Never in our lif
etime have we experienced such a worldwide health crisis as we are currently. Protecting the health of ourselves, our families, and our community members has become a major group effort! Wearing masks, frequent hand washing, and sanitizer use is now the norm for everyone. Infection control has always been a top priority for us at Cheek Dental, but COVID-19 has certainly put our procedures to the test! [Read more…]
Sensitive Teeth
Does a bite of cold ice cream or a sip of hot coffee sometimes hurt your teeth? If so, you are not alone. Sensitive teeth is a common problem we see among our patients. The great news is that sensitive teeth can be treated; however, the type of treatment depends on what is causing the sensitivity. [Read more…]
Do You Take My Insurance
This is a question we are often asked in o
ur dental practice, but the answer to that is a little complicated. When deciding on a dentist for yourself and your family, you want to be sure you are considering a multitude of factors including insurance, but insurance certainly should not be the #1 consideration. [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!
An Electric Toothbrush. While both a manual and an electric toothbrush can effectively and thoroughly clean your teeth, dentists often recommend electric toothbrushes because of their precise brushing capabilities and gentleness on gums. And they are fun to use! Electric toothbrushes are great for anyone but are a particularly great gift for those who have difficulty brushing or who have limited manual dexterity. Dr. 
Chandler’s pick: Oral B Genius.
A Water Flosser. Water flossers are handheld devices that spray streams of water in steady pulses. The water, like traditional floss, can remove food and plaque from between and arou
nd the teeth. Water flossers help reduce gingivitis, the early form of gum disease, and are wonderful gifts for people who have trouble flossing by hand or who have dental work that makes flossing difficult – such as braces or a bridge. Dr. Chandler’s pick: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser.
Teeth Whitening. Who wouldn’t want a whiter, more confident smile? Whitening is a great gift 
that will surely make your loved ones smile! Products available over-the-counter, such as whitening toothpastes or whitening strips, may make teeth look a little brighter but often contain different or lower concentration bleaching agents than what your dentist offers, and some are actually just surface stain removers. Before purchasing an over-the-counter bleaching kit, ask your dentist if they offer professional strength non-custom bleaching kits. These kits are less expensive than in-office or custom tray bleaching processes. Opalescence Go is one such kit that requires no impressions or custom trays and is ready to use right out of the package. Dr. Chandler’s pick: Opalescence Go.
Additional stocking stuffer ideas that promote oral health: Xylitol gum, sugar free candies, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, tongue scrapers, and interdental brushes or picks.
While I hope you have enjoyed our favorite oral health gift ideas, it is important to remember that oral health begins with good oral hygiene. We recommend brushing twice a day for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing or using interdental cleaning tools once a day, and scheduling regular dental hygiene visits and examinations to keep your smile, and yourself, healthy. Happy Holidays!
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…]