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Showing posts from April, 2017

The Benefits of Composite Fillings

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Traditionally, dentists have used what’s known as amalgam, or special metal alloys, to fill cavities. However, modern dental medicine has advanced to the point that Dr. Brewer can offer Lexington patients a much better option for filling holes caused by tooth decay: composite fillings. At Brewer Family Dental , we would like to educate you on the benefits of tooth-colored, composite fillings, so please let this article serve as your personal fillings fact sheet. The History of Fillings Once upon a time, the choices for dental restoration materials were limited. Records dating back as far as 659 A.D. tell us that amalgams (mixtures of silver, mercury, tin, and/or copper) have been used widely for more than 1300 years. There have been a number of scientific disputes (referred to as the amalgam war) over the health concerns of using mercury, but the American Dental Association has always defended the safety of amalgam fillings. Until recently, amalgam fillings were favored because of ...

Protected: Mother’s Day Gift Guide: What to Get Mom for Better Health in 2017

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: The post Protected: Mother’s Day Gift Guide: What to Get Mom for Better Health in 2017 appeared first on Ask the Dentist . from Ask the Dentist http://ift.tt/2pE8zWB

How Baby Teeth Help Mouths Grow Up Right

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Every Columbus parent remembers seeing their baby’s first teeth emerge, watching the rest pop up, and finally cheering as their child loses their first baby tooth, all in the blink of an eye! In fact, baby teeth come and go so quickly that some people are led believe they don’t have an impact on a child’s dental health later in life. Dr. Barry & Dr. Love want you to know that that couldn’t be further from the truth! At Lifetime Dental Health , we are committed to giving our community access to reliable information on dental care, so here are the facts about why baby teeth matter. Feel free to give us a call with any questions. A Guide to Baby Teeth Baby teeth, also known as deciduous, primary, milk, or lacteal teeth, are a set of 20 teeth that will be in your child’s mouth for most of their childhood. Although baby teeth usually emerge at around 6 months, they begin forming in the womb as early as 16 weeks. By age 3, all Columbus children should have all 20 of their baby teeth...

The Tooth About Teeth Grinding

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Headaches in Dubuque are a dime a dozen. We all know the frustration of having your day interrupted by throbbing, shooting pains in the head. If you suffer from frequent headaches that never seem to go away, Dr. James Fili would like you to know about bruxism , or teeth grinding, a common condition that Dubuque residents rarely know they have. At Dubuque Periodontics , we love spreading the news about all things dental health, so here is some headache information that just might change your life. Bruxism and Headaches You may not be aware of it, but everyone clenches and grinds their teeth at some point, to some degree. It’s a natural reaction to stress. During the day, you might catch yourself doing it and consciously stop, but during the night, you are unaware of it and will naturally grind much harder. Unfortunately, some people in Dubuque have such problems with bruxism that they may experience: Frequent, painful headaches Damaged, worn-down teeth and surrounding tissues TM...

Relief from Dry, Chapped, & Cracked Lips

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We’re no strangers to extreme temperatures and dry weather in St. Augustine, and our lips are proof. Most of us experience chapped lips at some point during the year and it’s not uncommon to see lips that suffer from annoying, painful cracks. Here at Gordon Dental Associates we are very much attuned the oral health needs of St. Augustine, so here are a few tips from Dr. Jeremy Gordon about how to keep your lips healthy, kissable, and free to eat and drink whatever you crave!   Do You Have Chapped or Cracked Lips? If you have dry lips that are chapped, peeling, and/or cracked, you probably already know about it. However, here are some telltale signs: Sensitive or painful lips Smiling hurts You lick your lips often Your lips show clear signs of peeling or cracking You bleed from the corners of your mouth You have open sores or marks on your lips How to Get Rid of Cracked Lips Dry, chapped, and cracked lips can be caused environmental factors, such as climate change, su...

DDS vs. DMD: A Dental Degree Breakdown

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If you are looking for a dentist in Salt Lake City, 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 Natural Smiles Dentistry, we love to spread the word about all things dental, so here are the facts, straight from Dr. Brickey & Dr. Povine. 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 Salt Lake City folks know there are specialties in dental medicine, such as orthodontics (braces), periodontics (gums), and cosmetics, but what about the degrees? Don’t worry, Dr. Brickey & Dr. Povine have even known dentists that are still confused about this. So what is the difference between the two degrees, an...

Chocolate is Good for Oral Health – True or False?

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Most of us were taught when we were kids that sweets like chocolate will rot your teeth. While this may remain true for some types of our favorite sweet snack, that doesn’t mean we have to take it off the menu all together. In fact, recent studies have found that dark chocolate , containing high percentages of cocoa, may actually be beneficial to your dental health. Dr. David Case at Family Dental Health wants Portland residents to know the facts so they can satisfy their sweet-tooth safely. How does it work? Dark chocolate is known to contain high levels of antioxidants, which work with our bodies to fight bacteria and disease. Dark chocolate can contain up to four times the amount of antioxidants found in green tea! High levels of antioxidants found in saliva have been proven to help fight periodontal, or gum disease , and slow tooth decay . What about the sugar? Yes, chocolate does contain sugar, which is bad for your teeth. However, that is why we are recommending dark choc...

Are Your Teeth Safe From Coffee Stains?

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First things first, put your worries away! We are not about to tell you that your coffee drinking days are over. We know that each shot of caffeine is crucial and we cherish our coffee, too! Here at Michael Colleran, DDS we want to educate you on what causes coffee stains and what you can do to fight them. It’s no secret how San Luis Obispo residents feel about their coffee, and we’re not about to get in the way of that love. However, we will help you keep your smile healthy and beautiful  with tips that won’t drastically affect your lifestyle. Dr. Michael Colleran and the rest of us at Michael Colleran, DDS are your oral health allies! So let’s start off with the basics. What makes coffee stain your teeth? Coffee is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to stained teeth in San Luis Obispo, and the discoloration can be so bad it mimics cigarette stains. So what’s the secret? What can you do to keep your teeth shiny, but still get your caffeine fix? Coffee and its Active In...

Professional Dental Cleanings Make a Big Difference

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You’ve been hearing it for years – “make sure to visit Dr. AJ Gollofon twice a year for your regular cleanings.” Just in case you’ve ever wondered why regular dental cleanings are so important, we at AJ Gollofon DDS would like to take this opportunity to let Seattle 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. If you have any questions or find that you are suddenly inspired to visit Dr. AJ Gollofon for a cleaning, feel free to give us a call ! Why You Should Get Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned Unfortunately, some folks in Seattle believe that visiting the dentist is unnecessary if 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 AJ Gollofon 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...

Do Whitening Strips Actually Work?

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Whitening strips are among the most popular health and beauty products in Plantation. 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. Rizvi 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 My Dentist for Life 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 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 ca...

5 Common Dental Myths: Fact or Fiction?

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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 Denver , so Dr. Paini 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 Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry 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 has built up around and beneath the gum line, irritating the gums. Sensitive teeth is a sign of cavities Tooth sensitivity varies among Denver residents. Some people have particularly sensitive teeth, and others simply have reces...

Diabetes and Oral Health: What Your Dentist Sees

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It’s no secret that diabetes is a health condition that must be treated because of the problems it can cause throughout the body—including in your mouth.  Consider that nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. who, according to the American Diabetes Association, [ http://ift.tt/Q89wbK ] have diabetes. Las Vegas dentists, Dr. Ron Wagner, Dr. Kent Wagner, Dr. Rich Cannon, Dr. Tom Lawler & Dr. Rich Nelson want you to know the side effects diabetes can have on oral health. When people with diabetes experience high glucose levels, those levels could also be helping bacteria thrive—causing major problems for their teeth. Some diabetics have chronic inflammation and infections in their mouths. Because of the risk, it’s important that diabetics take extra special care of their teeth. People with diabetes have special oral care needs, so it’s vital that you share this information with your dentist. Common dental conditions associated with diabetes are tooth decay, gum diseas...

Diet Soda and Dental Health: What You Need to Know

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In today’s calorie-obsessed culture, it can be hard to find the truth among all of the health-conscious noise. Often times, Charlotte residents are misinformed and mislead about the health benefits of trends like as cleanses, sugar alternatives, diets, organic vs. nonorganic, and a myriad of other common topics. Today Dr. Michael Berglass would like to clear up any misconceptions about dental health and diet soda. If you have any questions please call us at Central Avenue Dental . Are Diet Sodas Healthy? The short answer is no. Originally conceived as low-calorie alternatives to one of America’s first commercial legacies, diet sodas have become extremely popular amidst our country’s battle to lose weight. There’s only one little problem – diet sodas are only marginally better than regular soda. Compared to water, diet soda has zero nutritional value and contains many ingredients that are harmful outside of moderation. Diet Soda & Dental Health Diet soft drinks are not good fo...

Replace Missing Teeth – Dentures & Dental Implants

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So you’re missing a tooth—or a few! An apple a day will not take care of this one, unfortunately. It’s time to consider dentures or dental implants. A variety of personal and practical factors will determine which solution is best for your new smile. Don’t feel lost among all the pros and cons of choosing a tooth-replacement plan. Northern Trails Dental Care in Gwinn is an experienced practice you can trust to  help guide you on your journey from missing teeth toward a complete, natural, and healthy smile. Not your grandma’s dentures Thankfully, time and technology have greatly improved the denture experience for our patients. Today, dentures look and feel more natural than ever before. Dentures are a whole set of false teeth held into your gums with secure bonding glue. This can be an affordable option if you need to replace multiple teeth. For added stability, functionality, and peace of mind, dentures can also be secured with dental implants. Added security with dental im...

Invisalign: Know Before You Go

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Invisalign is likely the greatest advancement in dentistry in my 30-year dental career—but like anything great, it has nuances that need to be fully understood. If you’ve been discussing Invisalign with your dentist, or even just researching it on your own, you likely have a lot of questions. This guide will explore everything you need to know about Invisalign—from whether it’s actually  invisible to how well it works to get the results you want. What Is Invisalign? Invisalign is a method of straightening teeth that, unlike braces, has made its name in the industry for being “invisible.” Invisalign isn’t invisible. It is, however, a functional and aesthetic option that uses incremental transparent aligners to straighten and realign teeth without the obvious physical appearance of braces. It is, in many cases, an improvement over conventional braces. So how does it work? After impressions of your teeth are taken, they are placed in a shipping container and shipped to Invis...

Don’t Make This Invisalign Mistake!

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Video Transcript: Dr. Burhenne here of AsktheDentist.com for another little tip. And this time, it’s about the Invisalign. Invisalign is a wonderful product. I’ve been using it for about 15 years myself, and it really works well. But I’m not sure if you’ve been told, but here’s something that you should know about Invisalign: they can break. And specifically, I’m talking about the retainers. If the aligners were to break, of course, you get a new one in two weeks. But the retainers, you want them to last at least 5 to 10 years—or even longer. They always tend to break right around here where it fits right into your canines—not in the front that’s capping your incisors, not in the back where the molars are. They break right where it fits into your canines. And that’s simply because that’s the hinge point when you peel it out of your mouth. Most people take it out by going way in the back and pulling it off from there. That’s the easiest place to take them out. That’s how they pop...

What are five good reasons to wear a night guard?

There are a lot of good reasons to wear a night guard, lets count the ways.... 1. It protects teeth from excessive wear. Although not all wear happens at night, a cursory inspection of wear facets on most peoples teeth indicate the probabilty that much of it comes from night time para function activity. Having the protection of plasticover the occlusal surfaces of the teeth is kinder to them and when plastic meets tooth, it is the plastic that tends to wear. 2. Although teeth appear stationary, they are not over time and nightly wearing of a maxillary night guard keeps the teeth in place and will not allow them to "drift". It functions as a maxillary orthodontic retainer.  Also,  as teeth wear, they tend to slowly erupt in order to remain in occlusal contact. Maxillary retainers keep teeth from extruding since they not only prevent wear, they hold the teeth in place. 3. A properly designed night guard will have a well adjusted and balanced bite in centric and will have ...

You're going to have to do something about your fees!?

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A patient showed up yesterday unannounced , without an appointment, and was stationed at my front desk talking animatedly with my office manager Ida for about twenty minutes. Although I really know that I shouldn't (dentists are not supposed to loiter at the front desk) I wandered over to hear what was going on.... and I got an earful! Now let me add that my patient has been loyally coming in for over thirty years and we really like each other, but I guess not so much this day. She blurted out "You've got to do something about your fees... Its not fair, me and my husband are retired and now we are on a fixed income and my insurance only payed $600 for the last crown you made for me that I didn't really need! This interaction was similar to a person asking me if I was still cheating on my wife. I don't think I could answer this and win, but my patient needed to vent and I made the mistake in coming to front desk at the wrong time.  My patient was paying her co...

Why I Filter My Water: Water Filtration Part I

Just a little digging into the best way to filter your water can make your mind do cartwheels…tap, bottled, filtered (and what kind of filter?)—there are so many things to consider! Knowing the best filter to buy makes you wish you had a degree in chemistry. Today, I hope to clarify some things about water filtration to make the process of drinking the cleanest water a little less mysterious for you. Thanks to the Safe Drinking Water Act passed in 1974 by Congress, we have some of the safest drinking water supplies in the world. And yet we still have our work cut out for us, as evidenced by the situation at Standing Rock, as well as in Flint, Michigan—both of which highlighted the vulnerability of our drinking water supplies. When my wife and I were starting our family, we really started to think about this issue. Living in the Silicon Valley, we were aware of the numerous EPA Superfund sites that were contaminating groundwater due to the legacy of the tech firms in the 60s and 70s w...

Crack Down on Cracked Tooth Syndrome

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Cracked tooth syndrome ( CTS ), also known as cracked cusp syndrome or split tooth syndrome, is a painful condition that results from a crack in one of your teeth. CTS can mean anything from a tiny hairline split in the crown to a fracture that goes all the way to the root. If you have a nasty toothache and remember biting down on something hard, it’s time to call Dr. Paini . Don’t worry though, because the dental professionals at Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry are committed to giving you the best oral care that Denver has to offer. To find out more about cracked tooth syndrome, read on. Symptoms of Cracked Tooth Syndrome Although this condition can vary a little bit for everyone, here are some common signs you may have cracked tooth or cracked cusp syndrome: Biting down in a certain area causes sharp pain The pain goes away shortly after you have finished chewing or biting You have localized sensitivity to hot or cold, and sticky, sweet, or sour foods You find that you have be...

Don’t Get Kicked in the Teeth…But If You Do – The Importance of Mouth Guards in Sports Safety

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It’s no secret that residents of Columbus love sports! The folks around here work hard and play just as hard, whether it’s football, baseball, basketball, or the numerous other high-impact sports that can cause harm to your family’s mouths. In fact, at least 13% of all oral injuries happen during sports activities. Dr. Barry & Dr. Love want you to know how keep your teeth out of harm’s way and still enjoy a good game, so please read on and learn how to win big with a safe, healthy smile. It’s About More than Mouth Guards We know what you’re thinking, mouth guards are the key to staying safe on the field, right? Yes, they are a big part of it, but it takes more than just a mouth guard to keep your kids from getting a chipped tooth while scoring a touchdown. Sports safety for oral health means getting the right mouth guard and wearing it the right way. After all, the best defense is a good offense! Do I Need a Mouth Guard? If you or a member of your family is considering a mou...

5 Common Dental Myths: Fact or Fiction?

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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 Plantation, so Dr. Rizvi 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 My Dentist for Life 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 has built up around and beneath the gum line, irritating the gums. Sensitive teeth is a sign of cavities Tooth sensitivity varies among Plantation residents. Some people have particularly sensitive teeth, and others simply have recessed gu...

4 Facts about Dental Implants

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Most St. Augustine residents will lose a tooth at some point in their lives, but that doesn’t mean your smile has to suffer for the long-term. There are numerous ways to replace a lost tooth , but today, Dr. Gordon would like to educate you about the best option for a healthy smile that will last a lifetime: dental implants . Here are some facts about dental implants. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, don’t hesitate to give us at Gordon Dental Associates a call. Implants function just like real teeth If you are looking for a solution that will preserve and improve the health of your mouth, implants are the way to go. Although dentures and bridges can help simulate the function of real teeth, they do not stimulate the jawbone. Implants are placed directly in the jawbone, just like the root of a tooth. As a result, they can put a stop to painful, damaging reabsorption, so that you never have to deal with that “sunken in” look. On top of that, imp...