DENTAL BLOGS

How has life changed for you in the past 18 months? Have there been any changes to your daily routines and habits? From lockdowns and temporary closures to working from home and stay-at-home orders, we have all felt the far reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has changed many aspects of our daily lives -- including our oral health routines. Let’s take a look at some statistics. It goes without saying that people’s daily routines changed during the pandemic. B

cariogenic car·​i·​o·​gen·​ic | \ ˌker-ē-ə-ˈje-nik , -ˈjē- \ adjective producing or promoting the development of tooth decay1 Did you know that some foods are more likely to cause cavities than other foods? If a certain type of food is highly cariogenic, it has a high potential for producing or promoting tooth decay (aka caries, aka cavities). What Influences Cariogenicity? Here are the biggest factors: How long a food is kept in the mouth The physical form of the food (liqu

Have you ever had a dental emergency and not known what to do? Taking immediate action before visiting your dentist can prevent the issue from getting worse and sometimes even save your tooth. Take a look at the 6 most common dental emergencies and what you can do about them! 1. Chipped, Cracked or Broken Tooth If your tooth has been chipped or broken, save any pieces of the tooth you can to show to your dentist. If you are bleeding, apply gauze to the affected area for about

Do you floss before or after brushing? Which one should you do first? This was actually a topic of much good-natured debate among dentists for a long time. But one thing all dentists always agreed on was that it wasn’t the order that mattered so much as doing both every day! Recently, a small 2018 study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that flossing first had better results! So, why exactly is flossing-then-brushing better than the opposite order? From the stu

Have you had an oral cancer screening lately? We know it sounds scary, but we highly recommend that all adults get regular oral cancer screenings in order to control a potentially much scarier thing. It’s a sad truth that the majority of people who are diagnosed with oral cancers do not survive beyond 5 years, simply because oral cancers so often go undiagnosed and untreated until their later stages. Early detection is key to a higher chance of successful treatment of oral ca

“What can I do to heal quickly after my oral surgery?” Whether it is a wisdom tooth removal, dental implant or root canal therapy, caring for your mouth properly after oral surgery is all-important for healing quickly and without complications. We’ve put together a guideline for basic post-oral surgery care, but as always be sure to follow your dentist’s specific instructions! Take it Easy: After oral surgery, plan to take the rest of the day off because rest is so important

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness on the importance of regular oral cancer screening. Though it may sound intimidating, oral cancer screening is a simple exam that your dentist can perform during your regular dental checkup - and it’s the best way to detect and treat oral and oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the mouth and upper throat) early, while the likelihood of effective treatment and full recovery are best! Sobering Facts about Oral Cancer

“Which is better, veneers or crowns?” We hear this question often, and the answer depends on each person’s unique dental needs and desires. Though porcelain veneers and crowns are both dental restorations with roughly similar processes, design stages, and lifespans (typically 10 or more years with proper oral hygiene and care), they are different in several key ways. A Dental Veneer: -Covers the front of a tooth only. -Is custom-made for your smile and usually made of porcela

Have you been told that you need a root canal? Not to worry! Although root canal therapy has an old (and very outdated) reputation for being painful, modern dentistry means that most patients find getting a root canal no more painful than getting a filling! Root canal therapy today involves state-of-the-art technology ─ including digital radiographic imaging, ultrasonic instruments and operating microscopes ─ which helps us accurately and precisely diagnose, locate, visualize

Each year throughout National Children’s Dental Health Month in February, the American Dental Association brings together dental health professionals, caregivers, parents, and teachers to give children the best start on oral health. This year’s NCDHM theme is “Water: Nature’s Drink.” Let’s explore how and why water is so important for good dental health! What Water Does for Your Smile Strengthens Your Teeth - Drinking water with fluoride is one of the easiest things you can d

Happy National Children’s Dental Health Month! It is so important for children to develop good oral health habits at an early age. Starting strong dental health habits early will give kids a fantastic foundation for good oral health and a lifetime of healthy smiles. Let’s look at the essential tips for keeping our kids’ smiles happy and healthy for years to come! Start Early Don’t wait until your child’s teeth start coming in or they can hold a toothbrush - good oral hygiene

As the saying goes, “you are what you eat” - and there’s no better place to see this than in your mouth! Many of the foods and drinks that we consume actively encourage the growth of bacteria-laden plaque in our mouths, which is a main factor in the development of cavities (aka tooth decay). And if you don’t clean your teeth properly, plaque eventually hardens into tartar, which contributes to gum disease and can only be removed with special tools by a dentist or hygienist. L

Dental crowns, veneers and bridges are functional and beautiful restorative solutions for people with a wide range of dental issues! They protect your original teeth from damage while also looking wonderfully natural, because they are custom-made to match or enhance each patient’s individual smile. Although they are typically crafted from durable porcelain, they still need some care and upkeep to ensure that they last as long as possible while still looking great. Here are so

2020 is almost over, finally! It’s been an extremely strange and challenging year, but we’re ready to turn the page and start a new, brighter chapter in 2021. Check out our suggestions for a New Year’s Resolution to help you kick off 2021 with a healthier, happier smile! Floss! The truth is, we always know when our patients are fudging the truth about how often they floss - the proof is all over your gums and teeth! Sticky, bacteria-laden plaque is constantly forming on and b

‘Tis the season for lights and merriment, friends and family, and delicious food and drink! Though the holidays may look a bit different this year, we’ll still be celebrating safely with virtual gift exchanges and gatherings, and by choosing our holiday feasts and eating habits wisely. We’ve put together a little guideline on how to keep your mouth happy and healthy this holiday season, check it out below! Be Picky if it’s Sticky, Sweet or Starchy While eating nearly anything

For children and adults alike, Halloween means great fun, creative costumes, pumpkin carving, spooky decorations -- and lots and lots of candy. In fact, 25% of the U.S.’s entire annual candy sales are made around Halloween. Don’t let this holiday be a scary time for your teeth; follow these tips to keep your fangs healthy, happy and cavity-free! Tip #1: Choose healthier candies Avoid or cut down on sour, sticky, chewy and hard candies. Sour candies are high in acidity, which

Wish you had straighter teeth, but don’t want a mouth full of metal brackets and wires? Invisible aligners could be a great choice for you! Invisible aligners are a custom made series of snug-fitting clear aligners that gently straighten your teeth over the course of several months, and are virtually undetectable when worn. Who Can Use Invisible Aligners? Invisible aligners are an excellent option for older teens and adults. Children and younger teens are usually not good can

Beyond their picture-perfect appearance, an even smile is way more important for mouth health than you might think! Straight teeth provide the ideal conditions for oral health in so many different ways, and can have positive social and psychological impacts, too. Let’s take a deep dive into the many ways straight teeth benefit our health. Decreases the Risk of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease Straight teeth are easier to clean than crooked teeth, and an improperly cleaned mouth le

Gum disease may be very common and have quite serious and permanent consequences if left untreated, but it is also very treatable at nearly every stage! Thanks to modern dentistry, there are many treatment options that can halt the disease’s progress and even reverse it entirely. The treatment type your doctor will recommend depends on the stage of gum disease. Treatment For Early Stages (Gingivitis) Gingivitis is usually very easy to heal and eliminate with good oral hygiene

Did you know that 1 in 2 American adults have some stage of gum disease? Besides causing permanent tissue, bone and tooth loss if left untreated, gum disease is also linked to numerous other health issues throughout the body including heart and lung diseases, diabetes, stroke, dementia, and pregnancy complications. The good news is that gum disease is nearly entirely preventable with good oral hygiene and care, and usually can even be reversed with appropriate care and treat