Enamel is an incredible part of our body. In fact, tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in the human body! How is that fun fact? Despite the powerhouse strength of this mineral, teeth are highly susceptible to damage and decay.
We all know that eating healthy is important to our bodies, but it is also vital to our teeth. These eight, innocent products are items we consume every day. Clinical studies show the damage they cause to tooth enamel over time. A little preventative knowledge and a few tips can go a long way in saving your enamel!
Here’s a […]
According to the American College of Prosthodontists, “120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth.” That’s more than 36 percent of the population!
The most common causes of tooth loss include:
Tooth decay (cavities)
Gum disease
Injury
Cancer
Aging
Complete tooth loss, or edentulism, affects more than 36 million Americans, mostly those in the geriatric population and the economically disadvantaged.
These statistics are staggering, and dental professionals are working around the clock to lower them. But, what happens when you’ve already lost one or more teeth? Do missing teeth need to be replaced?
Replacing missing teeth is highly recommended. In this blog, we discuss the […]
Since their conception, Invisalign® clear aligners have become the most popular orthodontic option among patients of all ages, especially teens. This product was created to help people with misaligned teeth and jaws achieve straight teeth without the need for unsightly and uncomfortable brackets and wires. In some cases, clear aligners work more effectively than traditional braces, using gentle and incremental force.
Invisalign for teens offers several benefits, but some parents may have concerns. We discuss those in this blog as well as candidacy requirements for Invisalign patients.
Invisalign for Teens Benefits
1. Convenience
If you or someone you know has worn traditional metal braces, […]
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 feelings of inferiority and doubt.
Thankfully, cosmetic dentistry offers several solutions to these dental issues, including teeth whitening and porcelain veneers.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Most dentists offer either in-office […]
Something as small, and seemingly insignificant as plaque can wreak havoc on your oral health. In fact, failing to properly and continually remove plaque on your teeth can result in tooth extraction. Yikes!
The good news is that teeth don’t go directly from plaque buildup to tooth extraction. When plaque builds up on the teeth, it takes between 24-72 hours to turn into tartar (a hardened substance that must be professionally removed). When tartar isn’t removed, the bacteria eats away at the tooth enamel, creating cavities, and forms pockets along the gum line, resulting in gum disease. Tooth extraction may be […]
Did you know that your smile is one of the first things other people notice about you? Healthy, beautiful teeth are essential to making a good first impression. And while there are many ways to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile, it’s important to start with the basics of oral health care–brushing your teeth.
Your toothbrushing habits can make or break your smile. We all know we are supposed to brush our teeth every day, however, it’s not just important that we brush our teeth daily– the details of that habit are imperative to its effectiveness.
So, are you brushing your teeth in […]
Spring is the season of renewal! Trees are blooming, birds are singing, and…we’re reminding you about the dangers of oral cancer. We know it doesn’t really fit with spring’s eternal feeling of hope and optimism, but April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and early detection is a beautiful thing.
The Prevalence of Oral Cancer
The American Cancer Society estimates approximately 54,000 new cases of oral cancer (oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers collectively) will be diagnosed in the United States this year. Oral cancer is particularly dangerous because it often goes unnoticed in its early stages when it responds most successfully to treatment. […]
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 important priorities is providing patient care. As such, they often form strong patient relationships and act as the face of our practice. It’s not uncommon for patients to feel nervous […]
Everyone wants white teeth, but not so much when that color appears in spots or blotches. Technically known as white lesions, white spots can develop on your teeth due a range of factors from diet to ingesting fluoride as a child.
Common causes include:
Fluorosis – Though fluoride is essential for strengthening teeth and preventing decay, too much fluoride in developing teeth can lead to low amounts of calcification, which causes spots of softer enamel and discoloration. Fluorosis occurs when children consume too many fluoridated beverages or swallow fluoride toothpaste when the enamel layers of permanent teeth are being formed. Most commonly, […]
Chewing gum may not have gotten your school teacher’s approval, but as long as it’s sugar-free, it will get a nod from your dentist! In fact, sugar-free gum is the only item in the candy aisle that can actually improve your oral health.
Adding sugar-free gum to your day can help:
Increase Saliva Flow
Saliva plays a critical role in your overall oral health. In addition to washing away bacteria, saliva keeps your mouth at the correct pH level. A dry mouth causes an imbalance in the mouth’s pH level. This can lead to acidic saliva (when the pH drops below 5.5), which […]
