What You Need to Know about Fillings: Silver vs. Tooth Colored Resins

Silver amalgam fillings were used for decades due to its ease of use, durability and cost. The biggest objection besides the esthetics is the inclusion of mercury in these filings. Mercury has been linked to a multitude of health issues including chronic illness, autoimmune diseases, neuro-degenerative diseases, birth defects and mental illnesses.

Our office has chosen to stop placement of this material since 2000. Removal of amalgam fillings should be done under rubber dam with high-speed suction. For patients who…

Your Options for Missing Teeth

Should you lose or be missing a tooth, whether it never came in or was removed, due to trauma, decay or periodontal disease, it is important to replace the missing tooth.

Teeth stay in place with proper contact to adjacent and opposing teeth. Once a tooth is lost, the adjacent teeth begin to shift and drift, and place excessive forces on those adjacent teeth now carrying the chewing forces.

The options available for replacement of missing teeth range from removable…

Keeping Your Teeth for a Lifetime

Our teeth are affected by a variety of environmental circumstances, causing crazelines and crack in the enamel. A crazeline is a surface crack, limited to the outer enamel of the tooth and usually requires no treatment. A crack is a deeper fracture in a tooth, which is usually symptomatic and does require treatment.

Cracks can occur from a variety of causes, including years of bruxism or grinding, accidents, trauma, chewing ice, or from large metal restorations. Metal fillings expand and…

My Beautiful New Tooth – A Post from a Client

This was originally posted on our client’s blog. When we read it, we were brought to tears, and just wanted to share it here. Thank you Nancy!

I could not let this monumental occasion pass without shouting to everyone I know that I love my new tooth!

Those of you who know me in person are well aware of my tooth situation, but those who only know me on-line are probably not aware that I have been…

How to Brush Your Teeth – Properly!

You’ve been brushing your teeth for your whole life, but have you been doing it properly?

1. On the outer and inner surfaces, brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle in short half-tooth-wide strokes against the gum line.
2. On chewing surfaces, hold the brush flat and brush back and forth.
3. On inside surfaces of front teeth, tilt brush vertically and use gentle up and down strokes with toe of brush.
4. Brush the tongue in a back-to-front sweeping motion to

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Heart Health and Oral Care – How They Go Hand in Hand

Many people dismiss the importance of taking care of their mouths, but recent studies support that poor oral health has other consequences besides rotting teeth.

Individuals with unhealthy gums are more likely to have heart disease, as reported by Newcastle University Dental School. “Inflamed gums are linked to high levels of C-reactive protein, a possible biomarker of heart disease, in the body. Dental cleaning can actually reduce levels of C-reactive protein and also improve the health of blood vessels,” says…

Teeth Grinding & Stress

Life can be stressful, but leave your teeth out of it.  Stress can be a major cause of teeth grinding. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know whether or not you’ve been grinding all night unless you have some symptoms, like a dull and constant headache, a sore jaw, or cold sensitivity.

Teeth grinding can cause serious problems, such as fracturing and lose of teeth, causing the need for root canals, crowns, bridges, or dental implants.

A mouth guard can protect your teeth,…

Trade in your bottle water or drink from the tap?

It’s been a debate for the last several years, especially as bottled water sales have been on the rise. But should you trade in your tap water for a bottled version?

According to the San Francisco Department of Health there isn’t any proof that bottled water is more pure or healthy than tap water. Research has found it hard to prove whether one type is better than the other. Water is regulated by different sources, yet those regulations are almost…

Whitening and Cosmetics

Wouldn’t you just love for your teeth to glow through the winter and holiday season? Here are some whitening tips to brighten your smile:

1. Get your teeth cleaned regularly (call us today to schedule your cleaning!)

2. Brush twice a day, and don’t forget to floss.

3. Rinse your mouth after drinking coffee or tea.

4. Eat strawberries, which are known for whitening your teeth.

5. Drink lots of water. Swish after meals to keep food from sticking to…

Food & Digestion – 5 Healthy Holiday Habits

It’s the six month sugar binge for most American’s – October through April is packed with holiday meals and gatherings – which means lots of food, and possibly lots of digestion problems as well. From bloating, gas, cramping, and heartburn – these unruly tyrants can put a damper on the festivities.

Here are a few tips to get you through the holidays.

1. Get your protein and fiber first. Eat whole foods first, skipping processed foods whenever you can. Processed…