Root Canal Myths That Keep Patients in Pain Longer
Of all the dental myths still floating around, the ones about root canals do the most damage, because they talk people out of treatment that would…
New to the Area? A Simple Plan for Finding a Dental Home
Moving to a new town means rebuilding almost every service relationship from scratch, and the dentist is usually the one who gets pushed to "later" until…
Swollen Gums and Facial Pain: When to Seek Help
Swollen gums and facial pain are not automatically an emergency room situation, but they are also not something to wait out over a long weekend. Knowing…
Dental Implants vs. Bridges: Which to Choose?
Most comparisons between implants and bridges default to the same conclusion: implants win, bridges are the budget compromise. The research is actually…
What Counts as a True Dental Emergency?
A knocked-out permanent tooth has its best chance of being saved if it is put back in the socket within about 30 minutes, according to the American…
5 Signs You Need to See a Dentist Soon
Gum disease is often painless in its early stages, which is exactly why the CDC estimates that about four in ten U.S. adults over 30 have some level of…
Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient
Patient Rights You have a right to choose your own dentist and schedule an appointment in a timely manner. You have a right to know the education and…
Your First Dental Visit
Your first dental visit promises to be a pleasant experience. Making sound decisions about your dental care and oral health is an easy thing to do with…
X-Rays
When X-rays pass through your mouth during a dental exam, more X-rays are absorbed by the denser parts (such as teeth and bone) than by soft tissues (such…
Women and Tooth Care
Women have special needs when it comes to their oral health. That’s because the physical changes they undergo through life—menstruation, pregnancy and…
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that erupt in the back corners of the upper and lower normal adult mouth. Unfortunately, most people…
What is Tooth Decay?
Plaque is an insidious substance—a colorless, sticky film—that blankets your teeth and creates an environment in which bacteria erode tooth enamel, cause…
Water Picks
There is never a suitable substitute for daily brushing and flossing. While some products, including water irrigation devices (or “water picks”), may be…
Veneers
Teeth that are badly stained, shaped, or crooked may be improved by a veneer placed on the surface of the affected teeth.Veneers are thin pieces of…
Types of Floss
Dental floss comes in a variety of colors, materials and even flavors. Waxed varieties slide through the teeth, allowing people with extremely tight…
Toothaches
Simple toothaches can often be relieved by rinsing the mouth to clear it of debris and other matter. Sometimes, a toothache can be caused or aggravated by…
Tobacco
Dentistry health care that works: tobacco The American Dental Association has long been a leader in the battle against tobacco-related disease, working to…
The Preventive Program
Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where the intake of harmful foods is controlled. Our…
Teeth Whitening
Whitening procedures have effectively restored the smile of people with stained, dull, or discolored teeth. The darker tissue of your teeth, the dentin…
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is often viewed as a harmless, though annoying, habit. Some people develop bruxism from an inability to deal with…
Sensitive Teeth
If you wince with pain after sipping a hot cup of coffee or chewing a piece of ice, chances are that you suffer from "dentin hypersensitivity," or more…
Seniors and Oral Health
More and more people are avoiding the need for dentures as they grow older, going against the notion that false teeth are a normal part of growing older…
Getting Dental Sealants: What to Expect
Applying sealants is a simple, step-by-step process. Here is what happens during the appointment and how long sealants usually last.
Dental Sealants: How They Prevent Cavities
The pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of your teeth are prime areas for decay. Learn how sealants protect them and who benefits most.
Scaling and Root Planing
Some cases of acute periodontal (gum) disease that do not respond to more conventional treatment and self-care such as flossing may require a special kind…
Root Canal Therapy
Root canals are tiny passageways that branch off from beneath the top of the tooth, coursing their way vertically downward, until they reach the tip of…
Ridge Augmentation
If you lose one or more permanent teeth, an indentation may result in the gums and jawbone where the tooth used to be. When no longer holding a tooth in…
Prevention Tips for Children
Infants Infants should be seen by our office after the first six months of age, and at least by the child's first birthday. By this time, the baby's first…
Plaque
Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums after eating foods that produce acids. These foods may include carbohydrates (starches and…
Periodontal Exams
Periodontal exams are vital in the maintenance of your oral health as they are used to assess the health of your gums and teeth. They can help your…
Overview
Pain can occur in any number of places in your mouth: teeth, gums, roots, the palate, tongue and jaw. Cavities are a common culprit causing pain…
Oral Piercing
Oral piercings (usually in the tongue or around the lips) have quickly become a popular trend in today’s society. With this popular trend, it is important…
Oral Health Products
Visit any pharmacy or the health and beauty section of a supermarket today, and you are faced with a large, and many say confusing, array of…
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest survival rates, with thousands of new cases being reported each year. Fewer…
Old and Unsightly Fillings
Newer kinds of fillings made from composite resins and porcelain can restore unsightly fillings; many people are surprised how natural these kinds of…
Nutrition and Your Teeth
It has long been known that good nutrition and a well-balanced diet is one of the best defenses for your oral health. Providing your body with the right…
Mouth Rinses
The Food and Drug Administration classifies mouth rinses into two categories - therapeutic and cosmetic. In general, therapeutic rinses with fluoride have…
Mouth Guards
Anyone who participates in a sport that carries a significant risk of injury should wear a mouth protector. Sports like basketball, baseball, gymnastics…
Missing Teeth
Fixed bridges and implants are often used to replace missing teeth and to correct some kinds of bite problems. Crowns and bridges are the most effective…
Medications
Some dental procedures, such as tooth extractions and oral surgery, may call for our office to prescribe medications before or after a procedure. These…
Medication and Heart Disease
Certain kinds of medications can have an adverse effect on your teeth. Long ago, children exposed to tetracycline developed tooth problems, including…
Maxillofacial Surgery
When facial reconstruction, including procedures involving the oral cavity, is called for, a specialist is needed. Surgical procedures of the neck and…
Managing Pain
There are many methods for relieving oral pain. They include: Ice packs on the affected area. Avoiding hard candy or ice. Avoiding sleeping on your…
Latex Allergy
Naturally occurring latex has been linked in recent years to allergic reactions in people who use such products as latex gloves. The proteins in the…
Lacerations and Cuts
Any kind of cut to your face and the delicate soft tissues inside your mouth should be addressed immediately in order to prevent further tissue damage and…
Jaw/TMJ
People who grind their teeth can sometimes develop a serious problem with their jaw, which left untreated, can adversely affect the teeth, gums and bone…
Jaw Disorders
People who grind their teeth can sometimes develop a serious problem with their jaw, which left untreated, can adversely affect the teeth, gums and bone…
Invisalign®
Invisalign's® invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners will give you the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted. And best of all, no one can…
Introduction
Does mercury in the silver fillings in your mouth pose any long-term health risks? Does fluoride, in spite of everything we've been told since childhood…
Infection Control
Standards and Best Practice With all of the increased media attention on infection outbreaks such as AIDS and multi-drug resistant strains of viruses…
Implants
Before development of dental implants, dentures were the only alternative to replacing a missing tooth or teeth. Implants are synthetic structures that…
Gum Disease (Gingivitis)
Gingivitis is the medical term for early gum disease, or periodontal disease. In general, gum disease can be caused by long-term exposure to plaque, the…
Grafts
Soft tissue grafts are sometimes performed to treat gum disease, or correct other abnormalities. The procedure involves taking gum tissue from the palate…
Glossary
Amalgam - Material made from mercury and other alloy mixtures used to restore a drilled portion of a tooth.
General Dentistry
The first line of defense against oral health problems In general dentistry, the dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is…
Fluorosis
Fluorosis is a condition in which your body has been exposed to too much fluoride. In normal doses (typically found in a safe drinking water system and an…
Fluoride Facts
For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an important mineral that is absorbed into and strengthens tooth enamel…
Fluoride
For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an important mineral that strengthens tooth enamel, which thereby helps to…
Flossing
What is flossing? Flossing is a method for removing bacteria and other debris that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. It generally entails a very thin…
Flap Surgery
Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is…
Extractions
General Procedure When restoration procedures such as root canal therapy, crowns, or fillings are not enough to save a tooth, it may need to be pulled, or…
Excessive or Uneven Gums
Many people inherit the problem of excessive or uneven gums. An aesthetic surgical procedure called a gum lift can be used to correct this problem.
Emergency Care
A knocked out tooth or bitten tongue can cause panic in any parent, but quick thinking and staying calm are the best ways to approach such common dental…
Dry Mouth
Saliva is one of your body's natural defenses against plaque because it acts to rinse your mouth of cavity-causing bacteria and other harmful materials…
Diabetes
People living with diabetes are vulnerable to a host of systemic problems in their entire body. Unfortunately, the mouth and teeth are not immune from…
Dentures
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It is made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals…
Denture Care
Dentures today are made from very advanced materials designed to give you a natural appearance. However, keep in mind that just like your teeth, dentures…
Dental Emergencies
A knocked out tooth or bitten tongue can cause panic in any parent, but quick thinking and staying calm are the best ways to approach such common dental…
Crowns and Bridges
Bridges Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely…
Crowns
Crowns are synthetic caps, usually made of a material like porcelain, placed on the top of a tooth. Crowns are typically used to restore a tooth's…
Choosing a Toothbrush
Never before has there been such a dizzying array of toothbrushes on the market. Consumers are inundated with new designs, materials, attachments, and…
Chipped, Cracked, and Worn Teeth
Special thin laminates, called veneers, can often be used to correct discolored, worn down, cracked and chipped teeth. Veneers can also be used to close…
Cavities and Tooth Decay
What Is Tooth Decay? Tooth decay is caused by a variety of things; in medical terms, cavities are called caries, which are caused by long-term destructive…
Canker/Cold Sores
People sometimes confuse canker sores and cold sores, but they are completely unrelated. Both can be painful, but knowing the differences can help you…
Bulimia Nervosa
People with eating disorders can suffer from oral health problems as well. This is because many of the behaviors associated with anorexia nervosa and…
Brushing
Brushing is the most effective method for removing harmful plaque from your teeth and gums. Getting the debris off your teeth and gums in a timely manner…
Bridges
Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and…
Braces (Orthodontia)
Braces are applied to teeth for various reasons, including poorly aligned jaws, crooked, crowded and missing teeth, or a bad bite (also called…
Bonding
Bonding is a process in which an enamel-like material is applied to a tooth`s surface, sculpted to an ideal shape, hardened, and then polished for an…
Bleaching
Bleaching and non-bleaching products are the two basic kinds of whitening products available today. Non-bleaching products normally use abrasives or…
Bad Breath (halitosis)
An estimated sixty-five percent of Americans have bad breath. Over forty-million Americans have "chronic halitosis," which is persistent bad breath…
April 2022 Dental Newsletter
The Importance of Preventive Care: Maintaining Good Oral Health Preventative dental care is a significant part of overall dental health, but it's often an…
Anesthesia
Dentistry has advanced to the point in which pain is almost a thing of the past. Powerful pain-killing medications known as anesthetics not only help a…
Air Abrasion
Many people associate the high-pitched whirring of a dental drill with pain. Just the sound alone can make many people wince. A relatively new technique…
Age and Oral Health
Oral changes with age Is tooth loss inevitable in your later years? How much should adults be concerned about cavities? Here you will find helpful answers…
Abscessed Tooth
Treatment of an abscessed tooth An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus, usually caused by some kind of infection and the spread of bacteria from the root…