Author: Kimberly

I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about my tongue, and I am guessing most people don’t. I certainly never thought the appearance of a tongue meant anything in particular, but it may in fact be telling us other parts of our bodies are needing attention. Just as pain in your back may indicate tension in the muscles through your buttocks and upper legs, your tongue, as described by Dr. Gillian McKieth in You Are What You Eat, is a “window to your organs.” For example, a midline crack not reaching the tip of your tongue, teeth marks around Read More →

How many times have you been on vacation and arrived only to find that you forgot ……….. your toothbrush! This problem can be solved by making a quick trip to the store in some situations, but to avoid the hassle we have put together a quick guide to cover all of your travel dental needs. First and foremost, you need a toothbrush. To be more specific a travel toothbrush is most convenient, commonly being small enough to fit in your travel pack. Whether a travel brush, or regular sized brush, a cover or case is an efficient way to keep Read More →

Do you have trouble with: a painful, aching jaw, sore, sensitive teeth, stiff neck, tension headaches, morning headaches, or a stiff, tired jaw? If you experience these issues, you may have a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD). TMJ/TMD is a disorder in which your jaw muscles and joints do not function properly, resulting in cycles of pain and spasms that in many cases can be successfully treated. We asked our assistant, Janet to share her TMJ experience with us. “When I had TMJ, I would wake up in the morning with a stiff jaw and what I would describe as burning Read More →

Implants: As stated by the American Dental Association, nothing can take the place of a healthy set of natural teeth. However, when disease or an accident ends in tooth loss, it’s comforting to know there are options for restoring your smile. Implants are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, where they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth. They are made of titanium, a strong, lightweight metal. Dental implants can be used for single tooth replacement or as an option to secure dentures.                 The first step for treatment is Read More →

We love to see all kinds of SMILES! We hope you enjoy our list of quotes about your SMILE. ** Peace begins with a SMILE. ~ Mother Teresa ** Every time you SMILE at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~ Mother Teresa ** Today, give a stranger one of your SMILES. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day. ~ Jackson Brown, Jr. ** A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight. ~ Phyllis Diller ** Wrinkles should merely indicate where SMILES have been. ~ Mark Twain ** Don’t cry because it’s over, SMILE because Read More →

Great inventions don’t have to be complicated. A new survey by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology asked Americans to name five inventions they could not live without. As expected, the smart phone, personal computer and automobile made the list, but the humble toothbrush emerged the undisputed champ as the most prized innovation. It’s been a long road to the top for the toothbrush. Prior to the toothbrush, people used bones, feathers and frayed twigs to clean their teeth.  The first bristle toothbrush was invented in the 15th century in China and was originally concocted of boar’s hair and bone.  The Read More →

                  You’ve heard us recommend them, demonstrate them, and put them on display, but the real question is, should you be using an electric toothbrush? We checked with our hygienists and here is what we found out:  When used properly, electric toothbrushes are able to remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush. The sonic or spinning action that electric toothbrushes provide helps loosen plaque and sweep it away. This can help reduce the risk of gingivitis and may lead to healthier gum tissue. The tooth by tooth cleaning action that electric toothbrushes provide are effective yet gentle with Read More →

It is no persons favorite thing to hear they are not brushing good enough at their dental check-up. Hearing that you have a cavity is even worse! We asked our hygienist, Valerie to give us some tips to avoid spending more time than you bargained for at the dentist.   Use the right size tooth brush.  Children and adults with small mouths should use a smaller brush head. A toothbrush that is too big may not be able to reach all of the tooth surfaces in your mouth. We recommend soft or extra soft toothbrushes. Bristles that are too stiff can Read More →

X-rays are needed to detect decay in areas that cannot be visualized. X-rays are also used to detect bone loss, infections, cysts, and tumors. In addition to X-rays, a dental exam is the only way to determine if you have dental problems such as cavities, defective fillings, cracked teeth, or oral cancer. Although hygienists are highly qualified, they are not trained to diagnose these issues. Dental disease usually worsens with time and may be extensive when finally detected. Without a dental exam and X-rays there is no way to tell if you have some of these severe dental concerns. For this reason, we Read More →

We’d like to start this post off with a joke from our very own Dr. Michael Lose. Question: What is a dentist’s favorite waterway? Answer: A root canal, of course! Ask anyone, and they will tell you that root canals are nothing to laugh about. As a matter of fact, Hollywood loves to demonize the root canal wherever it can in movies and T.V. shows. The truth be told, nobody wants to have a root canal. But when you have a toothache, root canal treatment can be a life-saver and a “tooth-saver.” Two or three generations ago, dentists would extract a Read More →