Dental Info

This week at NYU College of Dentistry marked the changing of the guard. The Class of 2019 has metamorphosed into freshly minted dentists. Most are starting General Practice Residencies or looking for jobs in our field. I have been teaching in the clinic on Thursdays and Fridays for the last year and watched them develop the skills they will need for their careers. Now it is time for them to leave their protected NYU nest and fly (somewhat) solo. Residency programs provide a good transition between private practice and dental school, since residents have attending dentists who can provide guidance when needed. Last semester's D3's ( third year students) are now fourth year students.  Last week we  welcomed the new rising D3's to our clinic. It is heartwarming to see them interacting for the first time with patients in our clinic while  receiving help from our faculty and other fourth year students.   Prior to this week almost all of their training was in a pr...

Whiter, brighter teeth are on the top of everyone’s smile wish list – and for good reason! White teeth look young and healthy. The good news is that teeth whitening is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to improve your smile, and the results are almost immediate. If you’re already taking good care of your oral health, whitening your teeth will truly put the polish on all of your efforts. Teeth Staining 101 Your unique smile and lifestyle determine the color of your teeth. The hard, outer surface of every tooth is called enamel. Enamel is usually white or off-white, but health and environmental factors can make it turn yellow, brown, or gray. Your mouth may do the talking, but your teeth can say a lot about your habits and health. Coffee, tea, red wine, soda, sports drinks, and tobacco are the biggest causes of stains in healthy teeth. Limit these to preserve your natural pearly whites. One dark or discolored tooth may be the sign of a more serious problem. It’s important to ...

Cancer is always a scary word—but it doesn’t have to be the last word. Equipped with good information and the best doctors, you can feel empowered to navigate whatever stands before you or your loved one. Oral cancer is common, affecting approximately 50,000 Americans every year. If you have more questions about oral cancer, read more below from Gordon Dental Associates . Signs of Oral Cancer Oral cancer is most common among people ages 41-60, and men are at a greater risk of developing it than women. Oral cancer can affect your tongue, cheeks, lips, sinuses, throat, teeth, gums, and roof of the mouth or below your tongue. Unfortunately, it is often detected later than many other types of cancer. This is one reason why it’s so important to know your body and what’s normal (or not) for you. The earlier you can detect any sign of changes in your mouth, the better.  Regular visits to the dentist include regular screenings for abnormalities that may be signs of oral cancer. These...

We think fondly of it, we all want it – why is it so hard to find? We’re talking about sleep, of course. A poll by the National Sleep Foundation found that 60% of adults report having trouble sleeping almost every night, with 63% saying their sleep needs are not being met. Like water, a healthy diet, and breathing, sleep is essential to support every part of your health. Sleep is when our bodies rest, repair, and run a lot of self-maintenance. Studies show that not getting enough sleep can harm your memory, your heart health, your immune system, and make you gain excess weight. Sometimes sleep loss is a real medical issue that needs to be treated by a doctor (your Salt Lake City dentists can help with sleep apnea). But if you’re just dealing with the common troubles of settling down and enjoying your sleep, we’ve got sleep tips that are all natural and easy to incorporate into your life…starting tonight! Set the Tone Think of everything you do to set the right tone for a dinner p...

Ah, nighttime… the end of the day, the ceasing of work, and hopefully a good night’s sleep. But did you know things are still happening in your mouth all night long, even if you’re blissfully unaware of it? The Las Vegas dentists of Wagner Dental shed some light on the world of your mouth and everything going on inside of it while you catch some zzz’s. Dry Mouth You produce much less saliva overnight than you do during the day—your body’s way of minimizing the risk of choking. This leads to the common occurrence of dry mouth . Dry mouth can be a bit uncomfortable and lead to more cavities and bad breath. It’s perfectly fine and normal to have less saliva at night but to take care of your oral health, it’s important that you brush and floss before going to bed. Saliva usually rinses away the food debris that can stick around and cause plaque and bad breath, so it’s a good idea to head to bed with a blank canvas. Keeping a glass of water by your bed can relieve the pain in your mou...

Sometimes in life, you just need a do-over. That’s precisely what dental crowns are—a new start for your tooth. Teeth are important players in your life! They’re not only the first responders for your digestive tract, but they can make a great first impression – so you deserve a beautiful, fully-functioning set. If your teeth need a real makeover, a crown might be just the thing you need. A crown is a custom-made shell that fits perfectly over your natural tooth. Crowns look and act exactly like your original tooth – but better. Crowns restore broken and badly decayed or discolored teeth. Crowns also top off dental implants and build dental bridges .  Dr. Case , Portland dentist at Family Dental Health shares what you need to know about getting a crown. If You Need A Crown Getting a crown usually requires two trips to the dentist. On the first trip, the dentist makes a plan to suit your specific needs and prepares the tooth. You will also get impressions of the tooth so that...

Accidents are never planned and rarely anticipated, but good dental care is always ready and available 24/7. Like all medical emergencies, dental emergencies require quality care, and fast! Here’s what to do if you think you have a dental emergency on your hands. What is a Dental Emergency? If you are in a lot of pain or have experienced trauma that puts your oral health at risk, you should seek emergency dental treatment immediately. Sports impact, chewing hard food, using teeth as scissors, and infections can all cause a dental emergency. Pain and swelling, discoloration of gums or teeth, or a broken or knocked-out tooth should send you to the dentist immediately. Dental emergencies can lead to complicated health issues if left untreated. What to Do in a Dental Emergency In any dental emergency, call Dubuque Periodontics and make an appointment right away. Even if the office is closed, our dentists are on call and available to help. At the same time, clean and treat your wo...

A hole in your smile is never a positive thing. It negatively affects physical appearance, eating, speaking, and your overall sense of confidence and well-being. Let AJ Gollofon, DDS bridge the gap between where you are with your smile and where you want to be! A missing tooth or teeth can also cause jaw pain and bite misalignment. Without a full set of teeth, your other teeth tend to move into the empty space, causing unnatural alignment in your bite and jaw—which can be very uncomfortable and can lead to bigger headaches and TMJ/TMD problems. Dr. Gollofon shares how each tooth plays an important role in your health and everyday life, and how dental bridges can restore your smile and the function of your teeth. Types of Bridges Depending on your needs, there are three common kinds of dental bridges that your dentist may recommend. The difference between each type of bridge is how they are installed and secured. The core of every bridge is the false tooth or teeth that replace ...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , at least 40 Americans die from prescription opioid overdoses every day. As the opioid crisis grows, so does expanded knowledge—such as the realization that addiction to this family of drugs often begins with an innocent prescription . Many teens first experience opioids when a dentist prescribes them, usually to control the pain of wisdom tooth extraction or root canal treatment . While legitimate, this initial exposure increases the likelihood of future opioid addiction by 33%. Teens are also prone to opioid abuse due to the prefrontal cortex region of the brain—the portion that manages reason and impulse control—is not fully developed until reaching the early- to mid-20s. Dr. Liu and Dr. Ramsbottom want your child’s dental care to be effective, comfortable, and above all—safe. If you have any concerns about dental surgery and your teen or you’re just looking for a kind, knowledgeable dentist, contact Coastal Pedi...

You love your teeth. You brush them twice a day, floss once a day, and see your dentist regularly. Right? We love your teeth, too! In fact, there’s so much to know about caring for your oral health that dentistry has quite a few categories of specialties and different kinds of dentists. The primary dentist in your life should be your family dentist, also known as a general dentist. Your family dentist is who you will see most often for dental check-ups. But how exactly is family dentistry different from other kinds of dentistry? Dr. Nisenboym in Walnut Creek shares more below about family dentistry. Types of Dentistry All dentists have an undergraduate degree and then go on to about four years of dental school. This earns them either a doctorate of dental medicine (DMD) or doctorate of dental surgery (DDS). To become more specialized, the dentist will need additional education and clinical experience. General Dentist : A family dentist is a general dentist. They treat patients of...

Above any other medical need, people are more likely to skip seeing the dentist because they can’t afford it. Many people choose not to buy dental insurance because it’s an added cost without a lot of perceived value. For some reason, people simply feel more comfortable taking this risk because they don’t fully understand the consequences of oral health problems. But it’s a risk indeed. You can develop a facial or oral injury just as easily as any other injury and oral infections and diseases are just as common—if not more common—as any other. Beyond the critical events of oral injury or infection, preventive dental care (aka your regular cleanings and check-ups) is crucial for catching problems before they become dangerous. Seeing the dentist regularly can help you address a surprising number of overall health and wellness issues. Still, dentists understand that medical costs are rising, the world of insurance is often a mystery, and sometimes you’re just at a loss. Gwinn dentist D...

Accidents are never planned and rarely anticipated, but good dental care is always ready and available 24/7. Like all medical emergencies, dental emergencies require quality care, and fast! Here’s what to do if you think you have a dental emergency on your hands. What is a Dental Emergency? If you are in a lot of pain or have experienced trauma that puts your oral health at risk, you should seek emergency dental treatment immediately. Sports impact, chewing hard food, using teeth as scissors, and infections can all cause a dental emergency. Pain and swelling, discoloration of gums or teeth, or a broken or knocked out tooth should send you to the dentist immediately. Dental emergencies can lead to complicated health issues if left untreated. What to Do in a Dental Emergency In any dental emergency, call your Brooklyn dentist and make an appointment right away. Even if the office is closed, our dentists are on call and available to help. At the same time, clean and treat your wou...

Don’t be Afraid of the Dentist! Florida Smile Design knows that some folks avoid the dentist’s chair like the plague. According to studies at the Dental Fears Research Clinic at the University of Washington, as many as 8% of Americans are too afraid to go to dentists and 20% are too anxious to visit a dentist for anything other than an emergency . Dr. Rick Schnur understands that dental anxiety prevents a lot of people from getting the care they need, so we’ve designed our entire practice around your comfort. Read on to find out about how we can help! Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist First of all, don’t feel bad if you fear the dentist. It’s very common and understandable. Your mouth is sensitive and private, and having someone else poke around in there can be traumatic. However, there are a ton of things we do at Florida Smile Design to make sure that every patient feels safe and comfortable. That means that from the waiting room to Dr. Schnur’s chair, you are in good hands! ...

A trip to the dentist should be a pleasant experience. That’s what we want for our kids: happy associations with that twice-annual visit to Dr. Darr . Nothing ruins the good feeling at a dental visit faster than the dreaded words, “I found a cavity.” A cavity in a baby tooth is bad news, but not the end of the world. A cavity in a newly erupted permanent tooth is more cause for concern. So what is a cavity? How do they form? And, what can we do to keep them from ever getting started? What is a Cavity? Simply, a cavity, also known as dental caries, is a hole in the tooth enamel. A tooth has an outer layer of hard enamel surrounding an inner layer of dentin, which covers the tooth pulp, which contains blood vessels and a nerve. A cavity forms when the enamel is weakened then fails and no longer covers the dentin. A small cavity can usually be drilled to remove any decayed portion and stop further decay, then filled with strong material, like resin, to re-strengthen the remaining toot...

Tooth decay in infants and very young children is often called baby bottle tooth decay. This happens when liquids with natural or artificial sugars remain in an infant’s mouth for extended periods of time. Bacteria in the baby’s mouth thrive on these sugars, using them to produce acids that attack the teeth and gums. Today Dr. Mark Dawoud would like to share some information about baby bottle tooth decay and how to prevent it. What Not to Do Children whose pacifiers are dipped in sugar, honey, or syrup and those who are given bottles of sugary concoctions for naptime or bedtime comfort are at increased risk of tooth decay because the natural flow of saliva decreases during sleep. Even fruit juice, milk, and formula contain natural sugars that can wreak havoc on tiny teeth while your little one slumbers. Here are some helpful “don’ts” for avoiding baby bottle tooth decay: Don’t fill bottles with sugar water or soda. Bottles should only be for milk, water, formula, and pediatric el...

The pulp is found in the center of each tooth and consists of tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, which work together to provide oxygen and nutrients that keep them healthy and strong. If one or more teeth suffer a traumatic injury or decay, the pulp can become inflamed or infected. When this happens in a child’s primary or baby tooth, your Lexington dentist, Dr. Brewer may recommend a pulpotomy . A pulpotomy, also referred to as pulp therapy, is performed to prevent further infection and early tooth loss. The procedure entails applying a topical anesthetic to numb the area before creating a small opening in the tooth, removing the infected, inflamed pulp, then sealing the chamber with a medicated filling that will prevent bacteria growth and allow a crown (stainless steel, porcelain, or white zirconia are the most common materials to choose from) to be fitted in place to restore the tooth. Why Save a Baby Tooth? When infection strikes a tooth in your little one’s mouth, you might ...

You had braces when you were younger and never experienced any jaw pain or other TMJ symptoms prior. Then, after you completed your orthodontic treatment, you developed a pain in your jaw, maybe accompanied by popping, locking, clenching and grinding. Maybe you developed these symptoms shortly after having your braces removed, maybe it was a decade later. Either way, could these two things be related? What is TMJ? First, let us explain a little bit about TMJ—what it is, what causes it, and how it’s treated. TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, or the jaw joint. TMD stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction and is used to describe any condition affecting the jaw join—but TMJ is often used to describe the dysfunction as well. Your TMJ is a complex structure made up of muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones, lubricating systems, and shock-absorbing discs—all of which are subject to strain, sprain, and injury just like your other joints like your knees and shoulders....

Do you know the status of your occlusion? That’s the technical term used to describe the way your maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth align. If you happen to have a bite that doesn’t connect quite right—or at all—it’s referred to as a malocclusion . You might ask yourself, “Well, I can eat and speak without any difficulty, so does the way my teeth touch really matter?” Atlanta orthodontist, Dr. Ceneviz is here to explain why your occlusion is important and focus on the impacts of an overbite . Stay tuned to our blog for discussions on other types of bites, too! Goldilocks & The Three Bites When determining whether your bite is properly aligned, the size of your jaws is taken into account as well as the size of your teeth in proportion to your jaw. With ideal alignment, your teeth should meet at the same time and with equally distributed amounts of pressure. For this to happen, the fine points of your teeth (called cusps) must be arranged like puzzle pieces meant to f...

We have had a working 55 gallon fish tank in our dental office waiting area for over twenty five years. Currently we have a "brackish tank" featuring Cichlids. My patients seem to really like it and I believe it distracts them while they are waiting. Jose who cleans our office nightly has assumed the responsibility for cleaning the tank. He does some water exchanges every two weeks or so and we give him a little extra to take care of our fish... It's so worth it! I used to take care of it myself, but I ended up coming in on my days off to care for the tank and I just am not that into it anymore, but the tank is really nice feature for  our patients and many comment on it while they wait for their appointment. The fish actually seem to like interacting with our patients and can be quite a pleasant diversion. Oner is always chasing after another. Believe it or not this happy fellow, although our largest fish, is not usually in charge. Some of the littler fish seem to b...

This could be a subject of an interesting post. Implants have abutments (posts) or screw retained crowns that are screwed into the implant. Invariably there is a hole where the screw is placed and tightened in order to attach them to the supporting implant. Most dentists who are experienced with implant restorations have noticed when unscrewing a temporary implant part that the cotton pledget that was used to cover the screw is wet and often has a bad oder even when it was sealed in place with a good temporary filling. Why is this? The most likely cause is that there is no seal between the implant and the abutment or implant crown since the screw holding the restoration doesn't allow a true seal and invariably bacteria and moisture seep into the implant restoration. Over the years I have placed many implant restorations and my technique has gradually evolved. I thought about how I might provide a more antiseptic environment inside my implant restorations. Several years ago I st...

Understanding the development of Alzheimer’s disease is a hot topic in today’s health discourse. Science advances have suggested everything from genetics to lifestyle choices as risk factors for this cognitive decline. Despite consistent investigation and clinical trials, the exact reasons some develop Alzheimer’s are murky. While new research is still emerging, you may want to check your teeth and gums. When people think of dementia and Alzheimer’s, they don’t first think about gum disease and oral health. However, research over the last several years suggests that advanced periodontitis (stage IV gum disease) might not just be associated with Alzheimer’s. There’s a chance it could be the root cause. For years, Alzheimer’s has been discussed as a genetic and lifestyle-based inevitability. But what if it’s an infectious issue instead? The Problem with Modern Alzheimer’s Treatments Although Alzheimer’s disease has been researched for years, current treatment methods are shocki...