DENTAL BLOGS

Do you ever feel self conscious about your breath? Bad breath happens to everyone at some point or another, but chronic bad breath (aka halitosis, or oral malodor) is a glaring warning sign that you need to make some changes to your oral health routine! Common Causes of Bad Breath The first step to getting rid of chronic bad breath is to figure out what is causing it. Sometimes the cause is obvious, such as not brushing or flossing daily. But sometimes the cause of chronic ba

Have you ever seen white-ish or yellow-ish lumps that look like they are embedded in the back of your throat? These are likely tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths), which are hardened deposits of debris and bacteria buildup in the craggy crevices of the tonsils. Tonsil stones are fairly common, and often treatable at home. Causes of Tonsil Stones Tonsil stones form when bacteria and material like dead cells, food debris, mucus and saliva get trapped in the tonsil crypts

Do you know which animal has the strongest bite? When we bring our teeth and jaws together to chew our food, the force that is exerted is called “bite force.” A human’s bite force depends on several different factors, including: how well their teeth are aligned, age and gender. Our jaws have evolved to be quite efficient -- in fact, if our skulls were scaled to the same size, human jaws would actually be more efficient and powerful than primates! The average human bite force

Are you trying to cut down on sugar? As dentists and health professionals, we definitely support that choice! But be aware: though many drinks and foods claim that they are “diet” and sugar-free, not all artificial sweeteners are created equal. But how do artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes affect the health of our mouth and teeth? Scientists are still learning about the health effects that various sugar substitutes have on the human body, but we do know that artifici

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

Which animal has the largest tooth in the entire animal kingdom? The first animal that might come to mind is perhaps a tiger or lion, and they do indeed have an impressively and intimidating set of teeth! But the animal that hands-down wins this category may surprise you: it is the beautiful, mysterious “Unicorn of the Sea”: the Narwhal! #FunFact: The Narwhal’s Famed Horn is Actually a Tooth --And growing up to an incredible 10 feet long, the narwhal’s tooth easily wins Large

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

While regular brushing and flossing are the best ways to keep your teeth as white and healthy as they can be, there are several quick makeup tricks that can instantly brighten your smile. Try out these easy techniques to make your teeth look whiter, instantly! Choose a Blue-Based Lip Color Warm-toned lipsticks with an orange base will reflect on teeth and make them look more yellow than they really are, while cool-toned lipsticks with a blue base make teeth look whiter. Try l

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