Mythbusters—Your Teeth and Oral Health Habits

tara.anders Dentistry, Oral Health Leave a Comment

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 Leave a Comment

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 Leave a Comment

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

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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 Leave a Comment

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

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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

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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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2019 Smile Resolutions

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

The holidays passed by at full steam ahead. After the gifts were opened, the meals were prepared and consumed, the New Year and the option to create resolutions seemed to be staring at us. As you consider resolutions for 2019, have you considered your dental health? Research shows that your oral health affects your general health and vice versa. With this in mind, plan your resolutions to include healthier choices for your teeth!
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