From Christina, Dental Hygienist: We all know someone who took a bite out of an apple and heard that dreaded crunch that signified a chipped tooth. Check out our tips for what to do when you chip a tooth and how each solution depends on the size and extent of the fracture. Smooth Over the Teeth If your tooth doesn’t have a deep fracture or if the neighboring teeth were already a bit shorter than the fractured tooth, smoothing over the chipped tooth to match the teeth around it may be a great option to consider. Even a smallest chip Read More →

From Christina, Dental Hygienist: Charcoal toothpastes have gained the attention of most patients, especially at big name stores like Target. Websites like Pinterest are stocked full of tooth whitening charcoal DIY recipes. But does charcoal actually whiten our teeth and is it safe to use? Does Charcoal Toothpaste Work? As a dental professional, I look at evidence-based practice to determine if a product is safe and effective for use. At this point, there isn’t a lot of research that has been done on charcoal as a dentifrice (aka toothpaste). We know that charcoal is negatively charged, therefore, it tends to Read More →

Here is an explanation of dental probing that will hopefully help you understand… Most of us have heard the terms gingivitis or gum disease. Once a year, these numbers we record are taken to evaluate the health of our gum tissue. A periodontal probe (tiny gum ruler) is utilized to measure the pocket depths in millimeters along the gumline, on the front and back of each tooth, totaling 6 measurements per tooth. When listening to these numbers, 1, 2 and 3 millimeters are all normal, healthy gum attachments to the teeth. If you hear 4 millimeters, this is an area Read More →

There has been a lot of buzz going around about the additives in toothpaste and what they do to our teeth. Many people look for whitening or tartar control toothpastes to brighten their smile, while others are on the hunt for a paste that allows them to eat ice cream without cringing. How do we decide what toothpastes are good for our teeth and which ones to avoid? Our office now hands out a list of toothpastes widely used on the market and where they land in abrasiveness. It is a good way to choose a toothpaste option that is Read More →

There are many causes of tooth pain. Sometimes it is directly related to your teeth, such as decay or gum disease. Other times it is indirectly related to your teeth, such as pressure or infection in your sinuses. Our experience has led us to the following top 10 reasons for tooth pain: Tooth decay Tooth abcess Gum disease Tooth fractures Temperature Sensitivity Damaged fillings or sealants Teeth grinding or clenching Improper brushing or flossing Misaligned teeth or impacted wisdom teeth Orthodontic Alignment If you are having pain or sensitivity it is important to see a Dentist right away. Waiting too Read More →

With the Holiday’s fast approaching all of us are thinking the same things…the food! It’s always so good, and if you’re anything like me you eat way too much of it. Then once January comes we all make the same resolution…to lose the Holiday weight. Here I’ve found a couple of fun, cute, and healthy holiday snacks that won’t make you feel guilty afterwards! You’re sure to be the hit of any party with these treats! Christmas Tree Pizza Lunchtime or anytime this Christmas Tree Pizza will be creative and delicious.  Cut out tree shapes before baking pizza crust.  Decorate Read More →

People use the dentist is two main ways. First, some people use their dentist as a “dental emergency room.” This tends to be people who wait for something to break or become painful, then come in to have it fixed. There’s nothing wrong with this model, however, it usually leads to increased costs and unpredictability for the patient. When we wait for the teeth to tell us something is wrong, it’s usually REALLY wrong. We are usually talking big, expensive dental work that needs to be done ASAP. Another option is to come in proactively, BEFORE you suspect problems. We Read More →

What is dental floss and why should I use it? Dental floss is a cord of thin filaments that removes food and plaque that stick between teeth where a toothbrush is unable to reach, polishes hard to reach tooth surfaces, and can help control bad breath. What kind of floss should I use? It really is a matter of personal preference. Waxed floss has a coating that helps it slide through tight spaces. Unwaxed floss does not have this coating, so it is thinner. You can also use Dental tape which is helpful if you have a bridge or wider Read More →

Did you know that over 600 million pounds of candy are sold during the week of Halloween with October 28th being the highest selling day? We all love this holiday, but there are ways to celebrate and keep those trick-or-treaters happy without the risk of tooth decay! Alternative handouts to candy: ~ for those afraid of the dark or who just enjoy lighting up the night, receiving light up glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces are fun and help parents keep track of their little ghouls. ~ small bottles of water to quench the thirst from hauling around heavy costumes and Read More →

We all know it’s best to brush, floss, use mouth-rinse etc. every day. But c’mon – it’s the real world, the kids are tired, it’s past their bed time and you’ve got about ten seconds left before you lose your cool….so what do you do? I got to thinking about this the other day – where is the biggest “bang for your buck” time-wise in cleaning your kid’s teeth? To tackle this question, I asked myself one question… “Where do I spend my day fixing kid’s cavities?” No question it’s between the two baby molars. We call these class II’s Read More →