Dental Health Blog

Habitual teeth grinding, aka bruxism, wears down teeth over time and greatly increases your risk of damaged teeth and gums. Sleep bruxism is more common than awake bruxism, but often goes unnoticed unless alerted by a partner. If you think you may have bruxism, the first step is to visit the dentist for a proper diagnosis, as well as prevention and treatment options. How is Bruxism Diagnosed? During a dental exam, one of the many things your dentist checks for is signs of abn

What are the best foods and drinks for a healthy mouth? In general, what’s good for your body is also good for your teeth. For example, foods that are high in nutrients, vitamins, fiber and water content all tend to be great for both general and oral health. And the reverse is true, too – foods that are bad for your body, such as sugary and starchy foods with little nutritional value, are bad for oral health as well. Let’s take a look at some of the very best food and drink c

Are you a daily coffee drinker? 64% of American adults are! In fact, Americans drink about 400 million cups of coffee every single day. All of that daily coffee consumption begs the question: What does drinking coffee do to our mouths? And, is coffee good or bad for oral health? The answer depends largely on how you drink your coffee. Are you a fan of americanos, frappuccinos, lattes, cappuccinos, or do you take your coffee black? Do you drink one or two cups of coffee in the

If you plan to get a dental implant, you might be told that you need a sinus lift surgery first. But what exactly is a sinus lift, and why is it needed? We want to provide you with all the details you need to feel informed and confident as you prepare for your sinus lift procedure. Ahead, we’ll answer frequently asked questions about sinus lift surgery. What is a Sinus Lift? A sinus lift (aka sinus augmentation) is a procedure that lifts the floor of the existing sinus membra

Have you been thinking about choosing a New Year’s resolution lately? Among the most common New Year’s resolutions are ones related to health – eating healthier, exercising more, losing weight, etc. But one important health-related goal most people don’t consider is the resolution to have a healthier smile! Why Should You Resolve to Have a Healthier Smile in 2022? A healthy mouth is incredibly important to your overall health. Numerous studies show that poor oral health is li

Quick answer: Tonsil stones are small white or yellow lumps of trapped debris and bacteria that harden in the folds of the tonsils. They can cause bad breath, a sore throat or a feeling that something is stuck. Gargling salt water, staying hydrated, and brushing, flossing and cleaning your tongue help. Large or frequent stones should be checked by a doctor. Have you ever seen white-ish or yellow-ish lumps that look like they are embedded in the back of your throat? These are

cariogenic car·​i·​o·​gen·​ic | \ ˌker-ē-ə-ˈje-nik , -ˈjē- \ adjective producing or promoting the development of tooth decay1 Did you know that some foods are more likely to cause cavities than other foods? If a certain type of food is highly cariogenic, it has a high potential for producing or promoting tooth decay (aka caries, aka cavities). What Influences Cariogenicity? Here are the biggest factors: How long a food is kept in the mouth The physical form of the food (liqu

Which animal has the largest tooth in the entire animal kingdom? The first animal that might come to mind is perhaps a tiger or lion, and they do indeed have an impressively and intimidating set of teeth! But the animal that hands-down wins this category may surprise you: it is the beautiful, mysterious “Unicorn of the Sea”: the Narwhal! #FunFact: The Narwhal’s Famed Horn is Actually a Tooth --And growing up to an incredible 10 feet long, the narwhal’s tooth easily wins Large

Have you had an oral cancer screening lately? We know it sounds scary, but we highly recommend that all adults get regular oral cancer screenings in order to control a potentially much scarier thing. It’s a sad truth that the majority of people who are diagnosed with oral cancers do not survive beyond 5 years, simply because oral cancers so often go undiagnosed and untreated until their later stages. Early detection is key to a higher chance of successful treatment of oral ca

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness on the importance of regular oral cancer screening. Though it may sound intimidating, oral cancer screening is a simple exam that your dentist can perform during your regular dental checkup - and it’s the best way to detect and treat oral and oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the mouth and upper throat) early, while the likelihood of effective treatment and full recovery are best! Sobering Facts about Oral Cancer

While regular brushing and flossing are the best ways to keep your teeth as white and healthy as they can be, there are several quick makeup tricks that can instantly brighten your smile. Try out these easy techniques to make your teeth look whiter, instantly! Choose a Blue-Based Lip Color Warm-toned lipsticks with an orange base will reflect on teeth and make them look more yellow than they really are, while cool-toned lipsticks with a blue base make teeth look whiter. Try l

Each year throughout National Children’s Dental Health Month in February, the American Dental Association brings together dental health professionals, caregivers, parents, and teachers to give children the best start on oral health. This year’s NCDHM theme is “Water: Nature’s Drink.” Let’s explore how and why water is so important for good dental health! What Water Does for Your Smile Strengthens Your Teeth - Drinking water with fluoride is one of the easiest things you can d

As the saying goes, “you are what you eat” - and there’s no better place to see this than in your mouth! Many of the foods and drinks that we consume actively encourage the growth of bacteria-laden plaque in our mouths, which is a main factor in the development of cavities (aka tooth decay). And if you don’t clean your teeth properly, plaque eventually hardens into tartar, which contributes to gum disease and can only be removed with special tools by a dentist or hygienist. L

2020 is almost over, finally! It’s been an extremely strange and challenging year, but we’re ready to turn the page and start a new, brighter chapter in 2021. Check out our suggestions for a New Year’s Resolution to help you kick off 2021 with a healthier, happier smile! Floss! The truth is, we always know when our patients are fudging the truth about how often they floss - the proof is all over your gums and teeth! Sticky, bacteria-laden plaque is constantly forming on and b

Do minor dental imperfections make you afraid to smile? Tooth reshaping, aka dental contouring, may be right for you! There are actually a lot of different names for it - enameloplasty, odontoplasty, stripping, slenderizing - but they all refer to the same simple cosmetic dental procedure that can fix slightly imperfect teeth quickly, painlessly and affordably. How it Works: Tooth reshaping is a simple and painless procedure. Your dentist uses tools like drills, lasers or pro

Wish you had straighter teeth, but don’t want a mouth full of metal brackets and wires? Invisible aligners could be a great choice for you! Invisible aligners are a custom made series of snug-fitting clear aligners that gently straighten your teeth over the course of several months, and are virtually undetectable when worn. Who Can Use Invisible Aligners? Invisible aligners are an excellent option for older teens and adults. Children and younger teens are usually not good can

Gum disease may be very common and have quite serious and permanent consequences if left untreated, but it is also very treatable at nearly every stage! Thanks to modern dentistry, there are many treatment options that can halt the disease’s progress and even reverse it entirely. The treatment type your doctor will recommend depends on the stage of gum disease. Treatment For Early Stages (Gingivitis) Gingivitis is usually very easy to heal and eliminate with good oral hygiene

Did you know that 1 in 2 American adults have some stage of gum disease? Besides causing permanent tissue, bone and tooth loss if left untreated, gum disease is also linked to numerous other health issues throughout the body including heart and lung diseases, diabetes, stroke, dementia, and pregnancy complications. The good news is that gum disease is nearly entirely preventable with good oral hygiene and care, and usually can even be reversed with appropriate care and treat

Do you frequently have jaw pain, trouble chewing, or experience recurrent jaw clicking or popping? You may be suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) Disorder - a common condition that affects over 35 million people in the U.S. Often abbreviated TMD or TMJD, this disorder affects women more than men - in fact, about 90% of all TMJD sufferers are women in their childbearing years. A number of factors likely contribute to this imbalance, including: stress, hormonal differe

denture[ den-cher ] / ˈdɛn tʃər / noun an artificial replacement of one or several of the teeth (partial denture), or all of the teeth (full denture) of either or both jaws; dental prosthesis.1 When one sees the word “denture,” more likely than not what comes to mind is a full set of upper and lower artificial teeth in gum-colored base. But dentures actually come in many different types and forms, and can replace anywhere between one missing tooth and all the teeth on an arch