On Point Dentistry

Though it might feel like the year just started for some of us, believe it or not, there are just a few months left of 2024! This means that if you haven’t attended your second routine checkup of the year (or your first), now is the time to get it scheduled.

Routine preventive care plays a very integral role in maintaining a healthy smile. Even if you brush and floss every single day, it’s simply not possible to clear away every particle of debris or bacteria. Do yourself a favor by keeping up with these visits, so that you can end 2024 with a bright and healthy grin on your face!

The human body is a masterpiece, and we have the ability to heal ourselves after all sorts of different injuries and recover from various types of illnesses. However, did you know that your teeth are technically the only body parts you have that are incapable of healing on their own?

The enamel layer of your teeth, or their outermost layer, can sustain damage due to chronically poor oral hygiene, bruxism, or other dental issues. In these cases, dental intervention is often needed – but in any case, it’s best to try to prevent this damage from occurring in the first place.

You already know what we’re going to say – brush and floss daily and keep up your routine checkups. Even though your teeth won’t heal themselves, you can simply reduce the need for healing by taking proactive care of them!

Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Created back in 1995, this day is now celebrated worldwide by all who enjoy pirate movies, books, and speaking like their favorite swashbucklers.

But remember, while it’s perfectly fine to talk like a pirate, just be sure you’re taking better care of your teeth than a pirate would! Brush and floss daily, in addition to stopping by for routine preventive checkups and cleanings twice a year.

You’ve probably heard that the common cold is the most widespread disease in the world – but did you know that tooth decay is a very close second? It’s estimated that nearly 90% of adults ages 20 to 64 have had decay in their teeth at some point during their lives.

For a condition that can easily be prevented through routine dental hygiene, this figure is far too high – and not one that you should want to be a part of! All the more reason to stay on top of your daily hygiene regimen as we head into the autumn season this year.

These days, sugary beverages like soda seem to be everywhere – and if you’ve ever had an ice-cold Coca-Cola on a hot day, it’s easy to understand why these drinks are so popular and beloved!

But to put it plainly, soda doesn’t get along very well with your teeth! In fact, people who drink 3 or more glasses of soda daily are a whopping 62% more likely to develop tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and other sorts of dental issues.

Needless to say, there are plenty of better beverages out there for your smile like water, milk, or even green tea – opting for one of these is doing yourself a huge favor!

We’re now well into September, so here’s a reminder that this month is also National Gum Care Month! Even though you should be brushing, flossing, and caring for your teeth and gums year-round, it never hurts to spend some extra time each September to read up and understand how to ensure you’re free of gum disease and other nasty problems.

Remember, your gums are just as important as your pearly whites, so take the time to care for them diligently and your smile will thank you!

Autumn has finally arrived, which hopefully means that cooler temperatures are just around the corner! And before you know it, the leaves of trees all over will begin turning yellow, orange, red, and other warm, cheerful shades.

However, when it comes to teeth, we don’t prefer yellow – we prefer sparkling white! While some discoloration is natural as we age, certain foods and drinks can also darken your smile, including things like coffee, tea, red wines and sauces, and more. Chronically poor oral hygiene is also a factor when it comes to dental staining.

To ensure that your smile remains white and bright as we enter the latter seasons of the year, be sure that you’re brushing and flossing diligently, as well as enjoying certain snacks and beverages in moderation.

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of all workers across our nation – and especially those in the dental field! Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Have you ever found yourself reaching for a toothpick to remove a stuck piece of food debris from your teeth? You might want to think twice about that!

Toothpicks are believed to be one of the most common objects that Americans choke on; not to mention, it’s very possible for them to splinter into smaller pieces and/or cause damage to the soft issues within your mouth.

Rather than risk dental injury, do your smile a favor and use dental floss for this task - that's what it's made for, after all!

August is just about to end, which means autumn is right around the corner. And there’s no better time than the fall to schedule a preventive dental visit; you’ll be setting your smile up for excellent health going into the remainder of the year. Not to mention, with so many exciting holidays coming up these next few months, you should want your pearly whites to glow brightly for every photo op!

When was your last dental checkup? Hopefully within the last six months! But did you know that these appointments aren’t a modern invention?

In fact, dentistry is one of the world’s oldest professions, with some of the earliest evidence of dental work, such as cavities being filled, dating back over 7000 years. Luckily, dentistry today is quite different, and safe to say, a lot more sophisticated and effective!

If you’ve ever seen the movie Titanic, you probably remember the part with the giant iceberg – but did you know your teeth are similar to icebergs?

Much like how only the top portion of an iceberg is visible above the ocean’s surface, you can only see a portion of your teeth; about two-thirds of them are beneath your gumline! This hidden portion, known as the root, plays a vital role in dental health and the stability of your teeth. Just another reason to keep your teeth and gums in great shape!

This time of year doesn’t just signal the start of a new school year – it also means that fall sports are just around the corner. However, did you know that each year, approximately 5 million teeth are displaced from their sockets during sports and physical games? This is quite a large figure!

Not every accident can be prevented, but an athletic mouthguard can certainly prevent the vast majority of them. That said, don’t even think about taking the field or letting your child gear up without one of these trusted devices!

⭐️ Smile in just a day! ⭐️

When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to pick out a new one! Toothbrushes need to be replaced every three months, or sooner if you’ve been sick.

An easy way to tell if your brush is ready to be replaced is to check the bristles; if they’re worn and fraying, they’ll be less effective at cleaning your teeth!

When talking about cavities, it’s tough to iterate just how common they actually are. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2 billion people worldwide have untreated cavities – this is an alarming figure! And in the US alone, at least a quarter of all adults have untreated cavities.

It goes without saying that the best way to prevent cavities is routine preventive dental care combined with a diligent at-home hygiene regimen; this statistic isn’t one you want to be a part of!

Did you know that in many ways, your teeth are like miniature time capsules? Believe it or not, the inside of your teeth contains a wealth of information about you. Scientists can analyze the enamel in teeth to determine things like age, diet, and even the historical period in which a person lived!

It’s just another reason to be thankful for your pearly whites and to take excellent care of them!

When was the last time you had a glass of water? Staying hydrated is important, but drinking water also serves another important purpose: it stimulates your mouth’s saliva flow!

Your saliva is your first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria, meaning that by simply drinking water, you’re very much helping out your teeth and gums. Just don’t substitute drinking water for brushing your teeth!

With the back-to-school season right around the corner, you should know that an estimated 51 million hours of school are missed by children annually due to needing to visit their dentist for a specific oral health problem.

This is why preventive dentistry is important; this routine care can ensure that your child stays in the classroom and focused on learning! Of course, preventive dentistry also allows the rest of us to go to our jobs with a bright and healthy smile on our faces!

You’ve probably heard that soda isn’t exactly the best beverage for your teeth, since these drinks often contain high amounts of sugar. However, another big problem with soda involves sipping; if you’re slowly drinking a soda, you’re giving it more time to come in contact with your teeth and cause harm!

This means that if you can’t help enjoying a soda every now and then, try to finish it quickly or use a straw, to reduce the amount of contact it comes into with your pearly whites. Of course, you could also simply skip the soda in favor of good old-fashioned water! 🦷

Did you know that your dominant hand is often tied to which side of your mouth you chew on? Right-handed individuals often chew on the right side of their mouths, while those who are left-handed tend to do the opposite and prefer the left side of their mouths.

But to avoid chronic jaw and dental problems, it is recommended that you use both sides as much as possible when you’re chewing your food during meals; your teeth and jaw muscles will thank you!

Summertime is the perfect time for selfies! But did you know that almost half of all young adults admit to un-tagging themselves from a photo on Facebook because of their smile? Nobody should ever feel this self-conscious!

The smile you’ve always dreamed of is very attainable with a little help from your trusted dentist. Let them know you're grateful for their help by telling them all about your fun summer plans!

Hopefully, you’re using sunscreen while spending time outdoors this summer, but you should also protect your lips – they’re vulnerable to UV rays, too! Protect them with an SPF lip balm, wear a hat to cover your face, and also stay hydrated to help them combat the hot weather.

Cracked, burned, or bleeding lips are not doing your smile any favors for all of those summer photo ops!

Do you have any fun trips planned this summer? Many of us take a vacation (or staycation) during the summer months. However, it’s pretty easy to get too busy or distracted to remember to brush your teeth while you’re away from home! Be sure that you’re packing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and anything else you need before your trip; going on vacation does not mean taking a vacation from your dental hygiene.

Let us know where you’re heading this season – and have a nice time!

Do you have children who spend every hour of daylight during the summer playing sports and outdoor games? Or maybe you enjoy them yourself – but no matter if it’s you or your child on the field, you’ll want to ensure that an athletic mouthguard is worn. These small devices are incredibly useful, given that they can prevent serious dental injuries!

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, one of the most reputable dental organizations out there, the average person only spends 45 to 70 seconds brushing their teeth. This is less than half of the recommended 2 to 3 minutes!

But if you see things through, you should spend at least 40 collective days brushing your teeth over your lifetime. That’s quite a lot of protection for your pearly whites!

Do you ever notice yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth? It might also occur during the night while you’re asleep, which can cause your jaw to feel sore when you wake up. Often, teeth grinding and jaw clenching are symptoms related to bruxism, a condition that can lead to worn-down tooth enamel and excess strain on the temporomandibular joints, which connect your jaw to the rest of your skull.

These problems won’t resolve on their own – but with professional intervention, these uncomfortable symptoms can effectively be managed. Don't hesitate to seek treatment; your smile will thank you!

When we think about things that might potentially stain our teeth, coffee is often the first thing to come to mind. It’s true that this beloved beverage can cause dental staining, but it’s not the only consumable you should be mindful of. Red sauces and wines, blueberries, blackberries, and other kinds of berries, sodas, juices, sports drinks, hard candies, and other similar items can all leave your teeth duller than usual!

Remember, enjoying these items in moderation – and maintaining excellent oral hygiene – is a great way to ensure that your pearly whites remain sparkling bright!

Did you know that the technology for dental implants has been around for quite some time? In 1952, an orthopedic surgeon stumbled across an incredible discovery; while studying bones and regeneration, he found that titanium was able to successfully fuse with bone tissue. He hypothesized that this fusion could be utilized in other fields, such as dentistry – and now, over 5 million dental implants are placed annually in the US alone.

Needless to say, dental implants are a groundbreaking innovation!

We hope your summer is off to a fantastic start! There's no better season for showing off your smile.

But before you get too caught up in your festivities and fun under the sun, take a moment to recall when your last dental checkup was – we’re now about halfway through the calendar year, so if it’s been longer than six months for you and your loved ones, give us a call!

Transformation Thursday! 🤩

Check out these beautiful zirconia crowns and implant restoration completed on this patient 🦷

Always a pleasure seeing you at the office Chauncey!!

Good luck on the rest of the season boys!!! 🏈💙

Absolutely stunning bridge transformation done on this patient! 🤩

Come see us for all your dental needs and to guarantee a smile that is On Point! 🦷

Our office will be closed tomorrow, January 31st due to inclement weather! We will keep everyone updated on the rest of the week. Thank you and everyone stay warm and safe! ❄️🦷❄️

We want to thank our amazing patient for this unique and thoughtful gift! We love you all and appreciate every one of you for always thinking about us! Happy holidays!!! 🤗🦷

We want to thank our amazing patient for this unique and thoughtful gift! We love you all and appreciate every one of you for always thinking about us! Happy holidays!!! 🤗🦷

We want to wish a happy belated birthday to our amazing periodontist Dr. Parra and a happy anniversary to our awesome assistant Veronica! Thank you for all you both do for our office, we appreciate you both so much! 🥳🍾🎂

We had the sweetest little patient come in for his very first dental cleaning and exam! 🤩 We see children of all ages so make sure to bring your little ones in for their dental cleaning and check-up! Little mouths are a big deal! 😁