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 ...
Happy Children’s Dental Health Month! It’s a new year, and there is no better time than now to brush up on oral hygiene practices for you and your little one(s). As parents, we know there is nothing you wouldn’t do for your children, and taking care of their mouths is a great place to start. To celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month, here are a few resources you may find helpful ...
A 2021 survey found that our smiles are likely to be the very first thing that people notice about us. So, it’s no wonder that we all want perfectly straight and luminous teeth. But, our teeth only play one role in our smiles. Jaw alignment plays an equally important role in our smiles. In fact, proper jaw alignment doesn’t just affect our overall aesthetics – it affects the appearance, function, and health of our ...
What makes an attractive smile? Straight, even pearly whites with symmetry and balance contribute to a person’s overall attractiveness. In fact, studies show that next to a person’s eyes, one’s smile is the second physical attribute people notice. But we aren’t all born with excellent dental genes. If you want a gorgeous smile for yourself or your children, you aren’t alone. According to Humana, over 4 million Americans wear braces ...
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 ...
Dental implants are an amazing tool used to restore your smile. Dental implants can replace the missing parts of a natural tooth, including the root of the tooth and the crown; implants also restore multiple missing teeth with a prosthesis such as a dental bridge or a denture. There are essentially three parts that make up a single implant. Implants are a titanium post used to replace the tooth root, an abutment that fits onto ...
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 ...
If it’s been a while since your last dental cleaning, a standard cleaning may not be enough. In these cases, dentists often recommend a deep dental cleaning, or deep teeth cleaning to gently and skillfully remove plaque and tartar from all parts of the teeth, preventing decay and disease. Learn more about the deep cleaning process, benefits, cost, and more in this blog. The Deep Teeth Cleaning Process The deep dental cleaning process involves ...
Crooked teeth, crowded teeth, and other forms of malocclusion (the imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed) can be a source of low self-esteem and poor oral health. If you find yourself hiding your smile, being embarrassed by your teeth, or suffering from chronic oral health issues (like cavities, gum disease, and bad breath) it may be time to consider braces or clear aligners. Are you ready to start your journey to ...
Dental professionals have been placing dental implants since the 1960s. Since then, technology has improved drastically, making the procedure simpler, more affordable, and more accessible. Modern dental implants are safe, effective, and long-lasting, and studies show that they are the best option to replace one or several missing teeth. If you have recently discussed dental implants with your dentist, you probably know that there are two main options regarding the material of the dental implant ...
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 ...
According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 3 million people in the United States have implants, and that number grows by 500,000 each year. If you’re a candidate for dental implants, educating yourself on what to expect and how to ensure a successful outcome is key. Below, we’ve listed five common mistakes that can derail your dental implants. 1) Being unaware of your options The dental implant journey is lengthy yet ...
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 ...
For some patients, the most uncomfortable part of dental work happens before the actual procedure. The process of taking traditional dental impressions is never pleasant and can be particularly traumatic for those who experience dental anxiety or have a gag reflex. Though dental impressions aren’t necessary for all procedures, they are needed for those that entail tooth structures or appliances to be fitted in your mouth. Common procedures that require dental impressions include: Dental ...
‘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 ...
You know regular dental cleanings are an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene, but did you know there are different levels of cleaning? Much like our house after the holidays, sometimes teeth require a deeper clean. Deep Cleaning vs. Routine Dental Cleaning Routine dental cleanings focus on teeth at and above the gum line. These non-invasive cleanings are recommended for most patients every six months and play a critical role in maintaining good oral ...
While oral cancer (i.e., oral cavity and oropharynx cancers collectively) accounts for almost 3% of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States, it is responsible for 1.8% of all cancer deaths. The death rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high because it is generally not discovered until late in its development. Early-stage symptoms of oral cancer are often painless, such as a white or red patches of tissue or a lesion ...
If you’re one of the estimated 50-80% of adults with dental anxiety, chances are you’ve avoided or delayed dental care at some point in your life. Whether it be a routine cleaning or a more in-depth procedure, such as a root canal or filling, putting off dental visits often results in more significant issues down the road. In the majority of cases, dental anxiety is a result of a prior traumatic dental experience ...
Mask or no mask, bad breath is never welcome company. Halitosis not only makes for embarrassing social interactions, but it can also be a sign of health issues. Here are the most common causes of bad breath and tips to help prevent them: Foods – This one can be a double whammy. 1) The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. 2) Components from food are ...
Gap-toothed smiles might be endearing in children, but not so much when it comes to adults. Known formally as diastema, gaps in teeth go beyond esthetic concerns and, if left untreated, can lead to serious dental issues. Tooth Gap Causes Tooth gaps can be the result of natural skeletal development, genetics, or external factors, such as habits like thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting, which can push teeth out of alignment over time. Tooth loss can also create ...
