Smile-Friendly vs. Smile-Challenging Foods
When you were growing up as a child, you surely heard statements from concerned friends and family: “Beware of eating candy, it can rot your teeth!” Were these warnings based on truth or were they an old wives’ tale? Candy – can definitely be “smile-challenging,” especially the sticky, hard stuff. “While these hard candies seem […]
Do Crooked Teeth Cause Tooth Decay?
There are a lot of misconceptions about crooked teeth. Some people believe that they’re “not a big deal” and that they’re “merely cosmetic.” In reality, crooked teeth can lead to a host of negative problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, self-consciousness about one’s appearance, and an increased risk of breaking a tooth due to strain on […]
How Can I Keep My Teeth White?
These days, our society places a lot of importance on a beautiful smile and who can blame us? With advances in modern dentistry, we know more about protecting our oral health and our smile than ever before. If you’re like a lot of people, you’ve noticed how the focus on a pearly smile has shifted […]
After the Dental Procedure
When you have dental work performed, you may think you’re done; when you walk out the dentist’s door, you’re good to go. However, aftercare treatment is a critical part of the healing process. Proper aftercare is necessary to ensure you achieve the desired results of your procedure. Here’s what you need to know about taking care of […]
Does Sugar-Free Gum Prevent Tooth Decay?
You’re on the road for work or otherwise “away from the office” and around lunchtime you grab a bite to eat. You don’t have a toothbrush on hand so after lunch you: rinse your mouth out, floss, and grab a piece of sugar-free chewing gum. You’re thinking, “I’m doing the best I can without a […]
Cavities? Maybe It’s Genetic
Sue and John are a married couple. Sue does not eat sugar or drink soda, but she does brush her teeth three times a day and floss every night. John on the other hand, can’t kick his soda habit. Every morning on the way to work, he hits the gas station where he buys a […]
Understanding Dental Emergencies
Like an emergency room, patients come to us with all kinds of dental emergencies. Some of them have crazy stories behind them, while others are less exciting. For example, a fair number of dental emergencies are linked to sport injuries. “Little Johnny got his tooth knocked out during karate class,” or “The baseball hit my […]
Is it Safe to Have Dental Work During Pregnancy?
Our pregnant patients often as us, “Is it safe to have dental work during pregnancy?” As far as dental cleanings and annual exams are concerned, those are perfectly safe to have during pregnancy. In fact, we recommend having them done specifically because of the way hormonal changes affect the gums during pregnancy. During pregnancy, certain […]
Do Fillings Last Indefinitely?
If all of a sudden you noticed an unsightly hole in a tooth where there used to be a filling, you may wonder, “How long does a filling last?” This is a very good question and surprisingly, it does not come up often, but it should. Our guess is that a lot of people probably […]
Understanding Root Canals
Are you concerned that you may need a root canal? If so, you have plenty of company. According to the American Association of Endodontists, “Millions of teeth are treated and saved each year with root canal, or endodontic treatment.” Endodontic treatment addresses issues inside the tooth (the part that contains the pulp), which is made […]