Root Canal Myths

Are you terrified of getting a root canal? If so, your not alone. Millions of people have their teeth treated and saved each year by endodontic therapy.

If your nervous of an upcoming root canal appointment because you have heard negative comments about them, Don't be! check out these myths below to ease your mind:

• They are painful - The dentist will completely numb the area and make sure you are comfortable before beginning the procedure. Patients have reported that the procedure is painless but have some discomfort as the tooth is healing.
• Extraction of the tooth is better - You want to conserve your original tooth. Extractions remove the tooth entirely which can lead to more dental work (Implants) and more money!
• If your not in pain then you don't need the root canal - Infected pulp inst always accompanied by pain but an infection wont heal itself and will only get worse. 

The longer you postpone treatment the more you risk the chance at saving your tooth!

Could Medical Marijuana (CBD Oil) Treat The Pain Of TMJ?

There are many causes of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Pain) but it seems the most common occurrence is pain. Studies have shown that by treating the causes of TMJ, pain can be greatly reduced or even alleviated.  One of the chief causes of TMJ is bruxism, or teeth grinding.  This can happen as a result of whiplash, misalignment of teeth, stress, anxiety and a variety of other reasons. It can cause damage to the teeth, headache, tinnitus and pain, among other things, over time.  It has been suggested that CBD oil (Cannabinoids) can help relieve the painful symptoms of TMJ by reducing stress, anxiety and relaxing muscles; thereby relieving pain.
Click here to read an interesting article about TMJ and treatment with CBD oil for relief without side effects!

Keep Smiling!!!

You Can't Afford Not To Go To The Dentist

Dentistry is very tricky. It cost a lot to go to the dentist and very few people actually like going. Which puts it low on totem pole for places to obtain more medical expenses.

Although most people can't afford to go to the dentist, everyone can't afford NOT to go. Dental health issues can lead to so much more, which can make you sick, put you in the hospital and cost you so much more. Also, contrary to popular belief, perfect home dental hygiene still is not enough. Regular checkups and professional cleanings are necessary. Even a brand new, well maintained car will still break down at some point. No different with your teeth. Cavities happen, gingivitis happens, periodontal disease happens and it needs to be treated by a doctor, a dentist.

It may cost you more now, but it will save you a lot more in the long run, including your life!

Is kissing dangerous to your health??

Is kissing harmful to your health? With just one kiss couples can share more than 500 different types of disease-causing germs and viruses, warns the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 35,000 general dentists.

Some different types of things you can catch are:

1. Cold Sores-Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus. They appear as tiny, clear, fluid-filled blisters that form around the mouth and lips.


2. Colds-Common cold and flu viruses can be transmitted very easily through contact with the saliva.


3. Mononucleosis-Mononucleosis, also known as the "kissing disease."

Remember people can look healthy and you may never know if they have any diseases.

To read more look here!

There are Natural Ways to Clean Your Dentures!

Many products made for cleaning dentures can be expensive and harsh.  If your dentures have metal parts, some commercial denture cleaners can cause them to corrode over time.  Here is a short list of inexpensive, reliable (old time, tried and true) products that you can use to clean, disinfect and even help remove tartar from your false teeth! (Yes, even false teeth can get a buildup of tartar over time, cultivating an unhealthy array of germs and bacteria.)

Here goes!:

1. BAKING SODA.  Make a paste with a little bit of the soda and water and use your denture brush to clean your dentures.  It will freshen, too.

2. VINEGAR.  Use equal parts of vinegar and water and soak your dentures for 20-30 minutes. This will also help to remove tartar buildup.

3. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE.  This is especially useful for disinfecting.  Soak in a 3% or 6% solution (the usual strength sold in stores) for approximately 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water.

Now, there were a couple of other suggestions that I found online that I didn't think were particularly useful; that is, they were not things that I would personally try for cleaning something that you would put in your mouth! Someone on another website suggested a bleach/water solution for disinfecting and a teaspoon of Calgon water softener added for removing tartar. Of course you would need to rinse your dentures especially well so as not to get the bleach solution in your mouth. Hmmm...I don't know...  To me, that falls into the same catagory as fixing your dentures with super glue.  What do you think?

Things To Keep You From Getting Bored In The Waiting Room

Have you ever been in this situation? You are sitting in the waiting room at your dentist's office and start to get bored. You then realize that you have forgotten to bring a book or something else to keep you occupied. The magazines are 2-3 months old and there is not any that you like. I know I have been there before. I have created a list of things that you can do to help pass the time of that dreadful wait. Try them out and let me know which one works the best!

1. See how many different words you can make out of the phrases on the signs hanging on the wall. For example, if there is a sign that says "payment is due at the time service is rendered", see how many words you can make out of that phrase. (team, meat, serve, pending) just to name a few.

2. Engage yourself in a magazine scavenger hunt. Pick a topic or a name and count how many times it is referenced in the mountain of magazines that surround you. (President Obama is one that can keep you occupied for hours)

3. If you brought your cellphone, update and clean up your contact's list. That is something that people always mean to do, just never find the time.

4. Correct and complete the puzzles in the magazines that other people "attempted" to do.

5. Play "name the noise". When you hear a sound coming out of one the exam rooms, try to identify it. (If you are unable to do so, chances are very good that you will experience it first hand very soon).

Some dental centers have created an office theme that is designed to keep you occupied and take your mind off the dental work that you are about to endure. However, if you are stuck in a boring waiting room, give these a suggestions a try. Feel free to comment with more ideas so I can update the list in a few weeks

Is Sparking Water Putting You At Risk For Tooth Decay?

There is something about flavored fizzy water that makes you fell refreshed and energized all day but can it be damaging your teeth?

According to Mouth Healthy (brought to you by the American Dental Association also known as the ADA) sparkling water is generally fine for your teeth. Research showed that two forms of water (sparkling and plain) had the same effects on the teeth even though sparkling water is slightly more acidic.

Below are some tips on how to enjoy sparkling water without damaging your teeth:

• If your in the mood for something fizzy, grab a sparkling water. This is far better for your teeth than a energy drink or a soda.  
• Pay attention to whats in your sparkling water, added flavors such as citrus, have a higher than normal acidic level which can cause damage to your enamel. 
• Sparking water brand that have added sugar can no longer be considered sparkling water because they can contribute to cavities. 

It doesn't matter how many sparkling waters you drink in a day its still important to drink regular water!

Could Red Wine Help To Prevent Tooth Decay?

It may just do that!

According to the results of a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Red Wine is rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols are loaded with antioxidants and it was found that they can help to fend off the effects of bacteria in the mouth that can cause cavities and plaque. Who knew?!

Now, I wouldn't go off and drink more red wine just yet. This was only one study.  It's likely there will be another one to disprove it down the road.  But it is an interesting concept, isn't it?

Keep Smiling! 

Brushing Your Teeth With Soap?

Yuck! I'm sure majority of us have had our mouths rinsed out with soap as a kid for saying a bad word. Well, regular bar soap has been shown to work better than toothpaste.

Dr. Gerard F. Judd, Ph.D., Chemistry and Fluoride Researcher of Arizona is the man behind the tooth soap movement. He wrote a book called the "Good Teeth, Birth To Death". This book gives tips on how to keep your teeth and gums healthy well into your elderly years.

The main reasons Dr. Judd believes you should brush with bar soap is because toothpaste contains high amounts of glycerin which deposits a layer on the tooth that covers the plaque and prevents is from being brushed where bar soap actively kills bacteria and plaque, thus preventing the onset of gingivitis and tooth decay.

Yes, soap is does not a pleasant taste but after 3-4 brushes you will get used to the flavor. The recommended soap is detergent-free and contains a high amount of olive oil.  You can also mix essential oils like peppermint or spearmint to help improve the flavor.

After brushing your teeth and tongue rinse well. You should feel like your teeth are cleaner and for a much longer period of time.

What do you think about brushing with bar soap? Would you try it?

Article found here!

Avoid Green Teeth This St. Patrick's Day

With St Patrick's day coming up on March 17th, there is always the fun when you have the green teeth. Here are some ways to avoid it:

1. AVOID THE GREEN BEER: Requesting beer without food dye is actually possible. Green beer is only offered by request in most situations. If you still want to celebrate the Irish way, stick with an Irish beer like Guinness.
2. SKIP THE ICING: Try to avoid desserts like cake and cupcakes that have green icing. This will show up worse on your teeth than just drinking it as it will stain in between your teeth. Eggs will be dyed green as well as ice cream, so watch out for foods that may not look natural in color.
3. TAKE A TOOTHBRUSH: If you decide to participate in the green ritual, all is well. The green stains gathered from the food coloring can easily be removed with a brushing and whitening toothpaste. Your best option is to brush shortly after the consumption of the food to prevent tooth staining. However, if you don’t want to carry a toothbrush with you or physically don’t have anywhere to put it, brushing your teeth before bed will suffice. Your goal here is to not show up to work the next day with a green smile.