Ever wonder what all those tools are, exactly, as you stare at the dental tray? Wait. That’s going in my mouth? Here’s a more in depth look at those gadgets and their jobs: A sickle probe The fancy name for the metal stick with a curve on the end that most of us associate with the dentist. It helps identify problems like cavities and scrapes away tartar and plaque. A scaler and curettes More long, sharp metal instruments that take care of thicker buildup trapped in tiny pockets between teeth. Suction device Yes, this is the REAL name for [...]

Sometimes our fears dominate our decision making. And sometimes, those decisions are based on things we have heard, not necessarily facts. So why not dig a little deeper and debunk some swirling common myths about the dentist and your oral health? Here goes: 1) Myth: Pregnant women should avoid seeing the dentist. Busted: Due to all the hormonal changes a woman goes through during pregnancy, pregnant women have an increased chance of dealing with gingivitis and cavities! It’s perfectly safe to have a x ray, anesthesia free appointment. 2) Myth: Baby teeth don’t matter, because they come out at some point anyways! Busted: [...]

What’s the deal with wisdom teeth? They seem like more of a nuisance than anything… This third set of molars usually starts to form between the ages of 17-21, thus named wisdom teeth, since they come in last and according to the saying, “with age comes wisdom”. I think I’d question the wisdom of most 17-21 year olds, to be honest, but that’s another topic for another time. It’s surprising to discover that ALL the teeth a person will have in their lifetime are already formed by birth; they hang out in the upper part of the skeleton until [...]