No one knew how the discovery of lasers in the 1960s would revolutionize the way we live. Laser technology allows us to play CDs and DVDs, scan bar codes at the store, and use laser pointers during presentations. LASIK eye surgery uses a laser to reshape the eye and improve vision, laser angioplasty is used […]
5 Ways Dental Lasers Help Patients Read More »
Root canal therapy is used to repair and save a tooth that has been damaged either from an injury or from decay. If a cavity has spread to the tooth’s nerve tissue within the pulp chamber, then the bacteriacan cause a painful infection or an abscessed tooth. An abscess occurs when the infection spreads past
What is a Root Canal and Crown? Read More »
It’s a goal we all have: We want to walk into the dentist’s office, hear that our teeth look great, get a routine cleaning, and then not have to think about going to the dentist again for another six months. It can come as a shock when that doesn’t happen. You might think you’re taking
What?! I Have Gum Disease? Read More »
It can feel like you’re learning to speak a different language when you’re talking to any kind of medical or dental specialist. Here is a quick primer on some of the terms commonly used by orthodontists. Anterior Teeth: Front teeth. Crossbite: One or more upper teeth fit behind the lower teeth, instead of in front
Orthodontic Terms Explained Read More »
Do you know somebody who hates going to the dentist? The answer is probably yes. More than 80 percent of American adults have some fear of the dentist, a study by the American Association of Endodontists discovered in 1999. Nearly 25 percent of Americans are so fearful, they avoid their dental check-ups unless they’re in
10 Tips for Dealing with Dental Anxiety Read More »
You know that you should visit the dentist every six months or even more often if you have gum disease. But did you know it’s your daily home care routine that makes the biggest difference in keeping your mouth healthy? In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a
Mouthwash (Mouthrinse) Read More »
You hope it won’t happen to you, but millions of people accidentally knock out a tooth each year. More than five million teeth are lost each year just from sports-related injuries. Other causes of accidental tooth loss include falling, fighting, car accidents and biting something hard. Lakeland dentist Dr. Shelly Prakash outlines the steps you should
One of our Coast Dental Facebook fans posed this question: Should you floss before or after you brush your teeth? We took an informal poll and it turned out about half of our friends and family members did it one way, and the other half did it the other way. Does it make a difference? The
Flossing 101: The Right Way to Floss Read More »
The number of children with cavities is on the rise. Tooth decay now affects more than one-fourth of American children aged 2-5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The problem is even worse for older kids. Half of children between the ages of 12 and 15 will have at least once cavity. Dr.
Top 10 Ways to Keep Kids’ Teeth Healthy Read More »
If you have dental insurance, you may think you’re covered when you go to the dentist. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. It depends on the type of insurance plan your employer has designed with the insurance company. Here is a list of questions you should ask your dental insurance provider so you know exactly
How Dental Insurance Works Read More »
When your dentist suggests you have an oral cancer screening test, it can be a shock. You might think, “But I don’t smoke,” or “No one in my family has ever had oral cancer. I don’t need that.” Oral cancer is on the rise. It’s no longer mostly smokers or tobacco-users; it’s sexually-active people between
Think Oral Cancer Can’t Happen To You? Two Survivor Stories Read More »
There are some things that are just common sense. If you’re going to play football, you need shoulder pads, a helmet and a mouth guard. But did you know the majority of oral injuries happen in sports other than football? Check out these statistics. More than 3 million teeth will be knocked out during youth sporting
Mouth Guards Types and Their Uses Read More »