Epic Periodontics & Implant Center

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!

As the heat begins peaking this summer, you might find yourself thirsty and with a dry mouth a lot more often than usual. But did you know having a dry mouth can actually be harmful to your dental health? Your saliva helps to keep problem-causing bacteria inside your mouth at bay; this means that if you’re feeling thirsty, give your smile the edge it needs to look and feel its best, and drink a glass of water!

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!

Most of us can agree that few things are as refreshing as ice cream, a popsicle, or a snow cone during a hot summer day – but what about the resulting tooth sensitivity that occurs?

For many, tooth sensitivity puts a damper on these sweet treats; in fact, they say over 40 million Americans experience tooth sensitivity from time to time. It’s normal to experience temporary sensitivity when enjoying hot or cold foods and beverages, but if the sensation persists for days or becomes severe, don’t brush it off; it might be a sign of an underlying issue!

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!

Happy Fourth of July!

From our dental family to yours, we wish you a day filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of reasons to smile!

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!

Flossing is just as important as brushing, and it’s a habit you should strive to maintain daily this summer and beyond – and all you need is a pack of trusty, tried-and-true dental floss.

But just be sure you’re only using that floss to carry out oral hygiene. As far-fetched as it sounds, in 1994, a West Virginia prison inmate braided a large amount of dental floss into a rope and used it to help escape from prison – he actually tried twice using this method and enjoyed a few weeks of freedom before being caught again!

Needless to say, this isn’t the intended use for floss, and you should stick to using it to clean between your teeth. The habit will help keep your smile in tip-top shape!

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!

Today, we honor and celebrate Juneteenth, a day of freedom, reflection, and joy. Let’s honor the legacy of those who’ve fought for liberation and continue to work together to educate, advocate, and strive for equality!

Happy Father's Day! Today, we celebrate all the incredible dads and father figures out there. Thank you for everything you do!

With temperatures on the rise and summer approaching, you’ll probably find yourself cooling off with an iced beverage quite frequently. But beware of those chilly ice cubes – chewing on them is actually quite harmful to your pearly whites! Biting into ice and other hard objects can damage the enamel layer of your teeth, or even lead to a chipped or fractured tooth. Rather than chewing on your ice cubes after finishing your drink, ask for a refill to stay hydrated and cool!

Did you know that brushing your teeth too hard can be just as harmful as not brushing them at all? Overbrushing can wear down the enamel of your teeth, leading to painful sensitivity as well as increased vulnerability to cavities and decay. One easy way to tell if you’re brushing too hard is if the bristles of your toothbrush are being squashed against your teeth – if so, ease up!

Who doesn’t love having fun under the summer sun? Not only is it a great way to pass the time, stay active, and work on your tan, but the UV rays from the sun also help your body produce vitamin D, which is essential for healthy teeth and bones! In this sense, getting some sun will quite literally benefit your smile this summer. That said, just don’t forget to wear sunscreen; otherwise, the resulting sunburn will be quite a bummer!

Plaque doesn’t just build up on your teeth; it can also build up on your tongue! This can lead to a foul mouth odor, as well as several other potential oral health issues. You should gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth to help keep your whole mouth clean and problem-free!

Cheese lovers unite; today is National Cheese Day! Whether you’re a fan of a fancy charcuterie board or a classic grilled cheese sandwich, there’s no wrong way to enjoy cheese. Better yet, it’s a great source of calcium and a healthy snack for your teeth. Celebrate today by enjoying a cheesy snack, but just be sure to brush afterward!

Looking for sensible snack options this summer? Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, celery, and other similar items aren’t just tasty and good for you – they’re good for your teeth! They can actually help to clean your teeth as you eat due to their fibrous texture. Plus, they aren’t high in sugars and starches compared to snacks like chips, crackers, cookies, and other similar options. This summer, it doesn’t hurt to be extra conscious about what you’re eating; your teeth will thank you!

What’s your favorite tooth-friendly summertime snack? Let us know!

When you’re at the store picking out a tube of toothpaste to buy, do you ever consider the color? Apparently, most people tend to prefer blue toothpaste over other options, such as red. Perhaps this is because blue is more often associated with cleanliness – but whatever your preference is, any color of toothpaste can get the job done!

Did you know that almost half of all adults are concerned about not having an attractive smile as they get older? Thankfully, these concerns can easily be addressed through regular dental care, in addition to simple procedures that can make you more confident in your smile. Your smile is too important to deny it from shining its brightest!

Our practice would like to wish you and your loved ones a Happy Memorial Day!

With the school year coming to a close soon, you might be thinking about all of the fun summer plans you and your kids have. But before you get too busy, you should be sure to go ahead and schedule your child’s next dental visit before they return to school in the fall. Schedule your own checkup too, if you need to! Dental offices tend to fill up fast during this time of year, so give yourself the peace of mind of knowing that your family’s smiles will be looked after!

The connection between oral and overall health is simply outstanding, and it’s sometimes tough to believe just how interlinked our body is. One example of this has to do with gum health. Treating gum disease can help you in all sorts of ways, including lowering your blood sugar levels – which helps those with diabetes to maintain control of their condition. Needless to say, it’s just another reason to strive to maintain a healthy smile and body!

Let’s talk about mouthwash; it’s estimated that 201 million Americans use it regularly – but how does it benefit dental wellness? It essentially supplements the job done by brushing and flossing, meaning it’s just another surefire way to keep your teeth and gums healthy and happy!

With warmer temperatures approaching, you might find yourself enjoying the outdoors more in the upcoming months. But if you’re participating in contact sports, you’ll want to be sure you’re wearing a protective mouthguard to shield your teeth from a potential dental disaster! That way, you can continue to stay active and stay smiling.

What’s your favorite thing to drink when it’s hot outside? Most of us love to cool off with a chilly soda, refreshing lemonade, or tall glass of iced tea – but did you know these drinks can be quite harmful to your teeth due to their high amounts of sugar? Enjoying them in moderation is okay, but at the end of the day, it’s always best to rehydrate with good old-fashioned water; it will only benefit your pearly whites!