Most people are familiar with having dentals x-rays taken periodically at dental visits and recognize the benefits of a dental x-ray examination. Occasionally someone still asks me if these X-rays are “safe”. The short answer Is “yes”, but some explanation may be more helpful. First, dental X-rays involve a fraction of the amount of radiation…
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Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common complaints we see on a daily basis at the office. There can be many different causes for dental sensitivity including overzealous brushing, using a toothpaste that is too abrasive, unsupervised “whitening”, frequent consumption of acidic beverages (i.e. soda), deficiencies in the structure of the teeth, and so…
Polypharmacy – Are you at risk for prescribing cascade with your medications?
As the population in the United States ages, so does the population of dental patients that are typically seen each day. One of the most noted characteristics of this group is the sheer number of prescription medications they take. The average 65 year old is taking five or more medications for a variety of reasons.…
4 Dental Lessons to Learn From Your Car
Now that it’s summertime and our thoughts turn to vacations and road trips, a recent post on the American Dental Association’s website for consumers caught my attention. It discussed how Americans tend to take care of their cars pretty faithfully, and yet, we don’t often perform the same routine maintenance on our teeth. The following…
Bucks County Veteran ID Card Discount Program - Helps Veterans Afford Area Services
A recent article by a colleague practicing in central Pennsylvania reminded me of my time in the service. I don’t talk about it that much, but for 2 years after completing my dental education I served as a Senior Assistant Dental Surgeon with The United States Public Health Service. I was assigned to the U.S. Coast…
Summer Travel Alert: Drowsy Driving Can Be as Dangerous as Drunk Driving
As you get ready to hit the road this summer to enjoy your favorite vacation spots, be aware that drowsy driving can lead to serious consequences for you, your family and others on the road. There are many reasons you can become drowsy when driving, the most important of which is lack of proper sleep.…
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night?
A comprehensive study reported in the American College of Chest Physicians journal found that more than 8% of the population grind their teeth at night at least once a week. Half of those that grind also experience significant consequences including muscular discomfort on awakening, sleep disturbing tooth grinding and the necessity of extensive dental work.…
Saliva - What Your Spit Can Tell Us About You!
Don’t be surprised if we ask you to spit in a cup at your next dental visit! Salivary diagnostics have been slowly improving as the science grows. Human saliva is now used to diagnose many conditions such as multiple sclerosis; Sjogren’s syndrome; sarcoidosis; metabolic bone disorders; cardiovascular conditions; periodontal disease; genetic disorders; and fungal, bacterial…
The Tooth Fairy Is Having a Good Year!
In a recent article published in Dental Products Report it was noted that The Tooth Fairy paid a record $255 million for lost teeth in 2014! I’m not making this up – it’s true! Delta Dental reported this in the Original Tooth Fairy Poll® based on Delta Dental estimates. Apparently children are also benefiting from…
Don’t Like Flossing? Some tips to make it easier.
Well, the good news is you’re not alone. Most people have trouble with flossing, So I’d like to offer a few suggestions that I’ve found over the years may help. If you don’t know how to floss properly, then yes, you can hurt yourself and traumatize your gums. Call and stop by or ask the…
