News

Many people go to the dentist and receive news that they have cavities, but don’t fully understand how cavities form.  Cavities are among the world’s most common health problems in children, teenagers, and older adults. Let’s take a closer look at what causes cavities and how they form.

Cavities Formation

Cavities are also called caries.  Cavities are permanent damaged areas in the enamel of your teeth that develop into tiny openings. Left untreated, cavities can get larger and go beyond the enamel affecting deeper layers of the teeth.  This can lead to severe toothache, infection, and tooth loss.  Cavities are caused by tooth decay and occur over time.   Tooth…

New parents are often unsure of when to take a child to their first dental visit.  Here, we discuss when the optimal time is for you to take your child to their first visit with a dentist and what to expect during the first appointment.

Timing of Visit

A child’s first visit to the dentist should be about 6 months after their first tooth erupts in the mouth, according to the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.  The first visit should take place by 1 year old and no later than 2 years of age.  Waiting longer than 2 years will…

Gingivitis, also known as gum inflammation, is a common mild form of gum disease and occurs before full onset of periodontal disease.  But not all gingivitis progresses to major oral disease. Gingivitis presents with irritation, redness, and swelling of the gums, especially the part of the gum around the teeth or gingiva. The main cause of gingivitis is plaque build up around the gingiva.  Other contributing factors include bad habits such as smoking, poor oral hygiene, and family history of dental diseases.

Plaque and Tartar

Plaque can lead to gingivitis by first forming on your teeth.  Plaque is a sticky film of mainly bacteria that accumulates on your teeth when starches…

You have probably skipped flossing a few days out of the week. Flossing can be an annoying task to do daily.  Every time you visit your dentist, you are reminded how to floss and to floss everyday.  To floss properly, use about a 12 – 18 inch piece of floss and wrap each end around your middle fingers. Holding the floss between your thumb and forefingers, slide a clean section of floss between your teeth while gently pulling the floss to one side creating a C shape around a tooth.  Slide the floss up and down to remove the plaque, doing the same to the…

When thinking of ways to promote gut health, we usually think of using probiotics, eating a balanced diet, or keeping hydrated.  Oral health probably did not even cross your mind.   But the fact is oral health is very important in maintaining a healthy gut.  Keep in mind, everything that goes through the digestive system starts from the mouth.  Recognizing the link between your mouth and gut can help you better understand how oral health can lead to having gut health.

The Oral and Gut Microbiomes

The mouth and gut has a microbial community called the “microbiome,” which is a balance of over 300-700 different types of good and…

We use medications almost every day to help alleviate headaches and even manage chronic diseases.  But have you ever stopped to wonder how these drugs affect your teeth and gums, or if they do at all? Let’s take a look at how your oral health can be affected by some medications.

Teeth Discoloration

Three drugs that can change the color of teeth are tetracycline, minocycline and chlorhexidine.  Tetracyclines are antibiotics that can cause yellowish permanent stains on developing teeth in children.  Since teeth development starts even before birth, pregnant women should avoid taking tetracyclines to prevent the drug from staining the unborn baby’s teeth.  Children are susceptible…

Your teeth help you chew the food you love to eat, impact they way you speak, and affect how you look. Most adults have 32 teeth with 16 on both the top and bottom jaw. Teeth are the hardest substances in the human body, and consist of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals. Unlike bones, teeth cannot grow back together if they are broken or decay. Understanding the importance of caring for your teeth starts with knowing the basic anatomy and structure of a tooth.

Root, Neck, and Crown

A tooth consists of three parts: root, neck, and crown. The root is…

Everyday you brush your teeth at least twice a day, but do you really know what you’re using to brush your teeth with? In today’s market, there are many toothpaste selections with diverse flavors claiming to whiten teeth, control teeth sensitivity, care for gums, and even freshen breath. Let’s take a look at some of the common ingredients and how toothpaste can be different.

Common toothpaste ingredients

Fluoride

Fluoride is the most popular active ingredient in toothpaste. It can be listed as sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate or stannous fluoride. Fluoride strengthens teeth by remineralizing the enamel to prevent cavities and reduce wear by acidic foods….

You want a smile that you can feel proud of. When someone takes your picture, you want to smile big and with pride. However, if your smile is less than perfect, this may not be a reality. At we have learned that many patients are unhappy with their smile but assume there is nothing they can do about it.

They may know that cosmetic dentistry options exist, but they assume that they are priced so high that they are out of their reach. This is not…

We have helped many patients get impressively whiter teeth and we have had many patients ask us: Do we really need to do this at the dentist or can we do it at home? Yes, it will cost more to have it professional done but the truth is that the extra cost is well worth it. Read on to discover why and then contact if you would like to make an appointment to have your teeth whitened.

Professional Teeth Whitening Works Much More Quickly

How long…