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Dental Associates Blog

Our Experts. Your Oral Health

a young girl smiling with braces with a backpack and headphones on.
Mar 5
How to Plan for The Cost of Braces

Planning for the cost of braces, or orthodontic treatment is something we often forget to take into consideration. With the increased popularity of orthodontic treatment, many parents have begun to expect this additional expense and are looking for ways to plan effectively and prepare for a treatment that will set the foundation for their child’s smile.

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Mother brushing her baby's teeth with a toothbrush while smiling
Feb 19
Fun Children’s Oral Health Facts & Tips for Parents

February is Children’s Dental Health Month, making it a great time to talk to our kids about what great oral hygiene means in a way that is fun, exciting, and interesting to them. Part of seeing pediatric patients is making sure I am relaying information for the parents to understand and take home but more importantly helping to educate kiddos on what it means to practice great oral hygiene. As part of Children’s Dental Health Month, here are some tips parents can use to get their kids thinking about oral hygiene differently, and some fun facts to share with kids (or adults) to keep teeth interesting.

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young baby laying down drinking milk out of a baby bottle
Feb 12
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay? Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when sweetened liquids or those with natural sugars, such as milk, formula, and fruit juice, cling to infants’ teeth for a long period of time. Bacteria thrive on this sugary debris and create acids that begin attacking the teeth. Children whose pacifiers are dipped in sugary drinks or consume sugary drinks prior to napping are more at-risk. While it is often the front two teeth that are the most affected region, any teeth can be affected by baby bottle tooth decay. Oftentimes, we look at baby teeth as temporary and view their health as unimportant, but this simply isn’t true. Baby teeth are important to the growth and development of children and serve as place holders for adult teeth. Unhealthy baby teeth may lead to problems such as: Poor eating habits Speech problems Crooked teeth Damaged adult teeth When baby teeth are damaged, the likelihood of adult teeth coming in crooked is greatly increased and can lead to expensive orthodontic needs in the future.

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close up of straight teeth with brackets and wire from braces
Feb 7
When Is A Good Time for Braces?

Many parents begin asking when their children will need braces when their child is still very young. While anyone can benefit from braces at nearly any time in their life, most individuals start braces at about 12 or 13 years old, with the opportunity to start earlier if needed. The timing in these years is beneficial because the head and mouth are still growing, which makes the process more conducive to shifting teeth.

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two young children brushing their teeth with regular toothpaste and toothbrushes
Feb 4
When Can My Child Start Using Regular Toothpaste?

While brushing begins at age one or after the first tooth comes in, many parents are curious when they can switch their children from fluoride-free children’s toothpaste to regular/adult toothpaste. The type of toothpaste a child should use is mostly dependent on when a child is comfortable spitting all the toothpaste out and they are no longer swallowing toothpaste. For their safety, do not have your child switch to fluoride toothpaste until they are able to spit. While there isn’t a specific age or a hard deadline to switch, many children are ready to switch toothpaste around age six. Talk with your pediatric dentist for suggestions related specifically to your child, as they may be able to advise a time to switch or provide helpful tips for ensuring your child begins positive oral health habits.

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x-ray image highlighting wisdom teeth
Jan 22
When is Wisdom Teeth Removal Necessary?

Do Wisdom Teeth Have to be Removed? Wisdom teeth are the third molars in the very back of our mouths and don’t always need to be removed so long as they’re healthy, grown in completely, biting correctly, and are able to be cleaned as part of regular hygiene practices. Often, wisdom teeth don’t have room to grow properly and end up creating problems for your other teeth. Through X-rays and scans of the mouth and jaw, dentists can predict problems with your wisdom teeth before they arise, which means you may not have pain when your dentist recommends an extraction. Wisdom teeth that erupt can grow in at various angles, sometimes horizontally, and lead to a myriad of more serious problems such as: Staying completely hidden inside the jaw, becoming impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes cause pathologies such as cysts, and tumors Only emerging partly through the gums, creating a passageway for bacteria. Because wisdom teeth are hard to reach as a part of everyday cleaning, a partially emerged wisdom tooth allows for bacteria to grow, increasing the chances of gum disease or infection. Crowd nearby teeth. If wisdom teeth don’t have the proper amount of space when they emerge, they may crowd or damage other teeth. Wisdom teeth are hard to keep clean and cause cavities that cannot be restored. I normally recommend to my patients that we remove wisdom teeth in their late teens. Removing the teeth at a younger age before the roots are fully formed makes for an easier surgery and recovery. Many individuals who have their wisdom teeth removed are not yet experiencing the negative side effects of wisdom teeth and are having them extracted as a preventative measure. Should you elect to postpone your wisdom tooth removal, you should see a dentist as soon as you begin experiencing changes in your teeth or any of the following symptoms: Pain Repeated infection of soft tissue behind the lower last tooth Gum disease Extensive tooth decay Talk to your dentist about the position and health of your wisdom teeth and together you can determine a solution that’s best for you.

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cheddar cheese slices laid out on a table
Jan 20
Is Cheese Good for Your Teeth?

Another Reason to Say “Cheese” When You Smile If you’ve ever wondered why we say “cheese” when we smile, you’re likely in good company. While we can’t say for sure why this word was chosen, we know it causes people everywhere to smile for photos. What you may not know is that cheese is actually very good for your teeth. That being said, maybe we say cheese as an homage to the great snack that helps keep your teeth healthy.

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popped popcorn
Jan 19
Tooth-Smart Snacking

January 19 is National Popcorn Day - Be Sure to Snack Smart Popcorn can be a low-fat, low-calorie snack, so long as you’re not adding lots of butter, salt, and other toppings. As you’re enjoying it today—and any other day —be sure to care for your teeth. Don’t eat unpopped kernels, because you run the risk of fracturing or chipping a tooth, which can cause pain and be a dental emergency. Most of us have experienced getting a popcorn shell stuck between our teeth and gums, which, if left unaddressed, can cause gum inflammation or develop into a gum abscess. Be sure to floss and brush after popcorn to leave your mouth free of harmful debris. Avoid sugary toppings, like those that are chocolate-covered or caramel-coated. They are worse for your teeth and because they tend to be “sticky,” making it harder to remove the sugars that contribute to cavities. The best way to enjoy National Popcorn Day is to brush and floss regularly and avoid unpopped kernels.

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Jan 16
What are Implant-Supported Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are a great service for patients. Implant-supported dentures are the middle ground between the conventional denture that uses adhesive and the more expensive advanced full-arch dental implants. Implant-supported dentures are a great option for individuals who are seeking an affordable option to significantly improve their ability to chew and smile. The support of the implant allows the dental fixture to be shaped into a horseshoe, reducing the bulkiness and opening the palate to create more space for the tongue and better ability to taste food. Implant-supported dentures are sturdier and do not require adhesive. The individual can improve their diet by including fruits, veggies, steaks, corn on the cob, and other foods one would typically have to avoid with traditional dentures. Also, implant-supported dentures significantly improve patients’ confidence to smile and speak. This type of dentures is removable, and you’ll be able to snap it on and off as many times as needed. This means that cleaning and maintaining the denture is just as easy as a traditional denture. Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures They are an affordable option for significant improvement in the ability to chew and smile Implant-supported dentures are sturdy and don’t need adhesive They function more like natural teeth The denture is removable, making it easy to clean This option preserves gum tissue and bone What is the Process for Placing Implant-Supported Dentures? Essentially, the existing denture becomes the interim denture after the implant surgery. Four months later, the patient gets a new denture that snaps-on to their implants. The process is simple and includes a series of appointments with your dentist. Your first appointment will be a consultation to further discuss what the process and care plan will look like when individualized to you. With your dentist, you will discuss the full procedure and other pertinent details to consider when deciding if implant-supported dentures are right for you. Your dentist will be able to show you models and answer any outstanding questions you may have about implant-supported dentures. If you think you may be a candidate for implant-supported dentures, reach out to a clinic near you to schedule a consultation.

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