Apr 20, 2016
Our teeth are under constant threat by the hazards that lead to periodontal disease: sugar and bacteria. For smokers, these threats become magnified by a factor of four! That’s right, smokers are four times more likely to develop periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. What’s more, once you have gum disease, smoking makes it harder for treatments to manage it.
The link between cigarette smoke and cancer is well known. With respect to oral health, this includes all oral cancers. Smoking increases the chances of developing oral leukoplakia, which has the appearance of thick, white patches along the gums, tongue, or cheeks. If you’re a smoker and you’ve noticed these white patches, it’s important that you try to stop smoking and consult your dentist or physician. If you continue smoking, leukoplakia could lead to mouth, tongue, or throat cancer.
Smoking can also affect the beauty of your smile. The same plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to gum disease can also make your teeth look unattractive. Smoking also leads to yellowing of the teeth and bad breath, which can impact your self confidence in addition to your smile.
If you are concerned about the impact smoking has had on your teeth, call us today to schedule an appointment.
smoking and dental hygiene oral cancer awareness month
Apr 20, 2016
Ahh, winter is finally over (knock on wood)! Time to clear out the garage, remove the cobwebs in the attic, and schedule a spring cleaning for your teeth. We know spring is a busy time of year, but remember that receiving regular cleanings will help ensure your teeth stay healthy enough for you to enjoy some barbecue this summer!
In addition to being vital for your oral health, cleanings can help us diagnose other diseases in your body. Similar to the saying ‘the eyes are the windows to the soul,’ your teeth and gums can give signals related to other maladies in your body, like heart disease and cancer. Regular cleanings and check-ups increase the chances of catching these illnesses in their early stages.
We offer holistic options with our cleanings, such as using ozone in place of fluoride to naturally harden your teeth’s enamel. To learn more, visit our Holistic Dentistry page.
Give us a call or visit our New or Existing patient appointment pages to schedule your personal spring cleaning!
teeth cleaning
Mar 23, 2016
Americans have seen an overall improvement in their oral health ever since we started adding fluoride to our daily intake of water, but in other ways, fluoridation has led to a hidden problem, what we in the industry refer to as “hidden caries.” Our tooth enamel has become harder and more durable due to the fluoride we receive, but sometimes this causes tooth decay to travel below the surface, where it can go undetected and wreak havoc on a patient’s oral health and on our ability to diagnose the problem.
Our solution? The DIAGNOdent Laser. This tool allows dentists to see below the surface of a tooth in order to know exactly what the ‘root’ cause is. In the past, dentists had to occasionally guess and perform procedures without knowing if they were targeting the correct issue. With our DIAGNOdent laser, the guesswork is gone, allowing us to make the right diagnosis for your optimal dental health.
The laser emits a specific wavelength of light (655 nanometers to be exact) that targets the problem area. Healthy tooth material won’t react at all, but decaying material, even below the surface, will reflect a fluorescence that is measured by the laser. The higher the fluorescence, the more tooth decay there is.
If you’re experiencing dental problems and are unsure of the cause, it’s possible that we can detect the issue with the DIAGNOdent laser. Call our office at 207-781-5900 and tell us your story.
diagnodent
Mar 23, 2016
Welcome to our brand new website. We thought we’d take a moment to explain some nifty features to help you find exactly where you need to go.
New Patient Questionnaires
If you’re a new patient and need to fill out your New Patient Questionnaires, you can do so by visiting our homepage, scrolling to the bottom, and clicking on the green tooth. You can’t miss it!
The forms will include:
- New Adult Patient Form
- Media Release Form
- HIPAA Form
- Financial Consent for Services
- Consent for Internet Communications
Feb 16, 2016
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Children have specific dental care needs that differ from adults that are important for parents to know. Even though young infants have no visible teeth, they are there under the surface and it’s important to keep your baby’s gums healthy from the beginning. After meals, gently wipe the gums with a washcloth. Once the first baby teeth come in, brush them twice daily with water and a soft-bristle toothbrush. And remember, your baby’s first trip to the dentist should be before their first birthday!
At age 3, your child should start using toothpaste. Use just a small amount and always have them spit it out. And of course, have them avoid sugary foods and drinks like candy, juice, and soda as much as possible. Appointments should be every 6 months. Around age 6, you might see gaps between the teeth start to diminish—time to floss! And don’t let them be surprised by their first tooth falling out. Let them know this is a natural part of growing up.
How old is your child? If they’re due for a checkup, call to make your appointment today at 207-781-5900.
children’s dental health
Feb 16, 2016
In February, we celebrate Black History Month. Among the great African American historical figures we know so well, we wanted to include Robert Tanner Freeman, the first African American dentist in the U.S. As his name suggests, Freeman was the son of slaves who earned their freedom and took this surname to proclaim it. After meeting local dentist Henry Bliss Noble as a youth, Freeman began apprenticing as a dentist. Numerous college applications later, Freeman became the first black student to attend Harvard Dental School and graduated in 1867, during the Civil War. Unfortunately, Freeman died only four years after his graduation. But during his short dental practice tenure, he encouraged young African Americans in his community to enter the medical field.
Freeman’s tenacity extended to his grandson, Robert C. Weaver, who in 1966 became the first black Presidential cabinet member.
african american dentist
