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Photography by Dr. Padval

Other Oral Concerns… Besides Teeth

Common Problems of the Oral Cavity Most people associate dentistry with teeth. But the fact is, our focus is on the continued good health of your entire mouth–the oral cavity, as we dentists call it. The Tongue It's a highly helpful indicator of what may be going right–or wrong–inside the mouth. A smooth, or red tongue might suggest some sort of vitamin or mineral deficiency, while a chronically painful tongue may simply suggest poorly-fitting dentures. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) Beyond just being uncomfortable, dry mouth [...]

By |2019-05-21T08:00:39-07:00May 21, 2019|Patient Education|

Concerned with Smile Imperfections?

Have Confidence and Smile Wide! Several aspects of the teeth, lips and mouth combine to create the overall aesthetic of a smile. The smile line should have a slight curve to the upper teeth, following the curve of the lower lip. The teeth themselves should not be crowded or have gaps, and men's teeth are also slightly boxier, while woman's teeth are smaller and more rounded. While much emphasis is placed on the color of teeth, there is more to it than just "the [...]

By |2019-05-14T08:00:42-07:00May 14, 2019|Cosmetic Dentistry|

Tooth Trauma

Who's at Risk for Tooth Trauma? Accidents can happen at any time, but being aware of especially high-risk activities can encourage us to take the proper precautions and help avoid tooth trauma. The greatest number of injuries to teeth occur in children between ages 1 to 2 and 7 to 10. The first age group sees more injuries than normal because children are just learning how to walk and still clumsy on their feet, while the children ages 7-10 are simply at the stage [...]

By |2019-05-07T08:00:45-07:00May 7, 2019|Emergency Dentistry|

The Diabetes Epidemic

How Bad is it? Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. The diabetes epidemic affects more than 29 million Americans, and 7 million of those don't know they have it. It is marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defective insulin production, function, or both. The symptoms of diabetes develop gradually and include: fatigue, frequent urination, blurred vision, increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, and slow healing of sores. And unfortunately, some individuals experience no symptoms at [...]

By |2019-04-23T08:00:56-07:00April 23, 2019|Patient Education|

Don’t Forget to Clean Your Tongue!

Brushing Your Tongue Helps Freshen Breath With all the mints, mouthwash, chewing gum and other cover-ups available, there are many ways to freshen your breath. But, if you consistently suffer from halitosis, you might be forgetting an easy way to combat odor-causing bacteria... cleaning your tongue! It makes perfect sense if you think about it, the tongue is one of the largest structures in the mouth, and its textured surface provides the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Furthermore, since this vital organ makes [...]

By |2019-04-23T08:00:52-07:00April 23, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Do You Have a Problem with TMJ?

Is TMJ causing my pain? TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. Located just in front of the ear, it is the joint that connects your lower jaw to the rest of your head, allowing the jaw to move freely while biting, chewing, and speaking. Problems related to the TMJ can affect jaw muscles, teeth, and nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Times of stress can cause or aggravate TMJ, since most of the discomfort is attributed to overuse of muscles during clenching or grinding of [...]

By |2019-04-09T08:00:11-07:00April 9, 2019|Restorative Dentistry|

The Important Role of Baby Teeth

Seemingly Temporary and Dispensable, Baby Teeth Play an Important Role Why do we have two sets of teeth? Initially, the jaw is too small for a full set of adult teeth. Baby teeth serve their purpose just till the jaw develops enough room for adult teeth to form and push them out. This usually begins by age 6 or 7. Why worry about cavities in baby teeth? While baby teeth may seem temporary and dispensable, they actually play an important role that can impact [...]

By |2019-04-02T08:00:07-07:00April 2, 2019|Children's Dentistry|

Strategies for Nicotine Addiction

Are You Trying to Give up Nicotine? Nicotine continues to be popular with teens and young adults, and there are more ways to become addicted than ever before. Cigarettes and chewing tobacco remain, while e-cigarettes and vaporizers are now available in tempting flavors. We all know about the numerous side effects tobacco and/or nicotine can have on health, so there are plenty of reasons you might want to kick the habit! Here's How: Slowly Reduce Instead of quitting cold turkey, pick a target date [...]

By |2019-03-26T08:00:48-07:00March 26, 2019|Patient Education|

Inside Look at Women’s Oral Health

Women Encounter More Challenges to Their Oral Health A woman's oral health is often directly related to her stage of life. Changes in hormone levels during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause all impact the chemistry of what's going on in her mouth. It is important for everyone to practice good habits of brushing, flossing, and getting regular dental check-ups, but women need to remain extra vigilant during certain times of increased vulnerability. Dental Problems for Women can be Caused By: Puberty During puberty [...]

By |2019-03-19T08:00:46-07:00March 19, 2019|Patient Education|

Choosing the Right Toothpaste

Overwhelmed by your choices? Here's how to choose the right toothpaste for you. While your toothbrush does most of the plaque removal, abrasive agents in toothpaste will scour food particles and plaque from your teeth. Fluoride is the best-known ingredient, added to make the outer tooth structure more decay-resistant. Fluorides work best when teamed with surfactants (detergents), which help in remineralization. Lauryl sulfates, the most common surfactants, can dissolve plaque and fight bacteria. They also provide a foam that helps to carry away debris. [...]

By |2019-03-12T08:00:44-07:00March 12, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|