Guiding patients to make the dental care decisions that are right for them.
A night guard – also called an occlusal guard – is a great way to protect teeth from the ravages of bruxism. Bruxism is the involuntary clenching and grinding of teeth. There are two types – sleep bruxism and awake bruxism. Click here to read my post about the nature of these disorders, how we diagnose them, and what causes … Read more
Bruxism – involuntary clenching and grinding – can do serious damage to your teeth. Treating bruxism before your teeth are worn to nubs may be the most underrated money-saving strategy in dental care. I wish many patients would take it more seriously! Alas, with human nature as it is, we often have to manage it … Read more
Dental abscesses can be a very inconvenient and sometimes very painful interruption in our lives. They can also be dangerous if left to fester for too long. It’s important to cure your tooth abscess as soon as possible. The treatment you need depends on the origin of your infection. Gingival Abscess – The infection origin … Read more
Good home care is absolutely essential to maintaining oral health. Many people swear by their electric toothbrushes. But, are they really more effective than manual brushes? When I was in dental school, we were taught that electric toothbrushes were clinically shown to help those who struggled with manual dexterity. For example, children, the elderly, or those who … Read more
If your dentist or hygienist recently prescribed a deep cleaning, you may be wondering if you really need one. A deep cleaning refers to a procedure called scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is the most conservative and least invasive treatment for periodontal disease. It involves scaling deposits of plaque and tartar off … Read more
Crowns are among the more costly dental treatments. You might be wondering if you really need one. I hope to offer insight on this question. Unfortunately, it’s not always so cut and dry. For most people, maintaining healthy teeth for a lifetime usually requires some proactive investment. Otherwise, you risk spending more money reacting to … Read more
If you’re missing a tooth or teeth, you’re not alone! Most adults are missing at least one tooth. (not counting wisdom teeth). If you’re not sure how to go about replacing your missing tooth and you’re not comfortable allowing your dentist to decide for you, keep reading! Before diving into the subject of how we … Read more
I’ve learned over the years that people respond very differently to a missing tooth. Some people cannot tolerate the chewing difficulty and/or aesthetic change imposed by the empty space, whereas others don’t miss their tooth at all. They have no problems eating whatever they want. There are pros and cons to everything. If you lose … Read more