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Dental Associates Blog

Our Experts. Your Oral Health

Manual and electric toothbrushes displayed next to dental floss on a light blue background.
Jun 7
How to Choose a Toothbrush

Standing in the aisle filled with toothbrush options can be a daunting task. With these tips, picking a toothbrush will be a breeze! What to Look for in a Toothbrush For most adults, the head of the toothbrush should be 1/2-inch wide, 1inch tall, and have a long enough handle to hold comfortably while brushing your teeth. Anything bigger can be difficult to reach your molars and anything smaller may not clean your teeth as effectively. Toothbrushes come in three different bristle varieties: soft, medium, and hard. Soft, nylon bristles are the best and safest choice. Medium and hard bristles can actually cause more harm than good! These stiffer bristles can cause damage to your gums and enamel—especially depending on how hard you are brushing your teeth. Bristles also come either rounded or straight. Rounded bristles are safer as they do not have sharp edges that can cause damage to gums and thus increase your chances for infections and inflammation.

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a team of boys playing football on a football field
May 19
Sports Mouth Guards FAQ

What is a mouth guard? A mouth guard helps to protect your teeth, tongue, gums, lips, and cheeks from trauma that sports injuries may cause injuries. Think of a sports mouth guard like a helmet for your teeth that helps prevent serious injury. Why do I need a mouth guard? Accidents happen! If you or your child plays a contact sport like basketball, football, lacrosse, hockey, boxing, or soccer, a mouth guard can help protect your mouth if you experience contact with your face. Some noncontact sports like skateboarding might pose a risk of injury too and could benefit from getting a mouth guard. Chipping a tooth or having your tooth knocked out can be painful and costly. By wearing a mouth guard, you can help limit or prevent these injuries. You can also prevent nerve damage to the tooth and any soft tissue damage to the gums, lips, tongue, and inside cheeks. What is the difference between a mouth guard and a night guard? Mouth guards are used to protect your mouth from sports-related injuries, while night guards are worn while you sleep to help protect your teeth from bruxism or grinding your teeth. Both are excellent at protecting your mouth. How do I get a mouth guard? Getting a mouth guard is easy! Mouth guards are custom fitted at the dentist to provide the best fit to protect your mouth. Because of the special material, custom mouth guards are made from, they provide the most comfort and protection compared to over-the-counter mouth guards. Most mouth guards are fitted for only the upper teeth; however, if you have braces, your dentist or orthodontist may recommend a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well. Protecting your smile is important and can be easy thanks to mouth guards! If you or your child need a mouth guard, ask your dentist at your next check-up.

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A dentist and assistant wearing protective gear perform a dental procedure on a patient.
May 12
Ways to Reduce Dental Anxiety

If you have anxiety about going to the dentist, you are not alone. More than 80% of Americans have dental anxiety or dental phobia (odontophobia). When this fear and anxiety leads to delaying or canceling treatment, it can, unfortunately, spiral into a vicious cycle of dental pain, health problems, worse anxiety, and more complex and costly dental procedures. At Dental Associates, we want to help all our patients, no matter their level of anxiety, feel comfortable at the dentist and leave with a healthy smile. Common Dental Anxiety Symptoms Having anxiety can cause various symptoms depending on the person and the level of fear or anxiety. Some of these common symptoms include: Heart palpitations Panic attacks High blood pressure which can then drop and cause fainting High heart rate Agitation and aggressive behavior Extreme sweating Crying While we cannot completely cure your dental anxiety, there are many tools we can use to help make your experience a positive one. Ways to Reduce Dental Anxiety These are only a few of the many ways we can help you become more comfortable while at your dental appointment. Keep up with your daily dental care. By simply brushing your teeth and flossing daily, you can help prevent any complex dental procedures, which means fewer visits to the dentist. Communication is key! By communicating with your doctor ahead of time about your concerns, we can work together to make your appointment more pleasant. If anything is uncomfortable, do not hesitate to let your dentist know (you can raise your hand to let them know you need a break). We will stop and take as much time as you need before continuing. Ask questions. Sometimes what makes a dental procedure scary is our lack of understanding of what happens. Ask your dentist any questions about what will happen during your visit, what you can expect during and after the procedure, and voice any concerns you may have. We will do our best to explain everything to make you more comfortable. Focused breathing and meditation can help reduce your heart rate and anxiety. These simple tools can help you relax during your appointment. If the sounds of the drills and other dental tools are anxiety-inducing, bring your headphones and listen to your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks. Keep yourself busy with a stress ball or other fidget device. These tools can help keep your hands busy and distract you from what the dentist is doing. If weighted blankets help alleviate your anxiety, you can ask to have the x-ray shield vest to be placed on you during the procedure to mimic the effects of a weighted blanket. Bring a family member or friend. Sometimes, having someone you trust there in the exam room can help you feel more at ease. When you schedule your appointment, ask if it is okay to bring a family member or friend. If you are still experiencing extreme dental anxiety or phobia, your dentist may be able to prescribe anti-anxiety medication to take before your appointment to help. Some doctors can also do conscious sedation like nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Talk to your dentist to see if this could be an option for you. Know that no matter how long it has been since your last dental visit, we are glad you have trusted us to help care for you. We will not judge you or think any differently. We are just glad to be able to help you eliminate any problems and achieve your dream smile. Going to the dentist doesn’t have to be scary and anxiety-inducing. Our doctors at Dental Associates want to help you become pain-free and happy with your smile. Schedule an appointment today if you have questions or wish to speak to someone about dental anxiety treatment options.

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A dentist wearing a protective mask uses a Carl Zeiss dental microscope for precision treatment.
May 10
Root Canals: No More Pain!

Root canals have historically gotten a bad rap, but they can be the saving grace for your extreme tooth pain, and the tooth itself! When many people think of root canal therapy, they fear the dentist or endodontist causing intense pain. However, that is not the case! In fact, root canals help to eliminate your tooth pain and are not a painful procedure. Why do I need a root canal? Root canals are needed to remove bacteria and infected tissue from a tooth's infected root. Performing root canal therapy prevents reinfection and can help save the natural tooth. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, a root canal may be the answer: Severe pain while chewing or biting General trauma to the tooth, such as a chipped or cracked tooth Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been removed Aching or constant throbbing pain in the mouth Swollen or tender gums Deep decay or darkening of the gums What happens during a root canal? Today’s root canals are very similar to a routine dental filling and are not painful. Often the pain from your tooth is worse than the actual procedure. The procedure, given proper anesthesia, has no pain at all! After treatment, you will be pain-free and on your way to recovery. Your dentist or endodontist will begin by numbing the area. They then remove the inflamed or infected nerve of the tooth. The area is then filled and sealed to prevent repeat infection. Afterward, you will likely need a crown placed on the treated tooth to restore full form and function. Run don’t walk! Don’t let your fear of the dentist or root canals keep you from becoming pain-free. The longer you wait, the more pain you will experience and can sometimes result in losing the tooth if not treated. This also risks greater and worsening infection. At Dental Associates, our dentists and endodontists are well-trained and want to help you become pain-free. If you are experiencing tooth pain, schedule your appointment today. Still anxious? Ask your dentist or endodontist what can be done to help alleviate your dental anxiety.

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A female dentist wearing protective loupes and a face mask performing a clinical dental procedure.
Apr 29
7 Facts About Adult Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments are well known for pediatric dental patients, but did you know fluoride treatment also offers many benefits for adults too? We want everyone to learn about the benefits of fluoride for adults, so we sat down with some of our dental hygienists for the most common facts about fluoride treatments. As you’ll see, there are many benefits for adults as well as kids!

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A dentist wearing protective gear performs a dental procedure on a patient.
Apr 29
Dry Mouth: Causes and Treatment

Do you find yourself waking up with dry mouth? Aside from being uncomfortable, this could also negatively affect your dental health. Common symptoms include a dry, sticky feeling in the mouth, difficulty speaking or swallowing, bad breath, or dry and sore mouth.

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Dental examination instruments including a mouth mirror and probe with a teeth model in the background.
Apr 18
Facts and Signs of Oral Cancer

With an estimated 54,000 new cases of oral cancer to be diagnosed in the United States in 2022, our doctors at Dental Associates pledge to monitor our patients for signs of oral cancer at each routine exam. If you have never had an oral cancer examination, there is no better time to schedule one than during Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April! What Is Oral Cancer? Oral cancer is a form of head and neck cancer that develops in one or more of the structures of the mouth. Risk factors include tobacco use (both smoke and smokeless forms), heavy alcohol consumption, and infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Oral Cancer by the Numbers More than 90 percent of oral cancers occur in areas exposed to tobacco. Oral cancers are among the four most commonly occurring cancers in men and women in the United States. Oral cancer is one of the top 10 causes of death due to cancer worldwide. Two men for every woman are diagnosed with oral cancer. Every hour someone dies from oral cancer, however, if it is detected and treated early on, survival rates increase. Signs of Oral Cancer The overall commonality of all symptoms is they are persistent and not resolving. Pain in the mouth Facial swelling Difficulty moving or opening the mouth Any sore or ulceration that does not heal within 14 days Pain in any tooth A red, white, or black discoloration of the soft tissues of the mouth Discomfort with eating or drinking acidic or hot foods Any abnormality that bleeds easily when touched Loose teeth or other dental problems A lump or hard spot in the tissue, usually the border of the tongue A painless, firm, fixated lump felt on the outside of the neck, which has been there for at least two weeks Oral Cancer Treatment As with most cancers, treatment of oral cancers involves surgeons, oncologists, dentists, and rehabilitation and restorative specialists. In early stages, surgeons can remove the tumor and any cancerous lymph nodes. Depending on your stage or severity, radiation and/or chemotherapy may be used to kill cancer cells. Nutrition is also an important piece of treatment by choosing foods that will be gentle on the mouth and throat. Oral Cancer Screening During an oral cancer screening exam, your dentist exams the inside of your mouth to check for red or white patches or mouth sores. They will also feel the tissues in your mouth as well as your throat and neck to check for lumps or other abnormalities. Screening for changes in the mouth, tongue, gums, and throat is essential to diagnose problems early. Additionally, knowing your family history may help you detect the disease at an earlier stage. If in doubt, get it checked out!

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A dentist and assistant wearing protective gear perform a dental procedure on a patient.
Mar 6
How to Fix a Cracked Tooth

If you’re like many of my patients, you’ve probably experienced a cracked tooth at some point—or at least thought you did. So what treatment is available to fix a cracked tooth? Read on to find out!

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Dentist wearing protective face shield and surgical mask prepares a dental instrument for a procedure.
Mar 6
Dental Infection Control

Our Accreditation Status is a Reflection of High Standards As a dental patient, your primary concern is most likely to find the dentist who will provide the best dental care for you and your family. Choosing a dentist who takes care of your needs in a friendly and professional manner is indeed important. However, there are plenty behind-the-scenes processes that you may not see, but are still just as important to providing quality care as the procedure or exam itself! September is Dental Infection Control Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to highlight the important role that infection control plays in dentistry.

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