What is the difference between dental erosion and dental decay?
Different dental issues can wear down your teeth, and some are more serious than others. Erosion and decay are just a few of the conditions that can compromise your pearly whites. In the minds of patients, these two problems can easily be confused with each other. However, they have distinct causes and symptoms. When the […]
Causes and Treatments of Xerostomia
Although xerostomia might sound like the name of some horrible rare disease, it’s actually quite common. Xerostomia, better known as dry mouth, can have serious consequences, nonetheless. Xerostomia occurs when patients have an insufficient amount of saliva in the mouth. Dentists often hear patients complain of dry mouth when those patients are taking certain medications […]
Orthodontic Treatment: What to expect at the first appointment
Your initial appointment with your orthodontist will be the first step down the long path to a straighter, more appealing smile. As such, it’s important to get off to a good start. Knowing what to expect will help you set a good tone for all of the visits to follow. Orthodontists collect a significant amount […]
What protection does a mouthguard provide?
Athletes who play any contact sport are encouraged to wear a mouthguard to prevent a variety of injuries and negative outcomes. This goes for football, basketball, hockey, soccer, and many others. Even patients who enjoy certain non-contact sports or even hobbies that pose the risk of oral injuries should consider mouthguards. As your dentist will […]
Do genetics play a role in the overall health of teeth?
You may think that you’re on track for good oral health if you stick to your brushing and flossing routine and avoid sweet treats. You’re counting on your semiannual visits to the dentist to keep your pearly whites in good shape. All of this may not be enough, though. Your genes may still make you […]
Good Dental Health Starts Early
Many babies get their first tooth around six months, and that’s when you can start your child down the path to good oral health. Ideally, a child’s first dentist visit should take place shortly after that first tooth comes in and no later than your child’s first birthday. A baby can be evaluated by the […]
How does a root canal become infected?
In addition to being the name of a dreaded (although unnecessarily so) dental procedure, the root canal is a chamber in the tooth’s root that houses the nerves that end in the tooth’s center core, or pulp. Those nerves can become infected if oral bacteria are able to travel to the tooth’s center, which contains […]
Feeling Self-Conscious About Your Smile?
Your smile is one of your most important assets. It’s one of the first features that a prospective date or even employer will notice upon meeting you. Unfortunately, nature hasn’t graced us all with bright white, perfectly aligned smiles. Fortunately, modern dentistry can help those of us with less-than-stellar pearly whites improve upon what we […]
What do your teeth say about your health?
Most of us maintain good oral hygiene habits primarily to preserve our smile’s appearance. However, as the gateway to the body, the mouth is an important factor in your general health. Indeed, your smile conveys more than just the message that you are a happy, friendly person. This is why it’s so important to keep […]
Does “thumb sucking” negatively affect the outcome of your child’s teeth?
It may seem that thumb sucking is a normal, harmless habit of childhood, but the behavior may actually have serious consequences for your child’s teeth in the future. Your dentist has likely seen many patients who have manifested the poor outcomes of ongoing thumb sucking. It’s important to understand that your child likely gets some […]