Have you noticed that your teeth appear darker or have more stains? Fortunately, today there are many treatment options to help whiten the teeth and brighten your smile. External versus internal staining. External staining of the teeth commonly results from colored foods or agents coming in contact with the enamel. Individuals who use tobacco or… Read more »
As we consider our fitness and nutritional goals for the new year, it’s also important to review our oral hygiene practices which can greatly benefit – or deter – our overall well-being. It is recommended to brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes to help reduce the risk of cavities and periodontitis.… Read more »
Have you ever been told you may need a root canal but have no idea why? Many patients associate root canal treatment with dental pain. This specialized procedure is performed to treat infection and/or infection in the tooth’s pulp tissue, which consists of nerve fibers and blood vessels. During treatment, the damaged portion of the… Read more »
Just as an annual medical checkup is essential to ensure the body is healthy, a regular oral checkup is crucial to maintaining a healthy mouth and detecting any abnormalities. Regular screenings by your dentist should include an oral cancer screening which aims to discover cancer or precancerous signs early enough to be treated successfully. Oral… Read more »
Do you find yourself grinding or clenching your teeth during the day or waking up in the morning with jaw pain? These can be signs that you may have bruxism, which is defined as a movement disorder that involves parafunctional habits of grinding or clenching of teeth. There are two different categories of bruxism: diurnal,… Read more »
Maintaining your oral health is essential to your overall wellbeing and can help prevent pain and infections in the mouth. However, did you know that people with diabetes are at a higher risk for both early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) and advanced gum disease (periodontitis)? Diabetes affects the body’s overall ability to process sugar. In type… Read more »
Saliva plays a huge role for oral health, yet remains one of the most neglected factors considered in overall health. You may ask, how does it affect my overall health? Saliva is an extracellular fluid carrying essential enzymes that aid in the break down of food particles in the first stages of digestion. It is… Read more »
One of the most common oral health concerns for patients is halitosis, also known as bad breath, which can often lead to uncomfortable situations. While common, many who suffer are unaware of the causes and often simple treatments to address the problem. While many causes are harmless, bad breath can sometimes be a sign of… Read more »
A good home care routine is one of the most important steps in dental hygiene. There are now many tools on the market that make it easier and more efficient to do our daily cleaning. Today, I’d like to focus on water flossers, one of the best tools to help improve oral care at home.… Read more »
Home hygiene is the most important factor in keeping a healthy mouth and, of course, it starts with our toothbrush. There are two main classes of toothbrushes: traditional manual and electric. The vast majority of Americans still use a manual toothbrush. This is not a bad thing, as a good manual toothbrush with soft bristles… Read more »
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 14 percent of American adults smoke cigarettes. Although this is a drastic decrease from the prevalence seen during the mid-20th century, that is still about 43 million people who consider themselves smokers. Some of the overall negative health effects of this habit are well known, but many… Read more »
Fall is upon us and the weather is getting cooler. To many, that’s the anticipation of back to school and the return of school sports. For dentists, it often means an upswing in athletic dental injuries. Dental injuries are a major concern in athletics, and it not only affects kids. According to the ADA, about… Read more »
It’s estimated about 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s. The causes are still not clearly understood, but new research has found a possible link between the debilitating condition and periodontal disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 50 percent of adults in the U.S. have some form of gum disease, and… Read more »
We all know that brushing and flossing are essential to keep our teeth clean and healthy, but some areas are more difficult to reach, particularly the deep grooves of molar teeth. Here, bacteria can hide and cause cavities to form, even if we brush thoroughly. Tooth sealants are a great way to protect our teeth… Read more »
Imagine being able to go to the dentist and not having to be numbed up or hear the sound of the drill. This scenario has become a reality with the advancements in dental lasers. Lasers can make many dental procedures much more comfortable and less invasive than traditional methods. There are multiple types of lasers… Read more »
We are about a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and our lives have changed in many ways. As a dentist, we, like many other professions, have had to change the way we operate to help keep our patients and employees safe. At the beginning of the pandemic, there was a high level of concern about… Read more »
Americans drink a lot of caffeinated beverages. Every day, the majority of us consume at least one drink that contains caffeine. While many people need that kick to get them through the day, there are effects on oral health I’d like to present for consideration. Coffee is the second most popular caffeinated beverage in our… Read more »
With holidays come all the fun foods and drinks we associate with the fall season. Most of us look forward to the pies, candies and other festive treats, but this doesn’t give us an excuse to neglect our teeth and oral health. There are some easy things we can do to make sure we make… Read more »
As children grow, it’s important to monitor their oral health and development. Preventing many common problems is easier than trying to correct them once they arise. Being aware of how to take care of our children’s teeth and what issues to look for can help immensely in development. We usually start to see the first… Read more »
With COVID-19 playing a major role in all our lives today, many of us have started to look more closely at our bodies, our immune systems and what we can do to keep ourselves healthier. It may surprise you to learn that your mouth plays a major role in the strength of your immune system,… Read more »
