The faster the tooth is replaced, the greater the rate of successful retention.

Assuming the root of the lost tooth is intact - not broken, the tooth should be replaced into it's socket asap. Rinse the tooth off. Do not scrub it ! Reseat the tooth into the socket so that it has the same alignment as the tooth on eithor side of it.

If reimplantation is not immediately possible, place the tooth (in order of preference) into milk, saline, or between the cheek & gums of the individual. See your dentist immediately.

The procedure your dentist will follow is based on the length of time the tooth has been out of the mouth, and the extent of the trauma.

Toothbrushes should be replaced whenever the bristles become splayed apart. The brush you use should be soft, and the tufts vertical. Hard nylon bristles can wear grooves through the enamel of your teeth, particularly if you brush with horizintal strokes instead of a circular motion. And yes, the new rotary (electric) toothbrushes clean your teeth much more efficiently.

While the use of a waterpik can be an exceptional adjunct to your nighttime oral hygiene routine, it's improper use can cause more damage than good. The pressure of the flow of water from the tip should be low. Set the adjustment dial at one or two. More importantly, the tip should be pointed 90 degrees to the surface of the teeth and gums. Do not point the tip into the gum tissue. Pass the tip along the gumline of each tooth. Start along the cheek side of the teeth, then pass the tip along the tongue side of the teeth. Do this twice.

The future is here today. I can get an x-ray of your teeth in 3 seconds! There’s no waiting for processing & no exposure to my staff or the environment from toxic chemicals. And best of all, there is approximately 90% less radiation exposure than from traditional x-rays. The image is viewed on a computer screen, and can be enhanced in a variety of ways, which then allows for maximum diagnostic interpretation.

A small computer chip is placed into your mouth. The x-ray beam is directed towards the chip, and voila! Should the image not be acceptable, a replacement can be made immediately

Air Abrasion Technology is something like sandblasting for teeth. A handpiece directs a very fine spray of air mixed with aluminum oxide powder. This combination "sands" down the surface of your tooth so gently, that in roughly 90% of my cases, no local anesthesia (NO SHOTS) are necessary.

This technology is ideal for "needle phobic" individuals, or for those patients who require fillings and do not wish to leave the office with their face numb for several hours after the treatment is completed. Think how great this technology is for kids who have cavities treated at their first appointment!

We cannot use air abrasion for crowns, veneers, or the removal of silver fillings.

No matter what product you buy over the counter, or which dental professional you see, your teeth will continue to stain and discolor over time for no other reason than you eat, drink and (hopefully not) smoke.

My simple three-step procedure will provide you with whiter, brighter teeth that will stay that way with a minimal amount of effort. First you have an hour & a half office visit. I use a heat & light activated topical bleach, which can whiten your teeth, several shades. For the next week, for an hour a day, you use a bleaching gel in custom fit trays. Finally, at the end of the week, I fluoridate your teeth to lock in the effect of the bleaching.

Not all mouthwashes are created equal!

There are several types of liquids to be found on the shelf at your pharmacy. These may be broken down into three categories. The first are the flouride mouth rinses. Typical examples are ACT and Flourigard (most major drug chains also have their own in-house brand).These are used after brushing in the evening. The intent is to provide a topical flouride treatment without any systemic involvement. This is ideal for children over 8 years old .

How much do you know about mouthguards?

This is the best protection for our children who play sports - even if they're not those that we typically consider "contact sports". Broken front teeth are not only traumatic at the time it occurs, but may require future maintenance or replacement. Please invest a few dollars in your child's well-being now, and prevent a possible lifetime of restorative dentistry.

Mouthguards fall into two basic categories; store bought or laboratory fabricated.

Store bought can be found at any sporting goods store. They're inexpensive and can be readily replaced when your child grows out of it. Their major drawback is that they don't fit tightly and require your child to bite into them to keep them in the mouth. They are terrific for kids who have braces.

Laboratory fabricated - those made by your dentist, have the advantage of fitting snuggly to the teeth. It is not required to bite into them to keep them in place. They are, however, a bit more expensive. I strongly recommend this type for teens whose teeth are fully grown in - especially if they have completed orthodontic therapy. here are several types of liquids to be found on the shelf at your pharmacy. These may be broken down into three categories. The first are the flouride mouth rinses. Typical examples are ACT and Flourigard (most major drug chains also have their own in-house brand).These are used after brushing in the evening. The intent is to provide a topical flouride treatment without any systemic involvement. This is ideal for children over 8 years old .

When should my child see a dentist?

For the first child in your family, the first dental visit should be at 6 to 12 months. The goal of this visit is to educate the parents as to proper home care. Ideally, we want to prevent problems before they arise. Teeth begin to grow into the mouth around 6 months of age.

Included in the "information package" should be an oral hygiene protocal, and techniques; dietary considerations; and basic information on early developmental expectations.

Most often the best provider of this information will be a children's dentist, otherwise known as a pediatric dentist or pedodontist.

The professional society for ENT physicians has recently published a list of guidelines to be used as indicators for the removal of your child's tonsils.  Obviously included is the recurrence of infection (3 in a year).  Removal is considered when persistant foul taste or bad breath is present & does not respond to medical treatment, and is a result of inflamed tonsilar tissue.

Of particular importance from a dental perspective: enlarged tonsils can cause abnormalities in an individual's growth & development.  Airway blockage causes breathing problems, which affects the way in which the mouth and face look.  Growth patterns are established early, and if they're deviant and go untreated, will result in poor function and esthetics.  Early removal can minimize or eliminate the need for orthodontics.

Finally, large tonsils can block the airway at night preventing the individual from getting a good night's sleep.  This may affect daytime behavior, and an individual's ability to function efficiently.  In the extreme, obstructive sleep apnea may be diagnosed; oxygen is prevented from reaching the body.

I like to describe sealants as "liquid filling material". It is designed to flow into the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth. Pits & fissures are irregularities that trap food and bacteria creating cavities. By first cleaning out these irregularities, and then filing them in with sealants, the teeth can remain free of tooth decay.
     
When should sealants be placed? As soon as the chewing surface of the tooth is visible in the mouth.
    
What about the sides of teeth? If teeth are not regularly flossed, cavities may develop in between teeth - regardless of the presence of sealants.

How long should sealants be maintained? Indefinitely.