Dental Info

 Although this is an unusual  event, it can happen. Interestingly, patients who experience changes in their bite either do not notice or just don't complain to their dentists. Even though patients don't complain, a change in their bites can be evidence of a deteriorating oral condition.There can be several possible causes. Patients with TMJ problems can definately have an altered bite. This may be due to muscles of mastication that are inflammed and functioning in an imbalanced way or can be caused by skeletal remodeling of the mandibular condyle that cause the two ramuses to be different lengths. Musclar problems tend to cause different types of changes in the bite than skeletal.  When the muscles are inflamed a patient may not be able to occlude in their usual comfortable bite but instead my be biting slightly more anteriorly. One way to deal with this sort of issue is to make the patient wear a deprogammer  24/7 for a couple of weeks to see if the patients bite ...

Many patients have unused money in their FSA account (Flexible Spending Account). This money is a lose it or use it proposition. If it is not used for a appropriate medical bill it will not be usable going forward and the money will be lost. These accounts are subject to the rules of the company that is sponsoring them and sometimes a detailed bill is required to insure that the money is being used for an acceptable medical (or dental) procedure. Starting in October patient often discuss what sort of treatments they might have that could use up the amount that is left in their account. Often we can use these funds for fillings, crowns, periodontal treatments,  night guards or implant restorations. Some plans are quite flexible and only require that we submit a receipt of funds for undisclosed dental services. More and more my patients use a FSA credit card to pay for their end of the year dental services and no explanation  of the services provided is required. If you hav...

So... it truly  feels a lot like we are in prison. I am lucky enough or unlucky enough (denpending on one's point of view) to be let out for"work release" every day Monday- Thursday. I get to leave my appartment every day, travel to work and go home at the end of the day on public transportation wearing triple masks (N95, surgical type two and black Coppermask to cover up the other two masks). So far so good, apparently My staff and I have remained Covid free even though our office has been open and increasingly busy since June 8th. It could be a lot worse, since we are not incarcerated in an actual jail and  choosing wisely to remain safe, and somewhat isolated, until things are more sorted out.  This is sensible, since our goal is to put off getting this virus for as long as possible. The longer we delay getting it the better. Treatments are continuously improving  and multiple seemingly effective vaccines are about to be released. It  Now that the holida...

 I really hate to write this post. We are taught not to criticize other dentists but given what I am seeing when some of my patients choose to leave the fold and then return can leave me deeply disturbed. Twice in the last 30 days patients have returned to my practice after seeking care closer to home, only to find that they were diagnosed with five or more cavities that need restoring.  Upon examination and reviewing their radiographs I could not find the need for any of their diagnosed fillings.  We dentists are taught not to criticize other colleagues, but some of the clinics that my patients have gone to  are guilty of violating the public's trust. After all, as dentists we have a legal and moral obligation not to perform  unnecessary procedures. It saddens me to think that some of my colleagues are more concerned with paying their bills than doing the right thing Ethics is currently a topic of concern for many health professionals today and dentistr...

Full disclosure before your Salt Lake City dental team at Natural Smiles Dentistry starts dropping knowledge on the muscles in your mouth that are partially to thank (or blame) for the foods you love: we’re hungry as we write this and are envisioning pizza; yummy, savory pizza with cheese that stretches when you grab a slice, crust with just the right amount of crunch, sauce with the best blend of veggies and herbs…what were we going to talk about? Oh yeah, taste buds ! Wait—are you craving pizza now, too? Let’s go halfsies on some ‘za! Gusta-what?! The scientific term for your taste buds is gustatory receptor cells . Jot that down because there will be a quiz later (we joke). These taste buddies (that’s just more fun to say, isn’t it?) form before we evacuate the womb. In fact, based on their sensitivity to sweet and bitter tastes, newborns may have more taste buds than adults. For an image to distract from the pizza that may still be on your mind, picture babies trying new foods....

Do you remember feeling like standards of beauty were unattainable when you were a teenager? Heck, many of feel this way as adults! It makes sense that teenagers might be concerned with the appearance of their smile and pine for bright white smiles the same way adults do, because they’re often exposed to the same media that displays stunning smiles nonstop.  There’s a lot to be said for defying those expectations, but if there were a simple, safe, and widely available treatment that could make a world of difference for your teen’s self-confidence, would you be ok with it?  Your Dentist Can Help If your teen has expressed that they’d like to have their teeth whitened, you might be inclined to gasp and reply, “Your smile is perfect as it is!” We understand, and at Michael Colleran DDS, we do love how unique smiles are from person to person, and we want everyone to feel comfortable with their natural smile just as it is.  However, maybe it can lead to a productive discu...

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 Brooklyn 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 di...

Before we begin talking about the changes pregnancy can cause in your mouth, we want you to know your smile is entirely unique and will remain so during your pregnancy, and your Gwinn dental team does not want you to be alarmed. We’re here to answer questions and address concerns as you need, and wish you a smooth, happy pregnancy!  Pregnancy and becoming a parent changes everything, so it’s not surprising you might experience oral health changes while you carry a bun in the oven. Speaking of buns in ovens, you’re probably more sensitive to smells and tastes, right? Your gums and teeth are more sensitive due to hormonal fluctuations, too. Along with sensitivity, you may experience swelling during pregnancy; the swelling might be localized to your ankles, which is common, or it could include your gums. Swelling of the gums may indicate pregnancy gingivitis ( gum disease ), so if you notice this symptom, you should definitely schedule a visit with Dr. Gwendolyn Buck for their care...

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. Cimino & Dr. La . 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 re...

There is a law of nature that states: “function follows form.” This saying means that how something appears determines how it works. For example, you may own many screwdrivers of different sizes and shapes (form) to loosen all different kinds of screws (function). Think of a watering can with a long spout that’s perfect for pouring water right where you want it, versus one with a broad spout meant to cover large areas more quickly. When you think about it, this principle also applies to your smile. A mouth with missing teeth isn’t nearly as functional as a mouth with a full set of chompers. Enter: cosmetic dentistry. While the word “cosmetic” makes these treatments sound optional, many times they are necessary to improve physical function or mental and emotional well-being. Read more from Dr. Kevin Brewer to learn about cosmetic dentistry and the positive impact it can have on your life. Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Whitening  — an absolute favorite when it comes to confidence-b...

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 Atlanta dentist, Dr. Ceneviz 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 detect b...

Did you know that sports-related injuries are the leading cause of emergency room visits for children and teenagers between the ages of 12-17? For children between the ages of 5-14, recreational activities (e.g., riding a bike) account for an estimated 3.2 million emergency room visits.  With statistics like these, it’s no wonder parents want to find ways to keep their children safe while they play, and when you learn that the most commonly injured areas are to the face, head, eyes, and mouth, preventive wear like helmets and mouthguards become even more important! Don’t Leave Home Without It The American Dental Association recommends mouthguards for many sports and recreational activities that you might not think would require a mouthguard, so it’s important to do your research and give your child the best protection available! If you’re wondering whether your child should be wearing one, don’t hesitate to contact Harp Pediatric Dentistry today. Dr. Mark Dawoud loves fitti...

Emax onlays  In 2007 I wrote a post about inlays and it probably is time for another post on this topic. Inlays and their cousin, onlays , are restorations that are fabricated indirectly(usually) and then cemented or bonded into a patients tooth. direct composites and amalgams are placed into the filling directly. Fillings are the more affordable restoration but when they are large they may not be the most optimal way to restore a tooth.  Presently direct composite restorations are the dominant type of filling used for patients. These usually involve placing uncured composite directly into a restoration and setting it with a bonding light. The curing always causes some shrinkage (1.5-3 %) and this shrinkage can cause problems, especially for the restoration of larger cavity preparations.  Also it can be difficult to achieve "tight" interproximal contacts when restoring some large fillings. Using a proper technique direct fillings can be a long lasting and t...

A Better Alternative to Bone Grafting Traditionally, when a patient with bone loss is seeking  dental implants , the first factor in question is: “How much jawbone do you have?” Implants embedded in weak or eroded bone have a high rate of failure. Tooth roots reinforce the structure of the jawbone and, when they are missing, the structure of the bone is compromised, usually leading to decay. This bone loss is quite common among wearers of dentures who have gone many years without any kind of fixture to reinforce their bone. A solution for this problem has existed for a long time: in the form of  bone grafting . The technique of bone grafting allows for jawbone quality to be manually rebuilt until it is sufficiently thick and dense enough for implants to placed. The Inconveniences of Bone Grafting Cost/Time Increase : Bone grafting requires one or more surgeries and a healing period of a few months after each procedure. This process must be completed before the implants ca...

Most homes have a standard first-aid kit—and with the demanding schedules of the average American family today, it’s smart to keep one in your vehicle, too. Whether at home or away from home, active kids like to run, play, climb, and jump off things—and sometimes emergency dental injuries follow. Coastal Pediatric Dentistry thinks it’s a great idea to prepare a dental first aid kit for kids to accompany the standard version and keep them in roughly the same location for easy accessibility. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , a dental first aid kid for kids should include: Gauze Small cup Mouthwash Cold compress Tooth storage device and fluid Any time your child sustains an oral injury, it’s important to have Coastal Pediatric Dentistry check that no teeth have been damaged or loosened. Quick dental attention can mean the difference between keeping and losing a tooth, as well as preventing infections and controlling bleeding. Even if a dental visit isn’t...

How do you feel when you see that little plastic floss container in your medicine cabinet? Eagerness to achieve that clean feeling in your mouth? Or regret over a habit you have trouble keeping? Did you get excited about recent headlines saying flossing isn’t necessary? We’re sorry to break the news, but as your oral health experts, we’re here to tell you floss is still incredibly important. In fact, it’s one of the most important foundations for oral health. Dr. Michael Colleran DDS shares more below about why you should floss, how to floss, and what to do if flossing causes your gums to bleed.   What is Floss? Floss is a simple waxed thread designed specially to clean between your teeth (the hardest spots in your mouth to reach) comfortably and effectively. Floss was invented around 1820 and was first seen on store shelves decades later. There are countless brands and types of floss. It can be thin or thick, flavored or unflavored. Most often, floss is waxed to help it ...

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 you saw a dentist 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!) Salt Lake City dentists, Dr. Brickey and Dr. Provine , 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 a skilled dental team can help you achieve your best smile. Our relaxed office is comfortable from the waiting room to the dentist’s chair. Natural Smil...

The smallest smiles in your family are as vulnerable to oral health issues as you are—likely even more so! Your oral hygiene regimen may already be thorough enough to keep your teeth free from cavities and your gums safe from gingivitis, but young ones typically need help brushing and flossing for years before their skills match yours.  Park Slope Dental Arts wants to assist you on your mission to keep your child’s smile healthy , so we’re here to fill you in on what we see often, but want to help you and your little ones avoid. Get in touch with us. If you have any questions or you’d like to schedule a visit with Brooklyn dentist to ensure your child’s smile is developing healthily, contact Park Slope Dental Arts today ! The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. The post Can Children Have...

Breakfast is always being touted as the most important meal of the day—and for good reason! It’s important for families to kickstart their day with nutrients that will help them power through school, work, socializing, sports, homework… does anyone else feel exhausted just thinking about it all?  The right foods in your child’s lunch can help boost their energy and keep those brains, bodies, and mouths going all day! Alternatively, lunches full of sugary, sticky, acidic foods and beverages can accelerate tooth decay and cause your child to feel sluggish both physically and mentally. Dr. Gwendolyn Buck of Northern Trails Dental Care loves to share ideas on what to include in your child’s lunch to keep their smile safe and their health optimal… and perhaps what to leave out and have as an occasional treat for good behavior.  But First, Hydration About 65% of a child’s body is made up of water (60% for adult men, 55% for adult women), and it’s important for this balance to b...

Can you imagine a 2-liter bottle of your favorite soda? Now imagine that same bottle filled with spit. That’s approximately how much saliva the average adult produces in their mouth every day! It may be gross, but it’s definitely important. Saliva is a normal body fluid that’s crucial for oral health and overall wellness.  If you struggle to make enough saliva, your mouth will feel very dry and you will have trouble with daily activities like speaking, eating, and swallowing. This condition is commonly known as dry mouth , but the clinical name is xerostomia. A chronically dry mouth is uncomfortable and unhealthy.  You have three salivary glands in different parts of your jaw that make and secrete saliva. Saliva is mostly made of water, but it also contains important molecules called enzymes that help keep your mouth clean and fight infection. Dry mouth is common and can usually be fixed with the help of your Tomball dentist and primary care doctor. Dr. Michael Cimino sha...

Thumb sucking is normal behavior for babies and young children. But just how normal? More than 75% of little ones suck their thumbs, fingers, hands, pacifiers, or other items such as the corner of a blanket during these early years. Most kids stop this behavior on their own between the ages of three and six. But how long is too long, and can it be problematic? Chamblee Orthodontics would like to share more information about this common childhood habit. Why Do Babies Suck Their Thumbs? Human babies come into the world hungry, and with hunger in mammals comes an instinct to suck. This urge usually becomes less intense naturally, beginning to taper off when babies reach about six months of age. However, many babies take a liking to the practice, continuing to suck their thumbs to self-soothe when hungry, anxious, sick, bored, tired, or just trying to adjust to changes in their environment. Thumb sucking may also help them fall asleep or lull themselves back to sleep. Since it is an age...