Tooth Trouble for Teens

Posted January 24, 2012 by Dr. Coon

You face many difficulties during your teenage years. Social struggles and body changes can alter your dental care and health. Drs. Donald, Justin, and Cody Coon can help keep your smile healthy throughout all stages of life.

Social Behaviors

Teenagers experiment with different habits in the hopes of “fitting in” or being socially accepted. Despite all the health warnings, many teens consider smoking. Smoking can cause stained teeth, bad breath, gum disease, and oral cancer. Older peers also encourage youth to experiment with alcohol, which contributes to dry mouth and bad breath. Teenagers are always focused on the coolest fashions, and oral piercings are a common fashion misconception. Tongue and lip piercings can cause oral swelling, infection, and chipped teeth. Furthermore, as their bodies change, many teenagers develop unhealthy eating patterns and eating disorders. Bulimia and other purging disorders can cause enamel erosion, stained teeth, and halitosis.

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“Where Can I Get Veneers in Sheridan, Wyoming?”

Posted January 16, 2012 by Dr. Coon

You have probably heard about porcelain veneers in the news. Maybe you heard that a celebrity or famous person you admire got their nearly perfect smile from cosmetic dentistry. With widespread availability and financing methods, many more people are able to afford and receive procedures than ever before. Cosmetic dental procedures are for everyday people, too!

What are Veneers?

Basically, veneers are thin wafer-like coverings that fit over your teeth. They can hide a wide range of imperfections such as gaps, crowding, misalignment, and permanent stains. Many patients believe that they look and feel like real teeth.

Who are the Best Candidates for the Procedure?

Candidates for veneers have multiple problem areas with their smile they want to correct. Ultimately, it is best that our team at Grinnell Street Dental provide you with a consultation and our assessment of which cosmetic dental procedures we feel are best for you. (more…)

So You Think You Know Mouthwash?

Posted January 10, 2012 by Dr. Coon

In the past couple of months, we have shown you how you can use your old toothbrushes in different ways and additional ways you can use your floss as well. Today we want to ask you some questions. Did you know that you can use sugar-free mouthwash in many other ways besides cleaning your mouth? We have put together a short quiz to test your mouthwash knowledge.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Mouthwash.

1. How can mouthwash affect your hair?

a. Make it grow faster

b. Treat dandruff

c. Make your hair fall out

2. Which of the following can mouthwash mask?

a. Carpet stains

b. Smoke damage

c. Underarm smells

3. How much mouthwash would it take to clean your toilet?

a. ¼ cup?

b. 2 cups?

c. An entire bottle

4. True or False? Mouthwash used to be an antiseptic to prevent infections.

a. True

b. False

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Straight from the Mouths of Grinnell Street Dental Patients

Posted January 3, 2012 by Dr. Coon

When it comes to finding a dental home for you and your family, there’s a lot to consider. Not only do you want a dentist that’s impeccably trained, skilled, and experienced, but you also want a dentist, dental team, and facility that makes you and your family feel comfortable, welcomed and cared for. Grinnell Street Dental is the dental home of many Wyoming families, and Drs. Cody, Justin, and Donald Coon invite you to experience Grinnell Street Dental for yourself.

What People are Saying About Grinnell Street Dental

Word of mouth can go a long way when you’re choosing a dentist or dental team to invest not only your smile, but also your hard-earned money, time, and trust with. Here’s what patients are saying about Grinnell Street Dental and our dental team.
“I’ve always been self-conscious of my smile. Throughout my life, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t cover my mouth with my hand. I look at all my past pictures and see the closed mouth half-smile. Now with my ‘new smile,’ I can’t help but show everyone. It’s amazing what this has done for my life. Everyone around me keeps asking why I’m so happy all the time. I tell them I’ve always been a happy person; it’s just now that I can show it with my beautiful smile. I not only look great, but I feel great.”- Leah (more…)

What's Wearing Out Your Smile?

Posted December 19, 2011 by Dr. Coon

If your teeth are strong, proper oral care can usually keep them safe. However, daily wear and tear can make them weak and destroy your smile sooner. When your teeth become worn, they are more vulnerable to decay, chipping, and other dental problems. Here are the top threats that wear out your smile, and how Dr. Coon can help keep your teeth strong for a lifetime.

Brushing Habits

Yes, brushing your teeth at least twice a day is very important to keep your smile healthy. However, the way you brush can damage your grin. Brushing too aggressively can wear away the enamel on your teeth and irritate your gum tissue. Dr. Coon can show you the proper way to brush to protect your smile.

Cracks and Fractures

If you bite down on something hard such as ice or candy, it could fracture your tooth. Your teeth are strong, but they’re not made for crushing through hard objects. Many dental injuries also result from sports accidents. Hitting and falling could break a tooth, or even knock one out. If you’ve chipped your teeth, Dr. Coon can restore your smile with crowns or bonding. For athletes, Dr. Coon can design a custom-fitted mouth guard to protect your teeth from injury.

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Dental Gifts for the Holidays

Posted December 12, 2011 by Dr. Coon

Does your gift list include a few people who have everything? Shopping for your loved ones can be stressful, especially if you are out of ideas. Dental gifts can make a great functional addition to a person’s daily dental care routine. If someone on your list does not have these products yet, help him take oral health care to the next level with fun, 21^stCentury gadgets.

Electric Toothbrushes for Kids or Adults

If your loved one is devoted to dental health, how about a powered toothbrush? Modern electric toothbrushes have awesome cleaning power. Most come with a timer that tells you when to switch quadrants in your mouth, and they won’t let you get away with lazy scrubbing. Some of the more fancy electric brushes will stay charged for up to two-weeks, which is great for folks who travel. Electric toothbrushes are also ideal for elderly people because they feature a large, easy-to-hold handle and don’t require fine motor skills required to scrub teeth clean. Moving bristles do all the hard work!

Water Flosser

Already have an electric toothbrush? Consider a water flosser for efficient, effective, easy flossing. Research shows that water pressure flossing can be 90% more effective than traditional flossing. These devices have a dial that allows you to control the PSI. A water flosser can be a real treat for people with braces or gum disease.

Professional Whitening

A professional teeth whitening session makes a great gift. Grinnell Street Dental offers both in-office and at-home whitening solutions. Professional whitening can quickly erase years of built up stains to reveal a more youthful, vibrant smile. (more…)

Plotting Your Holiday Weight Loss

Posted December 5, 2011 by Dr. Coon

Holiday Weight Loss

During this time of year everyone starts thinking about their excess weight—and for good reason. Not only will you feel better, but your body will also function better without the extra weight. Studies have linked obesity as a factor in many systemic health issues such as heart disease, stroke, depression, hypertension, diabetes, and now gum disease. A recent study found that losing weight aids in nonsurgical periodontal treatments.
Although losing weight can help you prevent and make treatments more effective, losing weight is not the only way to prevent disease. In addition, visit Grinnell Street Dental for regular six-month cleanings and checkups to fight periodontitis, as well asdaily flossing and brushing practices.

Plot Your Weight Loss Goals

When trying to lose a significant amount of weight, make sure you check your progress periodically. Charting your progress will allow you to see if you’re losing enough weight, or if you’re losing too much weight. Starving yourself, fasting, or eating an extremely low calorie diet among other dangerous dieting practices will only make your overall health much worse. Several common dieting practices can lead to serious health consequences. Lose weight to be healthy, not to look good. (more…)

Professional Whitening

Posted November 28, 2011 by Dr. Coon

Safe Steps to Whiter Teeth

Your pearly whites inevitably lose luster over time. Using tobacco, as well as consuming dark foods and beverages, can discolor tooth enamel. Thanks to modern dental technology, our team at Grinnell Street Dental can renew your smile’s glow. We can consult with you on using over-the-counter products or in-office teeth whitening procedures.
Consult a Dentist at Grinnell Street Dental Offices First
At your visit, we can assess the level of whitening necessary for the results you’d like to achieve. Before determining your need for whitening products, a professional cleaning and checkup will allow us to identify any issues that might interfere. If you have inflammation or cavities, completing treatment on those problem areas is critical before starting any whitening treatment. Some ingredients in teeth whitening solutions may damage untreated cavities and diseased gum tissue. (more…)

How Did Pilgrims Brush Their Teeth?

Posted November 21, 2011 by Dr. Coon

Americans Thankful for Toothbrush

Americans have a lot to be thankful for, and you might be surprised to learn, oral healthcare is at the top of the list. In a recent poll, Americans chose the toothbrush above computers, cars, and even the microwave as a “cannot live without” invention. The toothbrush we know and love today didn’t even hit the U.S. market until 1885. And electronic toothbrushes weren’t widely distributed until the 1960s.

How Pilgrims Brushed Their Pearly Whites

Although the first Thanksgiving gathering happened in 1621, Thanksgiving Day wasn’t an official holiday until President Lincoln declared it in 1863. Today, Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday of November each year. Our early American ancestors were concerned about oral health, just as we are.
Before the invention of the toothbrush, people used bones, feathers, or anything that would get the plaque off their teeth. We think pilgrims used salt to remove grime from teeth. Salt may not sound like a very good cleanser, but it is actually pretty effective. Indians, on the other hand, most likely used herbs, like sage, to remove plaque. Some tribes actually used paste made from the cucacua plant to rub the grime off. (more…)

The Great American Smokeout

Posted November 14, 2011 by Dr. Coon

Where Did The Great American Smokeout Start?

The Great American Smokeout is an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS) that takes place on November 17, 2011. It all started in Berkeley, California. In 1977 Berkeley became the first private facility to limit smoking in public areas. Tobacco smoke was socially accepted until recent decades. Just 20 years ago, people smoked on the clock at work, on airplanes, and even in hospitals. Things have changed for the better.
The Great American Smokeout is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco and further limiting the acceptance of smoking in public areas.
The Smokeout is celebrated in many creative ways all over the United States. Participating smokers commit to quit for the 24-hour period on November 17^th and then make goals to completely quit in the future.

Tobacco’s Effect On Your Mouth

All forms of tobacco have the potential to cause cancer and gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease develops into periodontitis, which is the primary cause of adult tooth loss in the US. Periodontitis is an advanced form of gingivitis. Both gingivitis and periodontitis can be prevented if spotted early. The best way to prevent these diseases, whether you smoke or not, is to visit Grinnell Street Dental for regular checkups. We can find these diseases in their early stages and help you take care of the problem.
Your smile is not the only thing that suffers when you loose a tooth. Side effects of tooth loss include difficulty speaking, dietary restrictions, jawbone degeneration, and risk of further tooth loss.
We offer several treatment options right here in Sheridan to replace missing teeth:

Bridges
Partial Dentures
Dental Implants
Implant Dentures (more…)

Recent News

Tooth Trouble for Teens

Social Behaviors

(more…)

“Where Can I Get Veneers in Sheridan, Wyoming?”

What are Veneers?

Who are the Best Candidates for the Procedure?

So You Think You Know Mouthwash?

Straight from the Mouths of Grinnell Street Dental Patients

What People are Saying About Grinnell Street Dental

What's Wearing Out Your Smile?

Brushing Habits

Cracks and Fractures

(more…)