Dental Info

Disclosure: Ask the Dentist is supported by readers. If you use one of the links below and buy something, Ask the Dentist makes a little bit of money at no additional cost to you. I rigorously research, test, and use thousands of products every year, but recommend only a small fraction of these. I only promote products that I truly feel will be valuable to you in improving your oral health. Your body is designed to naturally repair any damage, including in the mouth—as long as it has the proper nutrients to do so. That’s where supplements to heal cavities come in handy. It’s possible to get proper nutrition through diet alone, but many people can use an extra boost with supplements. But first… What’s really causing your cavities in the first place? What Really Causes Cavities Cavities are not formed after just one sugary meal. A combination of factors—including the quality of your saliva, your diet, your mouth’s pH, and the status of your oral microbiome —can create a “perfec...

The Las Vegas dentists of Wagner Dental know that no two patients are alike. Everyone deserves a personalized approach to oral health – but what is something no patient (or even human) can live without? Air—or more specifically, oxygen. The Power of Ozone in Dentistry Oxygen is essential for your cellular health and has an overall positive effect on your body. For that reason, it can be utilized to improve your dental experience. Some dental offices use oxygen therapy to create a calm environment during treatment of acute dental issues or even preventative visits. Oxygen therapy delivers 100% pure, medical-grade oxygen. When three atoms of oxygen bind together, they form ozone, the same matter that protects and nourishes our environment. Oxygen can be applied as ozone gas, ozonated water, or ozonated olive oil. This completely painless treatment works with your body’s natural functions to achieve a multitude of benefits. Increased exposure to pure oxygen has been found to: Spee...

Sore jaw? Restless nights? Play sports? If any of these apply to you, you might be surprised to hear that you could use a mouthguard! Functions of Mouthguards Mouthguards are solid pieces of plastic that keep your teeth and jaw in a specific resting position. The basic function of a mouthguard is protection. Mouthguards help prevent accidental mouth injuries, ease pain from grinding your teeth, and can even help patients with trouble sleeping. They usually only cover the top row of teeth, but can sometimes be made to cover the bottom row too. You can buy a mouthguard pre-made, custom-made, or use the “boil and bite” method for something in the middle. Custom mouthguards from your Denver dentist offer the highest level of protection and the most comfortable fit, but no matter where you get your mouthguard, actually wearing it is the most important part. Types of Mouthguards All mouthguards look and function mostly the same, but they might be slightly different based on the need the...

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 (be cautious of what you consume in the days following major dental work!), you’ll find that milkshakes only get you so far. Many foods can be troublesome after dental surgery or extensive dental work. Ask Dr. Case for recommendations about specific foods and how long you should avoid them. Family Dental Health in Portland 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 topped with tiny pieces of ...

Fresh breath sets the tone for every moment of your day: first thing in the morning, before an important meeting, after working out, or just before bed. Whether you prefer cool mint, invigorating cinnamon, or herbal anise, it’s your favorite trusty toothpaste that delivers that fresh, clean feeling. So, what’s the scoop on toothpaste? What knowledge is essential to get the most out of your toothpaste? You might be surprised as you learn more about this common product. Dr. Fili in Dubuque gives you the full story on toothpaste to empower you to take oral health into your own hands. What is Toothpaste? Toothpaste is an important preventative product. It can prevent tartar (hardened plaque) and gum disease if used regularly. Toothpaste comes in a variety of forms – paste, gels, powders. But all toothpaste has similar ingredients that allow it to work, and work well. Abrasives — The most important thing toothpaste does is remove unwanted stuff from the surface of your teeth. Lo...

Your smile is more powerful than you may know. Scientists have studied many aspects of smiling, such as how it affects your brain, your health, and your overall experience of life. Even the situation you’re in and the people around you are influenced by your smile. The findings may surprise you. Or, if you’re someone who smiles often, they may just confirm what you already know. Dr. Colleran in San Luis Obispo loves a good smile and wants to help you smile more—to let us convince you to smile more and to maintain that smile with a healthy dental routine, keep reading! Smiling & Your Health The physical act of a smile can benefit both your mental health and your physical health. Experiencing an emotion connects all the parts of yourself: body, mind, and spirit, so the physical act of smiling can improve your overall experience of life. Studies show that smiling makes your brain function better to fight stress and to prevent stress from building in the first place. Smiling also ...

We’ve all had a toothache at some point or another. While you should always consult your Salt Lake City dentist, it’s not always a serious problem. Often, the issue can be fixed with a filling or a root canal. However, many Salt Lake City residents have found themselves in a situation where the tooth is not salvageable, and the only solution is for Dr. Brickey and Dr. Provine to perform an extraction, or remove the tooth. Today, Dr. Brickey and Dr. Provine at Natural Smiles Dentistry 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 Salt Lake City folks may refer to something difficult by saying it was, “like pulling teeth.” However, Dr. Brickey and Dr. Provine will be the first to tell you that the technology and techniques of modern dentistry have made the process of extracting a tooth fairly simple and wi...

Oral hygiene is the foundation of good dental health. Brushing and flossing regularly is the best way to keep your Seattle smile healthy and clean. Consider this your personal tutorial on the art of dental hygiene, instructed by Dr. Gollofon and the expert hygienists at A.J. Gollofon, DDS. Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss & Mouthwash Before we talk 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 Seattle residents really like the extra health boost you get from a good swish and gargle. How do you pick a good toothbrush? Always go with soft bristles. Medium or hard bristles can damage enamel. Choose a brush that fits your mouth. The head of the brush should be small enough to reach all the way behind your back teeth and fit comfortably in your mout...

Bite. Crack. Ouch! A cracked or broken tooth is a real problem. Unlike other bones in your body, a broken tooth will not heal itself and needs to be cared for immediately. Depending on the extent and location of the damage, your dentist will likely recommend an inlay, onlay, or crown .  All versions of the same idea, these restorative dentistry treatments are custom-made covers to protect your tooth and restore it to its full, healthy, and functioning condition. Another reason you may need an inlay, onlay, or crown is due to extensive tooth decay breaking down your tooth that requires more than a simple filling to fix. Here’s how these options compare: Fillings : only fill a small, center portion of the biting surface of your tooth; is not a treatment for extensive damage Inlays : fill a larger portion of the biting surface than a filling contained within the cusp Onlays : fill and cover the biting surface of your tooth including up and over the rounded ridges (cusps) Crowns...

Saliva. Just the word can conjure an array of images in your imagination. From salivating at a delicious meal to studying Pavlov’s dogs to watching a baseball player spit, life is full of saliva! And that’s a good thing because saliva is very important for oral and overall health. Problems with saliva can lead to dry mouth, cavities , and bad breath. Read more below from Charlotte dentist, Dr. Michael Berglass to learn more about your saliva. Composition of Saliva Saliva is 98% water. It also contains electrolytes, mucus, enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. Saliva travels to all parts of your mouth via “saliva ducts.” Saliva is made in your salivary glands and the contents come from your blood. Ancient doctors believed saliva and blood were “brothers” when it comes to a person’s wellness. Because saliva is so similar to blood, research is growing on how to use saliva samples to test for diseases. Saliva samples are already used to test for HIV, but studies are finding you can also d...

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. Gordon of Gordon Dental Associates 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 effect of...

I see this a lot at NYU where I am teaching. The proximal box is long and adjacent gingiva is inflamed. Often I dab the gingiva with Hemadent and then place a layer of retraction cord. I do this so either I or the student can complete the preparation of the filling. It is really difficult to do a decent job when there is continuous bleeding into the preparation.    Electrosurgery  or a soft tissue laser would help as well, but often these tools are not available. Once the preparation is completed, a well fitted contoured band should be fitted and tightly wedged so there is no bleeding into the preparation. The key is to us a long enough matrix and use the proper shaped wooden wedge to make the gingival of the band adapt to the preparation. Sometimes I have to play around with the wedging to get it to work well. Sometimes I put the wedge in from the buccal and sometimes from the lingual. If a fat wedge is needed than sometimes I use a blacks knife or a scalpel to reshape...

One of the most common and destructive myths about dental hygiene is that it’s normal for gums to bleed. Dr. Kevin Brewer would like everyone in Lexington to know that this is not the case! Imagine if we weren’t talking about gums-should any part of your body start to bleed whenever you touch it? The truth about bleeding gums is they are a sign of infection and/or irritation and can lead to serious problems that go way beyond your mouth if left untreated. Please read this article and educate yourself on how to keep your family’s teeth and gums safe. Gums Are Not Supposed to Bleed No matter what you may have heard, gums are never supposed to bleed. If your gums are bleeding during brushing or flossing, it is likely because you have a mild form of gum disease, known as gingivitis. It may also be because you are brushing too hard or flossing too deep into the gum tissue. Whatever the reason, bleeding gums is a sign that something isn’t quite right with your dental hygiene routine and...

For twenty years or more my dental practice and myself has obtained our health insurance with the help of my local chapter of the NY dental society. I have not always been happy with the high costs associated with these plans but in general I have been grateful to be able to obtain a full featured health plan without belonging to a fortune 500 company. Now I am no means against the Obama Care initiative but some of the federal rules concerning the affordable health care act are  dictating what groups constitute a bonafide "group" seem unfair to me. They are biased to larger companies since they now require 60 percent participation of employees for an employer to have a group plan. My small office had for many years had robust employee participation, but as my employees aged they opted out when they reached the age when they could obtain Medicare coverage. Last year that just left me and my son as sole participants. When my dental assistant retired, I hired an assistant ...

Often treatment planning for replacing a missing tooth is easy. An examination shows sufficient space for an implant and replacement implant crown. Usually my surgeon has my patient take a cbct scan. This is a 3 dimensional xray that shows the bone where the implant should be ideally placed. If there is sufficient bone he will be able to place an implant. Sometimes the scan shows insufficient bone there is not enough bone present for placement of an implant, my surgeon may recommend bone grafting as an option. After a period of three or 4 months afterward he will usually place the implant. Sometimes, especially for maxillary posterior teeth, it can be more complicated to place an implant because the maxillary sinus can be in the way. Sometimes this neccesitates the placement of a short implant, sometimes a sinus lift is needed. A sinus lift involves the surgical elevation of the floor of the sinus and addition of bone grafting material in order to develop the implant site and make ...