The Answer is... Maybe! Mouthwash, or mouth rinses, are primarily used to remove food debris after brushing and flossing. They provide a pleasant taste, freshen the breath, and (depending on the active ingredient) can also protect against plaque & bacteria, periodontal disease, and/or cavities. So should everyone use mouthwash? Not exactly. Some people who use [...]
What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth. It's a fairly common habit with about 1 in 3 exhibiting the behavior, yet most don't even realize they're affected. That's partly because bruxism can occur while sleeping at night, but also because the habit develops subconsciously, usually due to stress or anxiety. Recognizing [...]
Have you ever wondered why doctors and dentists ask you to open wide and say, "Ahhhh?" It's true that dentists are looking for cavities and tooth-related problems, but the tongue and other soft tissues can also be an important indicator of a patient's overall health. Diseases such as diabetes, AIDS, scarlet fever, and different vitamin [...]
Whenever you find yourself brushing or flossing in front of a mirror, take the opportunity to really look inside your mouth. Self-Examination is the first line of defense in detecting potential problems... and the earlier, the better! Open wide and look at all the soft tissues, watching for any unusual changes such as unexplained white [...]
Make time for your T.L.C. That's Tender Loving Checkup! Routine, regular examinations let us catch tooth decay and periodontal disease before they cause major damage to your teeth... and saves you the added expense and discomfort of more complex dental treatment. For most of our patients, we recommend a checkup every six months, but there's [...]
Less is More Where would we be without our vitamin C? Everyone agrees it's a crucial nutrient that provides many health benefits. And in dentistry, it plays an important role in the healing process, especially in soft tissue such as gums. But vitamin C, being acidic, can actually do damage if consumed in a chewable [...]
The best rule for fluoride is Not too much. Not too little. Ever since the first American city began to manage fluoride levels in its water supply, there's been plenty of misinformation floating around regarding the potential benefits and dangers of this substance. In a nutshell, fluoride has been shown to help protect against tooth [...]
Prevention is the Best Way to Avoid Costly Dental Emergencies We understand that not all emergencies can be avoided, sometimes accidents happen. But skipping check-ups and avoiding the dentist is never a good way to save money. It will only result in more costly treatment needed down the road. Instead, we like to emphasize the [...]
Brushing Your Tongue Helps Freshen Breath With all the mints, mouthwash, chewing gum and other cover-ups available, there are many ways to freshen your breath. But, if you consistently suffer from halitosis, you might be forgetting an easy way to combat odor-causing bacteria... cleaning your tongue! It makes perfect sense if you think about it, [...]
Overwhelmed by your choices? Here's how to choose the right toothpaste for you. While your toothbrush does most of the plaque removal, abrasive agents in toothpaste will scour food particles and plaque from your teeth. Fluoride is the best-known ingredient, added to make the outer tooth structure more decay-resistant. Fluorides work best when teamed with [...]
