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Showing posts from October, 2017

Black is the New White! What you need to Know about Charcoal Toothpaste.

What’s that black toothpaste everyone is using? Maybe you’ve noticed – charcoal is everywhere. Charcoal face masks, charcoal teeth whitening, charcoal toothpastes, and charcoal supplements are blowing up our social media news feeds. It’s a dramatic look to see a smile smeared in what looks like black dirt. But is charcoal toothpaste safe? Does it work? Or is it just a marketing gimmick? If you’re wondering whether or not charcoal toothpaste is good for your teeth – I want to applaud you for questioning anything the crops up and gains popularity so quickly. Let’s take a discerning look at this internet sensation. What is activated charcoal? Activated charcoal is known for its detoxifying powers. It’s so powerful that hospitals use it to treat patients who’ve been poisoned.  It is considered to be more powerful than stomach pumping in most cases . The charcoal binds to chemicals and prevents the harmful substance from being absorbed by the stomach. I personally use it after ...

What sort of rating should a dental practice have on the internet?

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Commonly people are checking out the ratings of businesses on the internet before choosing a business to go to. This applies to dentists as well. Commonly, patients coming to my practice for their first visit comment that they are impressed by the number of nice reviews my practice has. I am not much different since I  read Yelp reviews of restaurants before deciding where to  go. I live in Forest Hills and it seems for the restaurants that I like (not fast food, but not expensive either) , the average rating is about 3.5 to 4.0.  The restaurants usually have a lot of reviews and the ratings seem fairly accurate. The same can not be probably said of reviews for dental offices on the Internet. I looked at the ratings of dentists in my Zip code and most practices seem to fall in a sweet spot range of 4.5-5.0 . Although many of these practices are well established and ongoing concerns, the quality of their dentistryvaries from practice to practice and I do not believe ...

Don’t Get Kicked in the Teeth – At Least Wear a Mouth Guard

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According to the American Dental Association,  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. Barry and Dr. Love would like to make sure that every athlete knows how to keep their teeth safe from harm. No Columbus parent should have to worry about their child’s teeth during games, so at Lifetime Dental Health we would like to talk about how to take sports safety to the next level. Mouth Guards and Sports Safety In Columbus, 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. Mouth guards are the key to oral safety in sports. When to Get a Mouth Guard Let’s say your child has decided to sign up for a high school team, or maybe you’ve joined a local sports league. Now yo...

HPV & Oral Cancer: What You Need to Know

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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 Denver, 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. Paini about the topic. If you have any questions, please feel free to give Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry 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 in the country. According to the CDC, 8 out of 10 Am...

How Baby Teeth Help Mouths Grow Up Right

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Every Lexington 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. Brewer wants you to know that that couldn’t be further from the truth! At Brewer Family Dental , 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 (859) 554-4799 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 Lexington children should have all 20 of their baby teeth. B...

The Best Way to Replace Missing Teeth

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We all remember losing our teeth as children and being delighted to find money from the tooth fairy under our pillow, but it’s just not as much fun missing teeth as an adult. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research , adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have an average of 25 permanent teeth remaining, which is three shy of a full set (not counting wisdom teeth). Dr. Brickey and Dr. Provine want everyone in Salt Lake City to know that replacing a missing tooth is important to your dental health. Read on for more information and please give Natural Smiles Dentistry a call with any questions or concerns . Missing Teeth and Dental Health When people lose teeth in the movies, it’s usually from something high-impact and exciting, like getting kicked in the face. However, the leading cause of tooth loss is actually gum disease . If you are a Salt Lake City adult who has lost a tooth in the back of your mouth, you might be inclined to ignore it if it doesn’t...

Choosing the Right Dentist

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It’s no secret that Charlotte residents are careful about how they choose medical professionals for their family, but sometimes it’s not easy to find everything you want in a dentist. We at Central Avenue Dental understand that choosing a dentist is no small feat, so we’ve put together this guide to picking a dentist for individuals and families. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us! Even if you decide on a different dentist, Dr. Berglass is always happy to help! How to Choose the Right Dentist There are a lot of factors to consider when looking at dentists in your area. For some Charlotte residents, the most important thing is proximity, so it’s easy to narrow their search by location. For others, the key ingredient is affordability. Still, others may be looking for just the right service mix and supreme comfort. The easiest way to start your search is by setting your top three priorities. These may be location, cost, and comfort – or good reviews, service mix, an...

How Dental Night Guards Can Help You

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It’s common to see people wearing mouth guards in Las Vegas for protection 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. Ron Wagner, Dr. Kent Wagner, Dr. Rich Cannon, Dr. Tom Lawler & Dr. Richard Nelson have helped many Las Vegas residents improve their quality of life with night guards. Our team at Wagner Dental invites 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 Las Vegas folks do it so much (especially during the night) that it causes severe damage to their teeth, headaches, jaw aches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) issues and more. The problem is that most brux...

Caring for Your Dentures

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The image of a glass full of false teeth on the nightstand is plastered all throughout popular culture. You would think that soaking your dentures in water and cleaner is sufficient, but Dr. Colleran reminds us that proper denture care requires more than just that. In fact, denture maintenance is an important part of oral health. For San Luis Obispo residents who have dentures or are considering them, it is important to know exactly how they function and how to care for them. If you have any questions, please give us a call at Michael Colleran, DDS. How do Dentures Work? Dentures are intended for San Luis Obispo residents who have lost most or all of their teeth. Dentures are removable dental appliances that look nearly identical to natural teeth. They also function the same way, allowing folks with little or no remaining teeth to eat and speak normally. In addition to improving oral health, facial structure, and smile, having a good set of dentures can mean a world of difference f...

I’d Rather Have a Root Canal

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Have you ever heard someone say, “It was worse than a root canal?” Most of us in Seattle are used to hearing root canals compared to some genuinely unpleasant circumstances, but Dr. Gollofon would like to set the record straight and talk about how root canals can do some serious dental good. As always, we are happy to answer any questions you may have, so please feel free to give A.J. Gollofon, D.D.S. a call . Root Canals Save Teeth Here it comes, the question on everyone’s mind – why on Earth would you want a root canal?! There is one thing all dentists in Seattle and beyond will agree on – saving your natural teeth is always the best option. There are many ways that Dr. Gollofon can replace missing or damaged teeth , but nothing is as good as the real thing. If you have a tooth with inflamed or infected pulp, a root canal, or endodontic treatment, can get rid of infection and save it. Thus, root canals are preferable to extraction. Here are some more advantages of endodontic treat...

If You’re Avoiding the Dentist

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We’ve all got our reasons. Money. Time. The fear of pain. Juggling insurance. Facing one more reminder that we really should be flossing more. Any of these might cause us to avoid and put off regular visits to the dentist. Has it been so long since your last dental appointment that you’re not even sure how to find a dentist you can trust? Or perhaps you know and love your dentist but you dread the idea of trying to catch up on life with the hygienist while your mouth is being propped open by a tiny plastic jack. (Yes, we think about that too!) Dubuque dentist, Dr. Fili, and our staff are happy to help you prioritize your dental health, which is why we go to great lengths to remove any barrier that might keep you from stepping through our doors. Sedation options , flexible payment plans , plentiful office hours, and competent staff team can become your personal assets to achieving your best smile. Our relaxed office is comfortable from the waiting room to the dentist chair. Dubuque P...

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 altogether. In fact, recent studies have found that dark chocolate , containing high percentages of cocoa, may actually be beneficial to your dental health. Dr. Berglass at Central Avenue Dental wants Charlotte 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 chocolat...

Your Options for Teeth Straightening

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Maybe Mona Lisa would have cracked a real smile if she had been more confident in her teeth! All jokes aside, you don’t have to live every day in embarrassment of your own smile. Orthodontic treatments today are much more desirable than those of yesteryear. There are a lot of good reasons to straighten your teeth, both functional and aesthetic. And there are a lot of good times in your life to commit to a treatment – like now! But how do you decide among all of your options for teeth straightening? Dr. Gordon is an experienced dentist in St. Augustine and can help you understand your options. A Healthy Bite In an ideal world, your top teeth should rest down and in line with their opposing tooth on the bottom. This helps you smile, chew, and speak smoothly. If you have any problems with this, like a crooked tooth or odd spacing between teeth, you’ve got an improper bite. Improper bites (also called malocclusion) can cause overbite, under bite, and cross bite. An improper bite can m...

Fluoride: Good or Bad?

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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 is actually toxic if ingested in large enough quantities. So which is it? Do the health benefits outweigh the negatives of fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water? We at Family Dental Health  know that Portland 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. As always, we are happy to answer any questions you might have, so feel free to give us a call ! Why Use Fluoride in the First Place? In order to understand the controversy, we must first to understand what led to putting fluoride in toothpaste and water. Even today, dental caries (tooth decay) is considered the most prevalent chronic disease in children and adults. With that in mind, it’s no...

How to Clean Teeth Like a Dentist

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Oral hygiene is the foundation of good dental health. Brushing and flossing regularly is the best way to keep your Gwinn smile healthy and clean. Consider this your personal tutorial on the art of dental hygiene, instructed by Dr. Gwen Buck and the expert hygienists at Northern Trails Dental Care . If you have any questions or would like to test your skills in person, feel free to give us a call! Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss, and Mouthwash Before we get to talking technique, we need to make sure you have the right tools for the job. You’re going to need a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and floss. Pick whatever floss is most comfortable for you and any toothpaste that you like, provided it has fluoride. Mouthwash is not required, but some Gwinn residents really like the extra health boost you get from a good swish and gargle. How do you pick a good toothbrush? Here are the basics: Always go with soft bristles. Medium or hard bristles can damage enamel. Choose a brush that fit...

Soft Food Recipes – What to Eat After Dental Work

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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 of that effort has left you hungry! The question is: what can you eat after having dental work done? For some of us, it’s nostalgic to remember having a frozen treat after the dentist as kids, or attempting to say such bouncy words as “baby” with a numb jaw. However—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 in recovery, anyway. Many foods can be troublesome after dental surgery or extensive dental work. Ask Dr. Rizvi for her recommendation about specific foods and for how long you should avoid them. My Dentist for Life in Plantation can be an especially helpful resource for patients navigating what to eat after dental restoration services. Here’s an idea; if you probably can’t eat those potato chips anyway, consid...

What Women Need to Know About Sleep Apnea and Brain Health (Interview)

Maureen Garry: Hello and welcome to the Female Brain Summit . I’m your host, Maureen Garry. Thanks for joining us for this session where we’re going to talk to a dentist who is specializing not only in oral health, but in sleep along with his dental work. Dr. Mark Burhenne had things happening in his own family he didn’t really realize. He didn’t know that his own family had sleep apnea issues. And so, the more he learned about that, the more interested he got—and the more he started being able to take that knowledge into his patient population and help his patients with their sleep. Sleep is so fundamental, as we all know. And now, we’re going to learn from a different perspective about how we can improve our sleep. Dr. Burhenne has some really, really interesting information about the structure of our mouth—many, many different things we haven’t thought about before. So, we’re just going to ask him a bunch of questions. We’re going to dive into sleep and sleep apnea and obstruct...