Dealing with Teeth Grinding

tara.anders Dentistry, Oral Health Leave a Comment

Sore jaws, headaches, disrupted sleep for loved ones—these are all symptoms of bruxism, otherwise known as teeth grinding. Most of us grind our teeth on occasion when we get stressed or anxious, and that’s okay. However, some people regularly grind their teeth and can cause long-lasting damage by doing so. Because most people are asleep when they grind their teeth, they often do not realize they are doing it. There are some signs and symptoms of teeth grinding that you can be on the lookout to find out if you are doing it. If you do grind your teeth, there are steps you can take to protect your teeth from possible harm.

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Smile Makeover: College Confidence and The Path to Success

tara.anders Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentistry, Smile Makeovers Leave a Comment

Going to college can be a major milestone for many young adults. Meeting new people, making friends from different cultures and backgrounds, discovering your strengths and skills, and applying for internships to further your career path are all a part of finding your personal identity. Whether you’re an incoming freshman, a senior approaching graduation, or a seasoned student striving for your Ph.D., getting through this formidable stage of life with a crooked smile, broken or stained teeth, or any other visual blemish to your smile can be hard to manage with confidence. A smile makeover will not only improve your Instagram photos or Snapchat selfies, but it could be a crucial part of what furthers your college career, like nabbing your dream internship or first job. Read More

You Are What You Eat: How Your Diet Affects Your Oral Health

tara.anders Oral Health

The old saying goes “you are what you eat,” and nothing rings truer when it comes to your dental health. Your diet is directly connected to the health of your teeth and gums—good and bad! We already know the biggest culprit to poor oral health is sugar, but this cavity-causing substance is found in many foods. Coffee and wine also get a bad rap for their staining power, but did you know that alcohol and acid are bigger issues? Let’s take a look at some of the worst and best foods for your mouth that you may not know play a role in its state of health.

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Mythbusters—Your Teeth and Oral Health Habits

tara.anders Dentistry, Oral Health

Longer morning and bedtime routines can take minutes away from scrolling through our Facebook or Instagram feeds or seem like a drag when you’re dead-tired or in a rush out the door. But if you assume a quick brush twice a day and flossing (when you remember…we’ve all been there) is all you need for a healthy smile, you might be surprised to know this is one of the many common myths about oral hygiene. Modern dentistry has come a long way from its roots—pun intended—of practices evolved from folklore and visits from the tooth fairy. Let’s take a look at four of the most common myths and debunk them once and for all.

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What to Do When a Child Breaks a Tooth

tara.anders Dentistry, Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry

Parents go to great lengths to ensure their children have healthy smiles. We go to regular dental checkups, orthodontic consultations, and ensuring they eat healthy food and use properly fitting personal protective gear such as mouth guards. Despite these extremes, healthy, active children can sustain tooth injuries that require immediate dental attention. While the thought of a child breaking or chipping a tooth seems like a horrible occurrence, there’s no need to panic if this unfortunate situation happens to you. Here’s our brief guide to “What to Do When a Child Breaks a Tooth.”
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Danger of At-Home Teeth Straightening Kits

tara.anders Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentistry, Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry, Smile Makeovers

Many consumers have shown a keen interest in straightening their teeth without braces leading the way for clear brace systems such as Invisalign. The next innovation was the complete elimination of dentist supervision via at-home teeth straightening kits. Now, new teeth straightening options have seemingly exploded recently. However, are these at-home teeth straightening kits that are aggressively marketed across the US safe for your teeth?
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Suggestions for Improving Dental Care in Diabetic Patients

tara.anders Dentistry, Oral Health

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 100 million Americans are living with prediabetes or diabetes and represent a growing health concern in the United States. Those with diabetes have the tendency to run a risk of damage to the kidneys, heart, eyes, and other areas of the body. Have you considered what affect diabetes has on your teeth? There are implications for the diabetic patient to be cautious and consistently aware of how to treat teeth.
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What’s the Right Age for a Child’s First Dentist Visit?

tara.anders Dentistry, Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry

Deciding the right time for a child’s first dentist visit can be tricky. There’s a vast amount of information online with, often, conflicting advice. Some dentists will advise that a child’s first dentist visit should come when all their baby teeth have come in around the age of 2 or 3, and still others will advise only to go in there this early if your child is experiencing issues with their teeth. We dug into the recommendations of countless general dentistry and pediatric dentists alike to get to the bottom of this intriguing question.
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The Effects of a Calcium Deficiency on Your Oral Health

tara.anders Dentistry, Oral Health

Everyone knows calcium helps keep your bones strong, and strong bones are an important part of your overall health.  But did you know that your calcium intake also plays a role in the health and strength of your teeth?  Calcium is a mineral, and it’s one of the most abundant in your body with 99% being found in the teeth and bones.  In your teeth, calcium is found as a hydroxyapatite which is made up of both calcium and phosphate.  The two combine during tooth development to form the hard tooth structure.  Vitamin D plays a key role in the balancing of the calcium and phosphate absorption in the body, as well as the calcium absorption in tooth development.  So, what does all of this mean for the health of your teeth, and what could be the effect if you have a calcium deficiency?
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How Gum Health Effects Overall Health

tara.anders Dentistry, Oral Health

The earliest stage of gum disease is called gingivitis in the dental community and associated symptoms are red, inflamed, and/or bleeding gums. Shockingly, three out of four Americans suffer from gum disease and the effects, yet many are afraid to seek treatment which can, in turn, lead to increased overall health issues. Symptoms of gum disease can be recognized at home, and your dentist can ensure that you are taking appropriate precautions to stop or prevent the further spread of gum disease.
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