Dental Info

The first known dental crowns were made as far back as 200 A.D. when Etruscans used gold to create crowns and bridges . Can you imagine what the process must have been like without the technology we have now? If you’d rather not, we can’t blame you! Thanks to digital x-rays and impressions, dentists today can create crowns that blend in so well with the rest of the mouth, you’ll forget you weren’t born with them. The updated materials appear very natural, especially ceramic and porcelain. But I Love Gold! Gold is still an option for crowns today, and it’s not a bad option in terms of durability—they’re extremely fracture-resistant and seal well to prevent recurrent tooth decay. However, gold is usually the most expensive material for the creation of crowns, and most people want their dental restorations to be a secret only they know—especially if the tooth in need of crowning is an incisor or canine. For those anterior (front) teeth, porcelain and ceramic are excellent crown opt...

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 Park Slope Dental Arts can offer Brooklyn patients a much better option for filling holes caused by tooth decay: composite fillings. At Park Slope Dental Arts , 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 favor...

For a long time, we’ve been told to brush our teeth right after we eat, but conventional wisdom might be changing on that. Thanks to your mouth’s powerful and natural ability to clean itself, rinsing with water might actually be the best way to freshen your breath and prevent cavities after you eat. In addition to your everyday hygiene routine, rinsing with water is a free, easy way to maintain oral health throughout the day. To understand this, read below about what happens in your mouth after you eat and why water is so great for your teeth. Digestion Begins in Your Mouth You might think that digestion starts in your stomach, but it actually starts in your mouth! The combination of chewing your food and the special bacteria in your mouth are essential to swallowing and digesting your food. Probiotics are specific bacteria that live in your mouth every day and begin the whole process of digestion by breaking down your food on a microscopic level. In our world today, we’re trained ...

Today, Dr. Mark Dawoud of Palm Harbor would like to discuss the unique dental characteristics of those with Down Syndrome . First teeth may arrive later . Children who have Down syndrome can get their first teeth anywhere from 12 to 24 months of age; they may not have a complete set of baby teeth until age 4 or 5. The eruption of front permanent teeth and 6-year-old permanent molars may also be delayed until 8-9 years of age—and it’s not unusual for any or all of these teeth to show up in a different order than anticipated. Teeth and tongue attributes are different. People with Down syndrome have teeth that are smaller than usual—their tooth roots may even be shorter than those of the average population. Another marker of Down syndrome is a small upper jaw, which can cause a misaligned bite and mouths that do not comfortably accommodate their tongues. Gum disease   tends to be more prevalent in people that have Down syndrome. An impaired immune system is present in people who...

Acids and bases might sound like something from far back in your memory, like middle-school science class, but the concept is still very applicable to every aspect of life today. The foods and beverages you consume daily have a very big effect on your oral health and overall health, for better or worse. You can protect and support your health by eating the right foods. We know this isn’t news to anyone, but it’s much easier said than done, right? Dr. Ceneviz, Atlanta dentist explains below how an alkaline diet can benefit your oral health and overall health. What is an Alkaline Diet? Everything around us is made of chemicals that are either some level of acidic or basic (alkaline). Chemicals are numbered on the pH scale from 0-6 as acidic, 7 as neutral, and 8-14 as alkaline and more people are talking these days about the negative effects of diets high in acidity. A minimally acidic—or alkaline—diet will contain mostly foods with a pH above 7. Research shows that some chronic dise...

As a parent, you will have numerous opportunities to teach your children valuable skills and each one will yield priceless memories. Your child’s first step, your child’s first word, your child’s first bike ride, your child’s first unassisted brushing and flossing session…well, maybe that last one won’t be as memorable, but Dr. Michael Cimino wants to remind parents that good oral hygiene habits begin in childhood. So, today, Modern Smile Center would like to take this opportunity to give you some tips on teaching your kids to brush and floss. Good Brushing Habits Last Forever Just in case you have that nagging question about baby teeth, we’ll settle it right now. What’s the point of taking care of baby teeth, if they get a whole new set in a few years? As baby teeth come in, they are literally setting the stage for adult teeth. Premature tooth loss can mess up the corresponding adult tooth’s placement. Bad hygiene in the early years can also cause infection, difficulty speaking a...

Your mouth is an intelligent system made to work with every piece doing its part. When you’re missing a tooth, the empty spaces are more than unsightly; they can be dangerous. Your other teeth, your gums, and even the bones in your face rely on you having a full smile. Enter: dental implants . Thanks to improved technology, you can replace a single tooth or a whole row of teeth quickly and effectively. Dental implants can improve your overall oral health and are now considered the gold standard in tooth replacement technology. Dr. Kevin Brewer offers dental implants , so let us tell you more about them and how they can help protect your greatest asset and secure your smile! How Do Dental Implants Work? Teeth have even more going on under the surface of your gums than above. What you see when you look at your teeth is the hard, white crown. (See, you knew you must be royalty!) Then, like a plant, each tooth has a long root extending down into the jawbone. Nearly 98% of implant tre...

Medit announces the nomination of its new Chief Executive Officer, GB (Gyu Bum) Ko, amidst the company’s 20 th year as a global provider of 3D scanning solutions. Ko joins Medit to accelerate its growth strategy as a leader in the dental clinics and labs market. Founder Minho Chang focuses on his role as a board member following the appointment. “I am truly excited to join Medit on its path of rapid growth and to shift the paradigm of dentistry. I had a chance to witness the company’s immense potential, its strive for excellence, and the passion of the entire team towards our mission. Medit’s products are enhancing the experience of dental professionals and patients worldwide, and this is what makes working for the company incredibly rewarding. I look forward to supporting Medit’s success journey,” says Ko about his new role as CEO. Ko is a seasoned professional with over two decades of management experience in multinational medtech companies, including Procter & Gamble, Jo...

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 Natural Smiles Dentistry 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. Brickey and Dr. Provine   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 ...

First the good news. It's probably safer than ever to see the dentist, since if we are following the CDC guidelines and  wear a faceshield , N95 Masks, practice appropriate ambient air management, and follow  screening procedures,  it is extremely unlikely for anyone to become infected with the COVID 19 virus at the dental office. Many of our patients seem relieved to see us when they visit our office and are pleased with the steps we have taken to protect them. They also commonly request that we get as much done as possible, because "after all, who knows what things will be like next month?". It is a little bit like going to the supermarket and finding toilet paper or some other hard to come by commodity,They feel the urge to do as much as possible.  It is scarcity psychology at work. Most of our patients have been happy to finally get their cleaning and check up. If something needs fixing, they seem more eager to deal with it. If I ask whether we should ...

Industry-Specific, Cloud-Based Software Now Available Nationwide INDIANAPOLIS, IN, June 22, 2020 – Method Procurement has designed one of the industry’s first cloud-based spend management platforms created specifically for dentists. Based in Indianapolis, Method streamlines all phases of the purchasing process so that dental practices can improve operations, reduce overhead expenses and see radically improved financial returns. In a sea of enterprise procurement software solutions, what makes Method unique is that it was built to solve the unique challenges of the dental industry. It includes all the best practices of enterprise procurement solutions but has streamlined them into a dental-specific platform that meets the needs of both the solo practitioner and the multi-practice DSO. “Method is the only procurement solution out there to truly blend dentistry with a deep understanding of procurement best practices,” said Dan Traub, VP of Product at Method Procurement. “Our team has...

If you have been exposed to Covid 19 and are supposed to quarantine you should not visit your dentist. Similarly if you have any symptoms that might indicated you are infected , you should not see the dentist. These symptoms include but are not limited to : Running a fever, loss of smell, dry cough, Corona "toes", sore throat, or respiratory problems. That being said, putting off needed dental treatment is not the best idea and can lead to unnecessary tooth loss or a dental infection that could put your overall health at risk. If your state is in Phase 1 or Phase 2 it is probably safe to see your dentist. Most dentists have studied up on what steps to take in order to safely treat their patients. After all they are trained well in infection control and the wearing of PPE. They have a vested interest in keeping their patients and staff safe and will likely take all the necessary steps as required by their local laws. If you are experiencing mouth pain that maybe of denta...

The picture above shows me wearing one of the laundered but wrinkly gowns we just received. These can be used once and placed in our laundry basket after a single use. The laundry service is providing them at a cost of $2.00. They are a little hot to work in during summer months , but the cost is reasonable. We still have more expensive disposable gowns that we can done if desired. Of course the more inexpensive disposable gowns we ordered have been back ordered for over a month now! This week dentists received some good news! The CDC has just revised its  interim guidelines  for dental offices and now it doesn't include waiting 15 minutes before disinfecting treatment rooms after patients finish their treatment.  This should allow dentists to schedule more patients each day as it will allow more frequent turnover of our operatories. The CDC commented that this change was OK since their have been no documented cases of people being infected with Covid 19 as a result o...

Good news! The CDC has just revised its interim guidelines  for dental offices and now it doesn't include waiting 15 minutes before disinfecting treatment rooms after patients finish their treatment.  This should allow dentists to schedule more patients each day as it will allow more frequent turnover of our operatories. The CDC commented that this change was OK since their have been no documented cases of people being infected Covid 19 as a result of visiting their dentist. A recent  study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences   seems to agree that visits to dentists is a relatively safe  and essential service. It concluded that: " banks, general merchandise stores (e.g., Walmart), dentists, grocery stores, and colleges and universities should face relatively loose restrictions. Gyms, sporting goods stores, liquor and tobacco stores, bookstores, and cafes should face relatively tight restrictions" We just finished our second w...

Have you moved to the area and you’re now looking for a new dentist in San Luis Obispo? Scrolling through page after page, calling office after office can be frustrating. Some people may get so frustrated that they put off choosing a new dentist until they have a dental emergency. We’ve put some quick tips together, Have you moved to the area and you’re now looking for a new dentist in San Luis Obispo? Scrolling through page after page, calling office after office can be frustrating. Some people may get so frustrated that they put off choosing a new dentist until they have a dental emergency. We’ve put some quick tips together, to help you find the right dentist. Three Tips for Choosing a SLO County Dentist We’ll briefly cover why it’s important to choose a dentist who offers the services you need, has high reviews from previous patients, and has an option for sedation dentistry. Make sure your new dentist offers the services you need. Not all dentists are created equal. Some o...

Cracked, broken, and decayed teeth require restoration or they will break down further until they become infected and/or require extraction . At Family Dental Health, our goal is to preserve your natural teeth for as long as possible. Depending on the extent and location of the damage, we will likely recommend an inlay, onlay , or crown . Different levels of the same idea, these restorative dentistry treatments are custom-made 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, or an old filling that needs to be replaced. 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 cov...

At Brewer Family Dental, our goal is to make your dental visits as pleasant as possible. Part of this effort includes taking the complication out of utilizing your insurance benefits. Dr. Kevin Brewer knows there can be confusing terms and stipulations in insurance plans that can be a barrier between you and the care you need. We aim to remove that barrier by filing paperwork for our Lexington patients and providing the details necessary for you to make the best decisions possible for your oral and overall health. Am I covered? Similar to medical coverage, there are numerous types of dental plans, typically with a focus on prevention. What does this mean? It means Dr. Brewer wants to keep your mouth free of infection and pain, and your smile bright and beautiful. If you are insured, your dental plan can help us achieve this goal. How? Usually with 100% coverage of preventive services, such as professional cleanings  (known as prophylaxis in the dental world), x-rays, and checkups...

Did you know that unhealthy gums might put your brain at risk ? Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia, which harms your memory, ability to think, and can cause changes in your personality. It’s very common and usually affects people aged 60 and over. And, Alzheimer’s might be significantly more likely to happen if your mouth and gums aren’t healthy. The Link is Inflammation A New York University College of Dentistry study found, “long-term evidence that periodontal (gum) disease may increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s.” Gum disease is a case of inflammation in your mouth. Inflammation is a natural and appropriate response in your body to fight invaders and infection. Gum disease and oral inflammation can be a minor problem or become very serious. But chronic inflammation causes a variety of health concerns that can affect everything from your oral health to your brain. Unfortunately, inflammation problems are increasingly common in the US. The stud...

There are many kinds of doctors—Doctors of English, Doctors of Philosophy, Doctors of Medicine, Dr. Pepper… (wink). Of course, when we use the term doctor, we most often mean a physician or Doctor of Medicine. But did you know that dentists are doctors , too? Every doctor has a specialty, and a dentist’s specialty is oral health.   Dr. Brickey and Dr. Provine , your Salt Lake City dentist explains how dentistry is a specific branch of medicine, and what it all means for the link between oral health and overall wellness.   Dentists are Doctors Dentists are every bit as trained and educated as physicians. They have the same general education in science as physicians before they get clinical training in dentistry. This background education helps dentists look at you—the whole package—when taking care of your teeth.   Dentists are specialists in the science and mechanics of oral health, which extends to your head, face, and neck (the craniofacial region)—important part...

What are mamelons teeth? If you’re a new parent, whether your babe’s teeth are just emerging or they’re starting to fall out, you might wonder, “ What are those bumps on their front teeth? ” Mamelons teeth appear in the front of the mouth (the incisors) both on top and bottom and are characterized by bumpy ridges. These ridges are completely natural and form as a result of enamel fusing together during the development process under the gums. Mamelons typically don’t last very long, as they’re quickly worn down with biting and chewing motions. If bite problems prevent mamelons from being worn down, your child may require orthodontics , or we can file them down for a smoother smile. Get in touch If you have any questions or you’re ready to schedule a visit with your San Luis Obispo dentist, Dr. Colleran at Michael Colleran, DDS, contact us today to schedule a visit! The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment...

Originally created for people unable to consume regular sugars, alternative and artificial sweeteners have become extremely popular in all kinds of different products. From chewing gum to diet soda, Park Slope Dental Arts want you to know which of these options are best for your dental and general health – so here are the facts about a few of the most common sweeteners. The Big Five Sugar Substitutes The benefits of artificial sweeteners were first recognized as a safe option for diabetics, but have since exploded in popularity because food, beverage, candy, and snack companies have discovered that it is easier to sell fewer calories. In addition, people with a sweet tooth know that artificial sweeteners are notorious for their ability to ruin your portion control. The substances listed below are considered sugar-free and inhibit tooth decay because bacteria cannot ferment them into enamel-destroying acids. Despite ongoing controversy about health concerns of sugar substitutes, the...

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 can actually be toxic if ingested in large enough quantities. So which is true? Do the health benefits outweigh the negatives of fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water? At William S. Darr, DDS, we know that 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. Why Use Fluoride in the First Place? To begin to understand the controversy, we must first understand what led to putting fluoride in toothpaste and water. Even today, tooth decay is considered the most prevalent chronic disease in children and adults. With that in mind, it’s not hard to understand why Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city in the world to fluoridate its drinking water sup...

The first known dental crowns were made as far back as 200 A.D. when Etruscans used gold to create crowns and bridges . Can you imagine what the process must have been like without the technology we have now? If you’d rather not, we can’t blame you! Thanks to digital x-rays and impressions, dentists today can create crowns that blend in so well with the rest of the mouth, you’ll forget you weren’t born with them. The updated materials appear very natural, especially ceramic and porcelain. But I Love Gold! Gold is still an option for crowns today, and it’s not a bad option in terms of durability—they’re extremely fracture-resistant and seal well to prevent recurrent tooth decay. However, gold is usually the most expensive material for the creation of crowns, and most people want their dental restorations to be a secret only they know—especially if the tooth in need of crowning is an incisor or canine. For those anterior (front) teeth, porcelain and ceramic are excellent crown opt...

Today, Dr. Mark Dawoud of Harp Pediatric Dentistry wants to give teens the bottom line about tobacco use: there is no such thing as a “safe” or “safer” tobacco product . Every tobacco product contains nicotine in varying amounts—and not only is nicotine addictive, but it can also harm the brain. (Many people don’t realize the brain continues developing until the mid-20s or even early-30s.) Cigarettes are usually made of tobacco and chemical additives in a paper casing. Inhaled smoke from a lit cigarette contains more than 7,000 harmful chemicals; at least 70 of them are linked to cancer. Smoking cigarettes damages almost every organ of the body and leads to diseases like oral cancer and lung cancer, heart disease and stroke. The “vaping” of e-cigarettes has become increasingly popular in recent years. These devices heat liquid into an aerosol that is then inhaled by the user. Many believe this aerosol is innocuous, but it actually contains many chemicals that are unsafe to breat...