The What, Why, and How of Dental X-Rays
The threat of having to get any type of x-ray can be unsettling. They can sometimes point to an issue that can’t be diagnosed from the surface. Dental x-rays are an effective method for troubleshooting and preventing unwanted pain and agony down the road. Issues like cavities, tooth decay, and structural concerns with your jaw…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Flossing for your Teeth and Gums
When you ask people about brushing their teeth, they will unanimously agree with you that it is essential in the pursuit of good oral hygiene. Flossing, on the other hand, doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. A study on flossing was conducted in 2016 by medical epidemiologist, Dr. Duong Nguyen and it revealed some…
Read MoreChewing Gum and Your Teeth
There are quite a few reasons that people chew gum. It’s a tasty, convenient mouth refresher in a pinch, it’s an appetite suppressant, and some even cite chewing gum as an effective stress and anxiety reducer. Chewing gum is nothing new to our society. In fact, some form of chewing gum has been a part…
Read MoreWhat to Do About Cavities in Teeth
Cavities affect people of all ages. A 2015 study from the CDC and the National Institutes of Health found that almost every American – 96 percent – aged 65 or older reported tooth decay. The Mayo Clinic also found that cavities and tooth decay are some of the most common health problems in the world. …
Read MoreFluoride and Its Benefits
If you have had an issue with cavities in the past, your mouth may be missing one key ingredient: fluoride. Fluoride is considered an effective natural deterrent of cavities and can help strengthen the enamel on your teeth. Enamel is made up of calcium and phosphate to form a thin layer of protection on your…
Read MoreNatural Dental Products and DIY Trends: What to Know
Our Surf City Dental team receives its share of questions about best natural dental products for at-home care. With so many types of these oral hygiene products sold over the counter, as well as spotlighted as trends on the internet, it’s easy to see why there’s some confusion. And as we head into a new…
Read MoreHow to Combat Periodontal Disease
Most people have a standard routine when it comes to their oral hygiene practices. They brush their teeth and floss at least twice daily. However, breaking that pattern for long periods of time can lead to serious issues. One such oral health epidemic, Periodontal Disease, affects half of all Americans ages 30-plus, according to the…
Read MoreWhat Is Dental Plaque? How to Fight It.
Have you ever run your tongue across your teeth, only to discover a gross, gritty layer? Maybe it felt fuzzy or even slimy. Well, that’s dental plaque and it’s fairly common. Specifically, dental plaque is a microbial biofilm produced when the bacteria in your mouth mixes with proteins and food byproducts. Untreated, it transforms into tartar, also called calculus – a hard, mineral build-up that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Some studies even link the bacteria in gum disease…
Read MoreCosmetic Dental Implants: Function and Beauty
There was a time not too long ago when cosmetic surgery was exclusive to the rich and famous. Just as procedures like face lifts and tummy-tucks have become both desirable and accessible to a broader population, more and more patients now are considering cosmetic dental implants. Invented in 1952 by a Swedish orthopedic surgeon named…
Read MoreTeeth Whitening: Your Smile Says A Lot
Standards of beauty might evolve over time, but a bright smile never goes out of fashion. Nowadays, TV and social media are saturated with images of young women with perfectly luminous teeth. A recent study out of the UK claims, “Teeth are the human equivalent of a peacock’s tail, a sign of health and genetic…
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