Thanksgiving is a great time of year for families to gather together and appreciate the history of their lineage. With the use of family trees and new DNA analysis, any one of us can find out how far back our family goes. You might actually be related to one of the pilgrims that feasted on the very first Thanksgiving holiday. How do you think those ancestors might have cared for their dental health? Your Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, will describe how pilgrims did their best to maintain oral hygiene.
Ancestral Dental Care
We are lucky to have many options for dental care in our modern times. In most towns, there are many dentists to choose from within a reasonable driving distance from your work or home. You also probably have easy access to a wide variety of oral hygiene products at various stores in your (more…)
Bad breath can put a crimp in your love-life, your social life, and even make your co-workers avoid sitting close to you. This is no way to live. Halitosis can give the wrong impression that you don’t take care of yourself. It can be extremely frustrating when you’re popping gum and mints at every turn, and yet people still cringe when you lean in for a conspiratorial conversation. For some people, bad breath is not a simple matter of good oral hygiene. If halitosis is a consistent problem for you, your Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, might have some solutions.
Is Your Mouth Too Dry?
Dry mouth is an oral health issue that is more prevalent with the elderly. However, certain medical conditions and/or prescription medications can make this a struggle for people of any age. Each prescription you take has varying side effects. Many medications can lead to insufficient saliva production. Saliva serves the imperative function of keeping your mouth hydrated, as well as rinsing away food particles throughout the day and night. Ample saliva makes it much more difficult for bacteria to produce plaque because there is less acid and food debris to work with. Healthy salivary glands will keep your mouth pH balanced so that you can maintain breath that is not offensive.
Preventive Efforts for Good Breath
If saliva production is your quandary, the solution may be as simple as switching medications or drinking more water. There are also various mouthrinses and dietary changes that might help ramp up production. Beyond that, your bad breath could be a simple case of bacteria congregating on your tongue. Consider adding a tongue scraper to your regular oral hygiene routine. You may also be able to gain headway in battling bad breath by simply brushing your tongue along with your teeth. Occasionally, the foul odor of halitosis can be a result of cavities, gum disease, and periodontitis (advanced gum disease). A thorough dental checkup with Dr. Coon can uncover the issues that might be causing your bad breath.
Dental Checkups from your Sheridan Dentist
Are you due for a dental checkup with your Sheridan dentist? To schedule a consultation contact our 82801 dentist office at (307) 672-7567. We welcome patients from Sheridan, WY and the surrounding communities.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common disease that you may have heard of. If you have been diagnosed with HPV, you are among at least 20 million other Americans. Every year, another 6 million new cases are discovered. Women are generally tested for the HPV virus during their annual well-woman exams/pap smears. Unfortunately, the very same virus that can be discovered by your ob/gyn can also occur in the mouth. Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, will explain the details of how Oral DNA testing makes a great detector for both HPV and periodontal disease. (more…)
You’ve probably heard someone say, “I’d rather get a root canal than have the flu,” or some such similar comparison. Root canals have somehow ended up with the reputation of being as unpleasant as it gets in the world of dental procedures. Most patients who end up needing a root canal procedure may panic, given this line of thinking. That’s why root canal patients are usually pleasantly s surprised that the level of discomfort involved with this restorative repair is pretty similar to getting a regular filling. Your Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, will explain the basics of removing infection and repairing damage at the roots of your teeth. (more…)
You are probably aware that you should brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, and visit your dentist twice a year for regular check-ups, but how much do you really know about dentistry? Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, is excited to help you brush up on some basic dental facts. (more…)
Personal politics aside, you’ve probably been attuned to more government matters than usual over the last week or so. Part of a politician’s business is emitting a certain degree of friendliness and kindness. Nothing can portray a sense of being relatable more than a warm smile. Yet public figures are often coached on how to create smiles out of thin air, even if they aren’t feeling particularly happy during a speech or on the campaign trail. Your Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, would like to share some interesting facts about smiles in our government throughout U.S. history.
Smile Preferences
People with a nice, confident smile are thought to receive more frequent promotions and receive higher salaries in the work place. It is no wonder that smiles are an essential element in a (more…)
Sticky and dry might be an appropriate state of being for a post-it note, but this is not a feeling you’d want in your mouth. If you have dry mouth, you may find yourself parched with thirst and battling sticky saliva that is a purely unpleasant viscosity. Dry mouth also often goes hand-in-hand with bad breath. Do you feel like your mouth is not the moist and pleasant environment it should be? Perhaps something is wrong. Your Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, would like to tell you more about dry mouth, and how to deal with it. (more…)
You are probably aware of when you’re stressed, but have you ever wondered what signs might show that your mouth is stressed? There are some tell-tale characteristics of wear-and-tear on your teeth, jaw, and gingival tissues that could warrant attention. Your Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, will tell you more about stress and your mouth.
The Bruxism Stops Here
The clinical name for bruxism is teeth grinding. Teeth grinding often occurs while you sleep. You (more…)
Finding the underlying cause of orofacial pain can be frustrating. The symptoms caused by TMJ disorder (TMD) can mimic other diseases and conditions, from sinus infections to Lyme disease. A relationship between TMD and fibromyalgia has been uncovered over the last decade. Your Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon discusses the link between the two conditions. (more…)
Imagine a beautiful picture without a frame. Would it look nearly as nice? And how could you hang it on your wall. Some things are enhanced by frames. You may not realize it, but your teeth are on that list. If your smile wasn’t framed by that symmetrical pink gum tissue, what would it look like? Not only would your teeth be loose, flipping and flopping around in your mouth, but your dental pulp would be visible. The nerves and roots below your gumline are certainly important, but not exactly attractive. Your Sheridan, WY dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, encourages patients to visit him every six months for preventive dental care. This way, you can avoid infection of those important tissues that are currently framing your beautiful smile. (more…)
Thanksgiving is a great time of year for families to gather together and appreciate the history of their lineage. With the use of family trees and new DNA analysis, any one of us can find out how far back our family goes. You might actually be related to one of the pilgrims that feasted on the very first Thanksgiving holiday. How do you think those ancestors might have cared for their dental health? Your Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, will describe how pilgrims did their best to maintain oral hygiene.
