DENTAL BLOGS

‘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

Do minor dental imperfections make you afraid to smile? Tooth reshaping, aka dental contouring, may be right for you! There are actually a lot of different names for it - enameloplasty, odontoplasty, stripping, slenderizing - but they all refer to the same simple cosmetic dental procedure that can fix slightly imperfect teeth quickly, painlessly and affordably. How it Works: Tooth reshaping is a simple and painless procedure. Your dentist uses tools like drills, lasers or pro

A lot of patients come to us seeking a small but significant change in the appearance of their smile. Chips, misshapen teeth, and small gaps between teeth can all be fixed easily and affordably with cosmetic bonding. What is Cosmetic Bonding? Cosmetic bonding uses a composite, tooth-colored resin, which your dentist custom-matches to the shade of your natural teeth or the shade you desire. The composite resin is applied and shaped directly on the tooth, then cured with a spec

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

Does your child have cavity prone teeth - or for that matter, do you? Our back molars are particularly susceptible to tooth decay settling into their many crevices, especially in children with developing teeth. And sometimes, even the most avid brushers and flossers simply have weaker tooth enamel, or higher susceptibility to the type of bacteria that causes cavities, or crooked or crowded teeth that are harder to clean. Fortunately, there is a simple and affordable treatment

Do you frequently have jaw pain, trouble chewing, or experience recurrent jaw clicking or popping? You may be suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) Disorder - a common condition that affects over 35 million people in the U.S. Often abbreviated TMD or TMJD, this disorder affects women more than men - in fact, about 90% of all TMJD sufferers are women in their childbearing years. A number of factors likely contribute to this imbalance, including: stress, hormonal differe

You’ve just received your new set of custom-made dentures, and are eager to have back your old (or improved!) smile -- congratulations! Like getting a new pair of stiff leather boots, dentures take a bit of adjustment, or “breaking in” time. It’s normal to experience some discomfort as one gets used to new dentures, but it won’t last forever. With a bit of practice, patience and care, soon enough you will be smiling, eating, and speaking with ease and confidence again! Feel a

denture[ den-cher ] / ˈdɛn tʃər / noun an artificial replacement of one or several of the teeth (partial denture), or all of the teeth (full denture) of either or both jaws; dental prosthesis.1 When one sees the word “denture,” more likely than not what comes to mind is a full set of upper and lower artificial teeth in gum-colored base. But dentures actually come in many different types and forms, and can replace anywhere between one missing tooth and all the teeth on an arch

When a tooth is damaged beyond a simple filling repair, a dental crown can often save it and protect it from further damage, and/or improve its aesthetic appearance! But how exactly is a crown custom made and delivered to suit your smile? Let’s take a look at the dental crown procedure! The Dental Crown Procedure As with any dental treatment, an initial consultation is needed to determine that a crown is the ideal choice for you. We will also confirm that your tooth and surr

Dental anxiety is a common phenomenon, with an estimated 9-15% of American adults avoiding the dentist due to their fear. That is a staggering 30 to 40 million people! Over time, dental anxiety and fear can lead to oral health issues and increased need for treatment, lowering your quality of life. Take a look at these helpful strategies for reducing dental anxiety, and empower yourself to get the dental care you need and deserve! Identify Your Fears The first step to overcomi

A dental veneer is a wafer-thin shell of tooth-colored material that fits over the outside of a tooth. Veneers are a popular option for cosmetic dentistry because they are a less intrusive option than dental crowns, and provide much quicker results than braces or aligners. They are also popular because of their wide range of uses: they can be used to brighten and correct discolored teeth, straighten a smile, close gaps, correct a misshapen tooth, and fix fractures and chips.

It might sound too good to be true: Candy that’s good for your teeth? It’s true: there are a few types of candy that are actually great for your oral health! Chewing Gum can be great for your teeth - as long as it is sugarless gum. Chewing gum increases the production of saliva, which plays an essential role in neutralizing acids in the mouth and preventing bad breath and tooth decay. Gum with sugar would negate any positive effects, since the sugar would only provide a feast

Got a sweet tooth? Keep your teeth (and your dentist!) happy with this simple and delicious “ice cream” recipe that provides plenty of sweet satisfaction with no added sugar. Now that’s something to smile about! 1-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream It doesn’t get any easier than this: all you need are bananas and a food processor, and just freeze and blend bananas for a deliciously cool and creamy treat! No added sugar, no chemical flavorings or additives, no guilt, 100% natural. Fo

Approximately 5 million wisdom teeth are removed in the U.S. every year! Because our jaws have evolved to be too small to fit third molars (aka wisdom teeth), they often grow in incorrectly - pushing against other teeth, erupting at an angle, sometimes even getting stuck in the jaw bone. Some lucky people have wisdom teeth that grow in correctly and do not need to get them removed, and an even smaller number of lucky people do not grow wisdom teeth at all! However, chances ar

Wisdom teeth removal can be a major rite of passage for teens and young adults, with approximately 80% of the US population getting them extracted! But why do most people need to get these third molars taken out, anyway? There are several serious oral health issues that can develop if impacted wisdom teeth are not removed - that is, wisdom teeth that are not growing in or positioned correctly. Check out the common complications caused by impacted wisdom teeth that are not ext

For many parents, getting their children to brush their teeth is a twice-daily battle - but they are battles well worth having! Good oral hygiene is important at all ages, and aids young children in speech, educational and social development. Children suffering from oral pain tend to perform worse in school; a recent study revealed that children with tooth pain were 4 times more likely to have a low grade point average (below 2.8 GPA) compared to children without oral pain. O

Are you considering teeth whitening? If so, there are a few things you should consider before undergoing this treatment. Are You a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening? Teeth whitening, whether by professional or over-the-counter treatment, should only be used by people with healthy gums and teeth. This is because all teeth whitening treatments contain the bleaching agent peroxide, which can cause increased sensitivity and even damage to people with tender or receding gums. If

Quick answer: A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with a false tooth (a pontic) held in place by crowns on the teeth next to the gap, or by dental implants. It fills the space, helps you chew and speak normally, and keeps nearby teeth from shifting. Bridges commonly last 10 years or more with good care. Because a single missing tooth increases the risk of tooth damage and decay as well as numerous other oral health problems, we always recommend replacing a miss