Diamons

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Photography by Dr. Padval

Preventing Periodontal Disease

Early Diagnosis is the Most Effective Means of Control Periodontal (gum) disease is more common than heart disease or even cancer, but because it's not categorized as "life-threatening," few people know much about the condition. The tragedy of this disease is that it can totally devastate your appearance. Left untreated, it will erode your jawbone, ultimately resulting in the loss of teeth. Germs from periodontal disease can even enter the bloodstream, where they have the potential to cause debilitating effects on your general health. [...]

By |2020-02-25T08:00:04-08:00February 25, 2020|Periodontal Dentistry|

Toothpaste, Before The Tube

How Product Packaging Improved Oral Health You might think tubes would make an obvious package for toothpaste, but the first toothpaste in a tube wasn't sold till 1892. These kinds of containers had been around for 50 years but were only used for storing oil paints. Most folks associated collapsible tubes with "Burnt Umber" or "Cadmium Yellow." Hardly the sort of thing you applied to your teeth. Up until then, toothpaste was packaged in expensive porcelain jars that only the rich could afford—making it [...]

By |2020-02-18T08:00:20-08:00February 18, 2020|Patient Education|

Since Your Last Checkup…

Tell Us About Any Changes Dental care is just one part of total health care. Because of that, we need to keep current with your entire health history, the good and the bad. Since your last checkup, be sure to tell us if you: have experienced any new allergies or sensitivities have quit smoking (or started) are taking any new medications, even over-the-counter drugs have had any accidents or injuries have been diagnosed with any illness or other medical condition have had a baby, [...]

By |2020-02-11T08:00:24-08:00February 11, 2020|Patient Education|

A Healthy Dose of Sun

For Natural Vitamin D We all know that overexposure to the sun can cause harm. Sunburns are painful, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a contributing risk factor for skin cancer. But it's not all bad. The sun's energy is critical for life on Earth, and indeed, moderate exposure can play a positive role in our individual health as well. Exposure to UV-B radiation (highest during the midday sun) stimulates skin cells to produces vitamin D. This, in turn, helps the body absorb the important [...]

By |2020-02-04T08:00:57-08:00February 4, 2020|Nutrition|

Improving Self Esteem

Do Looks Affect the Way People Treat You? Positive self-esteem—how we feel about ourselves—is important to a healthy personality, the development of a positive attitude about life, and achievement in the direction we choose. It is well documented that people with a positive "feeling" about themselves do better in school, in business, and have closer, more meaningful relationships. One measure of self-esteem is how you feel about your physical appearance; or, more importantly, how you feel you look to others. The complexion, teeth, and [...]

By |2020-01-28T08:00:01-08:00January 28, 2020|Cosmetic Dentistry|

Are You Grinding Your Teeth?

What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth. It's a fairly common habit with about 1 in 3 exhibiting the behavior, yet most don't even realize they're affected. That's partly because bruxism can occur while sleeping at night, but also because the habit develops subconsciously, usually due to stress or anxiety. Recognizing the problem is the first step, and many patients can make great improvements by simply learning to position teeth, tongue, and lips properly. Some people mistakenly believe that teeth [...]

By |2020-01-21T08:00:07-08:00January 21, 2020|Preventative Dentistry|

Tooth Health: Cut out the Carbonation

Soda, Coke, Soft Drinks, Energy Drinks—whatever you call them, they're bad for teeth. You probably know that soft drinks aren't good for you. They are high in sugar and provide little nutrition other than some "empty calories." Even if you enjoy the diet/zero calorie versions, the acid content can be a problem. That's because the carbonation that provides the fizz and bubbles also contains carbonic acid, which can raise the ph balance of the mouth and weaken tooth enamel. Additionally, most soft drinks use [...]

By |2020-01-14T08:00:23-08:00January 14, 2020|Patient Education|

Do You Have Dry Mouth?

Dehydration and Dry Mouth can Affect Oral Health If you only occasionally find yourself with a dry mouth, then it's probably nothing to worry about. It's just a natural sign of being thirsty. However, if the lack of saliva flow becomes a chronic condition, then it can become a dental issue. That's because saliva has an important function in the mouth. It provides lubrication when eating and chewing foods, and its enzymes begin the digestion process by breaking down food. Even when not eating, [...]

By |2020-01-07T08:00:06-08:00January 7, 2020|Restorative Dentistry|

Bad Habits for Teeth

Everyday Habits can Impact Oral Health Most of us have a bad habit or two that we'd like to change. Here are some common habits that are especially hard on teeth: Biting or Chewing Non-Foods Items Maybe you've done it for years with no harm, but each time you bite a non-food object is unnecessary wear and tear, making chips and other damage more likely. If you chew on pencils or toothpicks, bite your nails, or use your teeth as a tool to open [...]

By |2019-12-23T08:00:22-08:00December 23, 2019|Patient Education|

Inlays, Onlays, & Crowns

What is the difference between Inlays, Onlays, and Crowns? They all strengthen and repair a damaged tooth, but generally, the type of restoration we use is determined by the extent of the damage. Inlays - Inlays are used when a cavity has grown too big to be treated with a traditional filling. Made of porcelain and milled to perfectly fit your tooth, the inlay lies within the cusps of the tooth's chewing surface. Onlay - Onlays are usually slightly larger and encompass some portion [...]

By |2019-12-17T08:00:14-08:00December 17, 2019|Restorative Dentistry|