Dr. Cristi Cheek knew in second grade that she was going to be a dentist. And all along, a significant part of her dream was to create an office environment with an uplifting, positive atmosphere where everyone, both patients and staff, felt like family. Today, she has exceeded those childhood dreams with a thriving practice with a family feel and a patient base that places complete trust in Cheek Dental.
Why Dental Check-ups are Important During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As we all do our best to prevent exposing ourselves to the coronavirus by isolating at home or by protecting ourselves with masks, hand sanitizer, and maintaining six foot distances as we venture out, we also need to be mindful of keeping our bodies healthy so that our immune system can be ready in case it is confronted with this virus. Did you know that there is a direct link between your oral wellness and your overall health? We have all heard that people with certain risk factors like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems are more likely to have complications if they contract COVID-19. Maintaining good oral hygiene and ensuring that we have regular dental examinations and cleanings is important in helping to ensure that our immune system is functioning at full capacity and is not already overwhelmed fighting off oral bacteria when it is confronted with coronavirus particles. [Read more…]
Set Your Child Up for Success with Sealants
Did you k
now that the most common chronic disease found in school-age children is tooth decay (or cavities)? While brushing twice a day and flossing daily are the best ways to prevent cavities, dental sealants are another preventative tool that can help reduce the risk of children developing cavities. Dental sealants are a protective barrier placed on the chewing surfaces of teeth that help to seal out plaque and acids from the deep pits and grooves of teeth, preventing them from forming cavities. In an October 2016 report released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the importance of sealants for school-age children was affirmed when they found that “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.” More recent studies have found that sealants reduce the risk of developing cavities on molars by nearly 80%. [Read more…]
How COVID-19 may change your visit to the dentist
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…]
Why Baby Teeth Matter
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…]
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…]