Dental Info

Do you remember feeling like standards of beauty were unattainable when you were a teenager? Heck, many of feel this way as adults! It makes sense that teenagers might be concerned with the appearance of their smile and pine for bright white smiles the same way adults do, because they’re often exposed to the same media that displays stunning smiles nonstop.  There’s a lot to be said for defying those expectations, but if there were a simple, safe, and widely available treatment that could make a world of difference for your teen’s self-confidence, would you be ok with it?  Your Dentist Can Help If your teen has expressed that they’d like to have their teeth whitened, you might be inclined to gasp and reply, “Your smile is perfect as it is!” We understand, and at Michael Colleran DDS, we do love how unique smiles are from person to person, and we want everyone to feel comfortable with their natural smile just as it is.  However, maybe it can lead to a productive discu...

How do you feel when you see that little plastic floss container in your medicine cabinet? Eagerness to achieve that clean feeling in your mouth? Or regret over a habit you have trouble keeping? Did you get excited about recent headlines saying flossing isn’t necessary? We’re sorry to break the news, but as your oral health experts, we’re here to tell you floss is still incredibly important. In fact, it’s one of the most important foundations for oral health. Dr. Michael Colleran DDS shares more below about why you should floss, how to floss, and what to do if flossing causes your gums to bleed.   What is Floss? Floss is a simple waxed thread designed specially to clean between your teeth (the hardest spots in your mouth to reach) comfortably and effectively. Floss was invented around 1820 and was first seen on store shelves decades later. There are countless brands and types of floss. It can be thin or thick, flavored or unflavored. Most often, floss is waxed to help it ...

It is not uncommon for Sleep Apnea to go unnoticed for a long time.  The reason this happens is because many don’t realize that snoring and other common symptoms are linked to sleep apnea. Many patients who have Sleep Apnea do not comprehend the significant impact Sleep Apnea has on their overall health.   WHY IS SNORING CAUSED BY SLEEP APNEA? Sleep apnea, which means to that you stop breathing in your sleep, is usually caused by mouth and throat tissues obstructing your airway. They do so gradually, collapsing into your airway as you sleep at night. As the obstruction increases, the sound of your breathing increases, hence the loud snoring that indicates obstructive sleep apnea.   I STOP BREATHING?! Ultimately, your loud snoring will stop as your airway is totally closes off and you actually stop breathing for a few moments. Since you are asleep when this is happening, you can’t intentionally clear your airway, and our minds being as smart as they are wi...

Let us help you and your partner get a good night’s sleep! If you are one of the millions who suffer from sleep disruptions like snoring or sleep apnea, Dr. Michael Colleran and his San Luis Obispo team can help you (and your partner) get a good night’s rest. Snoring sounds can occur when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses onto the soft palate. The result is a narrowed air passageway. As you breathe, this area opens and closes with a noisy result. Your snoring may be a symptom of a condition called sleep apnea. With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the air passageway not only becomes narrow, but you actually stop breathing altogether! These pauses can last for up to a minute, and they can recur hundreds of time each night. Many people with sleep apnea snore, but not all snorers have sleep apnea. Regular snoring does not generally wake you up during the night – however, there is a good change it wakes up your partner. Is My Snoring a Symptom of  Sleep Apnea ? Do...

Today’s families seem to be busier than they were in the past—lots of homework, extracurricular activities, and hopefully, some quality time spent with the family. Here are a few ideas from Dr. Colleran to make consistent oral hygiene a little more convenient: Brushing teeth in the shower :  as hard as it is to get your teenager out the door for school, this just may work—even though it probably won’t save water! And speaking of water… Water bottles everywhere : in backpacks, purses, and cars. Anything you or your child drinks that isn’t water—in other words, any liquid that tastes good—is either acidic or will turn into the acids that cause tooth decay . Teach kids to swish and spit with water after food and non-water beverages. Gum with xylitol for a treat : Xylitol has been shown to prevent cavities . Read those labels, you may be pleasantly surprised! Dental travel kits for the car : fill them with water, extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, healthy snacks, and reusabl...

A few things are equally important for your oral health, no matter what your age or stage of life. Good nutrition, brushing and flossing habits, visiting the dentist and a little fluoride are always ( always ) the essentials – you won’t ever hear us say otherwise.   However, your dental hygiene routine requires unique considerations for each new season of growth and maturity. Read below as Dr. Colleran of Michael Colleran, DDS shares what is especially important knowledge to maintain your oral health throughout your life. You may be surprised at what we have to say! Babies From the moment your child enters the world, they are equipped with not one, but two sets of teeth to last their lifetime—even if you can’t quite see said teeth yet. Oral health and dental care are as important at this time as every other. Don’t wait to set the stage for good habits that will ensure a healthy, functioning smile for your newest family member. Baby bottle tooth decay is a serious side eff...

Technology has changed nearly every aspect of human life and modern society. New tools, programs, and education can greatly improve your healthcare, too! Let’s say you need any kind of standard dental restoration for a cracked or missing tooth . From x-rays and impressions to surgery and installation, your whole treatment could be digital. We’re so used to digital tools these days, you may not even notice how much technology a dentist can utilize to best serve your oral health needs. Below are some of the ways your oral care may be digitized. CAD/CAM Software Short for computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing, this software brings you better-fitting crowns , veneers , inlays and onlays, and bridges . CAD/CAM technology comes out of industrial engineering and manufacturing and into the dental office to provide faster, superior products and services in oral health. Using computers to design oral appliances increases accuracy, efficiency, appearance, and function. C...

When you find a toothbrush that’s just right for you, it can be easy to get attached. After all, you use your toothbrush morning and night (ideally) to prevent plaque and bacteria from hardening and becoming tartar—that’s what we like to call quality time! When your toothbrush does so much good, you want to return the favor, so throwing it out every three months can seem like a betrayal. What if it were your toothbrush that betrayed you, though? Learning to Let Go Bad jokes aside, it’s important to replace your toothbrush seasonally (at least). Want to know why? First of all, your toothbrush bristles will inevitably become worn down over, and frayed, worn bristles just won’t get the job done. Second, old toothbrushes can be breeding grounds for bacteria and pathogens, and you should always replace toothbrushes after an illness to prevent reinfection. If you’d like advice on toothbrushes or anything else dental health-related, your San Luis Obispo dentist, Dr. Michael Colleran , wo...

Picture this: You’re playing basketball with a group of friends and you’ve just made a basket from mid-court! In your excitement, you land on your ankle the wrong way and before you know it you’ve smashed your face against the court floor. You look down and see one of your pearly whites lying on the court floor. Uh oh! You’ve got a dental emergency. What Does Dr. Colleran Consider an Emergency? Oral discomfort is just that, uncomfortable, but it doesn’t necessarily make it an emergency . For example, losing a filling will cause tenderness and mild irritation but many dentists don’t consider a lost filling to require an emergency filling. This is a good example of an urgent dental concern. Dr. Colleran breaks dental emergencies down two two main categories : Fractures (or broken tooth) and infections. Dental Fractures: Fractures or displaced teeth are the result of traumatic injuries. We often see patients who have broken teeth while playing close contact sports. Any time you fra...

If you get to go on a tropical vacation, your ability to feel the warm sun and the smooth sand is crucial to enjoying the atmosphere. There are, however, times in life when you would rather not feel anything. Getting a dental procedure can be one of those times—as important as the procedure might be. In that case, thank goodness for modern medicine and anesthesia. Ancient dentists used a number of herbs and drugs to numb their patients. Thankfully, today, you have the option of completely safe and effective anesthesia . Dr. Colleran, San Luis Obispo dentist shares more below about what anesthesia is and when you might need it. What is Anesthesia? Anesthesia is a type of medicine best known for dulling pain. The root-word “an” means without and “aesthesis” means feeling. Anesthesia literally means “without feeling.” That perfectly describes how most people want to feel if they need to get a cavity filled or a tooth pulled. Anesthesia can also help you feel relaxed during your treatm...

The recent pandemic has changed our life in more ways than many of us could have ever imagined. Since SLO County’s reopening, many of our patients have shared concerns about going to the dentist during COVID-19. We know coronavirus is easily spread by close contact with other individuals. With this knowledge, it may be frightening to consider that during your appointment “I will have a dentist near me.” However, we take our patient’s safety and peace of mind seriously and we continue to adhere to the strictest CDC guidelines for dental providers .   What Is It Like Going to the Dentist During Coronavirus? Much like our day-to-day life, coronavirus has changed the way our office operates. When our patients visit the San Luis Obispo dentist, they can expect the following procedures to be followed : Each patient will have their temperature taken. If you have a temperature, we will ask you to reschedule your appointment. We will not allow more than three patients in our waiting...

Xerostomia is the technical term for dry mouth , the condition that results from absent or reduced saliva flow. It is not a disease on its own, but it may be a side effect of medication or radiation treatments.  Xerostomia affects about 20% of the elderly population—not because of their age, but due to the increased likelihood of using medication or having radiation therapy that causes dry mouth. Dr. Colleran is here to discuss some foods and beverages to alleviate the symptoms of dry mouth . Food & Beverages that Help Dry Mouth 8-12 glasses of water per day are ideal to keep saliva production on track, so making a habit of carrying a water bottle with you is a great idea. Sugar-free juices, reduced-sugar sports drinks, club soda, and herbal tea with lemon are good beverage choices when you just can’t stand the idea of drinking any more water. A soft, high-protein diet is recommended for people with dry mouth. Substitute moist fish, eggs, and cheese for red meat. Serving fo...

Are you constantly doing a “breath check?” Do you feel like fear of halitosis or, as it’s more commonly known, bad breath is taking a toll on your confidence? Dr. Colleran is a SLO County dentist who is experienced in preventing, diagnosing and treating bad breath. How to Prevent Bad Breath Many of our patients ask us how they can be proactive against bad breath. The good news is, there are a few minor adjustments you can make to your lifestyle to protect yourself from halitosis and those more serious conditions that can develop, like gum disease . Take a look at your daily oral hygiene habits . Colleran cannot stress enough the importance of flossing, brushing, and rinsing with a bacteria killing mouth rinse. Brush your tongue. Your toothbrush may not be reaching the back of your tongue, which is where those bad breath causing germs are most likely to thrive. Sometimes tongue scrapers may be in order. Just ask any of us at Dr. Colleran’s office for help. Decrease tobacco and...

The first known dental crowns were made as far back as 200 A.D. when Etruscans used gold to create crowns and bridges . Can you imagine what the process must have been like without the technology we have now? If you’d rather not, we can’t blame you! Thanks to digital x-rays and impressions, dentists today can create crowns that blend in so well with the rest of the mouth, you’ll forget you weren’t born with them. The updated materials appear very natural, especially ceramic and porcelain. But I Love Gold! Gold is still an option for crowns today, and it’s not a bad option in terms of durability—they’re extremely fracture-resistant and seal well to prevent recurrent tooth decay. However, gold is usually the most expensive material for the creation of crowns, and most people want their dental restorations to be a secret only they know—especially if the tooth in need of crowning is an incisor or canine. For those anterior (front) teeth, porcelain and ceramic are excellent crown opt...

Have you moved to the area and you’re now looking for a new dentist in San Luis Obispo? Scrolling through page after page, calling office after office can be frustrating. Some people may get so frustrated that they put off choosing a new dentist until they have a dental emergency. We’ve put some quick tips together, Have you moved to the area and you’re now looking for a new dentist in San Luis Obispo? Scrolling through page after page, calling office after office can be frustrating. Some people may get so frustrated that they put off choosing a new dentist until they have a dental emergency. We’ve put some quick tips together, to help you find the right dentist. Three Tips for Choosing a SLO County Dentist We’ll briefly cover why it’s important to choose a dentist who offers the services you need, has high reviews from previous patients, and has an option for sedation dentistry. Make sure your new dentist offers the services you need. Not all dentists are created equal. Some o...

What are mamelons teeth? If you’re a new parent, whether your babe’s teeth are just emerging or they’re starting to fall out, you might wonder, “ What are those bumps on their front teeth? ” Mamelons teeth appear in the front of the mouth (the incisors) both on top and bottom and are characterized by bumpy ridges. These ridges are completely natural and form as a result of enamel fusing together during the development process under the gums. Mamelons typically don’t last very long, as they’re quickly worn down with biting and chewing motions. If bite problems prevent mamelons from being worn down, your child may require orthodontics , or we can file them down for a smoother smile. Get in touch If you have any questions or you’re ready to schedule a visit with your San Luis Obispo dentist, Dr. Colleran at Michael Colleran, DDS, contact us today to schedule a visit! The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the fluoridation of drinking water is ranked among the ten greatest public health achievements of 20 th century America. However, a quick search of the internet tells us that fluoride can actually be toxic if ingested in large enough quantities. So which is true? Do the health benefits outweigh the negatives of fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water? At William S. Darr, DDS, we know that folks care a great deal about their health, so we’ve put this article together to examine the facts and help you come to your own decision. Why Use Fluoride in the First Place? To begin to understand the controversy, we must first understand what led to putting fluoride in toothpaste and water. Even today, tooth decay is considered the most prevalent chronic disease in children and adults. With that in mind, it’s not hard to understand why Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city in the world to fluoridate its drinking water sup...

A recent, three-part study by Crest® puts numbers to what most of us already knew – white teeth are beautiful and powerful! The study used both qualitative and quantitative measures in multiple settings to determine what effect white teeth can have on a person’s life. In a portion of the study on employment, researchers found that whiter teeth greatly increased a person’s chance of being offered jobs but also of receiving higher pay. In a portion of the study on romance, subjects went on simulated dates and found the dates were more successful after their teeth had been whitened. Dr. Dacher Keltner, a smile psychologist and psychology professor, says, “This study provides some of the first findings that speak to the powerful benefits of having a whiter smile.”   Why We Like White Teeth There’s no arguing it, people like white teeth – on themselves and on others. Perhaps this is because white teeth appear healthier and cleaner. Some scientists also guess that having white teet...

We don’t mean the emotion, though you just might be feeling it if you or your loved ones have been losing sleep because of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea . MAD is the abbreviation for M andibular A dvancement D evice, and it’s a type of oral appliance that could help you and your family experience restful sleep again. MADs work by keeping your mandible (jawbone) and tongue in a forward position to prevent airway restriction, which can cause snoring and the cessation of your breathing while you sleep. There are different types of MADs , but to ensure the most comfortable fit made of durable materials, we recommend scheduling a visit to Michael Colleran, DDS ! Find What Works for You Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) has been found to help many sleep apnea sufferers that would like an alternative to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines. Your San Luis Obispo dentist can evaluate your case and help you determine whether it’s an option you should consider. Either way, it’s...

There is a law of nature that states: “function follows form.” This saying means that how something appears determines how it works. For example, you may own many screwdrivers of different sizes and shapes (form) to loosen all different kinds of screws (function). Think of a watering can with a long spout that’s perfect for pouring water right where you want it, versus one with a broad spout meant to cover large areas more quickly. When you think about it, this principle also applies to your smile. A mouth with missing teeth isn’t nearly as functional as a mouth with a full set of chompers. Enter: cosmetic dentistry. While the word “cosmetic” makes these treatments sound optional, many times they are necessary to improve physical function or mental and emotional well-being. Read more from Dr. William Darr to learn about cosmetic dentistry and the positive impact it can have on your life. Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Whitening   — an absolute favorite when it comes to confidence...