At first blush, many patients consider orthodontic treatments to be a purely cosmetic solution that offers little benefit outside of aesthetics. But, nothing could be further from the truth! Indeed, orthodontia does much more than create beautiful smiles–it helps enhance one’s dental and systemic health for years to come. However, many individuals are concerned about the financial aspect of orthodontics, leading many patients to wonder: Are orthodontics covered by dental insurance? In this ...
Root canal therapy (RCT) is one of the most feared dental procedures, but it shouldn’t be! During Root Canal Awareness Week, we want to share information about RCT to help our patients who need endodontic therapy feel more at ease about their treatment. “Root Canal” Defined First things first– let’s make sure we understand the basic terms. Technically speaking, the root canal is the pulp or inner part of the tooth, not a ...
Your bite, or occlusion, is the way that your top and bottom teeth align when you open and close your mouth. While most patients are concerned with straightening their teeth, dentists and orthodontists prioritize bite correction– and for good reason! A misaligned bite, or malocclusion, may cause the following problems: Not being able to chew food properly or fully Speech impediments Worn teeth caused by additional pressure in odd areas Jaw problems Dental decay Gum ...
There are a lot of things that you know you should do. Balance and rotate your tires periodically. Take your cat for his vaccines. Exercise three times a week. But in the midst of life’s busyness, all too often, these things go undone. Another thing you should do is floss your teeth. And, fortunately, this is one thing that is quick and easy to accomplish. Flossing can help prevent tooth decay and discoloration. It ...
In a perfect world, your natural teeth would last a lifetime. Unfortunately, our world isn’t perfect, and tooth loss happens. Sometimes tooth loss occurs because of a car accident or sports injury, but other times a necessary tooth extraction is the cause. Dentists typically recommend extractions as a last resort to help patients avoid additional health issues. You may benefit from a tooth extraction if you have any of the following oral health problems ...
You want only the best for your child, which is why you prioritize their oral health. But, if your child begins developing dental issues, then you may be wondering when it’s time to visit a dentist. As a general rule of thumb, it is never a bad idea to visit a dentist for your child’s oral health concerns. But, in this post, we give you six instances that may warrant a trip to ...
If you’re a victim of tooth loss, you may know that traditional bridges, partials, and dentures have long been the standard for tooth replacement. However, the replacement option that most imitates the natural design of teeth, with crown and root, is the dental implant. One implant can replace a single tooth, a few can anchor a bridge or partial, and four to six implants can secure a denture on the upper or lower jaw ...
It’s officially that time of year when we all eat, drink, and be merry. But, with all the eating, drinking, and merriment going on, it can be hard to prioritize our oral health. Luckily, simple changes in our Thanksgiving Day celebrations can add up to huge improvements in our smiles. In this post, we discuss ways to have a dental-friendly Thanksgiving in 2022. From smile-enhancing foods to dental aftercare tips, we give you and ...
October is National Dental Hygiene Month! Let’s talk about the amazing world of dental hygiene and our awesome dental hygienists. Dental hygienists assist the dentist with performing dental cleanings and other preventative care such as dental sealants and fluoride treatment. They are an essential part of every dental practice and celebrating Dental Hygiene Month means celebrating them too. How important is dental hygiene? Much like personal hygiene, dental hygiene focuses on your oral health ...
The goal of dentistry is to help patients achieve a healthy mouth, not just healthy teeth. This includes your gums (aka gingiva). Your gums seal and protect your teeth, teeth roots, and jaw bones, against disease-causing bacteria. Additionally, the gingiva hold your teeth in place. Without gum tissue, your teeth would fall out and bacteria along with food debris would cause serious destruction to your sensitive teeth roots. To recognize National Gum Care Month, we ...
If it’s been a while since your last dental cleaning, a standard cleaning may not be enough. In these cases, dentists often recommend a deep dental cleaning, or deep teeth cleaning to gently and skillfully remove plaque and tartar from all parts of the teeth, preventing decay and disease. Learn more about the deep cleaning process, benefits, cost, and more in this blog. The Deep Teeth Cleaning Process The deep dental cleaning process involves ...
According to a study completed by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a beautiful smile can make a person appear more attractive, intelligent, happy, and successful. Would you like for those things to be said about you? We all would! Even more important than what others will think is what you think and feel about yourself. If you have stained, gapped, or crooked teeth, you may feel self-conscious about your smile. This can lead to ...
Summer is almost here, and there are several good and important ways that people prepare for it: booking vacations, summer activities for kids, working out, saving money, and eating healthier. Another way to prepare for summer is to create a plan to take care of your oral health. Neglecting your teeth for any amount of time can lead to dental decay, damage, and staining. Thankfully, there are many practical habits you can integrate into your ...
Did you know that your smile is one of the first things other people notice about you? Healthy, beautiful teeth are essential to making a good first impression. And while there are many ways to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile, it’s important to start with the basics of oral health care–brushing your teeth. Your toothbrushing habits can make or break your smile. We all know we are supposed to brush our teeth every ...
Each year, the second week of April is dedicated to honoring some of the hardest working people in dentistry - dental hygienists. Hygienists are an integral part of any dental team, performing valuable work for the internal team, as well as patients. What do dental hygienists do? Patients spend a lot of time with their hygienists, so you might just think of them as the friendly people who clean your teeth. Of course, you’re not ...
Tooth decay, or softening of the enamel, is one of the most prevalent dental conditions. Acids produced by bacteria weaken tooth enamel over time, which results in a cavity. According to one study, 92% of adults have had cavities in their permanent teeth. The good news is that decay occurs in stages, and early treatment can prevent it from progressing and potentially spare you from needing a root canal or complete extraction. While our busy ...
Everyone wants white teeth, but not so much when that color appears in spots or blotches. Technically known as white lesions, white spots can develop on your teeth due a range of factors from diet to ingesting fluoride as a child. Common causes include: Fluorosis – Though fluoride is essential for strengthening teeth and preventing decay, too much fluoride in developing teeth can lead to low amounts of calcification, which causes spots of softer enamel and ...
The benefits of preserving tooth structure goes beyond cosmetics to impact your overall health. Teeth are part of an intricate network of bones, tissues, and nerves. While they may look straightforward (i.e., a hard surface that grinds down food), teeth have a complex structure. Each tooth is comprised of the following components: Gums – Gums house the teeth and protect a tooth's roots and any teeth that have yet to break through. Crown - The ...
The benefits of preserving tooth structure goes beyond cosmetics to impact your overall health. Teeth are part of an intricate network of bones, tissues, and nerves. While they may look straightforward (i.e., a hard surface that grinds down food), teeth have a complex structure. Each tooth is comprised of the following components: Gums – Gums house the teeth and protect a tooth's roots and any teeth that have yet to break through. Crown - The ...
You know regular dental cleanings are an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene, but did you know there are different levels of cleaning? Much like our house after the holidays, sometimes teeth require a deeper clean. Deep Cleaning vs. Routine Dental Cleaning Routine dental cleanings focus on teeth at and above the gum line. These non-invasive cleanings are recommended for most patients every six months and play a critical role in maintaining good oral ...
