Category: Preventive Care

Have you ever wondered why your dentist asks for your current medication list at each visit? We checked with Dr. Roger Bisbey, D.D.S. to get the answer to our question. Many medications, prescribed by your physician and obtained over-the-counter, can affect your oral health.  One of the most common side effects of many medications is dry mouth.  Natural saliva helps keep food from collecting around your teeth and neutralizes acids given off by bacterial plaque, which is continuously growing on the surface of the teeth.  These acids damage the hard surfaces of your teeth which greatly increases your risk for Read More →

Fluoride, what is the purpose of having it and why is it so important? Fluoride is a mineral that is necessary to aid in preventing tooth decay by increasing the tooth’s resistance to acid, bacteria and sugar, especially while permanent teeth are still developing. It is also necessary to aid in remineralization and reversing early tooth decay in both children and adults. Fluoride can be found in many products, but perhaps the most well known is in a foam that is applied at your dentist office. Although fluoride is generally recommended for most patients every six months, patients with dry mouth, gum disease, frequent Read More →

We asked our licensed dental assistants to tell us about the signs and symptoms of cavities and what we can do to prevent them. A cavity (known as tooth decay or caries) often begin with no symptoms at all. Early signs of a cavity may include discoloration (typically brown, black, or chalky white) and sensitivity to hot, cold, pressure, or sweets. Enamel is the first layer of our teeth, it is white in color, and is the hardest substance in our bodies. It is the outer protective shell for many layers within the tooth. Bacteria, food particles, and saliva work together to form plaque and Read More →

Have you ever noticed after a red popsicle or a blue sucker that your teeth or tongue are stained? There are many foods and beverages we consume each day that can stain our teeth over time. We asked our assistant, Jamie, to list a few below: Although known as healthy beverages, black tea and red wine’s high tannin content (a compound found in plants that reacts with the proteins in your teeth) can stain your teeth even more than coffee! Another healthy item, deep colored fruits (i.e. blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and pomegranates) that have long been used for dyes in many Read More →

I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about my tongue, and I am guessing most people don’t. I certainly never thought the appearance of a tongue meant anything in particular, but it may in fact be telling us other parts of our bodies are needing attention. Just as pain in your back may indicate tension in the muscles through your buttocks and upper legs, your tongue, as described by Dr. Gillian McKieth in You Are What You Eat, is a “window to your organs.” For example, a midline crack not reaching the tip of your tongue, teeth marks around Read More →

Great inventions don’t have to be complicated. A new survey by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology asked Americans to name five inventions they could not live without. As expected, the smart phone, personal computer and automobile made the list, but the humble toothbrush emerged the undisputed champ as the most prized innovation. It’s been a long road to the top for the toothbrush. Prior to the toothbrush, people used bones, feathers and frayed twigs to clean their teeth.  The first bristle toothbrush was invented in the 15th century in China and was originally concocted of boar’s hair and bone.  The Read More →

                  You’ve heard us recommend them, demonstrate them, and put them on display, but the real question is, should you be using an electric toothbrush? We checked with our hygienists and here is what we found out:  When used properly, electric toothbrushes are able to remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush. The sonic or spinning action that electric toothbrushes provide helps loosen plaque and sweep it away. This can help reduce the risk of gingivitis and may lead to healthier gum tissue. The tooth by tooth cleaning action that electric toothbrushes provide are effective yet gentle with Read More →

It is no persons favorite thing to hear they are not brushing good enough at their dental check-up. Hearing that you have a cavity is even worse! We asked our hygienist, Valerie to give us some tips to avoid spending more time than you bargained for at the dentist.   Use the right size tooth brush.  Children and adults with small mouths should use a smaller brush head. A toothbrush that is too big may not be able to reach all of the tooth surfaces in your mouth. We recommend soft or extra soft toothbrushes. Bristles that are too stiff can Read More →

X-rays are needed to detect decay in areas that cannot be visualized. X-rays are also used to detect bone loss, infections, cysts, and tumors. In addition to X-rays, a dental exam is the only way to determine if you have dental problems such as cavities, defective fillings, cracked teeth, or oral cancer. Although hygienists are highly qualified, they are not trained to diagnose these issues. Dental disease usually worsens with time and may be extensive when finally detected. Without a dental exam and X-rays there is no way to tell if you have some of these severe dental concerns. For this reason, we Read More →

How is radiation measured? Radiation is measured in units called Sieverts. Because of the small amount of radiation emitted during dental x-rays, it is measured in MicroSieverts (one millionth of a Sievert). Many patients are concerned about the amount of radiation we get from dental x-rays, so we’d like to give you something to compare this to. How much radiation is significant? Doses of radiation below 100,000 MicroSieverts indicates that risks of health effects are either too small to be observed or are nonexistent. The bitewing x-rays we take are only 0.03% of this amount! The potential health risk from dental Read More →