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 w
hen 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…]
Common Mouth Sores
Mouth sores that appear on the lips, roof of the mouth, tongue, gums, or inside the cheeks can be ugly, painful, and annoying. Eating and speaking can be difficult as any movement of the affected tissue can cause discomfort. Two common types of painful mouth sores are canker sores and cold sores. [Read more…]
SATISFYING THAT SWEET TOOTH WITHOUT TOOTH DAMAGE
We have all heard that we should avoid sugary foods if we want to have healthy teeth, but not all sugars and candies are created equal. Some sweets are less harmful to the teeth, and some are actually beneficial!
THE BETTER CHOICES… [Read more…]
BACK TO SCHOOL DENTAL TIPS
As another summer ends and a new school year approaches, many of us parents begin the task of preparing our children for their first day back to school. We shop for the necessary school supplies, we update their wardrobes, and we ensure they have the immunizations and booster shots necessary to continue in school. Children should also have a dental exam before returning to school to ensure they have a healthy mouth and the tools they need to maintain it. [Read more…]
No ice cream for these sensitive teeth!
I love the warm weather of the approaching summertime – a time when my family enjoys the beautiful sunshine and eats cold watermelon and homemade ice cream outside on our back po
rch. For people with sensitive teeth, however, this activity that my family so enjoys is not a treat. Cold foods and beverages make their teeth ache. [Read more…]
Kids in the Dental Office
My dental practice treats everyone from toddlers to the elderly, and though we have a passion for cosmetic dentistry, children are usually the most fun and interesting patients.
I have had many enlightening experiences as kids surprise me with their perceptions of what is occurring during their dental appointments. After I extracted the tooth of a 7-year-old boy, the mother asked her son as they left our office, “Has your tooth stopped hurting yet?” to which her son replied,”I don’t know. The dentist has it.” In treating young patients I have learned that………… [Read more…]
Why Traditional Dentures are NOT for you!
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…]
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…]