It’s important to remember that coming in every six months for a cleaning and check-up is the best way to keep your teeth healthy. Left unchecked, a cavity can eventually turn into a crown, root canal or even tooth loss.
Did you know that poor posture can end up being a risk factor for TMJ syndrome in certain people? This is because poor posture in the neck and upper back muscles can lead to neck strain and eventually abnormalities of jaw muscle function.
More than 500 medications list “dry mouth” among their side effects. Having a dry mouth can lead to cavities, so be sure to tell your dentist about any medications you are taking. Sometimes special mouthwashes or gels can be prescribed to help with dry mouth.
While a root canal isn't the most comfortable of procedures, it is sometimes your only option if you want to save your tooth. However, if the tooth isn't something you're concerned about, an extraction is something you can opt for instead.
If you're brushing your teeth directly after meals, you may be doing more harm than good. If your meal contained acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus fruits, brushing immediately will merely brush the acid further into the teeth. Instead, rinse with water right after the meal and then wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.
Having a phobia about visiting the dentist, even for a minor procedure like teeth cleaning, is not unusual, and you are not alone if you are anxious about your visit. We understand completely and do not take it personally. However, with the different types of sedation available, we can help you cope with your anxiety and receive the treatment you should have.
While there are some general dentists who provide services for patients of all ages, there are also pediatric dentists who specialize in the dental care of children.
To incorporate mouthwash into your daily oral care routine, choose a brand that isn't too harsh yet can still effectively kill bacteria. Also, choose one that contains fluoride that can further strengthen your teeth and help you avoid decay.
Are cavities contagious? According to research from the University of Louisville, mothers with cavities who share spoons with their children can pass along their own cavity-causing bacteria to their young ones.
Lasers can be used in biopsies. During these procedures, lasers can remove a small piece of tissue so it can be examined for cancer.
Are you concerned that your teeth may not be as healthy as they could be? Talk to your dentist about the use of supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth, and also ask about dental sealants that can help protect them from decay.
If you don’t want to be aware of what’s happening during a dental procedure and instead be “out of it,” the IV sedation is going to be your best bet. If you just want a little help to relax, then something like nitrous oxide will be more appropriate.
If a cavity breaks through the outer enamel into the underling dentin, you have a deeper, more serious cavity. You also have a tooth that likely will be sensitive to hot or cold because the nerves in the tooth are being involved.
When was the toothbrush was invented? While no one really knows, it’s speculated that the first tools used for cleaning teeth were chew sticks which were twigs with a thin end. Evidence of this was discovered in archeological sites in Egypt and Iraq dating back to around 3,000 b.c.e.
Have you ever seen pictures of a Narwhal, the whale that looks like an ocean-dwelling unicorn? Well, here's a fun fact - the Narwal's "horn" is not a horn! It is actually a tooth and it can grow as long as 13 feet.
Do you know where your buccinator muscles are? They are the muscles in the walls of the cheek. You REALLY wouldn't be able to smile or chew without them! They are also the first muscle babies learn to control - so they are a pretty important!
Dentistry is a proud and ancient profession. The first known dentist was the Egyptian scribe Hesy-Re (circa 2600 BC), whose tomb bears the inscription “the greatest of those who deal with the teeth and of physicians.”
After seeing nitrous oxide demonstrated in a show in Hartford, Connecticut, dentist Horace Well felt certain the gas could make pain-free dental procedures a reality. The first test case involved Wells himself, who reported no pain whatsoever as an associate removed a diseased tooth from his mouth.
One of the most important things to a sedation dentist is making sure that their patients are comfortable. This starts from the first appointment, when they'll make sure to gather all your information, and only move onto x-rays or examinations if you're comfortable.
Children don't have to be very old to start a regimen of proper dental care. Brushing should be started when the first tooth appears, usually when a child is around six months old. Use a very soft brush or damp cloth to wipe teeth clean until they're old enough to try brushing for themselves.
One of the most popular questions is whether or not sedation will be covered by your insurance. A lot of this depends on the procedure and the type of insurance you have. A sedation dentist will give you all the information you need to check whether it's covered.
Dental lasers are changing the field of dentistry in amazing ways. Just one way that dental lasers are changing the landscape of dentistry is by eliminating the need for dental drills and anesthetic injections during some types of filling procedures.
Do you know that the most valuable tooth belonged to Sir Isaac Newton? In fact, one of his teeth was sold in London for $3,633 in 1816. The tooth was set in a ring!
Did you know that the average person spends 38.5 days brushing their teeth in a lifetime? Dentists recommend brushing teeth for 2-3 minutes at least twice a day.
