Autumn Leaves and Botox Please

What is Botox and what does it do? Botox is a drug made from a toxin that is produced by bacteria, called Clostridium botulinum, which blocks nerve activity in the muscles. This causes a temporary reduction in muscle activity for about 3 months. Botox is a safe and easy treatment that is injected into specific muscle groups in the face, causing relaxation of those muscles to lessen the appearance of wrinkles. Botox can also be given as preventative treatment. Botox is more effective for dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles that only show during movement) than static wrinkles. Static wrinkles can still be Read More →

Pros and Cons of Saving vs. Extracting a Tooth

We’ve all had that dreaded dream of losing teeth in our sleep. What happens when we are truly faced with this situation? While we may not want to think of needing to have a tooth extraction, there are many circumstances that can require this treatment. Traumatizing events can happen in the blink of an eye. A piece of workout equipment lands on our face and knocks out a front tooth. You bite down on a hard candy and hear a crunch that crumbles your tooth. You hit a tooth with a fork while eating a salad. These are all real-life Read More →

How to Relieve Tooth Sensitivity

The number one concern of patients in my hygiene chair is sensitivity. It comes in all forms, caused by cold, hot or sweets. Simply brushing can also cause a feeling I describe as a “zing.” It can be frustrating, and even life altering, when tooth sensitivity prevents enjoying the things we once could – like ice cream! It is important to bring up any tooth sensitivity at your dental appointments. The majority of sensitivity comes from exposed root surfaces (recession). Sensitivity can also come from tooth issues such as cracks or nerve issues. Describing your symptoms and the location gives Read More →

Top 10 reasons for tooth pain

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 →

PRO’S and CON’S of saving vs. extracting a tooth

via GIPHY When a patient arrives with an aching tooth, their first thought may be to “TAKE THIS THING OUT”! For some cases an extraction may be the only option; however, that is a decision that you and your dentist can make together. Making the best choice now could save you time and money in the long run. Many times when a patient arrives with a constant, throbbing tooth, it likely needs a root canal. A root canal replaces infected pulp in a tooth’s canal and may be completed by your General Dentist or by an Endodontist. Once the root Read More →

What could be causing your tooth pain?

We’ve all been there, waking up in the middle of the night, not being able to fall asleep, and enduring a long, painful day, all because of a toothache. We’ve asked out doctors to help us in identifying the most common reasons for dental pain, listed below. Some of the more common ways dental pain is experienced are: Sensitivity to temperature Pain when biting or chewing Dull or throbbing aches Constant Pain The most common issues associated with these types of pain include: Infection: If you have swollen gums, a small bump on your gums, or fluid or pus present, Read More →

Wisdom about Wisdom Teeth!

Third molars (also known as wisdom teeth) are the four teeth located furthest back in the mouth, and are the last to develop, usually beginning around age 16. Keep in mind the age for wisdom teeth development can vary greatly; some people don’t develop wisdom teeth at all, and some develop more than four! Whether your teeth are currently causing an issue or not, your dentist may recommend you get them extracted. Wisdom teeth can be monitored by your dentist using a panorex x-ray. This x-ray identifies presence, alignment and orientation of the wisdom teeth. There are several reasons a Read More →

Burning Mouth Syndrome: WHAT IS IT?

Have you ever had an unsolicited numbness or burning sensation in your mouth? If so, it may be Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). Burning mouth is the sensation of burning in the tongue and often the palate; however, it may also occur anywhere in the mouth. The sensation is commonly described as the discomfort felt when the tongue is burned with hot coffee. Additionally, it may be described as a tender, tingling, hot, scalding, or numb sensation. Most individuals with BMS find the burning sensation gets worse throughout the day. The mouth may feel fine in the morning only to develop Read More →

Sip, Snack, Cavities!

Summer is here and we know the hot weather will keep you thirsty, but before you head to the cooler, you may want to rethink what ice cold drink you are reaching for! Did you know?? The sugar from the drinks you choose mixes with the bacteria in your mouth to form acid. Sugar free drinks often have acid added to them in the form of phosphoric acid, citric acid, malic acid, and many others. The acid from these drinks attacks your teeth for up to 20 minutes for each sip you take, weakening your tooth enamel in the process! Read More →

Missing a tooth? What are your options?

A missing tooth can be troubling, to say the least. So, we asked one of our assistants to give us a quick summary of some of the options available to replace your missing tooth! Full or partial dentures are one option to replace missing teeth. This option is typically best for anyone missing several or all of their teeth. A partial denture is removable. Teeth are inserted on the partial denture where your teeth are missing. Clasps are placed on the partial denture that hook around your natural teeth to hold it in place. A full denture is also removable Read More →