Since September, the Halloween candy and decoration aisles have been in the drug stores and grocery stores. Your kids have probably been bringing candy home from school with them. Your office may be filled with bowls of candy. Since this is the last week before Halloween, there is probably even more candy everywhere. How do you keep these treats from tricking your teeth? How do keep smiles healthy even with all this sugary temptation running amok. Moderation is an important part of keeping smiles healthy. Complete deprivation usually does not work and often leads to hiding a candy habit from everyone else. We have created a list of tips to keep you and your family’s smiles healthy this Halloween. (more…)
An Oral Hygiene Routine At Bedtime
The shortest distance between two spots is a straight line. The straight line to a healthy mouth is strong oral hygiene. Strong oral hygiene includes a daily routine of brushing and flossing at least twice a day, drinking plenty of water, making healthy food and drink choices, and visiting your dentist at least every six months for both an exam and a cleaning. While not every problem that may arise in your oral health can be prevented by a good oral hygiene routine, many can. A good bedtime routine is an essential part of any good oral hygiene regimen. (more…)
Reasons To Replace A Missing Tooth
Losing a tooth as an adult does not come with the joy or money from a tooth fairy’s visit. Losing a tooth as an adult can be traumatic and lead to some serious consequences. Tooth loss as an adult can be caused from injury, severe decay or damage, gum disease, or a wisdom tooth extraction. In a situation like a wisdom tooth extraction, there is no need to replace the missing tooth. However, in most other instances of losing a permanent adult tooth, replacement is important. A visible front tooth may feel more important to you to replace, but any missing adult tooth can lead to difficulties in your smile and functions of your mouth. Replacing your tooth can restore your abilities and decrease your risk of bone loss. (more…)
Can I Get A Crown In One Visit?
The short answer to the question, “can I get a crown in one visit?,” is yes. Traditional crowns can take one to two weeks to be created because an off-site lab would create the crown. With this traditional process, your dentist would take a mold of your tooth and mouth to be sent off to a third party lab to sculpt the permanent crown. In the meantime, your dentist would fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown was ready. You would go back to the office after those weeks of wearing a temporary to be fitted with your permanent crown. Advanced technology allows for the crown to be created at your dentist’s office during your same visit. (more…)
Why Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?
Tooth decay does not stop progressing until it is treated. It may start out as tiny white spots on the enamel of your tooth. If noticed by your dentist, a thorough cleaning may treat and reverse the decay. If not, the decay will continue to progress until it erodes through the enamel of the tooth creating a cavity. A small, early cavity may not cause you any pain, and may go unnoticed if not for regular visits to your dentist. If it is noticed, your dentist may treat and stop the cavity with a filling. If the decay continues to progress, it may reach the inner pulp of the tooth requiring root canal treatment to stop it. (more…)
A Filling To The Rescue
Despite our best efforts to maintain our oral health, cavities can still happen. Tooth decay can be caused for reasons other than sugary snacks and a lax in oral hygiene. Teeth grinding can cause tiny fractures in the teeth that can leave sneaky spots for bacteria to attack the enamel. Misaligned teeth can create nooks and crannies that make it hard for brushing and flossing to be effective. Even genetics can cause one person to be more susceptible to tooth decay than another. No matter the cause, when a cavity happens, it is very important for it to be treated. A filling is usually the first course of action. (more…)
Is Invisalign Right For Me?
Malocclusion is the misalignment of teeth in your mouth. This can lead to a dysfunction in your bite, higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease, headaches, and more. Typically, traditional orthodontic treatment relies upon metal braces to realign the bite and the teeth, but Invisalign® is a more discreet option. Invisalign® is a system with clear, BPA-free, custom-made aligners that gently reposition your teeth. Adults with misalignment issues in their smile tend to opt for Invisalign® because they are less noticeable and less impactful on their lifestyle than traditional metal-bracket braces. (more…)
Am I A Candidate For Veneers?
Everyone should be able to smile confidently without fear of flaws. A common misconception about porcelain veneers are that they leave everyone with the same cookie-cutter smile. Porcelain veneers can be customized to give you an upgrade to your smile, while also leaving you a smile that feels natural to you. Several cosmetic issues can be addressed by veneers. In fact, several different cosmetic issues can be addressed all at one time by veneers. If you have multiple problems with your smile or if you have multiple teeth that have flaws or issues, porcelain veneers may be perfect for you. (more…)
When Should You Get Dental Bonding?
If your smile makes you insecure because you have damaged, chipped, or cracked teeth, dental bonding may be the right cosmetic dentistry option for you. Dental bonding is when a composite resin is applied directly to a tooth and shaped to the desired appearance. The composite resin is color-matched to the other teeth to make it look as natural as possible. The resin material is biocompatible and is the same material used in dental fillings. Bonding can be a more affordable and time-saving solution when compared to other cosmetic options. It is a good solution when only one or a few teeth have cosmetic issues to be solved. (more…)
Get That Bright White Smile
Dull, discolored, yellow teeth can make us feel insecure and self-conscious. It seems insignificant, but a whiter smile can do a number on our confidence. When you feel more secure with your smile, you may find yourself smiling more. The more you smile, the better you may feel. Whitening your teeth with special toothpastes, home remedies, or over-the-counter treatments may get you that brighter smile you are looking for. But if you find yourself battling with stains that you cannot remove yourself, your dentist can help you achieve that dream white smile. (more…)