Does my child need dental sealants to prevent cavities?

It is important to have daily oral hygiene routines, but it’s not always easy to clean every surface of the...
It is important to have daily oral hygiene routines, but it’s not always easy to clean every surface of the tooth. When children first get their molars they are rough with uneven surfaces. This is a prime spot for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria to hide. Sealants offer an additional preventive measure to keep teeth healthy. Dental sealants are a thin coating painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) that can prevent cavities for many years. In...
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The Basics of Wisdom Teeth & How to Clean Them

During your late teens to early 20s your third molars may start to appear. Due to coming in at a...
During your late teens to early 20s your third molars may start to appear. Due to coming in at a more mature age, these teeth are often called wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the molars that are the furthest back in your mouth.   Every person is different. Some people have all 4—two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw—but some people have more, fewer, or none. If there is room for all of them to come...
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What does a dental hygienist do?

During your appointment with a dental hygienist, you will have the following: Review your medical history Vital sign evaluation Periodontal...
During your appointment with a dental hygienist, you will have the following: Review your medical history Vital sign evaluation Periodontal Risk Assessment (includes all supporting tissue around the teeth) Oral Cancer Screening Radiographs (x-rays) Salivary Flow Detection Caries (cavity) Examination Oral Hygiene Instruction Nutritional Counseling Preventive Therapy to remove plaque and tartar from teeth When visiting your dental professional, it is much more than a teeth cleaning. Your mouth and body are connected. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, pneumonia, arthritis, preterm birth/...
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Wisdom Teeth & What Products Are Recommended for Cle...

Wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars, will start to make an appearance between the ages of 17 and...
Wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars, will start to make an appearance between the ages of 17 and 21. These are commonly known as wisdom teeth, because they come through at a later age. Some people get all four, others only a couple, and yet others never get any of their wisdom teeth. When there is enough room and they come into the mouth correctly, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chew. It is important to have a...
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Guide to Oral Cancer Self-Exam

The good news is, if oral cancer is caught early, the long-term survival rate increases. Early detection is key! Your...
The good news is, if oral cancer is caught early, the long-term survival rate increases. Early detection is key! Your dental professional will provide you with an oral cancer screening when you go in for your continuing care appointment, but you should also complete them on yourself at home. Perform this 7-step oral cancer self-exam once a month. At each step you are looking for anything unusual, especially any lumps, red or white patches, changes in color/texture or lingering ulcers....
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Oral Cancer Awareness Month

When we hear the word cancer it might seem like a distance term, or you may have a very personal...
When we hear the word cancer it might seem like a distance term, or you may have a very personal experience. “1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime” (cancer.org). Cancer impacts many people.    April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which raises awareness about oral cancer and the importance of completing self-exams. Oral Cancer starts in the oral cavity (mouth) and the oropharynx (neck and throat). This year there will...
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How to Clean a Dental Bridge

How to Clean a Dental Bridge When missing a tooth you may notice a difference in chewing, speaking, and the...
How to Clean a Dental Bridge When missing a tooth you may notice a difference in chewing, speaking, and the way your smile looks. A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth and connects the gap where one or more teeth used to be. Bridges use the surrounding teeth to support the artificial teeth. You can either have an implant-supported bridge or a tooth-supported bridge. Both provide a realistic look, and both are different to take care of than a...
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3 Options for a Missing Tooth

A missing tooth might be the result of gum disease, injury, severe tooth decay, or a genetic condition. Regardless of...
A missing tooth might be the result of gum disease, injury, severe tooth decay, or a genetic condition. Regardless of the way a tooth is lost, it can impact a person in multiple ways. Missing teeth can negatively affect how your teeth are aligned. Teeth will start to shift to fill the missing area causing a change in bite. This in turn can cause issues with grinding, tooth fractures, and/or tooth wear. When teeth are missing your jawbone starts to...
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Get to Know Your Dental Team

During the month of March there are specific days set aside to show appreciation for dental professionals. The first week...
During the month of March there are specific days set aside to show appreciation for dental professionals. The first week is dental assistant appreciation week and March 6th is dentist day. This is also a time to remind everyone about the importance of regular dental checkups. Everyone on the dental team has a unique role in supporting excellent oral health. The different roles of dental professionals The dental assistant has many varied responsibilities from assisting the dentist during a variety...
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4 steps to deal with sensitive teeth

Sensitive teeth can feel different depending on the cause. Identify the feeling of the sensitivity or pain. Sometimes you get...
Sensitive teeth can feel different depending on the cause. Identify the feeling of the sensitivity or pain. Sometimes you get a sudden, often sharp pain. This can occur when eating or drinking something cold, sweet, or sour. You might also notice it while brushing your teeth or breathing in very cold air. Other times the pain might be a dull pulsating sensation and persist for some time.   Identify the source of the sensitivity. If you have sensitive teeth here...
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The holiday stress and oral health

Many people often experience holiday stress. Stress is a coping mechanism to everyday challenges, but when the stress response is...
Many people often experience holiday stress. Stress is a coping mechanism to everyday challenges, but when the stress response is continuous it can have a negative impact on overall health. You may feel your heart rate and breathing increase, as well as increased muscle tension. Stress can have physical and psychological consequences. Did you know it can also have an impact on your oral health? Stress and Oral Health When prolonged stress occurs, your immune system can become compromised. The...
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Teeth Grinding

Bruxism is also a name for teeth grinding, and it is often accompanied with clenching. It often happens as you...
Bruxism is also a name for teeth grinding, and it is often accompanied with clenching. It often happens as you sleep, but it can also be associated with stress, anxiety, an abnormal bite, or missing teeth. People who drink alcohol and smokers are approximately twice as likely to grind their teeth (ADA, 2022). The symptoms of teeth grinding include: Dull headaches Jaw soreness Teeth that are painful or loose Fractured teeth Your dentist will evaluate the source. You can get...
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