Dentistry at Sugarloaf

"Tired of your teeth looking yellowed and dull, but not sure what’s making them that way? We made you a list of some of the worst teeth-staining foods that make it difficult to maintain a pearly-white smile. And, because we all like to indulge once in a while, we included a few stain-fighting foods that help ward off unwanted discoloration."

"Dry socket is a condition that can occur after tooth removal. It usually happens 35 days after surgery. Dry socket causes intense pain because it exposes the nerves and bones in the gum."

"Caring for your teeth is a lifelong commitment, but the more you can do to help your kids maintain proper dental habits the more you can instill good dental care at any age."

"The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth daily with an interdental cleaner (like floss). Cleaning between your teeth may help prevent cavities and gum disease. Cleaning between your teeth helps remove a sticky film called plaque. Plaque contains bacteria that feeds on leftover food or sugar in your mouth. When that happens, it releases an acid that can eat away at the outer shell of your teeth and cause cavities."

"The ADA recommends changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months, so make a resolution to change your toothbrush with every season this year."

"Teeth are held in place by an elastic tissue called the periodontal ligament, which attaches the tooth to the bone and provides nerve sensation and blood supply. When a tooth is knocked out, many periodontal cells remain on the root. As long as those cells remain alive, they can regenerate once the tooth is reinserted in the socket."

"Both plaque and tartar increase the risk of cavities, gingivitis, and other dental conditions. Knowing how to distinguish between plaque and tartar can help identify the warning signs of dental health issues."

"A salt water mouth rinse is useful for a number of different reasons. It's a great option for anyone who has a sore throat, gum sores or recently underwent dental procedures. It doesn't take the place of modern dental hygiene, but is used as a supportive measure for adults and children alike."

"A child's oral health is closely related to the family's overall dental health and hygiene practices. The Age One Visit can educate parents or caregivers on the importance of their own good oral hygiene."

"The key to preventing and controlling gum disease is brushing around and under the gumline where bacteria and plaque tend to accumulate."

"In some cases, bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease. If your gums bleed easily or bleed when you brush, talk to your dentist about your oral health. Gingivitis is reversible and preventable."

"If you have noticed your toddler grinding their teeth, you may be wondering if the behavior is normal. The unpleasant sound can cause concern, but usually, it's safe. Only in some cases do you have to step in."

"Chances are good that visions of cookies, desserts and candy canes may be dancing in your children's heads this holiday season. While you will do what you can to limit their intake of these sugary treats, your kids will probably be eating their fair share of sugar at your family holiday parties. Despite their consumption of sugar, there are ways to keep your kids' healthy teeth and gums in shape and to minimize damage to their dental health."

"If you have ever had serious dental work done, it is likely that you had had a dental impression taken dental impressions are very common and are used for a variety of purposes in the dental field."

"High blood sugar may also cause dry mouth and make gum disease worse. Less saliva can allow more tooth-decaying bacteria and plaque buildup."

"Tooth pain, is usually caused by problems with the teeth or jaws. The degree of tooth pain can range from mildly annoying to excruciatingly painful. The treatments for tooth pain may be as simple as improving your oral health care routine, or as complicated as oral surgery."

"A broken or cracked tooth may cause a very painful toothache, especially if the inner pulp of the tooth is exposed. That’s where the tooth’s blood vessels, nerve, and connective tissues are, and if that area becomes inflamed or infected, the pain can be excruciating."

"Thanks to advances in oral care, people no longer have to walk around with stained or yellow teeth. These days, brightening your smile is as easy as visiting your dental professional for a whitening treatment or purchasing one of the many at-home treatment options available."

"Malocclusion is a term commonly used by orthodontists that simply means that the teeth are not aligned the way they should be. The upper teeth should land slightly over the lower teeth when a person bites their teeth together."

"Fear of pain is the main reason people avoid seeing the dentist. The good news is that there is a wide array of medications and techniques -- used alone or in combination -- that can reduce or eliminate pain and control anxiety during most procedures."

"A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth -- to cover the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and improve its appearance."

"Even if you didn't need braces as a kid or teenager, it's possible that over the years, you've developed crooked teeth. Your teeth can shift as you age, due to poor oral care habits or lost teeth. As a result, you might feel embarrassed to smile with your mouth open. To further complicate matters, the less straight your teeth are, the more likely you might be to have trouble with oral hygiene."

"Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, occurs when there is insufficient saliva in the mouth. If you have trouble chewing or swallowing, or if you wake up with a sticky, dry feeling in your mouth, you could have dry mouth."

"Although brushing is the focal point of your child's daily dental routine, flossing is just as important. Flossing helps to remove the food particles and plaque that build up between the teeth and gumline that a toothbrush typically can't reach."

"If you are suffering from both a headache and a toothache, it's natural to wonder if the two symptoms are related. Perhaps your toothache is triggering your headache, or perhaps the combination of your headache and toothache indicates an underlying health problem like a sinus infection or temporomandibular joint dysfunction."

"Your mouth is more than just a pretty smile. It's also a gateway to your overall health. Keeping that gateway clean may keep you healthier longer -- and looking younger."