Do I need to take an antibiotic before my dental appointment? Patients who have had rheumatic fever, heart murmur, heart valve replacement or orthopedic joint replacement are at risk for a condition called infectious endocarditis. The American Dental Association recommends these patients take a “pre-med” prior to dental work. Here’s why: Bacteria which normally inhabit […]
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Is Snoring an Issue at Your House?
Do the walls of your house vibrate at night? Does your dog or cat sleep with his paws over his ears? If so, you may find some benefit in this article. In some men or women, snoring can be reduced or eliminated simply by wearing an oral appliance at night. The appliance enlarges the airway […]
In Case Of A Dental Emergency!
During any emergency it’s important to remain calm as you arrange for treatment, and be sure to follow these instructions in the the meantime. Toothache Rinse mouth vigorously with cool water. Floss to remove food that might be trapped between teeth. DON’T use heat or place aspirin ON the aching tooth or gum. Call us […]
Expiring Insurance Benefits—Use Them or Lose Them!
What if someone gave you free money to spend on improving your smile? With one string attached: use it all by New Years’, or lose it. Well, for those fortunate enough to have insurance, there are several ways to take advantage of your plan’s benefits before they expire at the end of the year. Many dental […]
The Season and the Sweet Tooth
Food has always played a starring role in holiday traditions. From Thanksgiving turkey to the Hanukkah challah to bouche noel, what we eat defines the occasion (and some of our most lingering memories). It’s no wonder that by January, laments about misplaced waistlines ring out as often as “Happy New Year!” But when it comes […]
Bulimia, the “Private Problem”
Not So Private Anymore If you recognize yourself or someone in your family in this piece, you share a problem with over 500,000 other people. Bulimia. Do you worry about how much you eat—all the time? Do you start a new diet almost every day? Do you perceive everyone else as thinner than you are? […]
Smoking and Still Smiling?
Say you’ve spent the time and effort to get your mouth and teeth in shape. You’re dentally hale and hearty. And you smoke. As if there isn’t enough reason to give up smoking, your dental health suffers too. Dramatically. Aside from the tobacco stains on teeth (not to mention the bouquet), serious oral disease can […]
Women’s Oral Health
Do women need to be more careful with their oral health? Women’s oral health depends on their different stages of life. For many women, these changes are directly related to surges in sex hormone levels, such as in puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation and menopause. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with TMJ, Myofascial […]
If You Have Dental Anxieties…
We Can Help We recognize that when it comes to dental procedures, some of the most terrible things aren’t going on inside your mouth—but inside your head. Fear of the dentist’s chair is both normal and understandable. You may be among the 150 million Americans who avoid the dentist altogether. But, truly, it doesn’t have […]
Sensitivity Toothpaste
Does Sensitivity Toothpaste Work? If you were to take the commercial’s word for it, you’d think sensitivity toothpaste was a magic cure-all! In reality, over-the-counter toothpaste may provide some relief from mild sensitivity, but addressing the underlying cause is the only way to truly solve the problem. Usually, teeth have a layer of super-hard enamel […]
