Dental x-rays have gotten a bad rap this year and a lot of people are asking, “Are x-rays really necessary?” The answer is yes. Dental x-rays are used for diagnosing and treating problems that can’t be seen with the naked eye. X-rays reveal cavities between the teeth or hidden by fillings, infections in the bone, […]
Dental X-rays Are Safe – and Necessary Read More »
Diabetes affects almost 26 million Americans, which is more than 8 percent of the U.S. population. The condition often requires them to make lifestyle changes, including what they eat, how they exercise and the medications they take. It also requires them to change the way they take care of their teeth and gums. About one-third
How Diabetes Can Affect Your Teeth and Gums Read More »
If your smile is less-than-perfect, you don’t need to undergo a ton of drilling to get it fixed. Whether your teeth are yellowed or stained, chipped or crooked, your dentist may recommend veneers to give you the smile you always wanted. Veneers are thin, custom-made coverings that are bonded to your teeth to change their
Veneers: Fix Your Smile With Less Drilling Read More »
It took a long time and a lot of pain before Nancy Williams finally went to the dentist. It has been 35 years since her last visit. There was always a reason to justify putting it off: She had three kids to raise, she had a job and it was tough to take time off,
What Happens When You Wait 35 Years to Visit the Dentist Read More »
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 »