Dental Blog

We often know what we need to do, but it's easier said than done. Shortages of time, money, or motivation frequently set up roadblocks on our journey to better health. Or anxiety may hold us back when nothing else really stands in the way. Fear is a critical protective mechanism, but it can also paralyze and keep us from taking care of ourselves. In fact, up to 75% of the population feels some level of fear when facing dental care.

Fear. Ingrained in our DNA there's a protective mechanism that helps us avoid danger. It's essential to the survival of the human race. Our ancient relatives wouldn't be part of our family tree if they hadn't operated with a solid dose of fear. But sometimes fear keeps us from healthy situations...like dental care. Rational or not, nearly 40 million Americans avoid dental care on a regular basis due to extreme anxiety. Understanding the causes behind an often paralyzing emotion is the first step to overcoming this obstacle to better health.

As the days of another year race forward, we're all aware that time isn't slowing down. The demands of modern life push and pull on us from every angle. Deadlines at work and headlines at home write the story of our lives. The never-ending list of responsibilities and activities jostle for attention from a limited number of hours in the day. If we,re lucky, we eke out little blocks of time for ourselves.

Healthy partnerships pay off. In The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, acclaimed author Stephen Covey offers the "synergy" habit. He outlines that if two people work together, the output is greater than the sum of their parts: 1+1=3...not 2! Cooperative efforts yield results that aren't possible working alone, often exceeding expectations.

If we chose our habits based on the latest headlines, we’d be caught in lurching chaos. One day we’d be popping Vitamin D, and throwing it out the next. In the 24/7 news storm driven by social media, midnight bloggers, and major news outlets, a flood of conflicting reports fill the insatiable demand for information. Now, even the credibility of flossing can’t escape controversy.

The tooth fairy has an average rate for baby teeth, and every kid looks forward to cashing in. But once the permanent teeth move into place, the value jumps upward. Along the way, the cost of maintaining and repairing teeth usually receives a lot of consideration in the household budget.

Stereotypes abound when it comes to aging. Advancing years bring imminent changes, but losing teeth doesn't need to be part of your story. While dentures provide a valuable service for those who need them, they aren't inevitable for most people. In fact, more patients than ever enjoy their own teeth throughout their lifetimes.

More than 11 million plastic surgery procedures trim, shape and mold the American public each year. Along with tummy tucks and face lifts, smile enhancement treatments bring a clear finish to many cosmetic cases. And the details that create a brilliant smile shouldn’t be overlooked, including the display of the gums. The gums, also known as gingiva, play a crucial role in the appearance of your smile while providing critical support.

Smiles send powerful messages to everyone around us. Volumes of research confirm the influential role of smiles on our relationships and our self-esteem. Romances may start with a simple smile across a crowded room, and children reinforce their self-worth through mom’s flashes of approval. Salespeople who happily display their teeth and gums sell more than those who don’t. In fact, one study recently quantified the monetary value of a smile! Regardless of the measure, a genuine, attractive smile feeds success in every part of your life.

You're enjoying a delicious handful of sugar-coated peanuts...actually, a second handful that you almost passed up. You bite down and hear a loud crunch, which just didn't seem right. Your tongue makes a pulse-spiking discovery: A significant chunk of your upper left molar fractured, and the piece has already disappeared into the abyss.