Root canal treatment might sound scary but it's actually a very common procedure that aims to remove bacteria from an infected root canal. There are more than 41,000 root canals performed every day!
Some people may think mouthwash is an optional part of oral hygiene, but using it has many benefits. Mouthwash can clean the mouth even further, reduce acidity, and re-mineralize the teeth. It is also ideal to use when a toothbrush and floss are unavailable.
For more than 50 years, water has been fluoridated successfully in the United States and has been credited with reducing tooth decay by 50 percent to 60 percent.
While disorders of the jaw joint are commonly referred to as TMJ, this term is actually an abbreviation for the name of the joint itself, the temporomandibular joint. The correct abbreviation for the disorders is TMD, for temporomandibular joint dysfunction (or disorder).
What is bonding? In the dental field, this refers to the process of repairing teeth using composite resin. In this procedure, a dentist will mix and blend this resin to match the tooth to be repaired. He or she will then apply it and cure it with a UV light before contouring and polishing it.
Soft tissue dental lasers can reshape your gum tissue, while hard tissue lasers can heal teeth and bone. Hard lasers can even be used to extend the length of an existing crown for better grip strength, as well as improve the appearance of "short stump" teeth.
When you visit our clinic, we’ll likely ask you if any specific activity tends to trigger your jaw pain, and whether it’s difficult to open your mouth normally.
Although teething biscuits can be effective at reducing teething pain, they can also leave behind starches that promote bacterial growth. An effective, and healthier, alternative is to provide a baby with a cold wet cloth to chew on.
Nitrous oxide was first used in a dental context in 1845 in Connecticut. Dentist Horace Wells had attended a demonstration for entertainment purposes and saw how nitrous oxide affected several volunteers. One injured a leg during that demonstration but didn’t realize he was hurt, apparently because of the nitrous oxide. That led to the connection between nitrous oxide and pain-free dentistry.
The largest model tooth in the world can be found in Pudukkottai, India. The model tooth of a mandibular molar measures 33 feet and 2 inches tall and is made of plaster of Paris.
Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes each time for best results. Infrequent brushing can lead to plaque buildup and gum disease.
Are you a frequent sufferer of cold sores and cankers? In some cases, it may be possible for our laser to assist with that when you’re in for your normal dental appointment.
How do dental implants work? These titanium fixtures, which are drilled into the jawbone or skull, are kept solidly in place because of osseointegration, or the bonding of bone to metal. Essentially the implants become part of the bone so they can be counted on to be very sturdy.
Eating ice, brushing the teeth too hard, and biting nails are some habits that can harm your teeth. A dentist can tell if there’s any damage due to these habits and will help you start making small changes.
When x-rays are taken for a dental examination, the amount of radiation exposure is minimal. In fact, an hour outdoors exposes you to more radiation than dental x-rays do. Not having oral x-rays, though, risks greater danger because of undetected dental problems.
Did you know that the electric toothbrush first came out in the early 1900s? Unfortunately, it never took off because it was deemed to be ineffective. Years later however, it made a successful comeback and became a commercial success.
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.
Have you been avoiding coming in for a check-up because of a decayed tooth you’re afraid needs to be pulled? Thanks to the advances in dental science, there may be a variety of options available that don’t include losing the tooth.
Advancements in dental technology have led to new ways to prepare teeth for fillings. For example, microair abrasion can replace drilling. This process uses forced air and tiny particles to remove material.
Mankind has been struggling to combat the effects of tooth decay for more than 7000 years. Early causes and treatments varied widely but according to a Sumerian text dating from 5000 BC, cavities were the direct result of tiny tooth worms.
With the use of laser dentistry it can be an option to perform multiple procedures during the same appointment. One of the many reasons this is possible is due to the advantageous control of bleeding that laser surgery offers.
Besides being unsightly (it can be yellow or brown), tartar causes other problems. Because it is rough, it makes it more difficult for a home oral hygiene regimen to remove plaque, which causes it to build even more, and eventually leads to tooth decay.
