December 1, 2022 Tartar can be the impetus behind cavities, tooth decay, gum disease and even the loss of teeth. That’s why you need to know what tartar is and why it’s important to control its buildup. At the office of Dental Life, our skilled professionals are experts at diagnosing dental issues as well as providing the treatment needed to maintain excellent oral health. Your care and comfort are our priorities, and we take as much time as you need to address your every concern and explain your options in care.  Your and everyone else’s mouth have bacteria. Even people who practice meticulous oral care can’t escape them. When bacteria mingle with proteins and food particles, the mixture produces dental plaque. This sticky film eats away at enamel and infiltrates your gum line. Plaque hardens and becomes tartar, which is also called calculus, spreads over each tooth. Only a dentist can remove tartar.  Take comfort in the fact that you can take steps to eliminate plaque before it turns into tartar.  Give your teeth a thorough brushing twice a day for at least two minutes each time. A quick, haphazard session is not sufficient.  Use a soft-bristled brush whose head is appropriate for the size of your mouth. A large head for small arches will only skim over much of your dental real estate. And be assiduous about reaching behind each tooth and getting to those back molars.  Manual or powered? Chose the type of toothbrush you are most comfortable using. But whichever one you pick, it must have the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. That means that it has passed the ADA’s demanding quality and safety tests.  The type of toothpaste you use also plays an important role. Use one that includes fluoride, focuses on tartar control and has the ADA stamp of approval.  Even if you’re a whiz with a toothbrush, some of your tartar-control efforts will be for naught if you don’t use dental floss. It’s the main way to banish plaque from between your teeth and under your gums. Flossing also removes food particles that cause plaque to form in the first place. And if you want to “go for the gold,” use a water flosser to blast the particles out of your mouth before brushing. Dental Life’sfriendly team is eager to help you feel comfortable and relaxed while receiving the best dental care. For more information about how we can help you, don’t hesitate to call us to schedule an appointment.

January 2, 2023 The holidays are filled with opportunities to share the joy of the season with our family and friends. And when those gatherings take place around the table, there are bound to be plenty of sweet temptations. Our friendly family dentist at Dental Life wants our patients to enjoy the holidays while making smart choices and keeping our oral health in mind. The holidays can be just as sweet while applying a dose of moderation! Here are a few basic recommendations for enjoying a taste of the holidays that you won’t regret come January: Sweet next-to-nothings: It’s OK to sample the pies, cakes and cookies that dance before your eyes, but place a limit on your indulgence. If there’s fruit on the table, replacing or supplementing with this healthy alternative can cut into your sugar craving. Rinse your mouth with water afterward to give your teeth a quick wash. Hard lessons: Candy canes, other hard candies and caramels are a definite no-no. And why bother with the soda that’s sure to be flowing? It’s not worth packing on the calories and sugar you’re already sampling from the holiday table. Dinner vs. dessert: Have a healthy portion of main dishes like turkey and go for the fresh veggies; don’t skimp on food in favor of leaving room for dessert. Travel kit: If you’re on the road for the holidays, don’t forget to pack a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and an interdental brush. This makes it easy to duck away from the festivities to give your teeth a thorough cleaning.  Keep your routine: It’s easy to forget our normal routines around the holidays, and that can include oral hygiene. Stick to what works: brushing and flossing at least twice a day, spending about two minutes to clean each chewing surface.  Our entire staff at Dental Life wishes you and your family a healthy and happy holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year!

February 9, 2023 It’s important to take excellent care of your teeth and gums no matter how old you are. But as with the rest of your body parts, age can take a toll on them. Due to natural wear and tear, senior citizens need to pay extra attention to their oral health. At the office of Dental Life, our skilled professionals are experts at treating patients of all ages. We provide all of our patients with treatments needed to maintain excellent oral health. Your care and comfort are our top priorities.  Older adults should monitor these dental concerns.  Tooth decay Even toddlers can get cavities, but seniors are particularly at risk because decades of use weakens tooth enamel, which promotes cavities.  Gum disease At the same time, gum recession leaves root surfaces vulnerable to decay. Left untreated, the decay infects the tissues and bones that encircle the teeth. It starts as gingivitis (swollen, red or bleeding gums) and progresses to periodontitis (receded gums and worn away bone). Still left untreated, teeth might loosen or fall out. About 66 percent of adults who are 65 and older have gum disease. And here’s a disturbing statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 34 percent of Americans 65 and older have lost six or more teeth to gum disease and tooth decay.  Dry mouth Reduced saliva production, specific medications or certain persistent conditions can lead to dry mouth, which ups the risk of cavities. Talk to your dentist for ways to replenish moisture in your mouth and your physician to find a medication or dosage that won’t dry up your saliva.  Oral cancer It’s always more treatable when found in its early stages, before it’s had a chance to metastasize. Pain isn’t a common early symptom, so regular dental checkups are crucial. Learn about oral health issues as you age, and talk to your dentist about how to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Dental Life provides premium care. For more information, please don’t hesitate to call us today for an appointment. We look forward to finding out how we can help you.

March 14, 2023 Everyone knows about teeth, but not everyone knows all there is to know about their choppers. One reason is that there are many aspects to our pearly whites, from baby teeth (technically called primary teeth) to permanent teeth. We at the office of Dental Life are oral healthcare experts and understand “all things dental.” In emphasizing the importance of preventive dental care, we are dedicated to helping every patient enjoy the benefits of a healthy and beautiful smile. We provide a comprehensive program of preventive care designed to protect your teeth and reduce your risk of dental disease. Your 20 primary teeth are in place between ages 2½ and 3. Between the ages of 6 and 12, these primary teeth begin to fall out to make way for the permanent set of teeth. Most adults have 32 permanent teeth. Teeth are versatile in their names and uses.  Central incisors and lateral incisors are the eight at the front (four on top, four on bottom) of your mouth. Their jobs are to slice and dice food into manageable sizes. Four cuspids (aka canines) flank the incisors. They grip and tear food. Four premolars (aka bicuspids, because they have two points) are next to the canines and are permanent teeth. Their job is to crush what you eat. Small bits of food are easier to digest than larger pieces.  Eight molars are also used for chewing and grinding. The four third molars are known as wisdom teeth and may need to be extracted because they’re impacted or crowding the rest of your teeth. When searching for a dental practice that’s dedicated to providing the topmost standard of personalized care, look no further than the office of Dental Life. We offer an extensive menu of high-quality dental services for people of all ages. Our skilled team has your needs in mind. For more information about our many services, please call us to schedule an appointment.

April 18, 2023 Do you dislike your smile because your front teeth have minor alignment issues? Do the issues bother you to the extent that they reduce your self-confidence in your social, personal and business lives? The many types of cosmetic dentistry include odontoplasty (also known as enameloplasty, dental recontouring and tooth reshaping). Odontoplasty might be just the thing that boosts your self-image. At the office Dental Life, we employ sophisticated technology and advanced techniques to diagnose and treat dental issues for patients of all ages. We have a long track record of successfully treating many patients, and we’re confident we can do the same for you.  Odontoplasty can make a significant difference in the symmetry of your smile if: one tooth slightly overlaps another, the lengths of your front teeth don’t match, one or more teeth are too pointed, there’s minor crowding, or the enamel has bulges. Odontoplasty is painless, non-invasive and completed in one appointment.  Here’s how it works. Enamel is a tooth’s thin, see-through outer covering. (Dentin, the hard tissue beneath the enamel, gives teeth their color.)A dentist removes small amounts of enamel using a sanding disc or a diamond-tipped drill. He (or she) uses the tool to fine-tune a tooth’s shape, size and/or length. The dentist then completes the procedure by polishing the area, and the results are immediate.  Aftercare Odontoplasty makes the enamel of the treated tooth/teeth thinner, so you must maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine. Brush twice daily, and use dental floss and a water flosser before your final brush of the day.  Ask a dentist if odontoplasty would benefit you. Dental Life is your go-to destination for safe and effective odontoplasty and all of your general dental needs. For more information about our office and our many services, please don’t hesitate to phone us today.

May 25, 2023 Admittedly, tongue scraping does not have a pleasant sound to it. In fact, it sounds uncomfortable at best! But as our friendly dentist at Dental Life explains, it’s a proven method of enhancing your oral health. And it’s not painful at all! Here’s what tongue scraping is all about and how to do it correctly. Our tongues are repositories for bacteria, food particles and debris which cause bad breath. Using mouthwash only masks the odor, as opposed to removing the culprits.  Besides resulting in fresher breath and possibly a sharper sense of taste, ridding our mouths of bacteria provides another defense against tooth decay, gum disease and other problems.  What you’ll need to give this a try is a tool called (what else?) a tongue scraper available in plastic, stainless steel and other materials. It looks a bit like an inverted spoon, and in fact you can use an ordinary household spoon or even your toothbrush as a tryout.  Now, standing at the mirror, open your mouth, stick out your tongue and place the rounded edge of the scraper gently at the back of the tongue. If you feel your gag reflex kicking in, start in the middle of the tongue. Pull the scraper forward from the back to the tip. Wash the scraper off and repeat one more time, Clean the scraper thoroughly with soap and warm water. This short process can be repeated as often as needed, There really isn’t a downside to this simple process. Just be gentle, especially at first, when placing the scraper to avoid triggering the gag reflex, and make sure the scraper doesn’t have any sharp or uneven edges. If you notice your tongue has a “hairy” appearance or an unusual color, please contact our dentist for an evaluation.  Here’s another simple way to improve your oral hygiene: Visit our friendly dentist at Dental Life regularly for checkups and cleanings! Please contact us today for an appointment.

June 26, 2023 The human body is a complex system in which everything is interconnected. From head to toe, what affects one area of your body influences one or more other areas. The well-being of your whole mouth is just one example. It’s a component of your whole physical being, which is why taking excellent care of it is crucial.  When receiving care from a dentist, you want a thoughtful and detailed provider who makes you feel at ease, listens to any of your concerns, offers excellent service and works with you throughout your treatment. Dental Life is proud to possess all of those qualities. Here are examples of how gum disease, gum infections and untreated cavities can trigger health issues elsewhere. Some may surprise you!  Cardiovascular disease is an overall term for heart and blood vessel disorders. Coronary artery disease can bring on heart failure and heart attacks. It’s the primary cause of death in the U.S. People with periodontitis are quite prone to atherosclerosis (clogged blood vessels that run oxygen and blood out from the heart). There’s a strong connection between periodontal disease and  strokes (when part of your brain loses its blood supply), especially strokes linked to atherosclerosis. Endocarditis is a bacterial infection in a heart’s valves—and sometimes its chambers. Unhealthy hearts can acquire endocarditis during a highly invasive procedure, such as a tooth extraction.  Untreated cavities have been known to cause bacterial, viral and fungal types of pneumonia when oral bacteria travel into the lungs through the nose, pharynx or larynx. Oral bacteria have also been associated with pregnancy and birth complications. The bacteria can make its way into the bloodstream and harm the woman and/or the fetus. Detriments include gestational diabetes, preeclampsia , stunted growth, low birth weight, stillbirth and miscarriage.  Now that you know of the significant connections between oral health and systemic health, it’s time to evaluate your dental routine. It should include brushing at least twice a day, flossing and using an oral irrigator once a day, and visiting a dentist every six months.  We here at Dental Life are dental experts. Please call us today to learn how we can serve you.

July 25, 2023 Americans are known around the world for their healthy and attractive teeth. Our standards are higher than those in other countries, and many of us work hard to sport sparkling smiles. One method to banish tooth discolorations is to use whiteners. But have you ever thought about how and why some of those stains appear? We want to tell you! In addition to improving and protecting your oral health, Dental Life’s services include a selection of cosmetic treatments to enhance your smile. We can transform less-than-perfect teeth into the smile of your dreams.  These types of discolorations are notorious for tarnishing teeth.  Extrinsic stains tinge enamel, which covers each tooth. It protects the dentin, which is softer than enamel and lies right under it. Enamel is the toughest part of a tooth and comes into contact with everything you put in your mouth. And considering all the color-potent things we stuff in our maws—such as berries, nicotine, red wine, coffee and tomato-based sauces—it’s no surprise that the enamel absorbs some of it. Here’s the good news: Extrinsics don’t move out of the enamel, so they’re easy to remove.  Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, slip through the enamel and into the dentin. Dentin, which is inherently dimmer and has more of a yellow tint than enamel, becomes exposed due to thinning enamel or life’s typical wear and tear. Intrinsics are a bit harder to eradicate.  Age stains are the mark of the passage of time. No one is exempt from the elapse of time. Enamel gets thinner and dentin turns darker. Even the most ardent oral care routines don’t stop these changes.  At-home whitening products can help relieve your teeth of extrinsic, intrinsic or age-related stains, but it’s best to put the job in the professional hands of a dentist. He or she will have a variety of whitening methods on hand that best suit your preferences and needs.  At the office of Dental Life, our friendly, highly trained team will help you and your family feel comfortable and relaxed while providing the very best in dental care. For more information about our many services, please call us today. We look forward to hearing from you!

August 24, 2023 A mouth’s many components team up to perform imperative tasks. This valuable orifice is a very busy place, which, unfortunately, makes it susceptible to glitches and the occasional misfortune. The office of Dental Life treats a wide spectrum of issues. Keeping your mouth healthy is as important to us as it is to you. We give all of our patients as much time and attention as they need.  Here are some dental problems and conditions with which a dentist can be of great assistance.  A tooth can ache for a variety of reasons, some serious, others not so much. But until you get to a dentist, use dental floss to make sure the hurt isn’t due to simply a stuck piece of food. If necessary, take an OTC pain reliever. If the tooth’s surrounding gum is swollen or oozes pus, it could have an abscess. Call a dentist for an emergency visit. You may require antibiotics and in-depth treatment.  Cavities wreak havoc. Left untreated, these dents due to decay can put you on the road to eating and speaking problems, as well as gum disease and tooth loss. A dentist can fill them, and twice-yearly checkups can prevent more-serious consequences of cavities. A chipped tooth is the most prevalent dental injury. How it’s treated depends on its severity. A small chip can be filled in with a bonding material, and a larger piece might have to be crowned. Fragmentations that involve the pulp will likely need a root canal.  Gingivitis brings sore gums that bleed easily and pull away from teeth because plaque (sticky bacteria) has accumulated under the gumline. Ignoring it can bring bone loss, shifted teeth and teeth that fall out. Thus, your need for an excellent daily oral regimen and cleanings by a dentist twice a year.  Some people don’t like that they have a gap between their two front teeth, while some famous folk (Lauren Hutton, Madonna, Anna Paquin and Michael Strahan) rock them with pride. But if you’re not gaga about your gap, be like Zac Efron, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Keith Urban, who opted to get their hole closed. A dentist can do the same for you using veneers or bonding material.  The office of Dental Life is passionate about treating your dental health. Please call us today to make an appointment.

September 28, 2023 Life can be quite stressful, and many of us have a variety of coping mechanisms. One common tension reliever is damaging our oral health in the form of teeth grinding and/or clenching. Its medical name is bruxism. Some people grind and clench while they’re awake, some while they’re asleep, and others while both awake and asleep. The ramifications of bruxism include cracks, chips and stress fractures. Dental Life provides our patients with the ultimate in dental care. A cracked tooth can frequently be saved with our state-of-the-art knowledge and technology. We perform treatments with the utmost precision and gentle touch. The symptoms of a cracked tooth vary. The most apparent are random intense pain while chewing and intense discomfort when the tooth is subjected to cold and hot beverages and food. And though the pain can be random, it’s crucial to get treatment immediately to keep it from degrading further. The majority of chipped teeth can be restored by reattaching the piece that broke off by filling in the empty spot with tooth-colored bonding material or by cementing a crown (cap) on the tooth. And as with any cracked tooth, it’s crucial to get treatment immediately. Some people believe that a cracked or chipped tooth can be treated by a hospital emergency room or urgent care clinic. On the contrary, it’s best to see a dentist right away. The same goes for anyone experiencing symptoms of a dental infection, such as bleeding and/or swelling. A tooth can also develop a crack through an injury or normal wear and tear. While there’s no way to ensure that a tooth will never crack, you can make the event less likely by not chewing on things such as hard candy, ice, pencils and popcorn. It’s also crucial to wear a mouth guard while playing sports and, if you’re a grinder, while you sleep. At the office of Dental Life, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate dental care to children and adults. For more information about our office and types of services, please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment.

October 29, 2023 One of the features of a sensational smile is bright, white teeth! These days, teeth-whitening procedures have become a relatively easy way to instantly improve aesthetics, create a positive first impression, and achieve a more youthful and radiant look.  At the office of Dental Life, our trained staff is highly skilled at performing professional teeth whitening techniques to help you look your best. It’s no secret that life can do a number on the teeth. Despite your dedication to brushing and flossing regularly, food, beverages, advancing years and tobacco use can discolor teeth. Your formerly pearly whites are tainted with yellowish-brown stains that do no favors to your appearance.  Professional teeth whitening performed by a dental office offers several advantages over over-the-counter teeth-whitening products: It’s easier and more convenient for the patient, and it produces better, more long-lasting results. The process is relatively simple and takes from 60 to 90 minutes to complete. Whitening products have hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.  These bleaches break stains into smaller pieces, which makes the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter. When the lighter shade you want has been reached, the dentist or dental technician rinses your teeth and may put fluoride on your teeth to diminish any tooth sensitivity that may follow.  Bear in mind that whitening products don’t work on all kinds of stains. For example, whitening won’t lighten up crowns, veneers or fillings. It’s also ineffective on teeth that have been tinged by injury or by the antibiotics tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline when taken as a child.     At the office of Dental Life, we pride ourselves on being attentive to your every need and delivering the care you expect from our state-of-the-art practice. For more information about our teeth-whitening procedures and many other services, please don’t hesitate to call us today to schedule an appointment.

November 29, 2023 Though nobody wants to get cavities, so many of us do. These areas of decay in teeth are the result of plaque, a pasty biofilm of bacteria that sticks to your teeth because they thrive on the sugar in food and beverages we constantly consume.  Routine cleanings at the office of Dental Life will help you fight cavities. When you need a standard checkup, a diagnosis or in-depth treatment, you’ll find our staff to be highly skilled and personable. We’ll help you make informed decisions about the treatment that’s best for you. Plaque’s bacteria emit acid that eats away at crystalline calcium phosphate, a mineral compound on the enamel that surrounds and protects the inner parts of your teeth. This demineralization forges tiny openings in enamel and spawns cavities.  Left untreated, the acid will start to invade the dentin, the next layer of teeth that’s consists of tiny tubules. When enamel has been eaten away, the tubules act as conduits that let hot, cold, acidic and sticky foods aggravate a tooth’s nerves, and trigger sensitivity and pain. If allowed to proceed, the plaque will continue to corrode the tooth until it gets to the pulp, a tooth’s innermost sanctum that holds blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues.  A disturbed pulp is an angry pulp! When a cavity’s bacteria make their way to the pulp, an abscess can form. The result? A really bad toothache, a fever, and extreme sensitivity to pressure, hot and cold. The abscess can even cause your cheeks to swell.  Going to the dentist for a cleaning and examination every six months (some people prefer every four or five months) will help remove plaque to stop cavities from forming. Luckily, though, cavities can be “nipped in the bud” before they get to the dentin and pulp. A dentist will fill it right away before it progresses and turns into something serious.  Though cavities are common, they needn’t be common for you if you practice excellent oral hygiene and see your dentist regularly. The office of Dental Life is committed to excellence by providing compassionate care using our state-of-the-art technology and high-quality products. Please call us today to arrange an appointment.