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Photography by Dr. Padval

Dental Sealants for Kids

Why Sealants are Simply Good Parenting Of course we want the best for our children, and most of us work at good parenting every day: quality schools, solid values, a sense of family. Time and money may put limits on what we can do for our kids’ health and happiness, but not when it comes to sealants. Sealants are, well, a bargain. Sealants are a risk-free, wear-resistant, and painless resin coating that actually bonds to the surface of teeth, sealing out decay. A child’s [...]

By |2024-09-02T14:28:42-07:00November 14, 2023|Children's Dentistry|

Baby Teeth Q&A

Answers to some frequently-asked questions: Q: Why do we have two sets of teeth? A: A child needs teeth long before his or her jaw is big enough to accommodate the full set of adult teeth. Baby, or deciduous, teeth are “starters” in every sense of the word. Q: Why worry about cavities if baby teeth fall out on their own? A: Baby teeth are important “guides” that help frame the development of adult teeth, even the jaw. In fact, the beginnings or “buds” [...]

By |2024-09-02T14:27:41-07:00October 24, 2023|Children's Dentistry|

Custom Made Prevention

Above average? Me? You may be five-foot-four, a C student, never starred at sports. And yet you may be ABOVE average—in your need for dental check-ups. While two visits a year is average, more appointments should be scheduled when either the mouth builds up tartar fast, cavities multiply like bunnies, or teeth or gums experience growing pains. Fluoride has helped to improve the dental health of its users for generations, and we can now apply sealants to children’s back teeth to fend off decay. X-rays [...]

By |2024-09-02T14:26:33-07:00October 10, 2023|Preventative Dentistry|

Dental Sealants to Block Out Decay!

A simple, preventative procedure that can save you the trouble of future cavities. It's the dreaded news that nobody wants to hear after a routine dental cleaning, you have some cavities that will need to be filled. And who could blame us for feeling a bit apprehensive? The dental drill has always carried negative associations, and furthermore, the presence of cavities means your teeth are not getting the protection they need. One simple, preventative procedure that can save you the trouble of future cavities [...]

By |2024-09-02T14:25:20-07:00September 26, 2023|Preventative Dentistry|

Do You Have Old Fillings?

If you have old fillings, that will be one of the things we check on whenever you come in for an appointment. We'll examine your teeth to ensure that the damage or decay has not progressed any further. A filling is a tried-and-true method for fixing a cavity and preventing further damage to the tooth. When you have a small cavity, you probably won't even notice the difference initially. But, without treatment, the cavity will become bigger and bigger over time. Especially since it's [...]

By |2023-06-20T08:00:35-07:00June 20, 2023|Restorative Dentistry|

Dental Sealants: Are They Worth It?

What are dental sealants? Dental sealants are a thin, liquid coating that hardens onto teeth to cover their high-risk, vulnerable areas. Commonly used as prevention in children and adolescents, the sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. (Particularly the large, rear teeth called molars.) The sealant itself is a composite resin. We apply a thin layer to the treatment area and then use a special light to "cure" the material. This process hardens the sealants, securely fixing them into place. Are sealants [...]

By |2023-02-21T08:00:01-08:00February 21, 2023|Children's Dentistry|

Wisdom Teeth: Should They Stay Or Go?

Why Get Rid of Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the very back of the mouth. They appear in late adolescence, at about ages 17 to 25, depending on the individual. The problem is that most people simply don't have enough room to accommodate these extra teeth. When wisdom teeth are "impacted," it means they are causing problems for neighboring teeth, possibly disrupting their alignment. They are also notorious for emerging in irregular positions, partially emerging, or failing to [...]

By |2023-01-24T08:00:51-08:00January 24, 2023|Patient Education|

Getting An Electric Toothbrush

Should I switch to an electric toothbrush? Or is my old toothbrush doing the job? For many people, making any change is a big decision. Maybe you make a list of pros and cons, carefully weighing benefits and potential drawbacks. Especially for significant changes that will affect your long-held daily habits, we understand that change may be hard. But sometimes it can be especially beneficial! One simple decision that can make a big impact toward improving your oral health is switching to an electric [...]

By |2023-01-03T08:00:50-08:00January 3, 2023|Patient Education|

Alcohol, Your Teeth, & Your Health

While some studies might find benefits in moderate drinking (such as antioxidants in red wine), you can surely obtain these supposed positives through other, more healthy options. In fact, alcohol consumption has mostly adverse effects on our well-being. Most people know this but still drink due to the cultural and social aspects. Of course, moderation is key. Taking it too far and drinking in excess can pose dangers to both your overall health and your teeth as well. Alcohol & Overall Health In the [...]

By |2022-12-20T08:00:47-08:00December 20, 2022|Patient Education|

Tooth-Colored Fillings vs. Amalgams

With advancements in dental materials, cavity fillings have come a long way. It used to be commonplace for dentists to use amalgam fillings to treat teeth affected by decay or cavities. Today, more and more people opt for tooth-colored fillings. What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings? Tooth-colored fillings are a composite resin that typically contains a ceramic & plastic compound. We apply this material to the prepared tooth, then cure it with a special light to harden it into place, completing the restoration. It's not hard [...]

By |2022-10-04T08:00:49-07:00October 4, 2022|Restorative Dentistry|