Cavity Prevention Tips From Your Sheridan Dentist

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Cavities are a common reason for sensitive teeth. They are a nuisance no matter the season, but during the warm months of summer, simple pleasures such as a refreshing glass of iced tea or lemonade can provide you as much discomfort as nourishment. Although Dr. Coon can ease your tooth sensitivity by treating its source, the best medicine is always prevention. Follow this advice to strengthen your defense against tooth sensitivity this summer.

What to Avoid

Soda, fruit juice, iced tea, lemonade, and many other popular beverages contain large amounts of refined sugar. When plaque processes refined sugar, the by-product is lactic acid, which plaque secretes onto the surfaces of your teeth. Your enamel, the hard protective layer that coats the outside of your teeth, is comprised of mineral crystals, mainly calcium and phosphate. Although enamel cannot repair itself if damaged or cracked (enamel contains no living cells), it can strengthen itself with these minerals, in a process called remineralization, when weakened.  When acid attacks, it siphons minerals from your teeth, weakens your enamel, and prevents it from remineralizing. As enamel’s integrity is compromised, bacteria can slip past, attack your inner tooth, and lead to tooth decay.
As you probably know, water is the safest refreshment. It contains no sugars or additives, and it moistens your oral cavity to prevent dry mouth. If you eat something sweet or drink a sugary beverage, rinse your mouth with water afterward to wash away sugar and plaque. Also, drink quickly. The longer you sip your beverage, the longer your teeth are exposed to damaging elements. (more…)

filed under: Family Dentistry, Tooth Protection

Toothbrush Trivia and Facts from Your Sheridan Dentist

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You use your toothbrush every day because you know how important it is to keep your teeth clean. You also know that proper oral hygiene prevents cavities, plaque buildup, and gum disease. If you brush twice a day for two minutes each time, you will spend about 24 hours per year brushing your teeth. As simple as a toothbrush seems, you may be surprised how it has evolved. Here are some fun facts about the history of the toothbrush.

Historical Trivia of the Toothbrush

  • Researchers have found that people in ancient times were concerned about oral hygiene. For example, the ancient Babylonians chewed on sticks from trees to clean their teeth and freshen their breath. These sticks resembled large toothpicks.
  • Records indicate that chewing sticks were used in ancient Greece and Rome, too.
  • Around 1600 B.C., the chewing stick evolved in China into the “chew stick.” The chew stick was about the size of a pencil. One end was pointed and used as a toothpick, while the other end was softened and acted as a rudimentary brush.
  • During the Middle Ages, China was the first area of the world to develop a toothbrush with bristles. Early versions of the Chinese toothbrush consisted of hog’s hair attached to bamboo sticks. (more…)

filed under: Dental Trivia, Family Dentistry

55+ers Wishing They Could Go Back and Brush More Often

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Healthy teeth look great at every ageA UK study found that six of ten people over 55 wish they had better cared for their teeth early in life. While this study was conducted across the pond, so to speak, we know that half of Americans don’t visit the dentist each year, and only 12% of us floss daily. The American Dental Association recommends flossing once and brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste. Hollywood’s Austin Powers makes fun of Brits for their poor oral hygiene, but perhaps we should look in the mirror before making accusations. (more…)

filed under: Healthy Living

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Comprehensive Restorative & Cosmetic Dentists in Sheridan

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At Grinnell Street Dental, we pride ourselves on offering comprehensive dental care to you and your family. From correcting crooked teeth to brightening a yellowed smile, our dental services address many cosmetic and restorative dental concerns. With Father’s Day coming up this weekend, give Dad the gift of knowing that his family’s oral health is in the right hands. In this blog post, your Sheridan dentists explain some of the many services they provide.

Achieving a Straight Smile

If a straight smile is what you’re after, the team at Grinnell Street Dental has you covered with Invisalign clear braces. For teens and adults who prefer not to wear traditional metal braces, Invisalign is the perfect choice. A custom-made series of clear, custom-fitted aligners uses gentle pressure to move teeth into proper alignment. After only 12 to 18 months, you will have straight smile of your dreams.

Brightening Your Smile

Straight teeth aren’t the only important quality in a great smile, the color of your teeth plays a role, too. At Grinnell Street Dental, we offer in-office and at-home teeth whitening. For the in-office treatment, we will apply a bleaching gel to your teeth, then activate it with a special light. You will leave the appointment with a smile that’s significantly brighter than when you arrived! If you would rather whiten your teeth at home, we will provide you with custom-fitted trays and a prescription-strength whitening solution. For optimal results, wear these trays for a couple of hours every night for two weeks. (more…)

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

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Sheridan Dentists Promote National Cancer Survivors Day

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The annual celebration of life known as National Cancer Survivors Day took place this past Sunday. Inspired by this joyous event, your Sheridan dentists are raising awareness about oral cancer. Protect yourself by knowing the facts about this dangerous disease that claims the lives of 8,000 Americans each year.

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

Oral cancer does not have an immediate cause, but risk factors increase a patient’s likelihood of developing the disease. For instance, men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer as women, and men over 50 face an even higher risk. Other risk factors include tobacco use, binge drinking, excessive sun exposure, and a family history of cancer. However, you should maintain good health and be aware of oral cancer’s warning signs, even if you don’t fall into those categories.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Regular dental checkups are not only important for the cleanliness of your teeth, they also allow us to protect patients against oral cancer. At six-month dental checkups, we conduct an oral cancer screening on our patients. You probably aren’t aware of the screening. We’re looking for white or red patches – lesions that could indicate cancer. The earlier oral cancer is detected, the higher the success rate for treatment. In fact, early detection increases the survival chance by 80-90%. (more…)

filed under: Healthy Living, Preventive Dentistry

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Prenatal Dental Care

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Almost everyone is familiar with the common pregnancy precautions of avoiding alcohol, eating healthy, and taking prenatal vitamins. What many people don’t realize, however, is that some dental precautions that should be kept in mind as well. Your Sheridan dentists, Dr. Donald Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Cody Coon, explain the importance of prenatal dental care.

Take Care of Gums

Healthy gums are important to pregnant women. Because of increased hormone levels, a pregnant woman’s gums will react more severely to plaque build-up, thus swelling and bleeding more frequently. This condition is called “pregnancy gingivitis.” Keeping this condition, which is the earliest stage of gum disease, under control is essential because women who have gum disease are more likely to develop pregnancy complications. Gum disease has been linked with preeclampsia and delivering premature or underweight babies, so preventing gum disease is vital for both your health the health of your child. (more…)

filed under: Family Dentistry, Healthy Living

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National Stuttering Awareness Week: Speech Impediments and Dental Development

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 Stuttering is a speech impediment that affects millions of people, from small children to adults. Those who stutter often feel embarrassed in social situations where a lot of speaking is necessary because they can be subjected to ridicule. That is why groups such as the National Stuttering Association and The Stuttering Foundation were founded.  They do everything from offering support to raising awareness, as well as promoting research and letting people know what sort of help is available to them. These groups have been so influential that in 1988, US Congress declared the second week of May as National Stuttering Awareness Week. There are many other speech impediments that affect people worldwide, causing them difficulty in their everyday lives. Dr. Cody Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Donald Coon would like to explain how these speech impediments are actually related to dental development.

Malocclusions

A speech impediment is sometimes caused by a malocclusion, or “bad bite.” These malocclusions are sometimes preventable because they form from a child’s bad habit.  For instance, thumb sucking can cause a child to develop an open bite, in which the front teeth do not meet, or a posterior crossbite, where the back teeth on the top of the mouth sit inside the back teeth on the bottom of the mouth when it closes. (more…)

filed under: Family Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry

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Gum Disease Myths Dispelled by Your Sheridan Dentists

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Gum disease is a common yet often misunderstood illness. According the American Academy of Periodontology, up to 80% of the population in the United States will develop some form of gum disease. Periodontal disease ranges from mild and reversible to severe and chronic. Dr. Donald Coon, Dr. Justin Coon, and Dr. Cody Coon dispel some common misconceptions about gum disease.

Myth: Gum disease isn’t a serious medical problem

Gum disease can advance into a chronic bacterial infection. In fact, gum disease is linked to a number of systemic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. Once gum disease advances into periodontitis, the condition must be managed with professional treatments and deep cleanings.

Myth: It’s natural to lose teeth in old age

Tooth loss is not a natural part of aging. In fact, teeth can last up for a lifetime. The number one cause of tooth loss is actually gum disease. Your teeth are supported by your jawbone and gum tissue. Tartar buildup inflames and infects gums causing gum line recession. As the gums recede, tartar collects below the gum line and along tooth roots. Over time, the teeth lose support and fall out. (more…)

filed under: Family Dentistry, Healthy Living, Preventive Dentistry

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Little Known Facts about Porcelain Veneers

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Veneers Started in Hollywood

The first porcelain veneers were made in the early 1900’s. They were typically used for actors in Hollywood who needed to change the appearance of their smile. These veneers were temporary and would fall off in a matter of days. Now, porcelain veneers can last for decades with thorough oral hygiene. Additionally, modern veneers are not limited to the rich and famous. With advancements in technology and cosmetic procedures, veneers are more affordable than ever. For less expensive smile makeover, dental bonding is a cheaper alternative to veneers, which covers many of the same smile imperfections.

Whitening and Veneers

Porcelain veneers are great for covering light tooth discoloration and staining. The porcelain shell has enough opacity to make your teeth appear whiter while maintaining the slight iridescence of natural teeth. However, if you would like a dramatically whiter smile, or  if you are only placing veneers on a few front teeth, it may be a good idea to have a whitening treatment before veneer placement. Once veneers are attached to your tooth, the restoration cannot be lightened. Neither over-the-counter products or professional teeth whitening can brighten porcelain since it does not have the same composition of your natural teeth.

Preventing Staining with Porcelain Veneers

While veneers are mostly stain resistant, they can be susceptible to discoloration around the edges of your tooth. Since the porcelain is attached to the front of your tooth, the dental cement used to attach the restorations may take on some staining. You can prevent dark discolorations around your porcelain veneers by flossing daily. With a thorough oral hygiene routine, you can remove the food particles from between your teeth that can attract bacteria and decay. Dental cleanings will also help you maintain your veneers and keep them sparkling for years. (more…)

filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers

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Dental Implant FAQs

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Why is replacing a missing tooth important?

Missing teeth create a domino effect of oral health problems. All of your teeth are placeholders in your smile. Each tooth has a specific function and is shaped and located specifically for that purpose. When the tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth can become unstable in their positions. These remaining teeth will drift out of position to accommodate for the missing tooth. Often, this creates malocclusion, or bad bite. When teeth are out of place, your top and bottom teeth do not align correctly. Malocclusion causes bruxism (teeth grinding), TMJ disorder (a condition associated with jaw pain), and countless other dental health issues.

How does a missing tooth affect my jaw?

Not replacing a missing tooth can have serious implication for your jawbone health. Alveolar atrophy, or jawbone shrinkage occurs as a result of a missing tooth. A healthy tooth root connected to the jawbone will encourage jawbone growth with the stimulation from chewing. When the tooth is gone, the chewing stimulation stops to that area and the bone begins to deteriorate. Jawbone atrophy combined with multiple missing teeth can create a collapsed look in the patient’s smile.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

Dental implants prevent malocclusion and jawbone deterioration by replacing the missing tooth. A small titanium post acts as an anchor for the restoration. The post is placed into the jaw and osseointegrates with the bone. After the biocompatible post fuses to the bone, a crown can be placed on top of the post as the only exposed portion of the implant above the gum line. The titanium anchor and the porcelain crown offer security and discretion. The post allows the restoration to feel stable and natural. The porcelain crown mimics the coloration, size, and shape of the tooth, making the implant look authentic. (more…)

filed under: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

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