Dental Info

In today’s calorie-obsessed culture, it can be hard to hear the truth among all the other health-conscious noise. San Luis Obispo residents are frequently misinformed and misled about the health benefits of trends such as cleanses, sugar alternatives, diets, organic vs. non-organic, and a myriad of other common topics. Today, Dr. Colleran would like to clear up any misconceptions about dental health and diet soda. If you have any questions, please contact us at Michael Colleran, DDS. Are Diet Sodas Healthy? The short answer: no. Originally conceived as low-calorie alternatives to one of America’s first commercial legacies, diet sodas have become extremely popular amidst our country’s never-ending battle to lose weight. There’s only one small problem – diet sodas are only marginally better than regular soda. Compared to water, diet soda has zero nutritional value and contains many ingredients that are harmful outside of moderation. Diet Soda & Dental Health Diet soft drinks are...

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. Colleran at Michael Colleran, DDS wants San Luis Obispo 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 antioxidants found in green tea! High levels of antioxidants found in saliva have been proven to help fight periodontal (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 chocolate, wh...

Good News for Grown Ups “Adulting” can be hard. Between rent, bills, kids, a career, and other responsibilities, it can be hard to make time for yourself. But independence, parenting, fulfilling work, and the wisdom that comes with age can be pretty fantastic, too. So how does your oral healthcare fit into a grown-up lifestyle? Michael Colleran, DDS serves adults from all over San Luis Obispo. Read more for our tips on how to care for your oral health at this particular stage in life. Priorities : You manage a lot on any given day. Brushing your teeth and making a dental appointment may not feel like the most pressing of matters, but you know they are important in the long run—so you do it. Family Life : Many people are more motivated to take care of themselves when good habits easily fit in with family life and others are looking to you to set a positive example. Whether you are caring for children or aging parents, preventative oral healthcare is more likely to happen when done t...

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 San Luis Obispo, 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. Colleran about the topic. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Michael Colleran, DDS. 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...

If you are a parent, you probably know how difficult it is to get San Luis Obispo children to brush and floss regularly. On top of that, young children often lack the necessary motor skills to properly care for their teeth. At Michael Colleran, DDS, we want your whole family to have excellent dental health, so here’s some information on how Dr. Colleran can help protect your kids from tooth decay . If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation , please contact us. Kids and Cavities In the back teeth, there are numerous nooks and crannies that toothbrushes can’t quite get to. Referred to as pits and fissures, these areas on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars are particularly susceptible to tooth decay in children between the ages of 6 and 14. Food can easily get stuck in the tiny grooves and remain for long periods of time, which, combined with bacteria, creates the perfect environment for tooth decay and cavities. How Dental Sealants Can Help Dent...

Imagine this – you have come to see Dr. Colleran for a cleaning and routine check-up. The cleaning goes well, but then Dr. Colleran tells you that you have a cavity. You’ve been dreading the possibility of this news and now you fear that something must be wrong since you have been brushing and flossing regularly. We at Michael Colleran, DDS see this happen every day and want to put your mind at ease. Cavities are very common and usually a simple fix for Dr. Colleran. Use this guide to learn about what cavities are and how you can prevent them. Cavities: The Basics Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which is a byproduct of too much plaque. Here’s how it works: every day, our saliva breaks down the food we eat into bacteria and then into acid, which mixes with the saliva and forms the nuisance commonly referred to as plaque. Remarkably, it only takes 20 minutes for plaque to form on your teeth after eating. Plaque is corrosive to the outer layer of your teeth (enamel). If plaque...

Have you ever heard someone say, “It was worse than a root canal?” Most of us in San Luis Obispo are used to hearing root canals compared to some genuinely unpleasant circumstances, but Dr. Colleran would like to set the record straight and talk about how root canals can do some serious dental good. 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 San Luis Obispo and beyond will agree on – saving your natural teeth is always the best option. There are many ways that Dr. Colleran 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 can eliminate the infection and save it. Thus, root canals are preferable to extraction. Here are some more advantages of endodontic root canal treatment: Natural appearance Efficient chewing Tolerance of normal bite force and sensation Surrounding teeth are pr...

Originally created for people unable to consume regular sugars, alternative and artificial sweeteners have become extremely popular in San Luis Obispo in all kinds of different products. From chewing gum to diet soda, Dr. Colleran wants 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, San Luis Obispo residents 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 conce...

What is Gum Disease? The short answer: Gum disease is a common gum infection that can become very problematic, but you can prevent it! The long answer: all the tissues in your body have a self-defense mechanism called “inflammation.” When bacteria build up in your mouth, your gum tissue will inflame to try and kill it. Gum inflammation is called gingivitis and looks like red, soft, and sore gum tissue. Over time, gingivitis can lead to more troublesome gum disease (called periodontitis) that can grow even deeper and start to harm the bones of your teeth and jaw. Severe gum disease can wreak havoc in your mouth. Pregnant women need to be especially careful because gum disease is linked with pre-term births and babies with low birth weight. Every mom and mom-to-be wants the best start for their baby on their journey into parenthood. Read on from Dr. Colleran at Michael Colleran, DDS to learn more about gum disease and pregnancy. Gum Disease, Pregnancy, and Birth Defects Here are t...

You’ve been hearing it for years – “make sure to visit Dr. Colleran twice a year for your regular cleanings.” Just in case you’ve ever wondered why regular dental cleanings are so important, we at the office of Michael Colleran, DDS would like to take this opportunity to let San Luis Obispo residents in on some information you don’t often hear. Let this article serve as your personal guide to the benefits of getting your teeth cleaned. Why You Should Get Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned Unfortunately, some folks in San Luis Obispo believe that visiting the dentist is unnecessary as long as you brush and floss regularly. That just isn’t the case. In addition to keeping your teeth clean and healthy, regular visits to our expert hygienists at the office of Michael Colleran, DDS ensure that we can have a good look at your pearly whites and make sure nothing is wrong. If you don’t come in for cleanings, you’ll only need more expensive work later in life. Here are a few reasons get ...

Many San Luis Obispo residents will lose a tooth at some point in their lives, but that doesn’t mean your smile needs to suffer. There are numerous ways to fix a lost tooth , but today, Dr. Colleran  would like to educate you about the best option for a healthy smile that will last a lifetime: dental implants . If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation , don’t hesitate to give us at Michael Colleran, DDS a call. Implants function just like real teeth If you are looking for a solution that will preserve and improve the health of your mouth, implants are the way to go. Although dentures and bridges  can help simulate the function of real teeth, they do not stimulate the jawbone. Implants are placed directly into the jawbone, just like the root of a tooth. As a result, they can put a stop to painful, damaging reabsorption, so that you never have to deal with that “sunken in” look. On top of that, implants are sturdier than any other form of dental appli...

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

For many San Luis Obispo residents, one thing stands in the way of a healthy, beautiful smile – fear of the dentist!  Even routine cleanings can be scary for folks with dental phobia. However, at Michael Colleran, DDS we have made it our business to offer you the most comfortable dental experience possible, which is why Dr. Colleran offers sedation dentistry services. There’s a lot of misinformation floating around, so here are the facts about sedation dentistry. What is sedation dentistry? For millions of Americans, even the thought of visiting the dentist is terrifying. As a result, many people avoid dentists altogether and miss out on a healthy, happy smile. Sedation dentistry is the answer to dental anxiety, aimed at relaxing patients for a comfortable, enjoyable experience. Who is it for? Sedation dentistry is generally intended for San Luis Obispo residents whose fear of the dentist might prevent them getting the dental care they need. If you suffer from dental anxiety,...

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...

If you’ve visited our blog before, you know that we love to talk about tooth decay. The chances are, everyone in San Luis Obispo has had or will have tooth decay at one point. It is classified by the National Institutes of Health as the most prevalent disease in the world. Today we’re going to talk about a few of the factors involved in causing tooth decay and what you and Dr. Colleran can do to protect your smile. The unique makeup of your teeth Even within your own mouth, teeth vary widely in shape, size,  and enamel quality and consistency. Some teeth are harder than others, and some – especially molars – may have deep fissures that trap bacteria, causing decay. Additional defects in enamel formation can cause yellow or brown areas on your teeth that are more susceptible to caries (tooth decay). The pH level in your mouth Research indicates that acidity in your mouth plays an important role in developing tooth decay. A low pH (an acidic state) allows decay-causing bacteri...

One of the most common and destructive myths about dental hygiene is that it’s normal for gums to bleed. Dr. Colleran would like everyone in San Luis Obispo 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 ...

If you had to give up your toothbrush or your car, which would it be? According to a recent survey, 42 percent of adults and 34 percent of teens would rather turn in their keys, computer, cell phone, or microwave than get rid of their toothbrush. It seems that many San Luis Obispo residents love toothbrushes the way Dr. Colleran  does. We at the office of Michael Colleran, DDS would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the history of the toothbrush and talk about how to pick the right one. Did you know that toothbrushes were invented before soap, deodorant, and even toilets? The idea of the toothbrush is over 5,000 years old, although back then they were a lot different than what we have now. In ancient times, people used sticks, bones, and all manner of animal hair and products to brush their teeth and take care of their gums.  The switch from animal hair to synthetic materials (for bristles) is fairly new, and mass production of toothbrushes has only existed for a c...

Did you know the same plaque that decays your teeth can cause major heart problems? What if you could fight plaque and heart failure both by improving your oral health? Dr. Colleran  in San Luis Obispo is here to tell you more! Someone dies from a heart attack every minute , according to the American Heart Association , and most heart attacks (and 85% of strokes) are caused by cholesterol build-up – aka plaque . But there is good news. You can work with your San Luis Obispo dentist and your doctor to understand and minimize your risk factors for developing plaque and tooth decay. Risk Factors for Tooth Decay In 2010, tooth decay was the most common condition in the world! Everyone struggles with tooth decay and plaque build-up for reasons unique to their own body and lifestyle. By learning what puts you most at risk for decay, you are investing in your health for the long term. It’s a Two-Way Street Your oral health affects your whole body Your overall health affects your ...

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. Colleran , your San Luis Obispo 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 parts of your body! Your oral healt...

Living in a land of antibacterial gels, soaps, plastics, and even fabrics, it might surprise you to hear that tons of bacteria live in your mouth every day, and they aren’t all bad! In fact, some play an important role in keeping up your overall health. Some oral bacteria, however, can cause serious problems and must be fought with good oral hygiene . Dr. Colleran from Michael Colleran, DDS in San Luis Obispo helps you understand the role bacteria play in your health and wellness. What are Bacteria? Bacteria are very small organisms made of just one single cell. That’s compared to over 37 trillion cells in the human body! Bacteria have their own DNA and they need sources of energy (food) just like you do. Nearly 700 different kinds of bacteria can live in your mouth! But most people only have 34-72 kinds at any given time. What Do Bacteria Do? Of all the bacteria in your mouth, some are good, some are bad, and some are simply neutral. The good bacteria, called probiotics, help aid...