Have you heard all the recent hype about not needing to floss anymore? Well, let’s look at what this is really about. Since 1979, the federal government has recommended flossing. Last year, the associated press reviewed 25 studies that compared brushing alone versus brushing and flossing. This review concluded that the evidence for flossing was “weak and very unreliable.” As a result, the Department of Health and Human Services removed the flossing recommendation this year. However, the American Dental Association (ADA) sites several other studies that show the benefits of flossing. The ADA and Family Dentist Tree will continue to Read More →

Toothpaste has always been thee product to help keep your teeth clean, but it actually has many uses that don’t involve your mouth! (Non-gel toothpaste is recommended for alternative uses). A trip to the jewelry store is not always easy or convenient just to have your ring cleaned. So, when in need, take an old toothbrush and a dab of toothpaste, scrub your jewelry, rinse under water, and then look at it shine! Do you have children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews? Provide daycare or babysit a lot? It seems inevitable that one of your kids wil get a hold of a crayon and Read More →

Have you ever woke up with a toothache and feared you may have a cavity? You may not have known that a cavity was forming on your tooth because not all cavities are visible to the naked eye. Here are some signs and symptoms to look for if you fear you may have a cavity: -Pain while biting down. -Pain while eating or drinking something sweet. -Pain while eating or drinking something hot/cold. -Holes or pits on the biting surface of your tooth. -Brown or black stain on any surface of your tooth. The most common place for cavities to Read More →

You hear awful stories about more tantrums, extra saliva, and a general fussiness while your baby is teething! Unfortunately, we are not able to help you out with the things that seem to come along with teething, but we can help you know when to expect it. Primary teeth, more often referred to as baby teeth, are already developing by the time your baby is born. All teeth will generally erupt before three years of age, beginning with the bottom front teeth (central incisors) between 6 and 10 months old. The upper front teeth are next, coming in at 8-12 Read More →

Have you ever been told you need a “deep cleaning” at your dental visit? Do you feel you get a different or more expensive cleaning than others in your family? Our staff at Family Dentist Tree is here to help you understand why different types of cleanings are recommended for our many patients. To begin, the type of cleaning recommended is most commonly based on the stages of periodontal disease. As bacteria eventually forms plaque in your mouth, it’s by products begin to break down the tissues that hold your teeth in place. This forms “pockets” that allow plaque to Read More →

You’ve heard the reasons why to get a night guard, but how often do we talk about how to properly care for your night guard to keep it working for you for a long time? Here are some tips: Always store your night guard in the case provided for you by your dental office. If you lose your case, contact your dentist office to get a new one.  Keep your night guard away from pets. All too often a pet is the reason for needing a new night guard! Clean your night guard with a toothbrush and warm water after Read More →

We know that it is important for professional athletes to wear a mouth guard during sports, but how often do you recognize the need for your child to wear one during their school sports? We asked our hygienist, Valerie, a mother of two boys in hockey to help us understand what options are out there. Mouth guards help to protect not only your teeth but your jaw, cheeks, tongue and lips. Although they are not always required, the American Dental Association recommends wearing a mouth guard for the following sports: Acrobatics Basketball Boxing Field Hockey Football Gymnastics Handball Ice Hockey Read More →

With a growing son of her own, our hygienist, Christina, knows that teething happens. It’s inevitable, and it’s not always fun. The day your little infant’s rubber gums finally pop that new tooth through is exciting! That first day is also stressful, knowing approximately nineteen other pearly whites will soon follow suit. Teething typically begins around 6 months old, although some infants don’t get their first tooth until closer to 12-14 months. A complete set of 20 teeth should be in your child’s mouth around the age of 2.5-3 years old. Many parents complain of the sleepless nights and the increased Read More →

Do you skip your dental visits because of anxiety, painful visits, or you’re just uncomfortable coming to see us?  We have some solutions for you! Many of our patients are sensitive to the noise made by our dental instruments. We provide television and headphones to keep your ears occupied by your favorite show instead! Many of our patients also bring an iPod or other device to listen to music or bring back one of our magazines to read. As hard as we try, our dental chairs will never be as comfortable as your bed or couch at home, but we do our best Read More →

Could you be damaging your teeth without knowing it?  We all have habits that may be wrecking our teeth on a daily basis.  Here are a few of the most common ones: Chewing on ice Ice chewers beware.  I’ve seen this habit ruin even the most perfect teeth in our dental office.  Chewing on hard, frozen ice can chip and even crack you teeth resulting in worn down and broken front teeth and fractured back teeth.  Generally the only treatment to fix a broken or fractured tooth is with a crown.  If a fracture from ice chewing is too deep Read More →