Understanding adolescent dentistryYou might not be surprised anymore to see people with pierced tongues, lips or cheeks, but you might be surprised to know just how dangerous these piercings can be. There are many risks involved with oral piercings, including chipped or cracked teeth, blood clots, blood poisoning, heart infections, brain abscess, nerve disorders (trigeminal neuralgia), receding gums or scar tissue. Your mouth contains...

While it may sound unappealing, reduction of pathological pocketing through the procedure known as gingivectomy is an effective means of treating a condition commonly encountered when you are diagnosed with periodontal disease.  Often, when you do suffer from periodontal disease, you will exhibit some loss of jawbone around your teeth.  This loss of jawbone will leave empty spaces beneath your gums.  These spaces below your gums...

While people often joke about being afraid of the dentist, for many individuals, dental anxiety is nothing to laugh about. The effects of dental phobias range from feeling mildly nervous to getting sweaty palms and a racing heartbeat upon entering the dental office. This anxiety can be so severe that it prevents people from seeing a dentist for years. Delaying dental procedures can result in costly problems for the future.If you have dental...

If you follow any social media site I’m sure you’ve come across the recent “controversy” over flossing. Within the past week I have been asked numerous times my thoughts on this subject. I’d love to share, but first a little background.The controversy began when the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services dropped the recommendation for daily flossing from their Dietary Guidelines. Their reason for dropping the...

Understanding thumb sucking for kidsThumb sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy, or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep.Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth...

Today, I want to talk about dental emergencies that we see in the dental office every day and how to best manage them. I get a lot of calls from patients especially over the weekend that they cracked a tooth or are experiencing a toothache. These situations can be stressful for patients so it is good to know some basic home remedies to deal with these situations and also learn how to prevent dental emergencies. Any trauma to the mouth that...

TeethingTeething, the process of baby (primary) teeth coming through the gums into the mouth, is variable among individual babies. Some babies get their teeth early and some get them late. In general, the first baby teeth to appear are usually the lower front (anterior) teeth and they usually begin erupting between the age of 6-8 months.Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early Childhood Caries)One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle...

There are many choices in orthodontic work. Some people get traditional braces that simply align teeth. Others choose clear, wire-free braces because they are nearly invisible. However, these can take a long time to move teeth into a healthy position.Damon Braces are similar to traditional braces. However, there are a few additional benefits. This technology takes one’s overall appearance into account. An orthodontist who uses Damon braces has...

Prior to baby’s birth, and by the third week post conception, the baby’s mouth starts to form. Over the next few weeks, the tongue, jaws and palate develop as well. During the sixth week, formation of embryonic cells or tooth buds that eventually form into teeth commences. By eight weeks, the tooth buds of all of the primary (baby) teeth can be discerned; by twenty weeks, the tooth buds of permanent teeth start to develop. Post birth, the...

At first, having orthodontic treatment may take a little getting used to. It isn't uncommon to experience a bit of soreness when appliances are first put on, or some minor aches as teeth begin moving into new positions. Yet it's comforting to know that genuine orthodontic emergencies are rare.If you think you may have an emergency, however, the first step is to determine the severity of the problem: Is it an urgent situation that requires...