Did you know that crowns are one of the most common dental restorations? Most likely, you will need a crown at some stage in your life. I often get asked by patients the question “What is a crown and do I really need one?”. This is a very fair question because even with insurance crowns can cost a lot of money. The reason I recommend a dental crown is because it is often the best option to extend the life of your tooth. (more…)

Often times I have patients come to the practice with complaints about occasional sore jaw to chronic teeth grinding. Bruxism, the medical name for teeth grinding, is a common habitual activity – often diagnosed as a sleep disorder – that is characterized by clenching the jaw and grinding your teeth. Whether the grinding is a lifelong habit or a new habit the reality is that Bruxism affects 1 in 3 people according to the National Academy of General Dentistry. Teeth grinding, whether mild or severe, can be a serious problem. (more…)

Every time you turn the TV on doesn’t there seem to be some commercial on the air all about ‘gingivitis‘ and ‘gum disease’ solutions? Clearly, this is a considerable problem for our nation but do you actually know what it is and how to prevent it? Let’s break it down. (more…)

Summer is upon us and while we all worry about getting in shape for the summer months we may think a little less about our smile. Who doesn’t want a brighter, whiter and healthier smile to match that beach ready body – ok, ok so we’re not quite beach ready yet…but at least we can start working on our smile!

As we age, the enamel of the teeth often discolors from our choice in diet, oral hygiene habits, and natural wear. While regular brushing, flossing and a healthy diet remain the best protection against tooth decay and gum disease we want to dig in a bit closer and specifically highlight a number of drinks that can cause stains and discoloration due to their acidity. These are the 5 drinks to avoid: (more…)