If you see your family dentist regularly, you know that X-rays are part of the drill (no pun intended). But you don’t need them at every visit, and you may need them less often than you think. Your family dentist uses industry guidelines to help decide when and what kind of X-rays to use. She also considers your oral health history: some patients need them more often than others. Here’s a look at why X-rays remain vital to routine dental care and how often you should expect them. Why Do I Need … [Read more...]

Have you ever experienced the sinking feeling of biting into a favorite snack only to realize you’re chewing on a piece of broken tooth? It’s more common than you might think, especially as we age. Tooth grinding, wear and tear, and injuries can all lead to broken, chipped, or cracked teeth. Realizing you’ve broken a tooth often leads to a moment of panic. The good news is that your family dentist can help. The recommended treatment will depend on the extent of the damage and where it occurs. … [Read more...]

Filling cavities is one of your family dentist’s essential roles. In addition to preventive care, catching and treating cavities are crucial to keeping your teeth healthy. As tooth-colored composite takes the lead over old-school silver amalgam, many patients opt for the natural look of plastic materials over the durability of metal fillings. But how long do dental fillings last? And how do you know when it’s time to replace them? What Is A Dental Filling? When you have a cavity, your dentist … [Read more...]

Do your teeth look and feel icky and crusty? Is yellow or brown buildup making you self-conscious when you smile? You’re probably dealing with tartar, and your family dentist can help. Only your dentist can remove tartar once it’s there, but we can also give you strategies for preventing it in the future. What Is Tartar? Tartar is a mineral buildup that forms when dental plaque hardens on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film made up of bacteria, food particles, and saliva that forms on your … [Read more...]

Tasting, chewing, talking, singing: our mouths play a vital role in our rich lives as humans. Oral cancer can diminish our quality of life and can even be fatal. What is oral cancer, and how can we prevent it? Your family dentist is a key player in keeping your mouth healthy, including preventing oral cancer. What Is Oral Cancer? Oral cancer includes cancer of the lip, tongue, salivary glands, and other parts of the mouth. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, around 54,000 Americans are … [Read more...]

If you’re grinding your teeth at night, how do you know it’s happening? And what can you do to solve the problem? Family members are often the first to become aware of teeth grinding, so listen to your loved ones if they share a concern. Awareness of warning signs and oral health impacts can also help you catch problems early. Seeing your family dentist regularly can help you recognize and resolve teeth grinding and avoid negative health consequences. How Does Grinding Impact My Oral … [Read more...]

Ouch…and yuck! That’s what we often hear when a patient is experiencing a tooth abscess. No one likes pus–or pain–and an abscess generally means both. If you have an abscess and don’t get it treated, it can cause a severe infection. An abscess often starts as a simple cavity that’s left untreated. It’s just one reason routine oral health care and tackling tooth decay early are vital. What Is a Tooth Abscess? When a bacterial infection creates a pocket of pus, we call it an abscess. Pus is an … [Read more...]

Do you find yourself hiding your smile in photos because of gray or discolored teeth? Have at-home whitening treatments failed to address your concerns? Has a single tooth unexpectedly turned gray? Sometimes tooth discoloration goes beyond superficial stains and requires more than whitening. Gray teeth can indicate a dental health problem beneath the surface. Fortunately, your family dentist can help. What Causes Gray Teeth? Sometimes discoloration is caused by what we eat and drink. In this … [Read more...]

You may have heard about the latest trend in cosmetic dentistry: a smile makeover. Patients increasingly want a dramatic transformation instead of a single cosmetic treatment. Your dentist can combine several cosmetic options to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. For example, we often combine whitening with other cosmetic options to change your teeth’s shape, length or alignment. If a smile makeover is on your list, your family dentist is an excellent place to start. Who Needs a Smile … [Read more...]

There are so many excellent reasons to care for our teeth and gums. Beautiful smiles and avoiding tooth pain come to mind. But did you know taking care of your oral health also helps your heart health? Research increasingly shows connections between oral and systemic health problems, including cardiovascular disease. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy can protect your heart. What Is The Link Between Oral Health and Cardiovascular Health? Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of … [Read more...]