Dental Blog

February is American Heart Month! What does heart health have to do with oral health? Evidence suggests… a lot!

Science has found two very distinct links between a person's oral health and heart health. Signs of heart disease may be noticeable in a person's gum tissue, and someone with gum disease has a higher risk of developing heart disease.

Teething can be a trying time for both babies and parents. Here are some tips to help make life a little more pleasant for everyone. 

Did you know that when your baby is born, all 20 of their baby teeth are already developed below the gums, ready to appear when they are 4-7 months old? The teething process, however, begins a few months before their first tooth makes its grand appearance.

Some dentists are rethinking automatically extracting wisdom teeth, but in some cases, keeping your wisdom teeth just isn't that wise.

When you are born, all your baby teeth are developed and waiting below the gum to start popping through when you are about six months old.

Wisdom teeth, however, don't start to develop until you are about seven. By the time you reach puberty, they are visible on an x-ray and continue to grow until they begin to erupt through the gums between the ages of 17-21.

Just because you're no longer in braces or using clear aligners, it doesn't mean your orthodontic treatment is complete. 

Oh, happy day! The braces are off, and the beautiful, straight smile you've bled for and gave up those holiday caramels for is ready to shine on its own. The commitment you made to wear your clear aligners around the clock is about to pay off. Your orthodontic treatment is complete! But wait, is it?

As our parents age and need more care, don't forget that their oral health is an essential part of their overall health.

There comes a time when we become caregivers to those that raised us. Instead of them shuttling us off to music lessons or karate, we now find ourselves taking them to hair appointments and doctor's visits. It might be easy to forget their oral health, but it's vital and can help them stay healthy as they age.

In the rush of the last days of summer, it might be tempting to ignore your child's summer dental exam, but skipping it could mean detention for your child's mouth.

Back-to-school physical? Scheduled. New clothes and shoes? Bought. But don't forget about your children's teeth! It may be tempting while you're squeezing in every last minute of summer fun to skip their summer dental appointment, but it's every bit as important as a yearly physical. Plus, most schools require a dentist's signature verifying your child has a clean bill of dental health.

Cold foods can make your sensitive teeth feel like a hot mess. Here are some tips to keep your mouth happy this summer.

Whether it’s a tall glass of iced tea or your favorite ice cream cone, everyone has their go-to summer treat to help them cool down. When tooth sensitivity gets in the way of enjoying your favorite summertime snack, it can be a real pain.

If you've missed a few professional cleanings or haven’t been brushing at home, you may need more than a “regular cleaning,” costing you more time and money.

Did you know a routine cleaning is clinically called a prophylaxis, or prophy cleaning? This is because it's a preventative measure to reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease. It includes removing plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces and at the gumline. Your dentist or hygienist uses hand instruments to remove hardened plaque, also called tartar, and then finishes with a polish using a paste that usually contains a fluoridated abrasive scrub. This paste is much coarser than toothpaste and helps remove stains, leaving you with teeth that are sparkling clean.

Let’s face it. None of us planned for 2020 to go quite this way. COVID-19 disruptions are reverberating across the globe on every level. From stock markets to our favorite Thai restaurant, life’s different for now.

Many elective dental and medical procedures are on hold as the healthcare system scrambles to keep up.  In most places, regular dental cleanings and cavity repairs have to wait until the curve flattens and the risk falls.  More than ever, keeping on top of your oral health may help prevent more significant problems now and later.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, every aspect of our lives has taken a drastic turn. And while many activities grind to a halt, health-related conditions don’t always follow the same strategy. Dental problems often occur at the most inopportune time, and our current situation amplifies that challenge.