We have discussed the basics of dental implants and facial collapse in many of our past blogs. Were you paying attention? Sheridan dentists, Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon, would like to challenge you to a quiz on dental implants.
Q1. True or false – Dental implants are only for people who are missing all of their teeth. (more…)
Many people rely on spices to add flavor to meals without additional fat and sodium. There are more benefits to spices than just adding a kick. Herbs and spices, either fresh or dry, have a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Certain spices have even been shown to help with the inflammation and recession of gums that go along with gum disease. Sheridan dentists, Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon, will highlight some of the spices that might help your dental and overall health. (more…)
Resorb means to absorb something again. In terms of dental health, resorption of roots means that the body begins a process which is quite dangerous to your dental health. Root absorption (or resorption) refers to changes which occur with respect to your dental roots, not exclusive to decay or fracture (though unhealthy teeth can cause the phenomenon). Sheridan dentists, Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon will share more about root absorption. (more…)
Receding gum tissues pose a serious threat to your oral health and may affect your appearance. Periodontal disease is probably the widest known cause of receding gums, but gingival tissues recede naturally with age, as well. Luckily, maintaining proactivity with your preventive dental care will help you to avoid issues with gum recession. Sheridan dentists, Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon, explain gum recession, and what you can do about it if the issue strikes your smile.
TMJ pain is usually a result of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The basic functions of eating, yawning, and talking in a comfortable and pain free manner are at risk when your TMJs are inflamed and unhealthy. TMD is often described as extremely uncomfortable. Inflammation and irritation of the joints and muscles in your jaw often come along with uncomfortable teeth grinding, jaw stress, and tooth damage. Aches, pains, clicking, and popping of the jaw are common complaints seen by Sheridan dentists, Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon. Occasionally, ear pain is even related to TMD.
TMD usually begins with classic symptoms such as orofacial, jaw, neck, mouth, and/or shoulder pain. Some patients describe the sensations they experience as more of a dull ache as opposed to full blown pain. A feeling that your bite is misaligned, dizzy spells, and jaw tension are also (more…)
The medical term for teeth grinding (which is a condition that effects millions of Americans) is bruxism. Sheridan dentists, Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon diagnose bruxism by checking your teeth, bite, and jaw position for signs of chronic grinding at each dental six month dental checkup. If you have questions about bruxism, we have answers.
Although we can help you protect yourself from the effects of teeth grinding, bruxism is considered to be an “above the nose” issue. This means that there is usually something in your brain which (more…)
There’s no doubt about it that when one of your teeth becomes completely detached at the roots, the experience is shocking and upsetting. You might think there’s nothing your dentist can do to help you save your natural tooth. Fortunately, quick action and a little luck provide the possibility that your knocked out tooth can be reattached. If you educate yourself in advance, you’re more likely to remain in the best possible head space to deal with a dental crisis.
Naturally, if you sustain an injury (or even if you are a witness to an accident) which is substantial or life-threatening, you should dial 911 or make your way to the closest emergency room as quickly as possible. If your only apparent sign of injury is that your tooth is knocked out, an emergency dentist’s attention should suffice. Hopefully, your tooth is displaced in one single piece. If so, retrieve it and hold on to it. Even fragmented teeth are sometimes possible to save. There is a 30 – 60 minute window if you are searching for your best chance of success. Gently and carefully rinse the tooth free of dirt or debris, only holding it by the crown. Don’t touch the roots or detach any tissues which are still connected.
Once your tooth is clean and in one piece, clean gauze is a great tool. Before you head to the emergency dentist, you can potentially reinsert the dislodged tooth into the correct socket temporarily. After you have gently placed the tooth back in place, gingerly bite down on the gauze to hold the tooth steady and make your way to your appointment. If the knocked out tooth is in multiple fragments, store them in whole milk, or between your cheek and gums to keep the tooth moist and “alive.”
To learn more about porcelain veneers, or to speak with your Sheridan dentist, schedule a consultation at Grinnell Street Dental by contacting our Sheridan dentist office at (307) 672-7567. We welcome patients from Sheridan, WY and the surrounding communities.
Do you have porcelain veneers on any part of your smile, or have you ever considered them? They are one of the most versatile cosmetic dental treatments out there. Few other single procedures answer to so many different issues at the same time. In fact, porcelain veneers are so efficient at covering over a multitude of flaws, many people consider them to be a “smile makeover.” To learn more, test yourself on the following quiz.
Q1. True or false – Porcelain veneers require specialized dental care. (more…)
Baking soda has been a part of people’s pantries for over one-hundred years. Sodium bicarbonate (AKA baking soda) has a number of benefits and uses such as soaking up odors or scrubbing off stains from a variety of surfaces.One popular use for baking soda, however, is whitening your teeth. Brushing with a baking soda and water solution removes small tooth stains and potentially improves oral health. A number of commercially available toothpastes contain baking soda. Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon explains why baking soda makes such an excellent dental hygiene product. However, you may want to be mindful of how often you use sodium bicarbonate on your smile.
The greatest overall threat to your teeth is acid. Some foods and drinks are naturally acidic. When consumed, they change the pH level in your mouth. The pH scale measures any substance’s acidity in ranges between 0-14. Zero is the most acidic, while 14 is the most alkaline.The mid-scale number seven indicates neutral pH. Therefore, the ideal mouth pH is approximately 7.1. When oral pH levels lower to 5.5 or less, your tooth enamel begins to erode. This process is called demineralization, and it is the first step in the development of tooth decay. Since baking soda is a naturally alkaline substance, the powder helps raise your mouth’s pH level, thereby neutralizing the damaging effects of acid erosion.
Aside from cancelling acid, baking soda is a popular additive in oral hygiene products because the abrasiveness can remove surface stains on tooth enamel. While the irresponsible overuse of baking soda can cause damage to your teeth, the American Dental Association (ADA) agrees that toothpaste without abrasives won’t do as much for cleaning your smile. That said, the ADA also recommends brushing your teeth gently, with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and only using baking soda a maximum of once a week to avoid scratching tooth enamel.
To learn more about taking care of your teeth, or to speak with your Sheridan dentist, schedule a consultation at Grinnell Street Dental by contacting our Sheridan dentist office at (307) 672-7567. We welcome patients from Sheridan, WY and the surrounding communities.
Chewing is a natural instinct, like breathing. Of course, if you have jaw pain or bite your tongue, the hundreds of times you chew every day without a second thought will suddenly become uncomfortable. As the years pass and people inevitably age, chewing food may no longer remain a given, due to missing teeth and the lack of resources (or desire) to replace them. One scientific research study from the Department of Odontology and the Aging Research Center at the Karolinska Institutet focused on a link between chewing and dementia.
These days, more people are living well into their eighties, nineties, and even past 100. Advances in medicine and technology have made it easier to live longer. Unfortunately, our anatomy is not necessarily meant to last that long. Oral health in relation to our overall well-being is referred to as oral-systemic health. The research team at Baylor College of Medicine found that brain function is stimulated through chewing even in young people. In fact, in another study, students who chewed gum while performing school work showed better standardized math scores than a control group which did not chew anything during testing.
Chewing increases blood flow to your brain. When someone has missing, or no teeth left in their mouth, they have a decision whether or not to replace them. If you don’t make that effort, you are simply going to chew less. You are likely to stick to softer foods, or even lean towards liquid diet. Less blood flow to the brain is theorized to lead to a rapid descent into dementia for most aging patients. The Swedish scientists at the Karolinska Institutet set out to highlight the impact of tooth loss on brain function. The team collected data and surveys from a total of 557 elderly people over the age of 77. The conclusion of the research led to data showing a higher risk of developing dementia (including Alzheimer’s Disease) seen in patients incapable of masticating hard foods because of missing teeth.
To learn about protecting your oral health, schedule a consultation at Grinnell Street Dental by contacting our Sheridan dentist office at (307) 672-7567. We welcome patients from Sheridan, WY and the surrounding communities.
