Teeth have been around as long as humans have been around. They are vital to life, because teeth are essential to eating and speaking and they are a window into the body’s overall health. The Ancient Greeks once believed that tooth decay occurred due to tooth worms, which was really their best guess at bacteria and cavities. Egyptian mummies have shown evidence of tooth drilling practices to drain abscesses. In Phoenicia, an early, common practice was to replace missing human teeth with teeth from animals, bound to a person’s gums. The first people recognized as dentists were originally barbers, who dealt with sharp tools, [...]

Perhaps you have filled out a March Madness bracket, and the excitement is brewing in your competitive household or work environment as strong opinions about definite winners are exchanged. Perhaps these participants also have strong opinions about their dental habits.  Why not challenge them to a dental madness bracket, just for fun? 1st up—Team Floss versus Team Mouthwash: And the winner is... FLOSSING.  Mouthwash should never replace brushing and flossing. Instead, use it after you’ve done the other two activities, to rinse out any residual bacteria. Next up—Team Manual Toothbrush versus Team Electric Toothbrush: And the winner is...ELECTRIC.  Electric [...]

We tend to be careful about what we put in our bodies for meals.  We tend to be disciplined about getting to the gym.  But do we treat our dental care with the same intentionality?  Isn’t there good reason the mouth is often called the “window” to the body?  To understand this concept better, let’s debunk some common myths surrounding the topic of dental hygiene: Brushing your teeth hard helps get rid of buildup. NOPE. Brushing too hard take off the enamel and can even cause greater gum recession, in the long run. Gentle brushing is best. Bleeding gums are [...]

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, because let’s face it, continuing to do something because it’s comfortable or what you are used to is often easier than going through the hassle of making a change.  Even if the change is necessary.  Maybe you’ve been considering a switch to a new dentist for years.  Perhaps your favorite dentist recently retired or maybe you have been feeling unheard at your current practice or the care you are receiving doesn’t feel satisfactory.  We want to help make that change seamless for you.  Here a few steps to consider when making [...]

Sometimes, walking down the dental aisle at the grocery store can be overwhelming: so many products; how do you know which ones are the best options!? Let’s start with the toothbrush. When you pick one out, the most important aspect of the brush is the bristles. Hard bristles cause bleeding and gum damage, whereas soft bristles help get in between teeth, gently. Also, try out the toothbrush in your hand and make sure it is easy to grip and comfortable for using. Next, let’s talk about toothpaste. Whitening? Baking soda? Mint or bubble gum? You should, primarily, be looking at the fluoride composition of [...]

Christmas is a joyous time of year…putting up the tree, listening to Christmas music, cookie baking, and gift exchanging. Speaking of gifts, every family seems to have that one person on your shopping list who is difficult to buy for because it seems they already have everything, right? So why not think outside the box and surprise them with the gift of dental health. You could gift someone a teeth whitening certificate; this pricey procedure may not be affordable for everything, but it would be deeply appreciated by the receiver! An electric toothbrush is another great gift idea. They range in price from [...]

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and Christmas is just around the corner. In other words, most of us are thinking about the gift lists, the parties and the family get togethers. You are likely not thinking about your teeth. Fair enough. But perhaps you should! The end of the year means it is the best time to capitalize on your health insurance benefits and squeeze in an appointment with the dentist. Most dental insurance plans won’t roll over into 2023. If it seems reasonable to schedule a last-minute surgery and take care of another health issue before December 31st , doesn’t it also seem reasonable to schedule [...]

Modern technology is changing the look of dentistry and evolving to better meet the needs of individual patients. Less discomfort and better targeted care makes visiting the dentist a more effective and minimally invasive experience! Here are a few of the latest inventions to hit the dental market as highlighted in 123dentist.com on the “Top New Technologies in Dentistry”. VELscope—a specific light that can be shined into a patient’s mouth to detect any abnormalities. It can catch disease and cancer in the earliest stages! Digital X-Rays—these are quicker for dentists to access and contain 90 percent less radiation than traditional X Rays. Invisalign—the clear, [...]

Does the idea of a healthy Halloween sound like an oxymoron to you? Kids are starting to make plans for their costumes and trick or treat plans and parents are stocking up on the yummiest goodies to pass out. As you think ahead, your friendly dentist wants to remind you of a few, important tips to keep Halloween as “healthy” as possible. Try to limit the amount of sweets your kid consumes from their bucket (for example, one after lunch and one after dinner). Stay away from the candies that take a long time to eat (suckers, chewy caramels, [...]