As many of you know I have been offering Zoom bleaching in the office for over 15 years. The Philips company has recently taken over production of Zoom and greatly improved what was already a superior product. They have recently introduced Zoom 3 WhiteSpeed, and I have upgraded my system to the new version. The…

We take great pleasure in announcing that our office now utilizes DEXIS® Digital X-ray in the taking of dental X-rays. DEXIS is a computerized X-ray system that replaces standard film and its processing. This provides you, our patients, with several distinct advantages: Reduction in Radiation – Digital X-rays utilize a highly sensitive sensor rather than…

Pop, candy, coffee–you’ve heard the countless number of things will cause dental erosion, abrasion, and tooth loss, but eating habits matter just as much as what you consume. According to a study published in General Dentistry , eating disorders play a major part in dental erosion, abrasion, and tooth loss, as the consumption of foods or beverages that contain acids cause damage to tooth structure.

When picking up a prescription at their pharmacy, consumers receive information on potential side effects, which help them to understand the results of taking that medication. Check the nutrition information on a can of soda, carton of yogurt, or jar of pickles, however, and they won’t find listed a common and detrimental “side effect” for their oral health: tooth erosion.

We all know that everyone needs to see a dentist, and everyone’s mouth is different. But certain patients use their mouths in different ways than the average dental patient. Musicians who use their mouths to play musical instruments have very specialized needs of which their dentists need to be aware.

Does anesthesia make you antsy? Does the chair make you cringe? If so, you’re not alone – fear of the dentist is a common one. So much so, in fact, that more than 20 million Americans avoid going to the dentist because of fear, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Do I really need to floss? Yes. Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque and, in some ways, more important than the toothbrush. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance…

More adults are living longer and healthier lives. According to U.S. Census data, more than 12 percent of the population is age 65 or older. And, among adults ages 35 to 44, 60 percent have lost at least one permanent tooth. So, as life expectancy increases and the baby boomer population ages, the need for versatile dental treatment options is necessary.

Breast cancer patients, individuals at risk for osteoporosis, and individuals undergoing certain types of bone cancer therapies often take drugs that contain bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates may place patients at risk for developing osteonecrosis of the jaws (a rotting of the jaw bones), according to a case report and literature review that appeared in General Dentistry.

While most people may not associate combining their vacation time with a dental visit, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) reports that the concept of dental tourism is becoming increasingly popular with Americans looking for lower-priced dental care.

In today’s society, the emphasis on one’s appearance is unavoidable. Consumers receive messages on a daily basis regarding products to help them lose weight, change their skin’s appearance, or improve the whiteness of their teeth. Tooth whitening in particular has seen a dramatic increase in popularity over the years, due to the reasonable price of the products and the increase in public demand.

Researchers from the University of Kentucky (UK) and the Ohio State University (OSU) are attempting to wield the cancer-inhibiting properties of black raspberries to slow down tumor growth in oral cancer. Researchers and natural foods advocates believe the pulp of black raspberries contains two substances with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the ability…

According to researchers at the University of Bath in England, women report more pain, experience it in more bodily areas, and have pain more often and for longer durations than men. Jeffrey Mogil, Ph.D., director of the pain genetics laboratory at McGill University in Montreal, is convinced that pain response is mediated by different brain…

Sports participation is part of everyday life for many people, but without the proper oral protection, a trek on the mountain bike or finally conquering that ski slope could cause permanent tooth damage, according to a study in the General Dentistry. Researchers recorded data on dentofacial injuries at a hospital in Austria, and found that…

Placing a dental amalgam restoration, or even multiple restorations, in the mouth of a pregnant woman does not increase her risk of delivering a low-birth- weight baby, a new study has found.

Dental decay, once commonly treated with a “drill ‘em and fill ‘em” approach, is now widely being treated as a preventable infectious disease by the dental community. This new treatment method could be the next big dental breakthrough for patients, reports the Academy of General Dentistry. “In the past, if dental decay progressed and formed…

A study of patients at the Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center found that long-term use of biophosphonates—a treatment for advanced cancer and for osteoporosis in post-menopausal women—is linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Detection of Periodontal Disease A recent survey found that 34 percent of males ages 30 to 54 and 56 percent of males ages 55 to 90 have periodontitis—a much larger number than females. Characterized by bleeding gums, stained teeth and shifting teeth and gums, periodontal disease has been linked to heart and kidney diseases. Detection…

Do chipped, stained or crooked teeth keep you from beaming your smile to the world? Does the thought of major cosmetic dentistry make your teeth itch? Then porcelain veneers might be the answer for you, according to the Academy of General Dentistry. “The great thing about veneers is they allow a conservative approach to long-…

Having difficulty speaking, eating and swallowing? Under stress, upset or taking medications? These combinations place people at risk for a painful condition known as dry mouth, according to an article in the December issue of AGD Impact , the Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD) monthly newsmagazine.