There are a lot of things that you know you should do. Balance and rotate your tires periodically. Take your cat for his vaccines. Exercise three times a week. But in the midst of life’s busyness, all too often, these things go undone. Another thing you should do is floss your teeth. And, fortunately, this is one thing that is quick and easy to accomplish. Flossing can help prevent tooth decay and discoloration. It ...
We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If that’s true, does it really matter what we eat, or does it just matter that we eat? Doctors, dieticians, dentists, and other health experts will tell you that what you eat for breakfast matters. You can’t have donuts and a caramel macchiato for breakfast most mornings and expect it not to affect your oral and overall health! According ...
Do you often feel as if your smile could use a little more tender, loving care? If so, then you’re not alone. Recent data suggests that an estimated 60% of people are unhappy with the appearance of their smiles, especially in pictures. But, a lackluster smile isn’t just embarrassing – it can be unhealthy, too. Luckily, you can address aesthetic and functional issues with a Smile Makeover. This comprehensive procedure combines cosmetic and restorative ...
On a normal day, you probably don't think about air pollution. You can’t see it, but it’s there, filled with carcinogens, all around us. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Ambient (outdoor) air pollution in both cities and rural areas is causing fine particulate matter (PM) which result in strokes, heart diseases, lung cancer, acute and chronic respiratory diseases.” To expand on this, air pollution can also cause dental health issues ...
The temporomandibular joint (also called the jaw joint or TMJ) is one of the most frequently used joints in the human body. These all-too-important joints allow us to speak, chew, yawn, and laugh. So, when our jaws fall victim to injury or dysfunction, it can have devastating effects on our physical, mental, and social health. Luckily, calling attention to these overworked (and underappreciated!) joints can help you avoid painful TMJ disorders in the future. And ...
October is National Dental Hygiene Month! Let’s talk about the amazing world of dental hygiene and our awesome dental hygienists. Dental hygienists assist the dentist with performing dental cleanings and other preventative care such as dental sealants and fluoride treatment. They are an essential part of every dental practice and celebrating Dental Hygiene Month means celebrating them too. How important is dental hygiene? Much like personal hygiene, dental hygiene focuses on your oral health ...
What would we do without our dental practice office manager? Quite frankly, our dental practice would likely be falling apart! Office managers do so much to keep our team members and patients happy and our office organized. It takes special skills to do what they do, and that’s not lost on us. To all the office managers: You are so appreciated and needed. Thank you for all that you do for us and our ...
It’s a great debate among husbands and wives, roommates, parents and children, and partners– is it better to brush your teeth before breakfast or after? Well, regardless of which side you are on, the answer isn’t as black and white as it may seem. First, let’s talk about what the American Dental Association recommends. It has long been established that people of all ages should brush twice daily and for two minutes ...
According to a study completed by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a beautiful smile can make a person appear more attractive, intelligent, happy, and successful. Would you like for those things to be said about you? We all would! Even more important than what others will think is what you think and feel about yourself. If you have stained, gapped, or crooked teeth, you may feel self-conscious about your smile. This can lead to ...
The American Dental Association recognizes June as Oral Health Month. This is an opportunity for families to evaluate their oral health habits, get back on track, and create oral health goals. That may sound like a strange thing to do, but if you suffer from chronic gum disease, cavities, or bad breath, your oral health may be affecting your overall health. Additionally, if you don’t love the way your smile looks, it may be ...
When you chew, there are about 30-40 pounds of pressure put on your teeth. If you grind your teeth, that pressure can increase to 250 pounds. Yikes! It’s no wonder that people who suffer from regular teeth grinding (or bruxism) often experience excruciating toothaches, dental damage, and jaw pain. In many cases, a person doesn’t know that they grind their teeth because it typically happens during sleep. A family member, roommate, or spouse ...
Spring is the season of renewal! Trees are blooming, birds are singing, and…we’re reminding you about the dangers of oral cancer. We know it doesn’t really fit with spring’s eternal feeling of hope and optimism, but April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and early detection is a beautiful thing. The Prevalence of Oral Cancer The American Cancer Society estimates approximately 54,000 new cases of oral cancer (oral cavity and oropharyngeal ...
Dental Assistants Recognition Week™ (also known as DARW) is held the first full week in March (this year, it's March 6-12), and we want to take this opportunity to give our hard-working dental assistants the recognition they deserve! Our dental assistants are crucial to the success of our practice. They perform multiple functions, and we couldn't provide the level of patient care we do without them. One of the dental assistant's most ...
Everyone wants white teeth, but not so much when that color appears in spots or blotches. Technically known as white lesions, white spots can develop on your teeth due a range of factors from diet to ingesting fluoride as a child. Common causes include: Fluorosis – Though fluoride is essential for strengthening teeth and preventing decay, too much fluoride in developing teeth can lead to low amounts of calcification, which causes spots of softer enamel and ...
‘Tis the season for reflection and resolutions. Of course, you can improve your oral hygiene any time of year, but there’s something about looking ahead that makes it seem not only possible but probable. Here are our top 10 Dental Resolutions – take any or all of them into 2022! 1. Floss Regularly We know we’re supposed to floss every day, but many people (maybe even most) don’t. There’s always a good ...
The holidays are here, and with them come all the joys of the season – lights and decorations, time with friends and family, and those special treats we only get this time of year. The best way to enjoy the holiday festivities and keep your oral health intact is to balance those sticky, sugary foods with some that actually benefit your teeth and gums. We promise it’s not as hard as you might think! Fruit ...
There are some things those of us over a certain age know all too well, like minivans without screens, phones attached to cords, and silver dental fillings. We’re now reaping the rewards of advancing technology (for the most part). Road trips are quieter thanks to mobile entertainment systems, phones are everywhere (usually in our hands), and metal amalgam fillings are no longer the only option. Today, dental practitioners can place composite resins, also known ...
If you’re dealing with tooth loss, you’re not alone. The American College of Prosthodontists estimates that 178 million Americans are affected by this serious problem. We understand the significant role a healthy smile plays in self-confidence and the far reaching-impact tooth loss can have on a patient’s quality of life. We know there are many restorative options available and believe patient education is the key to choosing the right treatments. Dentures and ...
There’s no shortage of teeth whitening solutions. From in-office lasers to at-home whitening kits and snap-on veneers, there have never been more ways to achieve a white smile! But, before you order a custom kit or hit up the drugstore for whitening strips, there’s more you should know about teeth discoloration. Not all stains are created equal, and the cause of yours needs to be taken into consideration when selecting a whitening solution ...
It’s summertime, and we’ve traded winter coats and hot cocoa for breezy linens and refreshing umbrella drinks. Unfortunately, though you might be counting down the days until your “Out of Office” is on and your feet are in the sand, because the culprits behind tooth decay and enamel damage never take a vacation. We don’t want to be the ones to rain on your parade (especially since you’ve waited all year ...
