Dentures are removable replacements for your natural teeth and gums. There are essentially two categories called partial and complete (full) dentures. Partial dentures are made when a person still has some teeth in the arch, and they can replace one or more teeth. Complete dentures are made when the entire upper or lower jaw is missing all of the teeth. Both types of dentures are made from either dental acrylic (a type of plastic) or a combination of acrylic and metal. [Read more…]
Bad Breath: Causes and Solutions
Have you ever been on date or chatted with friends and felt that your (or someone else’s) breath was not so fresh? If so, you are not alone. Studies show 
that 50 percent of adults state that they have experienced bad breath. While many causes of bad breath are harmless and can be resolved with simple changes to your dental care routine, bad breath that lasts for an extended period of time, known as halitosis, can be a sign of something more serious. [Read more…]
The Dangers of Thumbsucking
Sucking is a natural instinct with which we are born. Babies and small children use fingers, pacifiers, and other objects to soothe and comfort themselves. Sucking is a normal, healthy part of our early development, but prolonged sucking – past the age of 4 – can cause a host of dental problems and may even indicate medical issues. [Read more…]
Snoring in Children – WARNING!
Overnight guests in our home have joked about my husband’s snoring. His sleep study results call him a “heroic snorer” meaning he can snore in any position, but his snoring has not been found to be connected to sleep apnea or breathing issues. When children snore, however, it is no laughing matter. A child may snore occasionally when he or she has a cold or is “stuffy,” but when a child snores regularly for more than just a week or two and is not ill, it may be a warning sign of sleep-disordered breathing which can lead to dental, behavioral, and health issues. [Read more…]
Fluoride (Preventing Tooth Decay)
In 1909 a dentist in Colorado noticed that many children were developing brown spots on their teeth. Those children also had fewer cavities than children living in other areas. It was later discovered that these children, who were living at the base of Pike’s Peak, were receiving high concentrations of natural fluoride. As rain water ran down the mountain, fluoride was released from the rock and flowed into the town’s water reservoir. [Read more…]
Your Diet and Your Smile
The foods you choose and how often you eat affect your general health as well as the health of your teeth and gums. Today, Americans are eating record numbers of sugary sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks, and over time these foods can make cavities in teeth. [Read more…]
Back-to-School Dental Emergencies
In my dental practice, I have seen many of my school-aged patients with front teeth painfully reshaped by monkey bars, the school’s tile floor, or even another child’s head. So what is a parent to do when you get that call from the school? [Read more…]
A Beautiful Smile
Often when I am asked to restore patients’ smiles, the patients ask for qualities that they think will make their smile perfect – smooth on the incisal (chewing) edge and white. These qualities SOUND good, but in the mouth, they may not be so pleasing to the eye. So what makes a smile beautiful? Typically, the most esthetic qualities involve symmetry, a natural light color, and the appearance of health. [Read more…]
Cosmetic Options
Right or wrong we often make assumptions about people based on what they wear, how they speak, or their posture. A confident, attractive smile also plays an important role in a person’s image. When you look good, you feel good, and if you’re pleased with your smile, you’re more likely to wear it! [Read more…]
WELCOME, Dr. Kristy Chandler
I want to share with you some exciting news happening here at Cheek Dental! Some of our patients have been in our practice since I acquired it 14 years ago. They have seen me get married and have my first child (and then adopt from Russia while being pregnant with our second child!) They have referred their friends and family and trusted that we would offer them the same kind of genuine concern and care that we have given them. Because of that trust, I have been reluctant to allow any other dentist to work in my practice, [Read more…]