What are a few common superstitions about teeth? That a large space between the teeth is an indication of someone who does not tell the truth while wide front teeth are an indication of someone who is generous.
If you have dental insurance, regularly scheduled teeth cleaning will help you keep your benefits in place, and prevent inadvertently voiding them should more extensive work be needed. If you suffer from anxiety about visiting the dentist, talk to us about how mild sedation will help.
How does a dentist help protect you from other diseases? It's a variation on the theme of "you are what you eat." Everything you swallow goes into your body. By examining your teeth and gums, dentists are clued into the bacteria that you are sending into your system.
Did you know that every person has a unique tongue print? Just like fingerprints, no two people have the same tongue print – that includes identical twins. However, scanning fingerprints is currently preferred to scanning and recording tongue prints.
There are several benefits offered by laser dentistry to patients. Overall, with a laser procedure, patients experience reduced scarring, swelling, bleeding, and post-operative sensitivity, and require less anesthesia as well.
Abraham Jacobi is referred to as the “father of pediatrics” because of his many contributions to pediatrics including opening of many departments of Pediatrics, writings on infant diet, and more. He also wrote on the dentition of children’s teeth and their arrangements in the mouth. He practiced medicine in New York City but was born in Germany in 1830.
Did you know the cotton candy making machine was co-invented by a dentist, named William James Morrison? The fluffy confection was originally called "fairy floss."
Charles Allen wrote the first English textbook on the topic of dentistry in 1685. During this time, the science of modern dentistry was being developed into what we know today. Dentistry becoming it's own scientific category is credited to French physician Pierre Fauchard.
Geoffrey Canada, an American educator, has truly said, “Good dental care doesn't make you a good student, but if your tooth hurts, it's hard to be a good student.”
To some, tooth brushing is a no-brainer. However, there is a recommended way of doing it, and that is to move the brush using gentle, circular, and short strokes. Start with the teeth’s outer surfaces before moving on to the inner side, then finally, to the chewing surfaces.
Dental lasers, when compared to traditional drills, are much better at reducing swelling associated with painful dental surgery. This is because there is far less blood produced with a laser (if any), which in turn will also lessen a patient’s overall post-surgery recovery time.
According to the latest research, it is not a good idea to rinse your mouth immediately after brushing. Instead wait 20-30 minutes to allow the fluoride to penetrate your teeth.
Have you ever put off coming to see us for an aching tooth and then had the pain double while you were out of town? Applying clove oil directly to the affected tooth can ease the pain for several hours.
The ongoing use of bite guards or oral splints can ease the discomfort of TMJ and help prevent its recurrence. Typically splints are designed to gently reposition the jaw to ease pressure on the joint and reduce stress on the muscles that control jaw movement.
If you don’t like to visit the dentist unless there’s something wrong with your teeth, you could be sacrificing the health of your gums. Let’s talk about how coming in for a cleaning every six months can help you avoid periodontal disease.
Some people don’t like to floss… actually it’s estimated that over 70% of Americans prefer to grocery shop more than they prefer to floss! While flossing is recommended, if you don’t, you should at least use an interdental cleaner such as a special wooden or plastic pick designed to clean between the teeth.
It’s not common, but people diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis sometimes develop ankylosis. This condition is characterized by abnormal stiffening or fusion of the jaw joint along with the popping and grating sounds associated with TMJ.
A patient will suffer from a lot of inconveniences when dentures are poorly fitted. When dentures do not fit right, the patient is likely to develop infections, sores, and even bad breath.
Do you have sensitive teeth? Some people just choose to live with it, but dental lasers may actually be used to seal tubules, which are located on the root of the tooth, that are responsible for hot and cold tooth sensitivity.
DENTAL ASSISTANT NEEDED: Full time position available. Previous dental experience or recent graduate from dental assisting program required. Benefits included! Please send a resume to dcasmiles@gmail.com or fax 985-542-3335.
DENTAL CARE ASSOCIATES
Dental Assistant
Teething occurs in babies and teeth begin to show up when they are about 6 months old. But do you know that teeth actually start forming long before birth?
Before toothbrushes were invented, people used twigs and branches to clean their teeth. Ancient Greeks and Romans would then use a paste of bones, eggshells, ashes, and ox hooves as toothpaste.
It's important to regularly see the dentist. The American Dental Hygienist Association has estimated that 3 out of every 4 Americans have some type of gum disease that has not yet been diagnosed.
While TMJ disorders most often occur in women between the ages of 20 and 40 years, they can also occur at any age. That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have a TMJ disorder.
It’s important to remember that staying calm while you’re in the dental chair is the best way to have a smooth procedure. Rest assured that our team is sensitive to the fears of our patients and are always willing to do anything possible to help you get more comfortable with us.
If you have a “gummy” smile, we can help. We can use our state of the art laser treatments to reshape your smile and enhance your confidence without the use of a scalpel or the discomforts of major surgery.
It’s important to remember that skipping regular teeth cleanings because you aren’t in pain is never a good idea. Even if your teeth are perfectly intact, your dentist may be able to catch issues with your gums before they can turn into serious problems.
