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 ...
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 ...
Tooth decay, or softening of the enamel, is one of the most prevalent dental conditions. Acids produced by bacteria weaken tooth enamel over time, which results in a cavity. According to one study, 92% of adults have had cavities in their permanent teeth. The good news is that decay occurs in stages, and early treatment can prevent it from progressing and potentially spare you from needing a root canal or complete extraction. While our busy ...
You brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly, and schedule dental cleanings every six months, so do you really need a new set of dental X-rays every year? Maybe. Like all things health-related, the answer depends on your personal health history and your dentist’s specific concerns. Why do I need dental X-rays? Just as X-rays on other parts of your body allow doctors to identify damage beneath the surface, dental X-rays provide your ...
‘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 ...
There’s nothing like an unexpected trip to the dentist to derail the most wonderful time of the year. To ensure your teeth stay healthy through the holidays and beyond, follow these tips: 1. Teeth aren’t present-openers or nutcrackers This sounds like a no-brainer, but when an impatient child hands you a toy double sealed in Teflon-strength packaging, your instinct might be to do whatever you can to rip it open. Do yourself a ...
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 ...
Anyone who has ever experienced the agony of a toothache knows that poor oral health is more than an inconvenience; it negatively impacts your quality of life. Not only can damaged teeth cause physical pain, but they can also create extreme self-consciousness and pose significant health risks if left untreated. Damage occurs to teeth for a variety of reasons, from disease and facial trauma to years of teeth grinding or a misaligned bite. Fortunately, dental ...
The toothbrush is a staple of good oral hygiene, but owning a toothbrush and knowing how to use it properly are two different things! Most of us don’t really give it much thought; we apply toothpaste, brush, rinse, and move on with our day. Unfortunately, simply brushing twice a day doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Read on for some toothbrush knowledge you’ll wish you had known! Choosing your toothbrush – If ...
If you’ve been experiencing tooth pain, your inclination might be to just pull the problematic tooth and be done with it! Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. So, before you choose to extract it, make sure you take time to understand the ramifications. Benefits of saving a natural tooth When possible, saving your natural teeth is the best option. While today’s dental prosthetics are made to last, they simply don’t have ...
April is oral cancer awareness month. While not as delightful as the other signs of spring – blooming trees and longer days – a focus on early detection is a beautiful thing. While oral cancer (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 ...
More than half of all respondents in a recent poll said they were insecure about the appearance of their teeth. If tooth damage, loss, or decay has you covering your mouth, take heart in knowing that you're not destined to a tight-lipped smile forever! Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, there are several ways we can restore your smile. Cosmetic dentistry is a broad term that refers to any dental work that adjusts the appearance of ...
Have you ever winced with sudden pain after gulping an icy beverage or slurping a spoonful of hot soup? If so, you're likely one of the 40 million Americans the Academy of General Dentistry estimates experience tooth sensitivity each year. What causes tooth sensitivity? Tooth sensitivity (i.e., dentin hypersensitivity) occurs when tooth enamel wears away, leaving the dentin exposed. This soft, inner part of your tooth houses thousands of microscopic channels that, when ...
