Blog Archive
Teeth are more than just what people see when you smile; they’re the starting point for digestion where food is broken down, and an essential part of how we communicate with speech. If not cared for properly, they can affect your oral health, overall health, and ultimately lead to tooth...
Oral health is critical to your overall health. Even so, only 65% of people go to regular dental visits — despite 90% of people in America having had at least one cavity, and 42% of adults dealing with gum disease. The high number or dental issues are often the spotlight,...
When it comes to taking care of your teeth, the habits you maintain as an adult start with those you established during childhood. For parents, this means impressing the importance of proper dental hygiene — including knowing the best and worst foods for oral health. Many kids are struggling with...
Wouldn’t it be great if you and your family had perfect teeth with no issues whatsoever? That would be a rare family, indeed, given that 46% of kids between the ages of 2 and 19 in the United States have at least one cavity. The numbers don’t get any better...
Enough can’t be said about the power of a great smile — you can put people at ease, you can engage, you can exude confidence — all without uttering a word. Of course, there's more to this smile than the state of your teeth, but they do take center stage...
While teeth often take center stage when it comes to dental health, it’s important to remember that it's your all-important gums that keep everything in place, not to mention protect your mouth against bacteria and injury. Sadly, overall gum health in the United States is less than ideal, as half...
Most adults should have between 28 and 32 permanent teeth in their mouths, but millions fall short of this ideal range thanks to missing teeth. And the problem isn’t a small one in the United States — more than one-quarter of Americans aged 65 and older have 8 teeth or...
You look at your calendar and a small amount of dread creeps in when you realize your child has a checkup with us soon, and these visits can be challenging thanks to your child’s dental anxiety. The reality is that this reaction isn’t uncommon — about 30% of young kids...
You’ve been dealing with a painful infection in your tooth, and relief is just one visit away. Each year in the United States, dental professionals perform 15 million root canal procedures, giving millions of people something to really smile about. Not only will the root canal procedure put a prompt...
Lung cancer, heart disease, stroke — these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential health complications that are directly linked to smoking. Since the team here at Hillsdale Dental Care focuses on oral health, team leaders Dr. Magdalena Azzarelli and Dr. Roge Jacob want to...
Let's kick off this discussion about tooth loss in adults with some eye-opening statistics — 178 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth, and 40 million are missing all of their teeth. While tooth loss can happen at any age, the problem tends to increase...
As we enter a new year, you want this one to be full of smiles for you and your family. A great way to accomplish this goal — quite literally, in fact — is to make sure your family’s teeth-cleaning schedule is up to date. These quick visits are your...
You want your kids to have the very best start in life, and this should include their dental health. Great teeth and gums will not only help them to learn how to chew and talk now, but good oral health can carry them into a future free from tooth decay,...
As you head into November, you realize that the holidays are coming up, and you’re looking forward to spending some time with family and friends. Since there's sure to be plenty of smiles and laughs, why not take this opportunity to flash some dazzling pearly whites this holiday season? Each...
Tooth replacement options have been around for a long time — from early wooden pegs to animal bones, humans have been replacing missing teeth for thousands of years. Today, we’re getting awfully close to the real deal with dental implants, which mimic natural teeth right down to the roots. To give...
Thanks to extra-sensitive nerves and the location inside your head, toothaches have a way of becoming the center of your existence, and it's not a very pleasant existence. If you or a loved one develops a toothache, you want to know what steps to take to minimize the discomfort and...
About 90% of people between the ages of 20 and 64 in the United States have some decay in their teeth, which explains why more than 15 million root canal procedures are performed each year in the US. Not only can a root canal procedure stop decay in its tracks...
Invisalign® has helped 15 million people (and counting!) achieve the smiles of their dreams and you're anxious to get going with this innovative, teeth-straightening technology. At Hillsdale Dental Care, our team is thrilled to be able to offer Invisalign to our clients and we’re also anxious to get started on...
We’re going to start with some purposeful mixed messaging about gum disease, which affects nearly half of adults 30 years and older in the United States. First, it’s the leading driver of tooth loss. Second, gum disease is highly preventable and treatable, especially in the early stages. At Hillsdale Dental Care, our team,...
Thanks to warnings about seafood, most of us are aware that mercury is toxic to humans, so why is it found in the fillings in our mouths? Metal fillings, also called amalgam, have been used in the United States since the 1830s, largely because they’re strong and cheap. Here at Hillsdale...
Perhaps we’ve performed a root canal procedure and you needed a cap for your tooth. Or, maybe you’ve been down the implant road to replace a missing tooth, and the final piece of the puzzle — the crown — is in place. Whatever your road to a dental crown, you want to do what you...
Taking your child to any medical provider isn’t always an easy outing, and dentists are no exception. About 9% of kids have dental fear and anxiety — the sounds, the equipment, the sensations, and the strange environment can all make children less than comfortable. While the team here at Hillsdale...
Older Americans (aged 65 and up) are quite familiar with tooth loss — about 26% have eight or fewer teeth and 1 in 6 have lost all of their teeth. These numbers explain why nearly 41 million people in the United States use dentures to replace rows of missing teeth. No matter your age,...
As dental experts, our team at Hillsdale Dental Care, with Drs. Roge Jacob and Magdalena Azzarelli at the helm, is always surprised when our recommendation for a root canal procedure is met with a moan. The reality is that there’s very little basis for the bad reputation that root canals...
Approximately 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth, to say nothing of the millions who are missing a single row of teeth. To replace these missing teeth, 90% of people turn to dentures, which do a great job restoring your ability to chew, talk, and smile with confidence. While dentures excel in...
The statistics surrounding adult tooth loss in the United States are alarming, to say the least. For starters, one-quarter of adults aged 65 and older have eight, or fewer, teeth. Additionally, one in six adults aged 65 and older have lost all of their teeth. The good news is that tooth loss in this...
You watch in wonder as your child grows, and it seems like there are changes almost every day. Part of this exciting process is witnessing your child’s baby teeth fall out to make way for their permanent teeth, which are designed to last a lifetime. To give these new teeth...
It’s hard to overstate the importance of healthy teeth and gums — after all, they power your ability to eat, talk, and even smile. While your efforts to support your oral health at home are paramount, so are our efforts here. And these efforts start with your all-important dental exam....
If you consider that nearly half of adults aged 30 and over have some degree of gum disease, you realize just how widespread this dental problem is. While there are several ways we can tackle the problem to preserve your teeth and gums, laser gum therapy is our preferred technique for a...
Each year in the United States, at least 35 million Americans turn to teeth whitening to elevate their smiles to new levels. While some of the people used over-the-counter whitening products, those who really have something to smile about underwent professional teeth whitening, which offers several advantages. At Hillsdale Dental Care, Drs. Roge...
Each year in the United States, 2.3 million implant-supported crowns are made, allowing scores of people to regain their ability to eat, chew, and smile with confidence. While dental implants may be more expensive upfront than other choices, they often make great economic sense when you consider your overall dental and oral...
We’ve been told that certain metals can be harmful to the human body, and mercury makes this list. So, why is the chemical element found in amalgam dental fillings, and does it pose a threat? To answer these questions, the team here at Hillsdale Dental Care, under the direction of...
If you ask your friends and family, the odds are good that a fair number of them have dental crowns in their mouths. Dental crowns are the true workhorses of most dental practices, as they both effectively protect your teeth and beautifully preserve your smile. Not to mention, dental crowns...
You have a misalignment in your teeth that you want to correct, or you’ve been told that your child can benefit from braces. Whether for adults or adolescents, there are two ways to go about straightening teeth — Invisalign® or braces — and you’d prefer the more discreet and easy...
Americans are no strangers to tooth loss — one quarter of adults in the United states over the age of 65 have eight or fewer teeth. Americans are also quite familiar with gum disease — nearly 50% of adults 30 years old and older have some form of the problem,...
Your child grows and develops at a dizzying rate, and it’s all you can do to keep up. As oral health experts, our goal is to emphasize the importance of great dental health, which can help your child chew, talk, and smile with confidence. To help set your child up...
Of all the wonderful advancements in cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening remains one of the most effective and easy ways to give you a smile that shines bright. Making the future even brighter, whitening technologies have advanced over the years, and we’re proud to offer the Opalescence™ Boost™ teeth-whitening system, which...
As with every other area of your health, emergencies can crop up with your dental health. From toothaches to knocked-out teeth, there are times when emergency dentistry is your best solution for preserving your dental health. The team here at Hillsdale Dental Care, led by Drs. Magdalena Azzarelli and Roge...
Any visit to a medical professional can be an assault on a child’s senses thanks to the unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells. With dentistry, we can even add taste to the mix of strange sensations. To avoid setting your child up for a lifetime of dental anxiety, our goal is...
It’s no secret that one of the main ingredients for a smile that dazzles are teeth that line up perfectly. Aside from this obvious cosmetic improvement, straight teeth also offer many other benefits to your dental health. Now, the road to aligned teeth is made incredibly easy with Invisalign®, which...
As dentists, our goal is to do everything we can to preserve your teeth, which makes a root canal procedure one of our go-to tools. When you have an infection in your tooth, more specifically in your root canals, it threatens the entire tooth. By taking swift action through a...
We’re going to kick off this discussion about the importance of dental exams with some fairly sobering statistics — 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and 40 million are missing all of their teeth. The primary culprits when it comes to tooth loss are gum disease and...
Dental crowns and dental bridges are often lumped together, which makes sense given the roles that they play in preserving your dental health. While the two serve very different functions, they can also come together to help safeguard your teeth. Here at Hillsdale Dental Care, our team of dental experts,...
You can lose one or more teeth in a variety of ways, including accidents or injuries, decay, or gum disease. While tooth loss can make eating less efficient, that’s not the end of the effects. Your speech could be affected, and losing teeth at the front of your mouth can...
The dazzlingly bright smile sported by so many celebrities comes down to dental veneers in many cases. If you’re after the Hollywood sparkle, then veneers may be one solution. However, these thin additions to the visible surfaces of your teeth aren’t always about cosmetics. There are plenty of dental patients...
If you have bleeding gums, a likely cause is gingivitis — inflammation of the gums that can cause them to bleed easily when you brush. Gingivitis can lead to a more serious condition, periodontal disease, which means your gums are infected. Periodontitis affects the gum tissue that holds your teeth...
When your oral health starts to slide, it’s not always because your dental hygiene habits have changed or become less effective. You may simply be seeing another sign of the passing years. Some dental procedures like fillings or veneers have a lifespan and eventually need maintenance. However, there are other...
Everyone wants to have a bright, beautiful smile. Your teeth, though, are susceptible to damage, age, and genetics. Chips, discoloration, gaps, and more can make you feel self-conscious about your smile. If you have a smile that leaves you unhappy, you can do something about it. Porcelain veneers can correct...
Of all the advances in dentistry over the past couple of decades (and there have been quite a few), dental implants have emerged as one of the most popular. Implants provide plenty of men and women with a more comfortable, more secure, and a more natural alternative to dentures and...
It’s no mystery that a smile full of white, bright teeth makes a great addition to your appearance. But did you know that straight teeth can also lead to a healthier mouth? Teeth that are misaligned or crooked can influence your overall oral health in many ways, giving you an...
A smart toothbrush? Yep! For about $150 dollars, you can buy a smart toothbrush to track your kids’ brushing habits and provide them with games to make brushing fun. The smart toothbrush has Bluetooth connectivity and will work with your smartphone or tablet. But if $150 seems like a bad...
Fear of the dentist affects millions of Americans. Sedation dentistry helps many of them, but like some, you may be interested in alternatives. What about therapy? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is short-term treatment to help patients face their dental phobia. Psychologists at King’s College London Dental Institute used CBT to...
It’s an infamous and usually uneventful day (except for maybe a horror film’s release). But it instills fear into the hearts of many. That or mild uneasiness. Still, there are a lot of anxiety ridden Americans who take Friday the 13th’s supposed unluckiness very seriously. It has been estimated that $800...
A strange and possibly profound connection has been stumbled upon: brushing your teeth well could help prevent arthritis. At the moment, this is still just a claim. A notable biological link has been found, however, between the bacteria responsible for gum disease and the early onset of rheumatoid arthritis, as well...
Your toothbrush (and bathroom) is a cesspool of germs. A recent study by the American Society of Microbiology researched the presence of fecal matter on toothbrushes. The big concern not being the presence of our own fecal matter, but those of others. Why would our own fecal matter not be an issue,...
Your teeth and coffee go together like white t-shirts and unsightly stains. We know it isn’t the best liquid to splash over our pearly whites, but we love it anyway. While many people may forget about flossing for a day or two, coffee lovers never miss their morning cup of...
Do you not have dental insurance? It’s okay. It’s understandable in this day and age. Unemployment may have gone down, but most Americans still feel the squeeze of this now 6 year old recession. Lucky for you, Hillsdale Dental Care has a Membership Plan! The Hillsdale Membership Plan is not only very...
It is truly a wondrous and modern age we live in. Left and right advances are being made in all fields. Telecommunication, nanotechnology, green energy, you name it and we’re reaching new frontiers. A new technological leap has been made. It’s in a field that’s important—environmental sciences. But its nature is...
Did you ever wonder what makes some people more effective than others? Two people can work equally long with differing results. What secrets do effective people have? There’s been a lot written about this. Books on habits. Articles on the routines of successful people. In all of these tomes, there’s...
Candy canes are synonymous with Christmas. Thanks to their hook shape, they’ve become Christmas tree ornaments in their own right. While they’re sweet and delicious, be wary of their effect on your teeth! That said, despite how popular candy canes are, so much about them seems shrouded in mystery. Why...
Aral Sea, once a giant lake between Kazakhstan in the north and Uzbekistan in the south, has dried up completely according to NASA. Photos from satellites are conclusive and pessimistic in their depiction of human impact on the earth’s environment. Has the Aral Sea Dried Up? As recently as the...
Many Americans already know the benefit of flossing your teeth, but one of the many overlooked facets of dental health is the benefits of chewing gum. Chewing gum is extremely efficient when it comes to removing bacteria from your mouth. So, is chewing gum actually better than flossing? Surprisingly enough, it...
Hillsdale Dental Care has started this blog, to keep you, the reader, informed on all the latest industry and health-related news.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could get whiter teeth, simply by eating the right foods? Well, according to one expert, that’s very possible! Dr. Anthony Zybutz of TDC Implant Centre is leading the charge of the “White Teeth Diet” and naming specific foods that will help or hurt the...
The debate of whether or not fluoride should be added to towns water supplies is moving quickly and ever-changing. Americans are becoming more aware of risk factors that may lie in water fluoridation. It has become such a hot button topic that many city councils are beginning to give their...
It’s no secret that some children have an apprehension when visiting the dentist. It’s a place they are not familiar with and some cartoons can portray dentist visits as a painful, and overall bad experience. However, a new study is showing that children may have other reasons to be nervous about...
Yes indeed, there is a mastodon in Michigan…the remains of one. I’m sorry, but we don’t have the technology yet to clone them a la Jurassic Park. That said, this is hardly an ordinary find. It’s not only the discovery that’s intriguing. It’s the way the mastodon tooth was found. Not in...
The 5:2 diet is a popular diet for today’s world. For only 2 days out of the week (non-consecutive days), you have to “diet” a.k.a. really limit your calorie intake. It’s simple to understand, not to difficult to follow, but the jury is undecided about long term effectiveness or if it’s healthy....
It’s rough being a 4-month old infant with a brain tumor. It’s even rougher when that brain tumor turns out to be an extremely rare one…and contains a tooth! And by tooth we mean several fully formed teeth. You heard correct: teeth found in brain tumor. Not to worry though....
Over the many millennia of our existence, science has resolved many mysteries. Answered many questions. Hypothesized and theorized about the nature of our world and beyond. Human understanding of nature has been exponentially improved. Despite our ever increasing knowledge, there are still many things that baffle scientists. And we’re not...
Ever need or want an activity to help break-up your work day? Some people go for a cigarette break. Others make the mid-afternoon coffee run. A new activity has been suggested by one office worker. It’s an activity that’s right up our alley: brushing your teeth at work. Seems unusual...
We’re taking a walk on the silly side. Here are a few fun facts and interesting tidbits about dentistry. Fun dental facts about teeth If you’re taking a road trip this summer, these fun dental facts might keep you entertained. The average American spends 38.5 total days brushing their teeth...
Exercise has always been touted as being part of a healthy lifestyle. Obviously it keeps you ‘in shape’ and prevents weight gain (unless you’re trying to tack on mass). But now researchers are really discovering how essential physical activity is to your health. Exercise and Disease The LSE Health and Harvard Medical School conducted...
Who do you think has the hardest teeth in the world? It’s not Jaws from the 007 films The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker, though he certainly may rank up there. Before you start thinking it’s a big cat or an elephant, one hint is…it doesn’t live on land. Sharks might have...
Have you ever wondered how our prehistoric ancestors dealt with dental issues? What do you do when you have a cavity and no dentist to fix it? You could always knock the tooth out—a la Tom Hanks in Cast Away—but this is hardly a good solution. The truth is, our ancestors...
No astronaut has ever been lost in space. Reassuring, but that fact doesn’t make the job any less dangerous. Astronauts have prepared and are equipped for dealing with all sorts of technical issues. Yet every once in a while, that training and those tools may not be enough and they’ve...
If you want to look scary this Halloween, don’t get your costume from the traditional costume store. Just check out the HealthExpress clinic’s new line of anti smoking materials. .. This anti-smoking campaign is quite literally in your face. Sometimes, however, people need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy. These...
You might not think of dentistry when you think of collector’s items, but you’d be wrong. Dentistry has had a rich history dating back thousands of years, each civilization having its own methods of oral hygiene. In modern times, dental instruments have even been auctioned off by the big names...
Someone’s age is no longer just a matter of how many years old they are. Nowadays everything in our lives must be complicated. Age is just more thing made complicated by modern society’s obsession with exactitude. At least in this case, it concerns health and well being. Someone’s age, or at...
Today is history. One hundred and forty nine years ago, on this day, two men sat down in a court house. Both were career soldiers, graduates of West Point and veterans of the Mexican-American War. Both by now were generals—generals of armies as opposed to pisions or brigades—and both were excellent in their...
One of the most overlooked aspects of dental hygiene if your toothbrush. It’s something that we’ve all had since we even grew teeth and they are handed out for free at most dentist offices. It’s not something that we put much more though into after that. However, even though it’s...
We when we imagine mammoths and mastodons, we tend to see them as roaming elephant-like beasts that marched across the prehistoric continents in gigantic migrations. It turns out though that this may just be fiction, an image that we created and institutions like Hollywood perpetuated (remember when dinosaurs used to stick their tongues...
Energy drinks have been catching a lot of flak as of late. Four years ago the immensely popular alcoholic, energy drink Four Loko was implicated in a number of controversies. This led to its ingredients being overhauled. 5 Hour Energy is coming under a lot of scrutiny lately too. Legal actions aimed at...
We all know that taking care of our teeth is important, but it is even more important as a youth. Creating good dental habits and protecting your mouth at a young age, can lead to healthy teeth as an adult. One of the easiest ways to injure your teeth is...
Many of us seem to be grinding teeth because of stress or anxiety. This is a known fact, however few of us do know that this particular habit is called bruxism and it mostly takes place during the sleep. The annoying thing is that while many do it, only a...
Back in the day, people used to say that TV would rot your brain. Then it became video game consoles like Nintendo, Sega, and then eventually Playstation and XBox. Well the tradition seems to continue. This time it’s “Google will rot your brain.” Addiction People have been addicted to the Internet since it first came...
It’s incredible that we landed on the moon given the technology available at the time. Just recall a scene from Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks) brags that NASA has a computer “that fits in one room and can send out millions of instructions.” It’s safe to say that an iPhone completely outclasses...
Around 20% out of all adults are suffering from sensitive teeth once in their lives, and this is a problem that can lead to a wide range of complications. This issue is caused by the tooth enamel that protects the dentine, which tends to suffer from wear as time passes....
The oldest case of gum disease has been unearthed. The “patient” was a human that was alive over 1,000 years ago, living in the middle of the Middle Ages. Though we’ve come a long way in terms of technology in dental care, the Medieval man suffered from gum disease caused...
With Halloween rapidly approaching, your dental health may be the last thing that comes to mind about the holiday. Class parties, costumes, and house decorations seems to all take precedence over the health of your teeth this October 31st. Keep in mind that Halloween is one of the best times...
We spend plenty of time and energy making sure that our own teeth are clean and healthy, but sometimes the oral healthy of our furry friends can be overlooked. Your dog’s oral hygiene is just as important as your own! Proper oral hygiene can continue to keep your dog healthy...
It’s no secret that taking care of your teeth is essential for proper oral hygiene and health. It’s even more important to begin proper oral care as early as possible in young children. Setting the foundation of proper oral care will benefit them for the rest of their lives! How...
Regeneration is something that we see in other animals. Salamanders re-growing their tails after a run in with a predator; starfish doing the same with their multiple arms and legs. It’s an ability that we should be rightly envious of. There is hope, however, that we may one day attain the...
There are a lot of excessive inventions. Ones that bring very little to the table. They act more as circus sideshows than as a display of human technological advancement. Today, we witness an invention that fits the bill of “excessive” to a tee. And despite this, this invention is just...
There are many things out there that erode teeth. There are plenty of lists of foods, but drinks are equally important when it comes to oral health. Now we all know that sugary sodas are always first on the list of culprits. Recent studies, however, have found that diet sodas...
Veganism is on the rise in the US and it comes with various health and dental benefits. To those new to the scene, Vegans abstain from eating any animal products in their diet. There tend to be different distinctions of veganism, some abstain from consuming animal products including meat and...
It’s a parent’s job to worry about their children, right? We want them safe. We want them healthy. So, when something weird appears on (or in) their body, it’s easy to panic. There are some unusual things that can show up in a child’s mouth. Here are three common pediatric...
We can diagnose more than your oral health. A trip to our offices can indicate medical problems as well. We smell a lot of breath. It’s not a big deal. Most people brush their teeth before coming to our office anyway. They floss too—often for the first time since their last appointment. Your breath...
We get it. Getting your kids to brush their teeth can be a battle. But, it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a few tricks moms have shared with us over the years–maybe one of these tips will work for you. Tips From the Battlefield Sticker Booklet“We make a sticker book...
Dental health is easy right? Two minutes of brushing twice a day, followed by flossing. A visit to the dentist twice a year and your on your way! Well it’s not that simple. Most adults in the United States are actually brushing their teeth incorrectly. Are you? Find out what the most...
It seems that Twitter has finally found a legitimate purpose, besides being a medium for celebrities to broadcast inane comments or people to announce things that no one else cares about. No it seems Twitter has made itself useful, and in a most unexpected place: the beach. Why the beach?...
Steph Curry just can’t seem to keep his mouth guard where it belongs. Photo credit:http://www.bet.com/news/sports/2016/06/03/-watch–got-him–steph-curry-reads–mean-tweet–about-his-pubert.html The Golden State Warriors are up two games to zero in the NBA finals. Exciting right? It’s great news for Warriors fans. But we’re distracted by Steph Curry’s mouth guard situation. What’s this about a...
I know it’s not shark week. In fact, it is long since past. But, today I read an article about megaladon sharks and that got me thinking about shark teeth In a human’s lifetime, we are given two sets of teeth. You could spring for a third, but you’d need...
Yawning as a contagion is not a myth; far from it. Being in the presence of someone yawning, hearing someone yawn, and even just reading about the act can induce it. At first this may seem strange. There’s nothing chemically contagious about it, unlike a cold. But just think about...
We all know that getting our teeth checked and keeping them in good shape is crucial for a healthy life. But teeth, and their problems, could reveal deeper health issues. Indeed, misaligned teeth could expose health problems that go far beyond the limits of your mouth. Scientists are trying to...
Last Wednesday through Friday, solar flares of unusual intensity were unleashed. They had the kind of power to interfere with satellite communication and injure astronauts. In fact, they completely disrupted radio transmissions. The strongest of these flares lashed from the sun around 4 in the morning on Friday. Solar flares are classified...
We all know bacteria in your mouth can be a bad thing. Indeed, bacteria’s lactic acid fermentation is the process that bores holes into your teeth, leading to cavities. But did you know that bacteria in your mouth can be beneficial. In fact, your mouth is teeming with bacteria, some bad and some...
You had a long day. You’re exhausted and you can barely keep your eyelids open. You skip dinner in favor of a light snack and you close everything down for the day. As you begin to drift off into blissful sleep, you suddenly realize that you forgot to brush your...
We’ve recently spent some time surfing the Internet. Turns out, not every patient looks forward to their dental appointments. We’re shocked too The level of discomfort that patients experience when imagining a trip to the dentist varies from slightly worried, to mildly anxious, to being frightened to the point of...
It’s hard to get on social media without seeing someone’s selfie. Maybe you’ve posted a few yourself. While selfies are fun to take and share (for many), they also have a serious side. What you may not know is selfies can help improve your oral health. According to a new study,...
More than 500,000 people use dental implants to replace missing teeth every year. Turns out more than 35 million Americans don’t have any teeth. And, 178 million people are missing at least one tooth. Edentulism—the fancy way of saying missing teeth—leads directly to social and psychological deficits and functional limitations and impairments....
Dentistry is far less modern in origin than you might think. Pierre Fauchard is often considered the “Father of Modern Dentistry.” In 1728 he published Le Chirurgien Dentiste, which contained very detailed information about all different aspects of contemporary dentistry. But dentistry long predates him, reaching back through the Middle Ages and through...
It should be remembered that cavities are caused by bacteria. They’re caused by living organisms. Food particles don’t inherently bore holes in your teeth. They provide the potential for bacteria, the breeding ground for their survival. But like other bacterial infections, cavities are contagious. At first this may seem odd....
A man in the United Kingdom, known as William, wakes up every day thinking he has a dental appointment. It all started on March 14, 2005. Those of you whom don’t celebrate dental appointments probably felt a shiver go down your spine. He was serving in the military in Germany...
A woman and her husband interrupted their vacation to go to the dentist.“I want a tooth pulled, and I don’t want Novocain because I’m in a big hurry,” the woman said. “Just extract the tooth as quickly as possible, and we’ll be on our way.”The dentist was quite impressed. “You’re...
We’ve had several new patients end up at our practice as a result of a dental emergency. Sometimes it’s the result of a traumatic event–i.e., they were playing football with family on Thanksgiving and chipped their tooth. Sometimes it’s the result of neglecting their teeth for years. Neglect cases are always difficult. Usually patients...
By Øyvind Holmstad (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Pregnancy is a beautiful time. You’re developing a brand new human being! There are few things more miraculous. But, just like pregnancy has an impact on your body, your oral health is affected as well. So, how can...
When you have a cold or the flu, your top priority is taking care of your body—including your mouth. While it’s important to practice good dental hygiene all year round, it’s especially important when you’re sick. Coughing, sneezing and worse can keep you in bed, and practicing good dental hygiene...
I think I wanna marry you Weddings. They. Are. Perfect. The dress. The venue. The flowers. The music. All beautiful. All meticulously selected. And, all of those details will be photographed. Forever preserved to live on your social media profiles or framed on your wall. So, what happens when your...
Have you ever wanted a do-over? A day that you can relive and change things around? It’s something many of us wish we can do. There are, however, people who do in fact relive a day. And it’s not necessarily their choice to do so. There is a man in...
Photo (When Young Children “Hate” School) by wecometolearn from Flickr (Creative Commons License) We want our children to do well in school. Did you know that making sure your children get regular dental visits can actually improve their school performance? You can help them with their homework. You can drill...
It’s an age old question and one that kids all across the globe have been trying to determine for decades. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a lollipop? If you’ve ever seen the “Tootsie Pop” commercials, you’ve probably tried this yourself! However, your casual...
Dentistry is an incredibly interesting field. That may seem completely and utterly unsurprising coming from a dentist, but we mean to emphasize that dentistry is fascinating even to the layman. The problem is that most people don’t give dentistry the time of day to invest interest. This is a shame...
We live in a world of frustration, chaos and just downright annoyance. We waste so much material because we are at a lost for what to do with them: toilet paper rolls? Paint samples? And what about when wee’re at a lost for luxuries that we need? Sometimes we can’t...
We’re surrounded these days by smarter and smarter technology. We have smartphones, tablets, cars with onboard computers, PS4s and XBox Ones, etc. But in the world of oral health, we are bereft of smart technology. That is until now. At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2014), a new electronics brand—Kolibree—has...
Photo used with permission from firesam. Do you wake up with headaches? Is your jaw sore? Do you have indentions on your tongue or damage to the inside of your cheeks? These are just some of the symptoms that indicate you may be grinding your teeth at night. Most people do...
Food trucks are one of the greatest innovations in modern history. It’s a mobile restaurant. A whole kitchen on wheels. It’s truly one of the marvels of the modern world. So if there are places where you can stuff your mouth on wheels, don’t you think they should have places...
Approximately 69 percent of Americans between the ages of 35 and 44 are missing at least one tooth. And one out of every four Americans over the age of 74 have lost ALL their natural teeth. The good news is there are various options for replacing missing teeth that can have...
Oral health is not just a human concern. Animals need to be able to consume food in order to undergo cellular respiration. Without the ability to eat, animals die. Without a healthy mouth, this could ability could be undermined. Most herbivores keep their teeth clean by gnawing and chewing on certain...
Early Detection Saves Lives In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Hillsdale Dental Care will be offering free oral cancer screenings the entire month of April. Oral cancer is not a rare disease. Approximately 43,250 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer every year in the US. It kills one person...
Flossing… We know we’re supposed to do it every day. We also know we should be eating fresh, organic vegetables and exercising daily. We’re human, and like all humans, we’re not always consistent or perfect. But, we can create new, positive habits by setting ourselves up for success. Flossing only...
Here at Hillsdale Dental Care we love science. All science, that is, not just fields that pertain to dentistry (though we do love those). Last week we wrote about the“virtual cadaver,” a brilliant innovation that allows medical students to practice autopsies and operations on detailed, 3D human models generated by a computer. This...
Have you always wanted to be a surgeon, but were too squeamish about the idea of operating on someone? Well, there may be an answer. Straight out of Scotland comes the “virtual cadaver.” Rather than dissect a real human body, medical students can operate on a virtual one. Problem solved!...
The five day work week. The bane of human existence. We’re always trying to find ways to forget about the work week, about the days spent behind a desk collating, copying and filing. But rather than try and forget the work week, let’s dig deeper. Rather than dismiss the days...
Having healthy teeth in space is important. And, we’re not talking about the spaces that require braces or Invisalign! Recently, Commander Peggy Whitson, a NASA astronaut, set the U.S. record for the most days spent in space. What a feat! This got us wondering—with so many days spent in zero gravity...
The 21st century will see great advances in medical science. Diseases of the past are being stamped out one at a time. Yet as this is happening, ailments unique to our modern times are beginning to spring up in their stead. That being said, these ‘ailments’ are hardly serious. Most...
As adults, we know that oral health is important. Yet, sometimes children need a little motivation to make proper brushing a part of their routine. If your children feel brushing is boring, these smart products can make tooth brushing more fun. Our goal is to help our littlest patients get off...
We live in a society where many people avoid taking care of their teeth in general. Maybe it’s a fear of visiting the dentist, lack of time to do so, or maybe it’s a general lack of knowledge about how to properly take care of your teeth. Oral hygiene is...
There are a lot of bad habits out there in the world. TV addiction, smoking, biting fingernails, constant Facebook viewing, the list can go on forever. But there are certain bad habits that we really care about. We’re concerned about common bad habits that you overlook and could be hurting your...
Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. You’ve just gotten your teeth whitened, making you look years younger. You love the beautiful white sparkle. Now you want to do everything to retain those snow-white chompers. Beverages can stain your pearly whites–coffee and tea are two of the biggest...
How Long Do Veneers Last? This is a valid question many people have. Veneers are one of the most popular and sought after cosmetic dental procedures, and they aren’t the cheapest. So, of course we’d love them to last forever. However, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the...
There’s something magical about childhood. The innocent pleasures. The imaginative wonder. Losing teeth–an important rite of passage for children–can be just magical. Waking up to some extra cash under the pillow is great. But, how can we go just a little further for children whose imaginations are extraordinary. Here are some...
It has often been said we are the land of the free because we are the land of the brave. There are no words to express my gratitude for the sacrifice of the men who’ve served past and present. Memorial Day Versus Veteran’s Day Sometimes there is confusion between the...
Can you believe it’s already back to school time already? Where did the summer go? Stores have been in full swing for a month already, promoting all that is back to school: Pencils, notebooks, uniforms, new shoes, etc. Our kids will look ready for their first day, with new haircuts,...
Photo by Makelessnoise Did you know your children’s oral health can also affect their medical health? Here are some tips to help your children have a lifetime with a healthy smile. Start Them Off with Good Habits It helps if brushing is as normal a habit for them as eating. Of...
What do hot dogs have to do with 4th of July? A lot! According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, on Independence Day, Americans devour 150 million hot dogs—enough to stretch from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles more than five times. Get creative with your hot dog toppings! Photo courtesy of...
Nowadays there are apps for everything. There’s MyFitnessPal for staying in shape. Cook’s Illustrated and Epicurious so you can cook up a storm. RetailMeNot so you’ll never be short a coupon when you need one. When we say there are apps for everything, we mean it. One area that is, of course, very close to our hearts—oral hygiene—too...
We all like to think that we’re brushing our teeth correctly, following the best protocol for maintaining a healthy mouth. Too often, unfortunately, the techniques people think are beneficial for their teeth are actually damaging. So in order to help out our patients and people in general, we’ve put together...
For many, the start of a new year means a clean slate and the opportunity to start new healthy habits. While New Year’s resolutions are common for adults, there may be some commitments children can make to improve themselves as well. If you’d like to help your child start healthy...
Ahhh…Valentine’s Day. People either love it or hate it. Regardless of how you feel about the holiday, it has a huge impact on both the economy and relationships.According to statisticbrain.com, here is just a sampling of its impact: Average annual Valentine’s Day spending $13,290,000,000 Number of Valentine’s Day cards exchanged annually...
When just starting out, many children find brushing their teeth a fun, “big kid” adventure. And parents are happy they’re having fun improving their dental health. However, as they grow up and have more responsibilities, some begin to get tired of this seemingly thankless routine. What’s a parent to do...
Cancer is obviously a terrible thing. Nowadays, doctors urge men and women to check for signs and symptoms of cancer. But cancer awareness isn’t even across the board. There are many cancers that are given less prominence from the media and even medical community. A major form that’s overlooked is one...
CEREC crowns might not be “life” savers, but they’re tooth and time savers! You’ve just broken your tooth. Your tongue goes right to it, confirming the feel of its sharp, jagged edges. It feels horrible, but surprisingly doesn’t hurt. You run to the mirror, lifting the corners of your mouth...
You know the importance of caring for your teeth. You learned the rules long ago: brush after each meal, for two minutes, and floss daily. It’s second-nature to you. So you don’t need any dental tips, right? Think again. You may be making some mistakes in caring for your teeth...
You’re never too old for braces! Long ago, seeing adults wearing braces would’ve been a rare sighting. These days, almost half of orthodontic patients are adults. Although, you probably wouldn’t notice too many! Invisalign (clear braces) are barely visible, which makes them a convenient choice for our patients who want to straighten...
We hear a lot of excuses as to why our patients don’t floss. “I don’t have time.” “I can’t do it right.” “I keep forgetting.” We’re making these excuses a thing of the past once and for all. Why? Aside from the dangers of gum disease, recent studies have linked gum disease...
“The day will be most memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the...
For years dentists have been decrying coffee as bad for your teeth. They highlight how it can stain teeth and how, if sugar is added, it can lead to the proliferation of cavities. Now, however, new studies have been recasting coffee in a much better light. It seems that coffee could...
Top Reasons to See Your Dental Hygienist Top reasons to see your dental hygienist? Having clean, shiny teeth could be reason enough, but here’s five more! You’re in a judgement-free zone Dental hygienists are well-trained cleaning machines. Years of school and continuing education give them the tools they need to...
Not much surprises us about teeth. We’re dentist after all! However, we have come across some very interesting and fun facts about those pearly whites over the years. We bet you’ll be amazed (and entertained) too when you read these 15 fun facts about teeth: Fun facts about teeth everyone...
Inspiration for the busy mom. Face it. We all have tough days from time to time. And for the busy mom, it seems to be a fact of life. Some days, you handle it better than others. It’s just on those “other” days, when crayon drawings on the wall bring...
I’m trying to find affordable dentures for my aunt who is on disability from her job. She was in a car accident in June and hit her head and mouth. In addition to a concussion, she lost several teeth. Her teeth were not in good shape anyway, but now they...
Did the Yankee’s Aaron Judge really have to see a family dentist because of an injury in a game and a knocked out tooth? Online reports say he was playing the Rays and had an injury to his mouth. I thought mouth guards were required for professional baseball players. I’m...
Many people are interested in buying Invisalign online, which cannot be done. Invisalign is only available through a dentist. But there are there are online alternatives to Invisalign. Are these alternative, clear braces effective? How do they work? What are the risks? The Basics of Alternative Treatment You will be sent...
Can you tell me why most dentists don’t post their fees on their websites? We live in times where transparency is supposed to be a good thing. I don’t want to have to schedule appointments or call offices only to find out that I can’t afford a dentist. It’s a...
Should you switch family dentists? In most cases, if there is a misunderstanding with your dentist, taking time for open communication can resolve the issue. But sometimes there are legitimate reasons to switch. Below are five reasons some patients have felt compelled to move on. Your dentists doesn’t offer the...
I love our family dentist and so do my kids. My 7 year old has what looks like the beginning stages of a cavity. We are working hard to prevent it with diligent brushing, flossing, and closely monitoring what she eats. My husband and I greatly limit our kids’ sugar...
It seems like my kids’ pediatric dentist is cavity crazy and money hungry. I really think she is looking for reasons to rack up my kids’ dental bills. For anything that looks like it might become a cavity she is recommending a filling. I have 4 kids and each of...
The false teeth in my dentures keep falling out and my dentist keeps putting them back. This has been going on for the past 9 months or so. After the 3rd tooth fell out, I started keeping track of it because I thought it might become a pattern. I am not...
I can’t afford Invisalign. How do I find transparent braces that are half the cost of Invisalign? I have severe overjet and my dentist quoted me just over $5000 and that was not at all what I had in mind. The overjet is so bad that it’s starting to get...
I’m wondering if cosmetic family dentists can be trusted. I need a cosmetic dentist but I also need a family dentist for my 2 kids. If we can all go to the same place it would save me a lot of time. I now work full time, so I’m limited...
A visit to the pediatric dentist is challenging for most children, but a disorder in the autism spectrum can present even more challenges. Many parents find themselves switching Photo of three children standing behind one another, for information on pediatric dentistry for autism spectrum children on the blog of San...
I got dental bonding from my family dentist on my bottom front teeth to close the small spaces that make it look like I have black triangles between my teeth. My gums are receding and causing the spacing issue. My dentist said she could fix it with dental bonding. She...
I want a celebrity smile but I don’t want to wear Invisalign to get it. There are multiple things wrong with my teeth and I am feeling pressure to do something about it. I’m at dance clubs every weekend. Most of the people at the clubs I frequent have straight...
My family dentist did a root canal on my top right premolar in January and the tooth seemed okay at first but started giving me problems again. I got the second root canal 2 1/2 weeks ago. Everything seemed to be normal for over a week, but the pain and...
I’ve had a toothache on and off that I let go on for several months. 2 months ago my family dentist told me that I need a root canal and a crown but I didn’t get it done. I just don’t have the time or money. I’m a single mom...
I smoke marijuana three times a week and it’s starting to stain my teeth. 2 years ago my doctor prescribed it for pain. It helps a lot but my teeth are suffering from it. People who know me remember my white teeth and are asking if I’ve started smoking. I...
I’ve been wearing a snap on smile since 2003. I bought top and bottom. The first set lasted 3 years and so did the 2nd and 3rd set. Within the past 5 years it seems that I’m replacing them every year to year and a half. This is beginning to get a...
I asked my family dentist to remove my 4 silver fillings and replace them with white fillings, but she doesn’t want to do it. She said that nothing is wrong with my silver fillings and she doesn’t want to remove them unless they are old. I want the fillings removed...
Do I need to see an emergency dentist for one of my dental implants? I got dental implants in August 2016. They seemed to be healing well, but 2 weeks ago I started feeling some irritation around of one the implants. It is also sore to the touch. Now it’s...
I’m in month 7 of Invisalign. I only have 13 months of treatment so I’m ready to start whitening my teeth. I found professional strength gel on Amazon. I am starting with a carbamide peroxide gel that is in the middle as far as strength is concerned because I don’t...
My dentist now offers Six Month Smiles. My teeth stick out because I sucked my thumb from a toddler through 9th grade. I didn’t do it openly but it was an everyday habit. I have wanted braces since I was in high school but I have never wanted to wear...
I have a canker sore that won’t go away and I am wondering if I should see an emergency dentist. Over the weekend the sore got more painful. It’s pretty big too. When I smile or chew, just the movement seems to make the sore hurt worse. A white pus-like...
Hello. I need some advice on a family dentist. I have 4 children. The youngest, Evan, is 11 years old and he has Down syndrome. When we lived in AZ we had a wonderful family dentist who was great with children. Since living in CA, we’ve had to switch dentists...
I got 3 CEREC crowns on top left teeth. They are all side by side and it hurts when I chew. I can’t tell which tooth it is that is really hurting because I think the pain is referring. It hurts most when I chew and all of the teeth...
I am in my 20th year of wearing dentures and never have I had a good smile with them. My smile just looks so generic and I am tired of it. I am only 63 yrs young and my parents lived into their 90s. My good health leads me to...
I am exploring different options to fix my teeth from a thumb sucking habit and I am wondering if Six Month Smiles will help. I am 27 years old and have been sucking my thumb since I was 3 years old. The habit comes from childhood stress and trauma that...
I am not sure that my Invisalign trays are getting clean enough. The thought of having to wear them for 2 weeks is kind of grossing me out. I use the cleaning solution my dentist gave me and when I asked her if there is something more I can do,...
I am job hunting and I think that part of my lack of success if due to the way my teeth look. They are pointy and crooked and it is very noticeable. On 2 of my interviews I am certain that my teeth were a distraction. I don’t have dental...
I have fluorosis stains on my teeth and I am getting married in April of next year. My family dentist is also a cosmetic dentist and she does beautiful work. Some of my co-workers got porcelain veneers from her and so have some of her own staff members. Their teeth...
I got my CEREC crown in August. My gums were irritated after I got the crown. I was told to rinse my mouth with warm saltwater several times a day to calm the irritation and help my gums heal. I have been back to my dentist 4 times about the...
Successful dental implant placement requires sufficient jawbone density. The jawbone support dental implants. When a tooth is missing, the body begins to resorb the bone from the site and use it and the minerals from it elsewhere in the body. If you have experienced jawbone shrinkage, the bone might need...
I am not convinced that my 4 yr old should get fluoride treatments from her pediatric dentist. I don’t even give her fluoride toothpaste yet. She might swallow it, and she is too young for it. The pediatric dentist recommended it because my daughter has an unusual number of cavities....
My face sags with dentures and at this point in my life I am not sure what to do about it. I have worn dentures since 1985. I needed them younger in life than most people. My face sags even when I am wearing the dentures. It makes me look...
I am trying to figure out if I should get veneers or 6 months smiles. My teeth are a bit overlapped but not terribly. I know that both ways can straighten my teeth pretty quickly. I think veneers cost more than braces but I don’t know if veneers are the...
I have 2 bottom left molars missing. Since I have lived in Cali I’ve had 3 different dentists. Each dentist I see tells me that I need implants to replace the teeth. I know I do need them because my bottom front teeth have shifted and started to overlap. I...
I have an impacted wisdom tooth on the upper left. I need to find an affordable emergency dentist to pull the tooth. My toothache is so bad that it makes me nauseated. The gums all around the tooth are swollen. I had dental coverage through my husband’s job, but as...
2 of my 5 missing teeth are from playing sports. Others are from my failure to take care of my teeth. My parents have told me that they are not paying to replace my teeth but they did get me a snap on smile. They feel that because I was...
In June I got new dentures and since I’ve had them I keep biting my tongue. I have bitten my tongue more in the past 2 months than I have in my lifetime. Of course I have told me dentist about this and he keeps checking the dentures every time...
Could I get some advice from one of your family dentists? I think I have gum disease. My gums hurt and sometimes when I brush my teeth they bleed. I just moved to CA and although I am working my employer doesn’t provide dental insurance. I have been waiting to...
My 12 yr old daughter had an accident over the holiday weekend and chipped her 2 front teeth almost half way horizontally. I took her to her pediatric dentist and she tried to do some bonding but I don’t like the way it looks. The color doesn’t even match. She...
I ruined my teeth during a 10 year long drug addiction. I am recovered now but I am only 47 yrs old and I have no choice but to get dentures. I want to get implant dentures at some point but I know my teeth have to be extracted first....
Please don’t scold me because I know I am not supposed to eat with my Invisalign on. I did eat with them on 3 days ago on a dinner date. I usually take them out but things were pretty romantic and I didn’t want to have to take them out at...
I had a rotten tooth so loose that I could almost fit the tip of my toothbrush under it. The tooth is a bottom right molar. I also have another tooth next to it that is also loose. I tried to pull the tooth out that is the furthest back....
I got my dentures relined two weeks ago and they are a mess. I took them to a place in town to save money. They fit too tight and are very gritty. I hate to think that I have to get them redone and that I’ve wasted money. Do I...
I am really torn about whether I should get braces or a snap on smile. I have been leaning toward the snap on smile because it only takes a few weeks to get it. What does it take, a year or 2 to get through braces? The only problem is...
I went to this new mobile dental clinic to get a crown. I needed it fast because my schedule is crazy. I knew that I was taking a chance but I didn’t think it would be that bad. It’s horrible and you can see it when I smile because it’s...
I have a swollen lump in my gums around 2 molar teeth on the bottom left. Both teeth ache a little but my gums hurt to the touch. This is starting to hurt enough to bother me in my sleep. I tried flossing around the teeth but it hurts too...
Before dry mouth is treated, your family dentist will help determine the cause of dry mouth. An oral exam, tests, review of your child’s medical and prescription history, and possibly a referral to a specialist may be required. What Are the Causes of Dry Mouth? Some of the common causes are: Dehydration...
I love the convenience of online shopping. I am having a problem with a worn out tooth and any day the crown is going to fall off. It’s the holidays so I just want to be proactive. I am looking at packages of professional crowns. There are several crowns in...
I am starting to get nervous about my veneers because my family dentist keeps getting the temps the wrong color. This is the 3rd try. I am not sure why this is happening. I picked the color but each of these three times the temps are not a color match. Why...
My “CEREC” crown came off for the 3rd time. It’s not really CEREC but the dentist I got it from couldn’t or wouldn’t tell me the real name of the crown. It’s a generic form of CEREC but looks just as good or better than CEREC. That’s all good but the...
I would not have gotten Invisalign if I had known they would be absolutely yellow if I kept smoking. My teeth were not and are not this yellow but the trays get yellow within a few days. I feel like I wasted my money. I just hope it will be worth...
I’ve worn my temporary veneers for 5 weeks now and I am having a hard time getting used to them. I almost feel like my dentist is trying to make me like them. She keeps asking me don’t they look great? Not to me. We already had one change to...
I’ve had dentures since I was 49 years old and I just turned 61 last week. The wrinkles on my face from dentures are finally catching up with me. Other than cosmetic surgery, what are some ways that people with dentures can at least soften their wrinkles? Thanks. Madge Madge...
I smoke a lot. Not a chain smoker, but probably a half pack a day. I want 6 month smiles because it’s faster and looks better than regular braces, but I am wondering if I can smoke with them. Thanks. Marcel Marcel – Technically, yes, you can smoke while you...
I can put my snap on smile on but it never really snaps. It doesn’t feel snug at all. I can’t count the times it has fallen off, but I can feel it slipping so I manage to catch it. Can this thing be re-molded or do I have to...
I have implant dentures so I am very happy with my smile. What I am not happy with is my face. This October I am going to have a few consultations with cosmetic surgeons. I know that teeth affect the position of your lips and cheeks. Will I need new...
We’ve had the same dentist for 6 years or so. Since then we had a baby girl. Our daughter is now 2 years old so we took her for her first dental appointment. I was surprised that our dentist is not good with kids! At least he wasn’t good with...
I’ve had Invisalign for 7months. After my dentist found out that I joined a soccer team, he told me that I need to wear a mouth guard. Is he trying to make money off of me? Why can’t my Invisalign double as a mouth guard? Thanks Quinn Quinn – A mouth guard...
No joke. That’s how my teeth look. Whenever my brother sees me now he says “What up, Bugs?” It is not funny at all. He is my brother but if he keeps it up I will have to clock him. I had my gap closed with dental bonding and now...
My sister lets her 7 yr old son drink soda from sippy cups. I know he is way too old for a sippy cup and so does my sister but she says she gives it to him because my nephew is clumsy and she doesn’t want him to spill soda...
The whole point of my getting Invisalign is to have braces that people can’t see. My dentist said that I might need attachments on them, which to me are clearly visible. What happens if I decline the attachments? Will my treatment time be longer? Thanks. Missy Missy – The attachments are...
Wisdom teeth can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, but researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences have found a good use for them. The dental pulp from wisdom teeth might one day be used as a source of corneal transplant for scarred corneal tissue...
I had a root canal 4 months ago and just this week I am having a horrible toothache in the same tooth. In mid-April my job is sending me to Italy for 3 weeks. My insurance will cover dental care there, but I am unsure if I will have the...
I did not and would not order dentures with yellow teeth but that’s what I have. I am almost in tears about this because I never had yellow teeth. It took two months to get the dentures, and I honestly feel that I look worse with them than without any...
I had my snap on smile on the table and my yorkipoo got it. I was looking for it and saw her chewing on it. When I took the snap on smile from her, it looked okay but I knew I needed to really clean it. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t do...
I am really disappointed because I have 3 CEREC crowns for upper molar teeth that have all cracked. The cracks have occurred over the last 4 or 5 months. I looked back at my insurance records online and I got the crowns in December 2004 when I lived in Colorado....
I don’t want my enamel touched at all. My family dentist said he has to etch my teeth for dental bonding. Is this something I can avoid if I see another dentist? Thanks Melanie Dental bonding, or cosmetic bonding, can be used to lengthen or shape teeth, conceal stains in...
Last week I proposed to my fiancé. We set the date for November. I had braces in my early teens and kind of fell off wearing my retainer when in my late 20s. Of course my teeth have shifted. I’ve been saying for a few years that I want Invisalign...
I already asked our pediatric dentist this question, so don’t worry. I am just getting opinions from other dentists. We have 5 kids and our youngest son is the only one who has 2 rows of teeth. The permanent teeth are coming in behind the baby teeth. Why is this...
I would say 40% of the time, I can get my denture to snap onto my implants with no problem. 60% of the time either it takes me a long time (maybe 10-15 minutes?) to get it to snap on, or I can’t do it at all and just give...
Are you at low, moderate, or high risk for getting cavities? What can you do to protect your teeth from cavities so that you can avoid fillings, dental crowns, or even losing a tooth and requiring a more expensive restoration? Consider some of the factors below: At home care –...
It’s been a while since I wore my retainer. We had a lot of illness in our family. I was taking care of my mom after she had 2 surgeries and at night, I just crashed and went to sleep. A few nights in a row I forgot my retainer...
My gums are bleeding. Not all the time but when I brush my teeth. My sister said I probably have gum disease. Could this be even though I brush my teeth every day? Is there something over the counter I can buy to stop it? Thank you. Camille Camille –...
My dentures are worn out and I have to use a lot of adhesive just to keep them on. I want cosmetic dentures this time because my current dentures are just plain ugly. I guess you notice certain things more when it involves you. Now that I am in the...
I have 2 missing teeth. I need an affordable option to replace them. I have been looking at a snap on smile and a partial denture. I read about them both. What do I need to consider? Marisol Marisol – A Snap-On Smile covers all of your teeth, and it is meant...
I am going to get my teeth straightened and I am doing research on how to do it best in the least expensive way. I am looking at Invisalign and wondering it is something that I can buy online. If not Invisalign, is there something similar that I can get online?...
I had a dentist appointment this morning and my lips are still numb. I am starting to get nervous. A friend and I just had lunch together and my drink kept rolling down my lips like I was drooling. Did my dentist do something wrong? Why are my lips still...
I graduated last year with a degree in radio, tv, and film. My dream is to work in tv. I’ve been on many interviews and auditions, but never quite get hired. My last interviewer mentioned my teeth would need to be worked on if I wanted a visible job. Could...
I’m at a dinner with my girlfriends. We’re talking and having a great time and my dentures slip out onto my plate. I was absolutely mortified. What can I do to keep that from happening again? Sylvia P. – Morganville, WI Sylvia, What a difficult experience that was for you....