As parents, there is nothing more special than seeing our child smile. While the baby teeth that make up those smiles may only be temporary, it is important to remember that they serve a very important role in our child’s health and development and must be meticulously cared for until they fall out. [Read more…]
Give the Gift of Oral Health
The holidays are here, and ‘tis the season for giving. As we shop for gifts for our friends and family, we all have those hard-to-buy-for people on our list. This year, why not give them the gift of oral health? Here are some great gift ideas to keep your friends and family members smiling! [Read more…]
Benefits of Invisalign
Did you know that straight teeth are healthier teeth? Invisalign clear aligner therapy, a popular orthodontic alternative to traditional braces, uses aligners to move teeth into their proper position gradually and gently without the use of unsightly brackets and wires as are necessary with conventional dental braces. But many people think that the reason for doing Invisalign is simply related to vanity – wanting a more attractive smile without having the metal “grill” from traditional braces. While that is certainly one of the benefits of straightening teeth with Invisalign, there are some big health-related benefits as well. [Read more…]
Same Day Implant Teeth
Over the past decade there has been a lot of buzz in the media about same day implants and teeth. In some cases, a smile can be restored with a single implant and crown or with multiple implants and a set of teeth in just one day. Dentists must use good judgement when assessing a patient to determine whether same day implant restoration is a good option for that patient. In many cases it is much more difficult to place a single implant and restore it with a crown the same day than it is to place multiple implants and a full set of teeth in one appointment. [Read more…]
Preventing Jack O’ Lantern Smiles
When we think of October, many of us think of Halloween. Children dressing up in costumes, trick or treating, and, of course, the Halloween candy! But there is more to celebrate in October than just Halloween. It is also National Dental Hygiene Month! So to help you make it through Halloween with healthy teeth and good oral hygiene, here are our five favorite tips: [Read more…]
Are dental x-rays necessary?
As a mom of three, I feel the weight of responsibility to stay informed and protect my children from toxins and chemicals that may harm their developing bodies. Radiation is one of those toxins that concerns many people. Most dentists agree that limiting exposure to X-rays is important, but X-rays are necessary to find dental problems that can also be dangerous to the body. Your health suffers when people miss dental or other medical issues because they never took a radiograph. X-rays can help your dentist find and treat dental problems at an early stage, saving time, money and unnecessary discomfort. In our practice, each patient is evaluated individually for how often and how many x-rays are needed. [Read more…]
Back-to-School Dental Emergencies
In our dental practice, we sometimes see young patients being rushed into our office with injuries to their teeth from school-related activities. The injuries we have seen have ranged from a small chip on a tooth from a fall on the playground or hallway to teeth being completely knocked out by a Lacrosse stick or even another child’s head. So, what are you as a parent to do when you get that call from the school? [Read more…]
A Woman’s Guide to Hormones and Dental Health
Hormones can affect many aspects of a woman’s health – their weight, their mood, and even their dental health. You may be surprised to learn that women are more susceptible to gum disease during periods of hormone surges such as puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy. While changing hormones are a fact of life, being aware of how hormones affect our oral health can help us manage and prevent their impact. [Read more…]
Finding a GOOD Dentist for Your Family
As a mom of three, I know the pressures we moms feel in making decisions for our kids’ health. We buy organic when possible, we try to make sure our kids get outside and aren’t glued to their electronics all weekend, and we research online and among neighbors when trying to find healthcare providers like pediatricians and dentists. But how do you really know if a dentist is “good?” Do you seek the opinions of neighbors and co-workers? Co-workers and neighbors can be good resources for recommending a dentist based on the dentist’s personality, gentleness, and appearance of the office, but may not always know if the work being done is of high quality. However, word-of-mouth recommendations are a good place to start. Reading online reviews next to be sure that others have the same great experience is important as well. [Read more…]
The Importance of Early Orthodontics (Braces)
In my practice parents often ask me if it is better to wait until their child’s baby teeth are all out before seeing an orthodontist. They tell me that they “don’t want to have to do braces twice.” But seeing an orthodontist early on, by the age of 7, can often help many children avoid complicated orthodontics later, as early intervention may prevent teeth from erupting improperly and can aid in the proper formation of the jaws. [Read more…]