Chewing gum has been around since the ancient times when it was made from tree saps. Today, the base used for most gum products is a blend of synthetic materials. The average American chews about 1 pound of gum each year. With so much gum going into our mouths it is important to know how chewing gum affects our dental health. You may have heard that gum is both good and bad for your teeth, so let’s find out the real deal. Avoid Chewing Gum with Sugar Gum sweetened with sugar is bad news for your teeth. When you choose…
Author: Dr. Jacqueline Butler Mitchell, DDS
A root canal can be performed in one or two visits by an Endodontist and or a general dentist. A dentist may refer some root canals to an Endodontist if they feel that the treatment needed warrants a specialist. Today’s modern techniques and anesthetics has made the root canal process be more comfortable and most patients say that they have very little discomfort during a root canal. For the first few days after the treatment, your tooth may feel a little different but there should not be any pain. Steps to a Root Canal • Local anesthetic administered to numb…
Has your dentist ever told you that you need a root canal and you wondered what that meant? If so, you are not alone, many people have teeth that need or have had root canal treatments done before. “Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek word for tooth; therefore, Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth. A Root Canal is one type of endodontic treatment where the treatment is done inside the tooth and the root or roots. Let’s Discuss the Anatomy of a Tooth The outer layer of a tooth that you see when…
A child’s baby teeth begin to loosen and fall out to make room for the permanent teeth sometimes as early as 5 years of age and can be as late as 7 years before the first tooth is lost. Typically, the first baby teeth to fall out are the two bottom front teeth called lower central incisors. The two top front teeth known as upper central incisors are next, followed by the lateral incisors, molars and canines. The molars usually fall out between ages 9 and 12 and are replaced by permanent teeth by age 13. Baby teeth usually stay…
Halloween is just around the corner, and for most kids this means bags of free candy and a chance to build a stockpile of candies for the winter. As parents we know that candy consumption is almost unavoidable this time of year, but we want parents and children both to know that there are both good and bad candy options, both of which may find their way into a child’s trick-or-treat bag for Halloween. What are the Worst Halloween Candies • Chewy/Sticky Sweets: gummy bears, taffy, and sticky caramel all are bad for your teeth because they get stuck in…
We have all heard the saying “Use it or Lose It”, well this is especially true when it comes to dental benefits. Each year you work hard to earn your benefits and before you know it, the year is gone and so are your unused dental benefits. If your dental insurance plan is on a calendar year, listed below are 5 reasons why you should make a dental appointment now. 1. Yearly Maximums: Your dental plan gives you a maximum of what can be spent on your dental care on an annual basis. The amount varies between insurance companies and…
It’s football season once again. You’ve got on your team jersey and team cap, but now comes the most important part; What are you going to snack on? When choosing snacks, remember you want to maintain healthy teeth, so choose mouth friendly snacks. Recommendations for Great Game Day Snacks: • Cheese Plates are perfect for all types of get-togethers. Cheese is a mouth friendly food. Cheese has calcium and protein which help strengthen tooth enamel and it helps to neutralize the acids from sugary foods. Do keep in mind that cheese does have a high content of Fat, so avoid…
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. Gum disease is 1 of the major causes of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease has no pain associated with it, you may be unaware that you have it. Gum disease is also referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease is caused by plaque which is the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth. Warning Signs That You May Have Gum Disease: • Gums that are red, swollen, and tender to touch • Gums that bleed easily • Gums that have…
As a parent, you do everything you can to protect your child from injury and harm. It is very important to protect your child’s teeth while playing sports. If they are participating in organized sports or just playing tag football in the back yard a sports guard should be part of their sporting gear. To keep dental injuries to a minimum, make sure your child is wearing a proper, well-fitted sports guard that enables them to breathe comfortably while playing sports. There Are 3 Basic Types of Sports Guards 1. Boil and Bite: this type can be purchased at any…
Orthodontic treatment is an important investment in your future. Everyone helping with your orthodontic care wants you to have the best results possible. While you are wearing braces, it is important that you take care of your teeth and gums. You need to pay special attention to cleaning your teeth daily and monitor your diet. Friendly Diet while in Braces There are foods that can loosen, break and or bend wires and bands when you are wearing braces. Avoid hard foods such as nuts, hard granola bars, and hard cookies. Foods such as apples and carrots should be chopped into…