’d like to learn more about how sealants can help protect your children from tooth decay.  We want to provide excellent preventive care for your family, so please contact us to schedule an appointment.

You, like many other people, may be dissatisfied with the color of your teeth. If your teeth are discolored, you may feel self-conscious about your looks. The good news is that you may no longer have to settle for discolored teeth. A simple procedure called tooth whitening can help reduce most discoloration and improve your smile. 

Teeth can be discolored for many reasons. Discoloration can be caused by aging, illness, medications (such as tetracycline), dental restorations, excessive fluoride, tobacco, coffee, tea, soft drinks, wine, and other beverages and foods. Fortunately, there are several options to remove stains for a brighter smile.

As your dentist, I can offer you two choices for whitening: in-office whitening and home-use whitening. In-office whitening is done in a dental office with professionally applied tooth whitening bleaching products available to dentists. Home-use whiteners are dispensed by a dentist for use at home. There are many whitening options currently available to consumers both from the dentist as well as from retail outlets. The ADA recommends that if you choose to use a bleaching product you should only do so after consultation with a dentist. This is especially important for patients with many fillings, crowns and extremely dark stains. A thorough oral examination, performed by a licensed dentist, is essential to determine if bleaching is an appropriate course of treatment. The dentist then supervises the use of bleaching agents within the context of a comprehensive, appropriately sequenced treatment plan.

If you would like to learn about how tooth whitening can make a difference in your smile, please call our office today.  Thank you again for choosing us as your dental care provider! 

Dr. Guter