Dental Info

We get this question frequently from patients, especially come November and December. Often they don't have much left or worse, they ask us when we don't have free time to schedule additional appointments. Obviously for patients who want to get the most from their dental benefits, it's best asked in September or October. The good news is that it's New Years Eve and most patients start a new calendar year for their insurance benefits tomorrow. They will have a clean slate, at least as far as their insurance company is concerned. When we see our patients in the fall for their cleanings, when we make a treatment plan, we tend to check what's left on their years insurance and if their cupboard is bare and the work can wait, we plan on performing it at the beginning of the New Year. This is good for them and it's good for us. In New York, we often get serious cold spells in January and February and it can be like "pulling teeth" to get patients to c...

Sometimes when a patient has come in with a crown that has come off I have observed a dark brown sticky substance adhering to the inner surface of the restoration. It looks like "tootsie roll". When I have asked, my patients usually admit to having recently chewed some tootsie rolls or caramels. The other day, Stan one of my long time patients came in and asked me to recement one of his crowns. He proudly explained that it had come out several days ago but he had placed it back on his tooth and it had stayed put. I tried to remove it with GC forceps, but it wouldn't budge, so I asked him to wait until it came out again so I could re-cement it. A week or two went by and he called and said it had come loose but he had placed it back in because he didn't want to walk around without his crown. He came in , but once again I wasn't able to remove it. He asked what could he do to make it come out before his next visit, so I could re-cement it?I told him to find som...

You did it! You got the consultation, booked the appointment, and you actually showed up on the big day. You saw the dentist and now all that has left you hungry! The question is: what can you eat after having dental work done? You need some soft food recipes! For some of us, it’s nostalgic to remember having a frozen treat after the dentist when we were kids. Depending on how extensive your dental work is—you will need to be cautious of what you consume in the days following major dental work -and milkshakes will only get you so far. Many foods can be troublesome after dental surgery or extensive dental work. Ask Dr. Barry and Dr. Love for their recommendations about specific foods and for how long you should avoid them. Lifetime Dental Health in Columbus can be an especially helpful resource for patients navigating what to eat after dental restoration services. Here are some soft food recipes that will treat your mouth and your body well. Breakfast For a warm breakfast, oatmeal...

It’s easy to think that baby teeth aren’t important. They make their grand entrance (however painfully) and leave your baby’s mouth so soon thereafter. But your baby’s oral health is very important today and to set the stage for a lifetime of health. Let’s talk about those tiny teeth: teething and how to take care of your baby’s oral health. Teething Facts Teething begins anywhere from 3-9 months and can continue until your child is 3-years-old. Every baby is different. Teeth emerge in a consistent pattern: lower 2 front incisors; upper 2 front incisors and 2 more lower incisors; first set of molars; canines; then second molars. One reason we get baby teeth is because our baby mouths aren’t big enough for the size and number of adult teeth we need later in life. Babies get 20 teeth that fall out and are followed by 32 adult teeth. Chewing on a cold, wet washcloth, extra snuggles, and a little pain-relieving medicine is certain to help ease the pain of teething. Contrary to ...

If you are looking for a dentist in Charlotte, you may have picked up on the fact that there are two types of dental degrees – DDS and DMD. Perhaps you’ve noticed that there are far more of one than the other, or maybe they are split 50/50. Either way, you’re probably wondering what the difference is, and how this will affect your dental care. At Central Avenue Dental, we love to spread the word about all things dental, so here are the facts, straight from Dr. Berglass . The Difference Between DDS and DMD You have the right to know what training your health care professionals have received so that you can choose the best fit for your needs. Most Charlotte folks know there are specialties in dental medicine, such as orthodontics (braces), periodontics (gums), and cosmetic dentistry , but what separates one dental degree from the other? The short answer: the difference is exactly one letter. Both DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) and DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) indicate that an indiv...

Essential oils are time-tested treasures gaining new popularity among fans everywhere. These potent liquids are fun and fresh ingredients that you can customize for almost any oral hygiene need.  As with any DIY dental treatment, do your research and be cautious. Not all oils are safe to ingest, and some may hurt you if applied directly to your skin. Essential oils are distilled from plants and usually sold singularly with one ingredient per bottle, although you can also find oil blend products. Like other supplements, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate their safety or efficacy.   Using Essential Oils for Oral Health Those in the natural health field are concerned that dangerous chemicals in conventional health products may hinder natural bodily functions, especially the endocrine system. The attraction to using essential oils in dentistry is that they may not pose such a risk to the body. Cinnamon, peppermint, spearmint, myrrh, clove, and tea tree essential...

Whitening strips are among the most popular health and beauty products in Seattle. Brightening up your pearly whites is a great way to give your smile a boost, and with all the over-the-counter options, there’s no reason not to pick one up and try it out. Dr. Gollofon wants you to be informed about every aspect of dental health, so here’s a guide to which whitening options can give your teeth a bright new shine. If you have any questions or would like to visit A.J. Gollofon, DDS for a consultation, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Teeth Whitening : The Basics Nowadays, there are three basic types of in-home whitening: toothpastes and mouthwashes, whitening strips, and gel trays. While whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes are the least expensive products on the market, they are also the least effective at creating a noticeable change in the short-term. This is because they don’t have a significant amount of the active ingredients in most whitening products, which are hydrogen or c...

According to the American Dental Association [ http://www.ada.org/en/ ], at least 13% of all injuries to the mouth occur during sports activities. While helmets, shoulder pads, shin guards, and the like do a great job of protecting most of the body, Dr. Brickey and Dr. Provine would like to make sure that every athlete knows how to keep their teeth safe from harm. No Salt Lake City parent should have to worry about their child’s teeth during games, so at Natural Smiles Dentistry we would like to talk about how to take sports safety to the next level. Mouthguards and Sports Safety In Salt Lake City, we live for a good game. Our athletes train hard to win, so it’s not hard to imagine why they don’t shy away from contact. However, that doesn’t mean that your family has to suffer the consequences of a sports-related oral injury. Mouthguards are the key to oral safety in sports. When to Get a Mouthguard Let’s say your child has decided to sign up for a high school team, or maybe you’ve...

We love to talk about the fun and interesting sides of oral health, but today, there is something much more serious on our minds. We care about the health of everyone in Las Vegas, and as dental care professionals, we feel it is our duty to educate you on how to be as safe and healthy as you can be. While you have probably heard of the human papillomavirus and oral cancer, most people don’t know that they are linked. Here is some information from Dr. Kent Wagner, Dr. Richard Nelson, Dr. Tom Lawler, and Dr. Rich Cannon about the topic. If you have any questions, please feel free to give Wagner Dental a call . What is HPV? Human papillomavirus refers to a family of nearly 200 strains that infect the epithelial skin cells and mucous membranes, such as the inside of the mouth, tongue, tonsils, throat, vulva, vagina, cervix, penis (through the urethral opening), and the anus. HPV is transmitted primarily through sexual contact (oral and genital) and it is one of the most common viruses i...

Sunday,  I was checking my screen showing the overview for my blog and it indicated that we had just gotten our two millionth pageview. That seemed like an impressive milestone, assuming that most are not visits from bots and such.  I enjoy writing my blog since it keeps my mind occupied and affords me a creative outlet. Twelve years ago I started this blog. I decided that it would be in a question and answer format and primarily answer questions commonly asked by my patients. I figured that others might be searching for "no nonsense" answers to these same questions. I hoped this would be doing a public service and chose to not have any advertising on the blog. Our main referral source has been Google and some of our "greatest hits" have turned out to be: Why does my tooth hurt after root canal?  (409,142 pageviews), Should a tooth thats broken to the gum line be fixed?  ( 94,542 pageviews) and My crown broke, What should I do?  (90,830 pageviews).  ...

Someone once said, “Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.” How true! It can be disorienting and frustrating to watch your health change with age, but you don’t have to accept poor oral health and tooth loss as just a part of the game. On the contrary, your oral health is just as important now as ever, and it’s linked closely with your overall health and wellness. Embrace healthy, preventative dental hygiene and reap the benefits of improved wellness and vitality during a season of life with so much to look forward to. When it comes to senior health and dentistry, Dr. Gordon shares the top concerns you may have, and how to address them. Gum Disease A shocking 70% of adults over 65 have gum disease , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among seniors. Gum disease is an epidemic of inflammation. It’s your body’s way of trying to kill germs infecting the gum tissues. Chronic exposure to...

We’ve all had a toothache at some point at some point or another. While you should always consult your Portland dentist, it’s not always a serious problem. Often, the issue can be fixed with a filling or a root canal. However, many Portland residents have found themselves in a situation where the tooth is not salvageable, and the only solution is for Dr. David Case  to perform an extraction, or remove the tooth. Today, Dr. David Case at Family Dental Health  would like to talk about what you can expect from an extraction and why it’s not something to fear! Pulling Teeth isn’t like “Pulling Teeth” Anymore Just like root canals, tooth extractions have a pretty bad reputation. Many Portland folks may refer to something difficult by saying it was, “like pulling teeth.” However, Dr. David Case will be the first one to tell you that the technology and techniques of modern dentistry have made the process of extracting a tooth fairly simple and with minimal discomfort to the patient...

When it comes to ridiculous beliefs on dental hygiene and treatment, we’ve heard just about everything. However, the most dangerous ones usually aren’t quite so over the top. Unfortunately, a number of dental myths are floating all over Dubuque, so Dr. Fili is here to put an end to the misinformation. Don’t feel bad if you have believed one or more of these at some point, you’re not the only one, but do make sure to give us a call at Dubuque Periodontics if you have any questions or concerns. If your gums are bleeding, don’t brush them The idea behind this false claim is that bleeding gums need to be allowed time to heal before they should be brushed, when in fact, gums bleed because they haven’t been brushed enough ! This is because bacteria buildup around and beneath the gum line has irritated the gums. Sensitive teeth are a sign of cavities Tooth sensitivity varies among Dubuque residents. Some people have particularly sensitive teeth, and others simply have recessed gum line...

We all know someone who asks for extra ice just so they can chew on it. And we’ve probably all heard that chewing ice is not healthy for your teeth. So what’s the truth? Is it best to put a stop to ice chewing? Absolutely, and for more reasons than most people are aware of. Dr. Buck wants all Gwinn residents to know why chewing ice is a bad habit, so please read on for the facts!  Why should I stop chewing ice? Ice is hard. So hard, in fact, that pitting it against your teeth regularly will most certainly result in damage to your enamel. If you have pagophagia (the fancy name for ice cravings), it’s likely that Dr. Buck will need to perform enamel restoration treatments, which are pricey and can be quite uncomfortable. However, that is not the most pressing reason to be aware of an ice chewing habit. Recent research indicates that pagophagia may actually be a sign of anemia (a lack of iron in the blood), which can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. Scienti...

It’s common to see people wearing mouth guards in Plantation during all kinds of sports, such as football, basketball, and boxing, but did you know that lots of folks wear mouth guards at night for their dental health? People who grind their teeth (bruxism) and people with sleep apnea can get relief from their symptoms simply by wearing a specially-designed mouth guard at night. Dr. Rizvi has helped tons of Plantation residents improve the quality of their life with night guards and we at My Dentist for Life invite you to come visit us today to find out more. Night Guards for Bruxism Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a very common condition. Everyone grinds their teeth at some point, but some Plantation folks do it so much (especially at night) that it causes severe damage to their teeth, headaches, jaw aches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) issues and more. The problem is that most bruxism sufferers don’t know that they are actually clenching and grinding their teeth. The bes...

You’ve been hearing it for years – “make sure to visit Dr. Colleran twice a year for your regular cleanings.” Just in case you’ve ever wondered why regular dental cleanings are so important, we at the office of Michael Colleran, DDS would like to take this opportunity to let San Luis Obispo residents in on some information you don’t often hear. Let this article serve as your personal guide to the benefits of getting your teeth cleaned. Why You Should Get Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned Unfortunately, some folks in San Luis Obispo believe that visiting the dentist is unnecessary as long as you brush and floss regularly. That just isn’t the case. In addition to keeping your teeth clean and healthy, regular visits to our expert hygienists at the office of Michael Colleran, DDS ensure that we can have a good look at your pearly whites and make sure nothing is wrong. If you don’t come in for cleanings, you’ll only need more expensive work later in life. Here are a few reasons get ...

Over half of Americans have some form of gum disease (also called periodontal disease). Fortunately, if you catch your gum disease early enough you can stop the progression and reverse damage. Gum disease is difficult to treat and reverse without accurate information and much of what most people have been told actually does more harm than good. It’s time to set the record straight. You can only stop the progression of gum disease with a combination approach including three essential elements: A gum disease fighting diet Professional care Proper oral hygiene These are listed in order of importance in the long term. The problem with treating gum disease is that there’s a lot of misinformation out there on how to properly prevent and reverse it. A majority of the misconceptions are related to dental hygiene, so I’ll briefly touch on those. First, make sure you actually have good oral health habits and aren’t unintentionally causing your gums any harm. Check the list below – som...

Apparently, some young dentists are  in so much debt that they see little chance in starting their own practices. Often they are forced to work in jobs, 5 days a week seeing 18 poorly  "insurance plan" patients a day, many of whom have coverage that doesn't pay a lot for their procedures. They may desire a better situation, but can't see their way out of their present work environment. One issue that confronts them is they have zero experience with the "business of dentistry". How to bill insurance companies, hire employees, create a budget for their office. They may be competent clinicians, but are just not prepared to have the responsibilities of running their own practices. This is not an entirely new phenomenon. Years ago I had a wonderful colleague, who rented space from me. She was a really nice person and treated her patients well and was loved by them. Unfortunately, she never really had the heart to bill them appropriately and ended up not reall...

I really dislike repairing broken porcelain fused to metal restorations. It seems like a fair amount of effort for a sometimes not predictably long lasting result. Also billing for this repair can be tricky, since often the crowns are crowns that I have made in the first place and would better be replaced at a discount rather than bonded. I am more likely to repair a restoration that is part of a larger splinted restoration with multiple units If the break soley involves procelain and no metal is exposed, it may work better. I also usually will not attempt replacing chipped contact areas, since they usually are under the most stress and hard to achieve sufficient bulk of the repair to withstand the forces of mastication. That being the case what do  you do when its's the week before Christmas and you're extremely busy and a patient calls with a chipped lateral incisor that is part of an eight unit bridge?.... Tell him to come in an we'll see what can be done. This is wh...

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and should not be ignored. Gingivitis is the most common form of gum disease and if left untreated it will progress into plaque and tartar buildup, periodontitis, and major oral health complications. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of conflicting advice and information surrounding gingivitis online. Most of this misinformation comes from outdated dental advice that recommends sterilization of the mouth as a way to heal and prevent gingivitis. We now know the mouth contains an oral microbiome that needs to thrive for you to be healthy. Our oral microbiome hosts over 1000 different species of bacteria , which have been linked to mental health, weight, and even to dementia . You need these bacteria to exist in a healthy balance. To clear the air of any misconceptions and provide you with the most cutting edge advice, we are going to take a comprehensive look at gingivitis. In this guide to gingivitis, we are going to cover: Gingivitis 101 T...