Diamons

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Photography by Dr. Padval

Improving Self Esteem

Do Looks Affect the Way People Treat You? Positive self-esteem—how we feel about ourselves—is important to a healthy personality, the development of a positive attitude about life, and achievement in the direction we choose. It is well documented that people with a positive "feeling" about themselves do better in school, in business, and have closer, more meaningful relationships. One measure of self-esteem is how you feel about your physical appearance; or, more importantly, how you feel you look to others. The complexion, teeth, and [...]

By |2020-01-28T08:00:01-08:00January 28, 2020|Cosmetic Dentistry|

Are You Grinding Your Teeth?

What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth. It's a fairly common habit with about 1 in 3 exhibiting the behavior, yet most don't even realize they're affected. That's partly because bruxism can occur while sleeping at night, but also because the habit develops subconsciously, usually due to stress or anxiety. Recognizing the problem is the first step, and many patients can make great improvements by simply learning to position teeth, tongue, and lips properly. Some people mistakenly believe that teeth [...]

By |2020-01-21T08:00:07-08:00January 21, 2020|Preventative Dentistry|

Tooth Health: Cut out the Carbonation

Soda, Coke, Soft Drinks, Energy Drinks—whatever you call them, they're bad for teeth. You probably know that soft drinks aren't good for you. They are high in sugar and provide little nutrition other than some "empty calories." Even if you enjoy the diet/zero calorie versions, the acid content can be a problem. That's because the carbonation that provides the fizz and bubbles also contains carbonic acid, which can raise the ph balance of the mouth and weaken tooth enamel. Additionally, most soft drinks use [...]

By |2020-01-14T08:00:23-08:00January 14, 2020|Patient Education|

Do You Have Dry Mouth?

Dehydration and Dry Mouth can Affect Oral Health If you only occasionally find yourself with a dry mouth, then it's probably nothing to worry about. It's just a natural sign of being thirsty. However, if the lack of saliva flow becomes a chronic condition, then it can become a dental issue. That's because saliva has an important function in the mouth. It provides lubrication when eating and chewing foods, and its enzymes begin the digestion process by breaking down food. Even when not eating, [...]

By |2020-01-07T08:00:06-08:00January 7, 2020|Restorative Dentistry|

Bad Habits for Teeth

Everyday Habits can Impact Oral Health Most of us have a bad habit or two that we'd like to change. Here are some common habits that are especially hard on teeth: Biting or Chewing Non-Foods Items Maybe you've done it for years with no harm, but each time you bite a non-food object is unnecessary wear and tear, making chips and other damage more likely. If you chew on pencils or toothpicks, bite your nails, or use your teeth as a tool to open [...]

By |2019-12-23T08:00:22-08:00December 23, 2019|Patient Education|

Inlays, Onlays, & Crowns

What is the difference between Inlays, Onlays, and Crowns? They all strengthen and repair a damaged tooth, but generally, the type of restoration we use is determined by the extent of the damage. Inlays - Inlays are used when a cavity has grown too big to be treated with a traditional filling. Made of porcelain and milled to perfectly fit your tooth, the inlay lies within the cusps of the tooth's chewing surface. Onlay - Onlays are usually slightly larger and encompass some portion [...]

By |2019-12-17T08:00:14-08:00December 17, 2019|Restorative Dentistry|

One-Visit Whitening

Get Yours Today! Teeth whitening is a simple and safe way to dramatically improve the appearance of your smile. You're probably familiar with over-the-counter products such as strips, toothpastes, or rinses. Well, these products may lighten your teeth over time with extended use, but they can never achieve the instant results as provided by a dentist and administered in a professional setting. This gives us the means to whiten your teeth significantly in just one visit, or to create custom trays for improved at-home [...]

By |2019-12-10T08:00:38-08:00December 10, 2019|Cosmetic Dentistry|

Oral Exams: Checking out the Tongue

Have you ever wondered why doctors and dentists ask you to open wide and say, "Ahhhh?" It's true that dentists are looking for cavities and tooth-related problems, but the tongue and other soft tissues can also be an important indicator of a patient's overall health. Diseases such as diabetes, AIDS, scarlet fever, and different vitamin deficiencies can all manifest symptoms via the tongue. Patients can also do their part by performing self-examinations at home. Whenever you find yourself brushing your teeth (usually in front [...]

By |2019-12-03T08:00:03-08:00December 3, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Avoiding the Dentist?

Break the Cycle! Have you been avoiding the dentist due to fear or anxiety? Or has it been so long that you're embarrassed or ashamed? At our practice, we promise to never "guilt-trip" or scold you about your teeth. Instead, we simply focus on positive change to our patients' health, and you'll find that our caring approach is very accommodating to those with dental fears or anxiety. Take a look at some of our tips on how to deal with a dental phobia, and [...]

By |2019-11-26T08:00:53-08:00November 26, 2019|Fear & Anxiety|

Baby Teeth—Take Them Seriously

You probably know that it's important to take care of a child's baby teeth, but do you understand why? It's a common question that patients have. "Why worry about a baby tooth if it's eventually going to fall out?" Well, for starters, baby teeth are around a little longer than you might think. Incisors (front teeth) fall out around age 5 or 6, while molars are last to fall out by 10 or 11. So while baby teeth aren't permanent, it's still important to [...]

By |2019-11-19T08:00:45-08:00November 19, 2019|Children's Dentistry|