Enamel is an incredible part of our body. In fact, tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in the human body! How is that fun fact? Despite the powerhouse strength of this mineral, teeth are highly susceptible to damage and decay. We all know that eating healthy is important to our bodies, but it is also vital to our teeth. These eight, innocent products are items we consume every day. Clinical studies show the ...
According to the American College of Prosthodontists, “120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth.” That’s more than 36 percent of the population! The most common causes of tooth loss include: Tooth decay (cavities) Gum disease Injury Cancer Aging Complete tooth loss, or edentulism, affects more than 36 million Americans, mostly those in the geriatric population and the economically disadvantaged. These statistics are staggering, and dental professionals are working ...
If it’s been a while since your last dental cleaning, a standard cleaning may not be enough. In these cases, dentists often recommend a deep dental cleaning, or deep teeth cleaning to gently and skillfully remove plaque and tartar from all parts of the teeth, preventing decay and disease. Learn more about the deep cleaning process, benefits, cost, and more in this blog. The Deep Teeth Cleaning Process The deep dental cleaning process involves ...
Cleft and craniofacial conditions include cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, burns, anotia, microtia, anophthalmia, injuries, diseases, and more. These affect thousands of people of all ages in the United States. According to the CDC, “each year… approximately 2,600 babies are born with a cleft palate and 4,400 babies are born with a cleft lip, with or without a cleft palate.” To promote National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, we’re answering some ...
With so many preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry options, tooth extraction is often the last resort for dentists. In many cases, a tooth can undergo root canal therapy, have a crown placed over it, or be restored with dental bonding or veneers. However, there are instances when an extraction is necessary to improve the patient’s oral and overall health. Five of the most common reasons dentists recommend a tooth extraction include: Tooth decay Gum ...
Spring is the season of renewal! Trees are blooming, birds are singing, and…we’re reminding you about the dangers of oral cancer. We know it doesn’t really fit with spring’s eternal feeling of hope and optimism, but April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and early detection is a beautiful thing. The Prevalence of Oral Cancer The American Cancer Society estimates approximately 54,000 new cases of oral cancer (oral cavity and oropharyngeal ...
Dental Assistants Recognition Week™ (also known as DARW) is held the first full week in March (this year, it's March 6-12), and we want to take this opportunity to give our hard-working dental assistants the recognition they deserve! Our dental assistants are crucial to the success of our practice. They perform multiple functions, and we couldn't provide the level of patient care we do without them. One of the dental assistant's most ...
Everyone wants white teeth, but not so much when that color appears in spots or blotches. Technically known as white lesions, white spots can develop on your teeth due a range of factors from diet to ingesting fluoride as a child. Common causes include: Fluorosis – Though fluoride is essential for strengthening teeth and preventing decay, too much fluoride in developing teeth can lead to low amounts of calcification, which causes spots of softer enamel and ...
Chewing gum may not have gotten your school teacher's approval, but as long as it's sugar-free, it will get a nod from your dentist! In fact, sugar-free gum is the only item in the candy aisle that can actually improve your oral health. Adding sugar-free gum to your day can help: Increase Saliva Flow Saliva plays a critical role in your overall oral health. In addition to washing away bacteria, saliva keeps your ...
The holidays are here, and with them come all the joys of the season – lights and decorations, time with friends and family, and those special treats we only get this time of year. The best way to enjoy the holiday festivities and keep your oral health intact is to balance those sticky, sugary foods with some that actually benefit your teeth and gums. We promise it’s not as hard as you might think! Fruit ...
While oral cancer (i.e., oral cavity and oropharynx cancers collectively) accounts for almost 3% of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States, it is responsible for 1.8% of all cancer deaths. The death rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high because it is generally not discovered until late in its development. Early-stage symptoms of oral cancer are often painless, such as a white or red patches of tissue or a lesion ...
If you’re one of the estimated 50-80% of adults with dental anxiety, chances are you’ve avoided or delayed dental care at some point in your life. Whether it be a routine cleaning or a more in-depth procedure, such as a root canal or filling, putting off dental visits often results in more significant issues down the road. In the majority of cases, dental anxiety is a result of a prior traumatic dental experience ...
Mask or no mask, bad breath is never welcome company. Halitosis not only makes for embarrassing social interactions, but it can also be a sign of health issues. Here are the most common causes of bad breath and tips to help prevent them: Foods – This one can be a double whammy. 1) The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. 2) Components from food are ...
It’s summertime, and we’ve traded winter coats and hot cocoa for breezy linens and refreshing umbrella drinks. Unfortunately, though you might be counting down the days until your “Out of Office” is on and your feet are in the sand, because the culprits behind tooth decay and enamel damage never take a vacation. We don’t want to be the ones to rain on your parade (especially since you’ve waited all year ...
If full mouth reconstruction has been suggested as a treatment option, you might be wondering if you really need it. Extensive dental work can be intimidating, but the results can also be life-changing. What is full mouth reconstruction? Full mouth reconstruction involves a combination of dental treatments to rebuild or restore your teeth, gums, and jaw function. While cosmetic elements, such as teeth whitening, may be a component in the process, it’s important to ...
You likely associate the month of May with budding trees and blooming flowers, but did you know that it’s also Root Canal Awareness Month? We’re guessing, probably not. That’s ok. Despite the fact that over 15 million root canals are performed in the US annually, this procedure has a bit of a PR problem. And while we’re not public relations experts, we think root canals deserve proper attention. What does a ...
As children, we’re taught that if we don’t take care of our teeth properly – brush daily, floss regularly, and watch our sugar intake - we’ll get cavities. However, as adults, we realize that there’s more to oral health than avoiding cavities alone - enter enamel erosion. What is tooth enamel? Enamel is the tooth’s thin, translucent outer layer. Harder than bone, tooth enamel is the first line of defense against decay. It ...
