Salt Run Family Dentistry Blog

Your teeth are made up of the hardest substance in your entire body. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean your teeth are invincible. Cracked teeth are a common dental problem and can be caused by a variety of factors, including the following:

Biting down on something too hard: In some cases, patients can crack a tooth from trying to bite into something too hard. Avoid chomping ice, opening bottles with your mouth and crunching hard candy.

Teeth grinding habit: Teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching can put you at a much greater risk for cracked teeth. The teeth gradually weaken over time and eventually crack under the extra pressure. Teeth grinding is often accompanied by jaw discomfort as well. (more…)

Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. However, they need proper care beyond regular brushing, flossing and dental visits. In fact, the habits you engage in on a daily basis can have a significant impact on the health and longevity of your teeth. Are you protecting your smile? Or are you guilty of these common harmful habits?

#1 Sugar– This one comes to little surprise. We are taught at a young age how bad sugar can be for your teeth. When it comes to sugar, the “sticky sugar” is the worst, which can include taffy, gummies or even raisins. If these sugars are allowed to adhere to your tooth surface for long, enamel destruction and cavities will surely follow. If you just can’t say no to your sweet tooth, try to at least follow your indulgence with a glass of water or better yet, grab your toothbrush.

#2 Smoking – Smoking and chewing tobacco are a surefire way to wreak serious havoc on your dental health as well as your smile aesthetics. Nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor, which inhibits proper blood flow to your gums and lowers your immune system. Smoking yellows your teeth, causes bad breath and multiplies your risk for gum disease and oral cancer. (more…)

If you’ve just invested in teeth whitening, whether it was a DIY kit or a professional whitening treatment from you dentist, you need to know how to retain your new bright smile for as long as possible. For patients who undergo professional teeth whitening, it is especially important to preserve your results and protect your investment.

Tooth staining and discoloration can affect patients at varying degrees. However, here are some basic tips that will help any patient extend their whitening results: (more…)

When should I start brushing my child’s teeth? How much toothpaste should I use? These are common and valid questions from many parents. You’ve got a big job to do in raising a healthy child, and their oral health is critical as they grow. When it comes to taking care of your child’s smile, the sooner the better. In fact, even if your baby doesn’t have any teeth, you should still be cleaning his or her gums on a regular basis to remove harmful bacteria.

The First Tooth

Once you see that first tooth emerge, it’s time to schedule the first dental visit. This appointment won’t be lengthy, but it will allow your child to become familiar and comfortable with going to the dentist right from the start. You’ll also need to begin brushing with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Make sure you select a soft-bristled toothbrush that is designed for your child’s age. If your child is under two years old, only a small smear of toothpaste is needed, or about the size of a grain of rice. Even at this young age, encourage your child to spit and not swallow the toothpaste. (more…)

Going to the dentist to get Botox may seem like a crazy idea. However, there are a number of valid reasons that make trusting your dentist for Botox a good idea. Your dentist can give you the safety assurance and ideal results you need when turning back the hands of time.

Botox delivers proven results for addressing the signs of facial aging, including wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet), the mouth (marionette lines and nasiolabial folds) and the forehead (glabella lines). Botox injections work by blocking the transmitter of the motor nerves that stimulate the targeted facial muscle. This inhibits these muscles from contracting and forming wrinkles in the skin, as it would while squinting, smiling, etc. After about three to ten days, the skin will appear smooth and wrinkles may be reduced or eliminated. Botox is not a permanent solution and lasts approximately 3 to 4 months for most patients. (more…)