Sugary foods, candy and carbonated soda can wreak havoc on teeth. The bacteria found in plaque mixes with the sugary substances resulting in acid attacking the teeth. What are some good things you can eat to deter the bacteria’s growth? Healthy foods such as raw vegetables and fiber-rich grains are not only good for the body, they are beneficial to... read more »

Have you ever wondered why tooth decay and erosion occur? Plaque, a sticky substance that covers teeth, begins to build up when we eat or drink. Plaque contains bacteria that eat away at the enamel of the teeth. Saliva helps in the battle against tooth decay by diluting the acid and the bacteria as well as keeping your mouth moist.... read more »

Wintertime is the best time to enjoy hot foods and beverages, but this can be difficult if you have sensitive teeth. If you experience sharp or throbbing pain with hot or cold beverages, consider changing toothpastes to one specifically formulated to treat sensitive teeth. These toothpastes may soothe your pain, and with use over time can decrease your teeth’s sensitivity.... read more »

Happy New Year to our patients and their families! With the start of a new year, many of you have dental benefits that have now renewed.  Many health plans provide two professional cleanings, annual X-rays, and examinations. If you have not scheduled your first appointment for 2021, please contact our office. We love to help our patients with their dental... read more »

Welcome the New Year with a renewed focus on health and wellness. Make a smart resolution to take better care of your smile in 2021. Parents, perhaps you have faithfully brought your children to our office for their cleanings and check-ups, but have put off making your appointment, now is the time to care for yourself. Start your year with... read more »

Your beautiful teeth can make your smile brighten someone’s day, chew your food, or properly pronounce your words, but avoid using your teeth as a tool.  If you are in the habit of using your teeth to open a snack bag or pry something open, you can damage your teeth. But what should you do if this does happen?  Let... read more »

Teeth bleaching does not refer to what we usually associate with the term ‘bleach’. Rather, it is a common tooth whitening technique to help our patients with healthy teeth achieve a whiter, more youthful smile. If you have an upcoming event for which you would like to look your best, you may want to consider cosmetic dentistry such as teeth... read more »

Did you know your teeth are the first indicator of age? Not only do your lower front teeth tend to shift forward with each birthday, but missing teeth can also make your cheeks look hollow, furthering the appearance of aging. Want to look younger, more healthy and vibrant? Start with your smile. Clean, white teeth are the least expensive way... read more »

Have you ever chipped or broken a tooth, and thought because no pain was experienced, going to the dentist was not necessary?  However, addressing this issue as soon as possible will help reduce the chances of additional complications. Also, fixing a broken or chipped tooth may benefit your general oral health, too.  Sometimes a damaged tooth can be improved with... read more »

Bruxism Bruxism is the professional term for teeth grinding. Typically, people grind their teeth during the night and do not even realize they are grinding their teeth. How do you know if you grind your teeth?  Common symptoms are jaw pain and headaches. If you are stressed, or suffer from anxiety, you are more likely to grind your teeth. If... read more »

We understand some of the words and terms we use in our office might be confusing to you and your family. This month we are focusing on a few of those terms and definitions so you will have a better understanding of dental terminology. Sensitive teeth Sensitive teeth literally means your teeth are sensitive to temperature changes in your mouth. ... read more »

If your holidays are typical, then you will be busy in these next few months! The sooner you contact us for your appointment, the more we can do for you to help you take advantage of your dental benefits plan. When you utilize your plan, you can be confident that you are taking excellent care of your teeth, and helping... read more »

As you plan for Halloween, we suggest looking for a treat to give the children such as a small and inexpensive goodie like pencils or novelty erasers instead of candy. The toy items can be just as fun as candy and are not harmful to teeth. However, if your children will receive a lot of candy, we recommend limiting the... read more »

Some of the plans offered to employees by their employers vary in both covered services and frequency of care. Most basic dental plans provide regular check-ups which include a general exam by your dentist, x-rays on an annual basis, and a thorough cleaning twice per year to remove tartar build-up. Other services that may be offered include fluoride treatments, tooth... read more »

Proper tooth brushing is one of the best habits you can do for your overall health. The average person only brushes their teeth for only 60 to 90 seconds. To brush your teeth correctly, set aside a full two minutes. That's right! During that time, angle your toothbrush toward the gums and gently brush in a circular motion. Be sure... read more »

Anxiety about a dental visit is not always caused by the idea of physical discomfort. Sometimes a busy schedule or misunderstood dental benefits can prevent someone from seeing the dentist. Do you need a later appointment? We have extended hours on Tuesday evenings to make it convenient for our patients' schedules. We also have years of experience with many different... read more »

If the thought of a dental exam or procedure causes a bit of anxiety, you are certainly not alone. Fear of the dentist is normal among many patients, even adults. Some dental patients consider themselves 'big babies'! We see many 'big babies' and are experienced in addressing their concerns. We offer a comfortable waiting area with pleasant sounds and imagery... read more »

We are focusing this month on the importance of Back To School exams for children. However, dental exams for the whole family are important from parents to great grandparents. One of the reasons a person may delay going to the dentist for a routine exam is the perceived expense. Our team is committed to helping our patients maintain healthy smiles,... read more »

Oral cancer is not hidden within the body in some hard to find location requiring an invasive examination, the majority of the time it is literally in plain view, right under your nose, and can be seen with the naked eye or felt with the fingers. In most cases, early, highly survivable stages are easily detected in a 3 to... read more »

Early detection is extremely important with any cancer diagnosis, and this is true for oral cancer. Oral cancer certainly can be life-threatening, but the earlier it is diagnosed, the chances for a patient’s survival increases. Currently, only around 60% of oral cancer patients will survive past the first five years after diagnosis, but 80-90% of oral cancer patients who are diagnosed... read more »