What to Do If You Lose a Dental Filling

When you have a new dental filling, the hope is, of course that it will last for years, and in many cases they do. Most of the time, you find out that you need a new filling because it gets slightly chipped and worn or because your dentist sees that some decay is recurring under the filling. In some cases, however, you might not know that a filling …

Keeping Your Kids’ Teeth Safe This Summer

With the warm weather and sunny days come many of the pleasures of summer. Your children may be whiling away their time at the pool, riding their bikes or participating in team sports. Of course, there are also ice cream cones and other sweet treats to enjoy! While the joys of summer should be relished, there are some precautions you should take to …

Dentures: Are They Right for You?

Dentistry has come a long way since George Washington was fitted with wooden dentures. Today’s “false teeth” look more natural and function better than ever before. Still, you may be understandably hesitant to have your natural teeth extracted and have them replaced with dentures. Here are some things you should know about dentures and why they …

Dental Specialists: Members of Your Dental Health Care Team

While you see your primary care physician for your routine physicals, bloodwork and when you have an acute illness like the flu or a rash, sometimes it’s necessary to see a specialist, such as a cardiologist or a dermatologist. When it comes to your dental health, the same principle applies. For your regular cleanings, check-ups and routine dental …

Got Halitosis? What You Can Do About Bad Breath

Do your friends shrink away from you when you speak? Do you feel self-conscious about your breath? Many people deal with halitosis, which is otherwise known as bad breath. We all wake up with it, but for some, it’s an ongoing battle. If you are ready to speak out loud and proud without trying to determine if your breath is offensive, take a look at …

Weight Loss Tips That Will Boost Your Dental Health

Trying to find good information about losing weight these days is like trying to navigate a minefield. It’s littered with traps like fad diets and overly ambitious exercise routines that may work in the short time, but can set you up for poor health and weight that begins creeping back up almost as soon as you finish dropping it. The best weight loss …

Paying for Your Dental Treatment

One obstacle that often comes up when a patient needs to have dental treatment is that of finances. Although most dentists do try to keep their fees as affordable as possible, sometimes the prices for various procedures are higher than a patient can comfortably cover. If you have an extensive treatment plan, it can be helpful to think about all of your …

Infection Control in the Dental Office

Cold and flu season is about to end, but illnesses like strep throat, gastrointestinal viruses and other mild and serious conditions can affect anyone at any time of year. When you visit your dentist, the last thing you want to worry about is getting sick or being exposed to someone else’s germs. In any healthcare practice, certain infection control …

Dental Terminology You Should Know

If you ever hear your dentist and dental assistant talking about your teeth as you lay in the chair, you might wonder what they’re talking about. Dental terminology runs the gamut from words you already know to abbreviations that you’ve never heard of before. Here’s a rundown of some of the lingo you’re likely to hear. Tooth Numbers Whereas …

Treating Periodontal Disease

Do your gums bleed when you floss? Are they red or sore? If so, you might be in the beginning stages of periodontal disease, also called gum disease. Your dentist or dental hygienist will let you know how healthy your gum tissue is each time you come in for a visit, so as long as you’re keeping your twice-yearly appointments, periodontal disease should …