Taking care of our teeth is crucial for overall health, yet many people tend to neglect proper dental hygiene. Oral care extends beyond the twice-daily toothpaste ritual; it encompasses various dental procedures such as dental scaling, root canals, and the use of prosthetics like dentures. In this article, we’ll explore these components of dental care and how they contribute to maintaining a healthy smile.
Toothpaste: The First Line of Defense
Toothpaste is an integral part of daily oral hygiene. It contains abrasive elements that aid in removing plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed regularly, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Toothpaste varieties are abundant, with formulations aimed at whitening, reducing sensitivity, and bolstering enamel strength. Fluoride, a common ingredient in toothpaste, helps to prevent cavities by strengthening tooth enamel and making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria.
Dental Scaling: Preventing Periodontal Disease
Dental scaling is a procedure performed by dentists or dental hygienists to clean below the gumline. It’s a deeper cleaning than what you can achieve with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Scaling is essential for patients with plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. Bloomington Dentist appointments are crucial for patients requiring this level of care, ensuring that scaling is done professionally and effectively. During scaling, special instruments are used to remove tartar — hardened plaque that can’t be removed by brushing alone. In some cases, ultrasonic instruments may also be used to break up tartar and plaque. This procedure is not typically painful, but some patients may experience discomfort, particularly if there is significant gum disease or sensitivity.
During scaling, special instruments are used to remove tartar — hardened plaque that can’t be removed by brushing alone. In some cases, ultrasonic instruments may also be used to break up tartar and plaque. This procedure is not typically painful, but some patients may experience discomfort, particularly if there is significant gum disease or sensitivity.
Root Canals: Saving Teeth in Peril
Root canals are often misunderstood and associated with pain, but in reality, they relieve the discomfort of tooth infections and save teeth that might otherwise need to be extracted. When a tooth’s nerve tissue or pulp becomes damaged due to decay or injury, it can result in severe pain and the formation of an abscess. During a root canal procedure, the infected tissue is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, and then it is filled and sealed.
A root canal can often be a tooth-sparing procedure, allowing individuals to keep their natural teeth for a longer time. Post-procedure, a tooth may need a crown to protect it and restore its function, since the tooth can become more brittle after the treatment.
Dentures: Restoring Smiles
For those who have lost teeth due to decay, injury, or gum disease, dentures are a traditional solution to restore the function and appearance of natural teeth. They can be partial, replacing some teeth, or complete, replacing all teeth on the upper or lower jaw. Modern dentures are more comfortable and natural-looking than ever before, thanks to advancements in dental materials and technology.
Wearing dentures can take some getting used to, and it’s crucial for individuals to continue with regular dental visits to ensure the proper fit of the dentures and to monitor the health of the gums and remaining teeth if partial dentures are used. Denture wearers still need to practice good oral hygiene, including brushing their gums, tongue, and roof of the mouth to keep the oral cavity healthy.
Maintaining Oral Health
While procedures like dental scaling, root canals, and the use of dentures are important for addressing various dental issues, preventive care remains the foundation of oral health. Regular use of toothpaste and a toothbrush, flossing, and attending dental check-ups are essential habits for preventing dental problems. Good oral hygiene practices help minimize the need for more invasive dental procedures and contribute to overall well-being.
In conclusion, our oral health requires a multifaceted approach. The daily use of toothpaste is just the beginning; dental scaling helps combat gum disease, root canals can save infected teeth, and dentures restore the function and aesthetics of a smile. By understanding these various aspects and their importance, we can better appreciate the roles they play in maintaining dental health and ensure that we give our teeth the attention they deserve.
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County, Indiana, United States.[4] The population was 79,168 at the 2020 census.[5] It is the seventh-largest city in Indiana and the fourth-largest outside the Indianapolis metropolitan area. It is the home of Indiana University Bloomington, the flagship campus of the IU System. Established in 1820, IU Bloomington enrolls over 45,000 students.[6]
The city was established in 1818 by a group of settlers from Kentucky, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Virginia who were so impressed with “a haven of blooms” that they called it Bloomington.[7] Bloomington has been designated a Tree City since 1984.[8][9] The city was also the location of the Academy Award–winning 1979 movie Breaking Away, featuring a reenactment of Indiana University’s annual Little 500 bicycle race.
History
The area in which Bloomington is situated was previously inhabited by the Delaware, Potawatomi, Miami, and Eel River Miami.[10]
Bloomington was platted in 1818.[11] A post office has been in operation at Bloomington since 1825.[12] Bloomington was incorporated in 1827.[13]
The current city logo was adopted on January 6, 1986, by the Bloomington Common Council.[14] It was a combination of peony and trout lily, inspired by both quilt patterns used by regional folk artists in 19th century and the shape of Downtown Square.[14]
The Elias Abel House, Blair-Dunning House, Bloomington City Hall, Bloomington West Side Historic District, Cantol Wax Company Building, Coca-Cola Bottling Plant, Cochran-Helton-Lindley House, Courthouse Square Historic District, Hinkle-Garton Farmstead, Home Laundry Company, Illinois Central Railroad Freight Depot, Johnson’s Creamery, Legg House, Millen House, Millen-Chase-McCalla House, Monroe Carnegie Library, Monroe County Courthouse, Morgan House, J.L. Nichols House and Studio, North Washington Street Historic District, The Old Crescent, Princess Theatre, Prospect Hill Historic District, Second Baptist Church, Seminary Square Park, Steele Dunning Historic District, University Courts Historic District, Vinegar Hill Historic District, Wicks Building, Woolery Stone Company, and Andrew Wylie House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[15][16]
Many African Americans moved to Bloomington from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky during the 1860s through the 1880s. Bloomington also attracted Scotch-Irish Presbyterians from South Carolina.[17] [18]
Geography
According to the 2010 census, Bloomington has a total area of 23.359 square miles (60.50 km2), of which 23.16 square miles (59.98 km2) (or 99.15%) is land and 0.199 square miles (0.52 km2) (or 0.85%) is water.[19][20]
Climate
Southern Indiana receives an abundance of rain, with a yearly average of nearly 50 inches.
Geology
Bloomington is an area of irregular limestone terrain characterized by sinks, ravines, fissures, underground streams, sinking streams, springs and caves.[23] It is in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, resting on the intersection of the Norman Uplands and the Mitchell Plain. The city’s relatively varied topography is a sharp contrast to the flatter terrain more typical of central to northern portions of Indiana.
Water
Bloomington is on comparatively high ground, the summit of the divide between the basins of the West Fork and East Fork of Indiana’s White River. Accordingly, there are no major watercourses within the city, nor is much groundwater available for wells.[23] The largest stream within the city is Clear Creek, with its eastern branch known on the Indiana University campus as “The Jordan River”.
Because natural lakes or rivers or groundwater are absent from the city and its environs, a number of dams have been constructed on nearby creeks over the last 100 years to provide for the water needs of Bloomington and Monroe County. Early 20th-century damming projects occurred at locations southwest of the city, the most notable being the Leonard Springs Dam. Because of the limestone formations underlying the reservoirs and the dams, water kept seeping from the reservoirs through naturally developing underground channels. Despite all efforts, the city was never able to fully stop the leakage and had to resort to pumping leaking water back to the reservoir.[23]
By the 1920s, a more radical solution was needed to deal with the water crisis. A new reservoir, known as Griffy Lake, was constructed in a more geologically suitable area north of the city.[23] (It is now within Bloomington’s official city limits.) Later, in the 1950s, two much larger reservoirs, Lake Lemon and Monroe Lake were created in the northeastern and southeastern parts of Monroe County. Monroe Lake was created by the US Army Corps of Engineers for flood control but has since been used to supply the city and the county with water. The water pumping station at Griffy Lake was mothballed until May 2020.[24]
Presently, the city is supplied with drinking water from Monroe Lake, via the Monroe Water Treatment Plant on S. Shields Ridge Rd. Originally opened in 1967, it was expanded in 2014, and now is capable of producing 30 million gallons of water per day.[25] The sewer water from the northern part of the city is treated at the Blucher Poole Wastewater Treatment Plant (constructed 1968) and discharged into the Bean Blossom Creek.[26] The sewer water from the southern half of the city goes to Dillman Road Wastewater Treatment Plant (constructed 1982) and is then discharged into the Clear Creek.[24] [27] [28]
Environment
PCB pollution, associated with Westinghouse‘s operations, long was a concern in the area.[29][30] A number of sites,[31] in particular, Bennett’s Dump and Lemon Lane Landfill at the northwestern edge of the city and Neal’s Landfill in the county, were listed as Superfund sites. Clean-up operations at the Bennett Quarry site, started in 1983, were largely completed by 2000.,[32] while cleanups at the other sites were completed in 2012.
Demographics
Bloomington is the principal city of the Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan area that covers Greene, Monroe, and Owen counties[33] and had a combined population of 192,714 at the 2010 census.[34]
2010 census
As of the 2010 census,[35] there were 80,405 people, 31,425 households, and 11,267 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,471.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,340.4/km2). There were 33,239 housing units at an average density of 1,435.2 per square mile (554.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.0% White, 4.6% African American, 0.3% Native American, 8.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.
There were 31,425 households, of which 16.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.3% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 64.1% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.76.
The median age in the city was 23.3 years. 11.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 44.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23% were from 25 to 44; 13.3% were from 45 to 64; and 7.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.3% male and 49.7% female.
2000 census
As of the census[34] of 2000, there were 69,291 people, 26,468 households, and 10,454 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,511.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,355.6/km2). There were 28,400 housing units at an average density of 1,439.1 per square mile (555.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.03% White, 4.24% African American, 0.29% Native American, 5.26% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population. 22.9% were of German, 10.2% Irish, 9.1% English and 8.4% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 89.3% spoke English, 2.9% Spanish, 1.3% Korean, 1.1% German and 1.0% Chinese or Mandarin as their first language.
There were 26,468 households, out of which 17.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.2% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 60.5% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 12.7% under the age of 18, 42.3% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 12.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,377, and the median income for a family was $50,054. Males had a median income of $32,470 compared to $26,100 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,481. About 10.3% of families and 29.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The Bloomington and Monroe County region is home to major employers representing a diverse collection of fields, including education, the life sciences, advanced manufacturing and technology.[36]
Bloomington is a regional economic center anchored by Indiana University and home to a diverse business community involved in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, technology, health care, and the arts. Bloomington’s concentration of employment in the life sciences is six times greater than the U.S. average, and employment in the technology sector has grown by over 80 percent in recent years.[37] Companies based in Bloomington include Cook Group, Author Solutions, OneWorld Enterprises, BloomingFoods, Bloomington Tutors, and Singota Solutions.
Bloomington has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of “America’s Best Cities for Doing Business” and as one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 50 “Hottest Small Cities for Entrepreneurs”. Additionally, Forbes Magazine ranked Bloomington No. 3 in its “Best Places for Business Careers” feature.[citation needed]
Dr. K Luke Eades, D.D.S
Address: 2810 S Walnut Street Pike, Bloomington, IN 47401
Call: +1 (812)-336-2688
Socials
