Dental Blog

No one likes to hear it, but it’s worse not to know it: You have bad breath. Bad breath (also known as halitosis or malodor) can be embarrassing and tough on those around you. Some people don’t realize their breath could peel paint because people are afraid to tell them. “Certainly bad breath can ruin relationships,” John Woodall, DDS, a dentist with Woodall and McNeill...

A great smile requires more than just straight teeth. You need straight jaws, too. That’s where surgical orthodontics comes into play. While orthodontics focuses on the process of straightening your teeth, surgical orthodontics (orthognathic surgery) straightens your jaws. Why do you need straight jaws? When your teeth fit together well, it’ll make it easier for you to bite, chew, even...

If your smile isn’t as bright as you’d like, it can be beneficial to think about what you put in your mouth. Teeth are susceptible to staining if you smoke or if you eat or drink certain things, and it’s more likely to happen as you age. But once you know what to eat, and what to avoid, you can...

Chew Gum, Not IceChewing is a favorite pastime and necessity for the proper mastication and breaking down of food. The average person is bombarded with thousands of options of things to chew on, including ice. While ice itself is comprised of cool, refreshing water, the beverage is best consumed in its liquid (not frozen) state. Crunching on ice can increase...

Everybody wants a great smile, and many of us need help getting there. More and more people are having success with clear orthodontic devices called aligners. Braces use brackets connected by wires to encourage teeth to move. Aligners are a series of tight-fitting custom-made mouthpieces that slip over the teeth. Invisalign is the largest producer of clear aligners. Clear (or...

Exercise helps you maintain your weight and improve muscle tone. But can working out also improve your dental health? Yes, according to one study. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine have discovered that people of a normal weight who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet are less likely to have gum disease. The study,...

Struggling with Tooth Sensitivity? Our Dentists Can Help!Sensitive teeth can cause pain or discomfort when coming in contact with certain stimuli like cold air, hot or cold foods, hot or cold drinks, sweets, or even touch. The Dental office provides various treatments to combat your teeth sensitivity. Dentinal Sensitivity Depending on the type of sensitivity that you have, different methods...

1. Does insurance cover the cost of teeth whitening procedures? No. Dental insurance does not typically cover the cost of teeth whitening procedures. Most plans consider this expense to be “cosmetic”. But if you have a health spending account you may be able to claim your receipts their, be sure to check with your insurance provider first. 2. How long...

Like dental braces, the removal of wisdom teeth is one of the dental “rites of passage” for teens. Wisdom teeth — or third molars — are our final set of molars and usually start to emerge between the ages of 16 and 25. They are known as “wisdom” teeth in most cultures because of their late arrival compared to other adult molars. If...