If It Ain't Broke, Why Fix It? Patients are sometimes surprised when they have a cavity or two and wonder, "How can I need a filling when I haven't been in any pain?" Unfortunately, this is common because cavities often don't give any warning signs at all. Teeth can become extremely broken down and even abscess due to decay and still never hurt. So while it may not be causing you any discomfort at the moment, our experience has shown that catching problems early [...]
About Each Patient! Dentistry may be the word that describes the service we provide. But our greater goal is something we call care. It's reflected in the way we evaluate (and re-evaluate) current treatment methods and the latest dental techniques. It drives the way we look after every patient as an individual, with unique needs, desires, and concerns. It's why we attend continuing education courses regularly to keep abreast of every new advance in the art and science of dentistry. It's our goal to [...]
When you visit our office, you might notice some of the things we do to maintain a sterile environment. We take disease control very seriously, and you can rest assured that we take all the proper precautions to keep you safe! In the Office Sterilization is now—and always has been—a concern in our office. We keep up with every new and more effective method of preventing cross-contamination. The gloves and masks are the most visible part of our program. But there's more to it [...]
Less is More Where would we be without our vitamin C? Everyone agrees it's a crucial nutrient that provides many health benefits. And in dentistry, it plays an important role in the healing process, especially in soft tissue such as gums. But vitamin C, being acidic, can actually do damage if consumed in chewable form. Too many chews and tooth enamel literally dissolves. A single chewable tablet won't hurt, but if you need higher levels of vitamin C, switch to another form or consider [...]
If It Were You? Every day, patients ask us about their dental care. Should I have a crown or a filling? A root canal, or an extraction? Should we fix a "baby tooth?" Or will it just fall out? Is teeth whitening safe? Often the final question we're asked is, "What would you do if it were you?" Our answer is always the same. Our recommendation to you is the same as if it were a member of our own family. We have the [...]
Against Tooth Damage Let's face it; kids, sports, and the typical teenage sense of invulnerability make a pretty risky combination. Once a tooth is cracked, broken—or worse, knocked out—there's no going back. It's for keeps. If your child is involved in any sports activity (even a pickup basketball game) a well-fitting mouthguard is the least expensive, most effective insurance you can have. There are three general types of mouthguard: Stock or Pre-formed. Inexpensive, yes. But one-size-fits-all usually means one-size-fits-nobody. And the mouthguard that sits [...]
Gum Disease has Bigger Implications Gum disease continues to pose a significant threat to public health, with some studies suggesting more American adults have gum disease than previously thought. As detection, screening, and awareness has improved over the years, we now know that the prevalence of moderate to severe periodontal disease may have been underestimated by as much as 50 percent. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that can destroy the gum tissue, ligaments and even the bone supporting the teeth. Left untreated, [...]
The best rule for fluoride is not too much. Not too little. Ever since the first American city began to manage fluoride levels in its water supply, there's been plenty of misinformation floating around regarding the potential benefits and dangers of this substance. In a nutshell, fluoride has been shown to help protect against tooth decay. It also exists naturally in most water supplies. When communities fluoridated their water, they weren't necessarily adding it; they were adjusting the dose to the best level. That's [...]
Prevention is the Best Way to Avoid Costly Dental Emergencies We understand that not all emergencies can be avoided, sometimes accidents happen. But skipping check-ups and avoiding the dentist is never a good way to save money. It will only result in more costly treatment needed down the road. Instead, we like to emphasize the value of maintaining your oral health. Just imagine that every time you brush, floss, or have a cleaning, it's as if the cost of a future dental problem becomes [...]
When thinking about bacteria, a good analogy is bugs in your garden. The bad ones eat your cherished plants and can carry diseases, but good bugs like bees and ladybugs exist as well. They help to undo the damage done by the bad bugs. With bacteria, it is much the same. The harmful bacteria spreads disease and discomfort—but the good type provides many benefits, especially in your digestive tract. Your mouth is the important starting point for digestion. As you chew, saliva adds enzymes [...]
