Root canals are tiny passageways that branch off from beneath the top of the tooth, coursing their way vertically downward, until they reach the tip of the root. All teeth have between one and four root canals. Many tooth problems involve infections that spread to the pulp, which is the inner chamber
Read more-
Root Canal Therapy
Category: Treatment
-
Medication and Heart Disease
Category: Oral Health Topics
Certain kinds of medications can have an adverse effect on your teeth. Long ago, children exposed to tetracycline developed tooth problems, including discoloration, later in life. The medication fell out of use, however, and is not an issue today. The best precaution is to ask your family physician
Read more -
Fluoride Facts
Category: Tooth Care
For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an important mineral that is absorbed into and strengthens tooth enamel, thereby helping to prevent decay of tooth structures. In nearly every U.S. community, public drinking supplies are supplemented with sodium fluoride
Read more -
Infection Control
Category: Oral Health Topics
Standards and Best Practice With all of the increased media attention on infection outbreaks such as AIDS and multi-drug resistant strains of viruses, it's no wonder people have heightened concerns about infection control during a medical procedure. Gloves, gowns and masks are required to be worn
Read more -
Emergency Care
Category: Tooth Care
A knocked out tooth or bitten tongue can cause panic in any parent, but quick thinking and staying calm are the best ways to approach such common dental emergencies and prevent additional unnecessary damage and costly dental restoration. This includes taking measures such as application of cold compresses
Read more -
Toothaches
Category: Emergencies
It is important to get an evaluation from one of our dentists as soon as possible if your child has intraoral pain. Please call our office ahead of time so we may reserve the most effient appointment time for you. If ignored, dental pain may lead to larger problems in some cases. If your child has a
Read more -
Common Conditions
Category: Orthodontics
Here's a look at some of the conditions your child may have that may be alleviated or reversed by orthodontic treatment. Crowded teeth - Teeth may be aligned poorly because the dental arch is small and/or the teeth are large. The bone and gums over the roots of extremely crowded teeth may become thin
Read more -
Oral Cancer
Category: Dental Problems
Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest survival rates, with thousands of new cases being reported each year. Fewer than half of all people diagnosed with oral cancer are ever cured. Moreover, people with many forms of cancer can develop complications—some of
Read more -
Bitten Lip or Tongue
Category: Emergencies
Clean the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses or ice to reduce swelling. If the bleeding doesn't stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.
Read more -
Sports Injuries
Category: Emergencies
What do the following have in common? A bat A ball A knee or elbow A hard surface, such as the ground or the bottom of a swimming pool They all are things that could easily come into contact with your child's mouth when participating in sports. And they all have the potential for damaging or knocking
Read more -
Bulimia Nervosa
Category: Common Conditions
Fourteen out of 100,000 people suffer from bulimia nervosa, which primarily affects adolescent and young adult females. It is an eating and psychiatric compulsive disorder that can lead to serious problems with your child's teeth if left untreated. One-third of those who suffer from bulimia nervosa have
Read more -
Root Canal
Category: Treatments
Root canals are rarely needed in children. However, there are instances when a root canal becomes necessary in an older child. Before root canal therapy came into practice, if your child had a tooth with a diseased nerve, she'd probably lose that tooth. Underneath each tooth's outer enamel is an area
Read more -
Fluoride
Category: Oral Health Topics
For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an important mineral that strengthens tooth enamel, which thereby helps to prevent decay of tooth structures. Water fluoridation is endorsed by nearly every major health and safety-related organization in the world. Communities
Read more -
Maxillofacial Surgery
Category: Treatment
When facial reconstruction, including procedures involving the oral cavity, is called for, a specialist is needed. Surgical procedures of the neck and head area are performed by a maxillofacial surgeon. Common maxillofacial procedures include denture-related procedures and jaw surgery. Jaw Correction Protruding
Read more -
Implants
Category: Treatment, Cosmetic Dentistry
Before development of dental implants, dentures were the only alternative to replacing a missing tooth or teeth. Implants are synthetic structures that are placed in the area of the tooth normally occupied by the root. Implants are anchored to the jawbone or metal framework on the bone and act as
Read more -
Old and Unsightly Fillings
Category: Treatment, Cosmetic Dentistry
Newer kinds of fillings made from composite resins and porcelain can restore unsightly fillings; many people are surprised how natural these kinds of filling materials can make a tooth once covered by the old-fashioned silver amalgams.
Read more -
Sore Gums/Teething
Category: Common Conditions
When babies are teething, usually between the ages of four months and 2.5 years, they often have sore and tender gums. The pain usually can be soothed by gently rubbing the baby's gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze. A clean teething ring for the baby to chew on also may be helpful.
Read more -
Brushing
Category: Tooth Care
Brushing is the most effective method for removing harmful plaque from your teeth and gums. Getting the debris off your teeth and gums in a timely manner prevents bacteria in the food you eat from turning into harmful, cavity causing acids. Most dentists agree that brushing three times a day is the
Read more -
Bad Breath (halitosis)
Category: Dental Problems
An estimated sixty-five percent of Americans have bad breath. Over forty-million Americans have "chronic halitosis," which is persistent bad breath. Ninety percent of all halitosis is of oral, not systemic, origin. Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on over the counter halitosis products,
Read more -
Ridge Augmentation
Category: Treatment, Cosmetic Dentistry
If you lose one or more permanent teeth, an indentation may result in the gums and jawbone where the tooth used to be. When no longer holding a tooth in place, the jawbone recedes and the resulting indentation looks unnatural. Ridge augmentation is a procedure that can recapture the natural contour of
Read more -
Flossing
Category: Tooth Care
What is flossing? Flossing is a method for removing bacteria and other debris that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. It generally entails a very thin piece of synthetic cord you insert and move up and down between the sides of two adjoining teeth. Why is flossing important? Many dentists believe
Read more -
Managing Pain
Category: Pain Management
There are many methods for relieving oral pain. They include: Ice packs on the affected area. Avoiding hard candy or ice. Avoiding sleeping on your stomach. Dentists use a wide array of pain management tools, including: Anesthetics such as Novocaine. Analgesics such as aspirin
Read more -
Dry Mouth
Category: Dental Problems
Saliva is one of your body's natural defenses against plaque because it acts to rinse your mouth of cavity-causing bacteria and other harmful materials. Dry mouth (also called Xerostomia) is a fairly common condition that is caused by diminished saliva production. People with medical conditions, such
Read more -
Impacted Teeth/Wisdom Teeth
Category: Common Conditions
Your child's third set of molars are no different than any other tooth, save for the fact that they are the last to erupt, or grow, into the mouth. Because they typically do so at around the age of 18 to 20, when adolescents are close to turning into adults, these teeth are commonly referred to as "wisdom
Read more -
Tobacco
Category: Oral Health Topics
Dentistry health care that works: tobacco The American Dental Association has long been a leader in the battle against tobacco-related disease, working to educate the public about the dangers inherent in tobacco use and encouraging dentists to help their patients break the cycle of addiction. The Association
Read more -
Pacifiers and Thumb and Finger Sucking
Category: Common Conditions
In general, I would discourage thumb sucking or pacifiers after the age of 4 because they may lead to overcrowded and crooked teeth, as well as bite problems. In some cases, the upper front teeth may tip toward the lip or not come in properly if thumb, finger, or pacifier sucking continues after the
Read more -
Nutrition and Your Teeth
Category: Tooth Care
It has long been known that good nutrition and a well-balanced diet is one of the best defenses for your oral health. Providing your body with the right amounts of vitamins and minerals helps your teeth and gums—as well as your immune system—stay strong and ward off infection, decay and disease. Harmful
Read more -
Choosing a Toothbrush
Category: Product Reviews
Never before has there been such a dizzying array of toothbrushes on the market. Consumers are inundated with new designs, materials, attachments, and colors. Whatever toothbrush design you choose, the most important thing is that you use the toothbrush at least 2-3 times a day. Moreover, how long you
Read more -
Anesthesia
Category: Pain Management
Dentistry has advanced to the point in which pain is almost a thing of the past. Powerful pain-killing medications known as anesthetics not only help a patient avoid discomfort during a procedure, but post-operatively as well. Some patients, especially children, may require higher doses of anesthetic
Read more -
Brushing
Category: Care Of Child's Teeth
Brushing is the most effective method for removing harmful plaque from your child's teeth and gums. Getting the debris off their teeth and gums in a timely manner prevents bacteria in the food they eat from turning into harmful, cavity-causing acids. Start cleaning your baby's teeth at birth, using
Read more -
Flossing
Category: Care Of Child's Teeth
Flossing is a method for removing bacteria and other debris that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. It generally entails a very thin piece of synthetic cord inserted and moved up and down between the sides of two adjoining teeth. Floss removes plaque and debris that stick to teeth and gums. It also increases
Read more -
Sensitive Teeth
Category: Dental Problems
If you wince with pain after sipping a hot cup of coffee or chewing a piece of ice, chances are that you suffer from "dentin hypersensitivity," or more commonly, sensitive teeth. Hot and cold temperature changes cause your teeth to expand and contract. Over time, your teeth can develop microscopic
Read more -
Gum Disease (Gingivitis)
Category: Dental Problems
Gingivitis is the medical term for early gum disease, or periodontal disease. In general, gum disease can be caused by long-term exposure to plaque, the sticky but colorless film on teeth that forms after eating or sleeping. Gum disease originates in the gums, where infections form from harmful bacteria
Read more -
Diabetes
Category: Dental Problems
People living with diabetes are vulnerable to a host of systemic problems in their entire body. Unfortunately, the mouth and teeth are not immune from such problems, and many diabetics with oral problems go undiagnosed until conditions become advanced. Infections and other problems such as receding
Read more -
Overview and General Tips
Category: Care Of Child's Teeth
Proper dental care begins at birth. There are many things you can do to help ensure that your child's teeth and gums start and remain healthy. From proper oral hygiene habits (it's never too early) to eating healthy foods, you can play an important part in laying the groundwork for your child's oral
Read more