Farmington Valley Dental Blog

If you practice a solid oral hygiene routine, then you likely brush your teeth twice a day. By doing so, you’ll effectively keep your pearly whites clean and safe from issues like decay, cavities, and gum disease. However, some people choose to scrub their smiles at different times, especially when it comes to eating their first meal of the day. Read on to learn why you should be brushing your teeth before breakfast instead of afterward!

A knocked-out tooth. A severe toothache. A dislodged dental crown. Dental emergencies can catch anyone off guard! That is why it is best to be prepared so no one have to panic. Help can be right at your fingertips until you or your loved ones are able to visit the dentist for emergency care. Here are the essentials for your dental emergency kit so everyone, including their teeth, can be taken care of!

Your teeth are essential to breaking down your food and starting the digestion process, but there are things they shouldn’t be used for. If you aren’t careful, you could wind up with a dental emergency. Even if you get lucky, misusing your teeth will wear them down in ways that aren’t obvious to you, but will be to your dentist. Here are a few things your dentist would never put in their mouth because of the damage they can do.

Bruxism is a condition that’s characterized by teeth grinding and jaw clenching. According to the Sleep Foundation, bruxism affects approximately six to 50% of children, 15% of teens, 8% of middle-aged adults, and 3% of elders. If you have issues with teeth grinding and jaw clenching, you may have trouble getting enough sleep.

Fortunately, dental mouthguards can provide some relief. A mouthguard is designed to protect your teeth and other oral structures from harm so you can avoid dental damage, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues, and more. If you have a mouthguard or are preparing to get one, read on to learn three tips that will help you keep it in good condition.

When cleaning their homes, many people focus on loading the dishwasher, doing laundry, and wiping down surfaces. Areas like the toilet and the kitchen sink tend to get some extra attention since people assume that these are some of the dirtiest areas in the house. But, when it comes to the bathroom, some of the dirtiest items in your home may be ones you’d never expect. Read on to learn about three of the dirtiest items in the bathroom.

Your teeth are protected by the hardest substance in your body. Your enamel is the outer layer of your teeth responsible for protecting the softer dentin and pulp. Every day, your enamel is under attack by cavity-causing bacteria that can lead to tooth decay. Unfortunately, your enamel won’t grow back once it has been lost. Fluoride is known as “nature’s cavity fighter” because it makes teeth more resistant to decay. You can find it in many public water sources and dental products, but did you also know you can get it through your diet, too? Here are 5 foods with fluoride to defend your smile. 

(more…)

When you use a manual or electric toothbrush to clean your teeth twice a day, it won’t be doing you much good if it’s too old. Do you remember the last time you got a new toothbrush? Most people don’t know how long they should wait until they invest in new dental tools. Continue reading to learn when you should change your toothbrush and some steps that you can take to get the most out of it.

While brushing, you might have noticed white spots on your teeth. Whether they are new or have been there for years, they’re usually not anything to worry about in terms of oral health. That said, they could still make it harder for you to feel confident about showing off your smile. What caused these white spots, and what can you do about them? Your dentist has the answers.

So, you’ve decided to get your teeth whitened. Tired of yellow enamel, you want those pearly whites to live up to their name. However, you’re facing a bit of a problem at the moment. Namely, you feel sure whether to get professional whitening or a store-bought kit. After all, what’s the difference between the two approaches? Well, your Farmington dentist is here with the answer. To learn more, here are four advantages of professional teeth whitening over store-bought kinds.

There’s nothing more inviting than a bright, dazzling smile—but are you a little bummed out by stained teeth whenever you grin into your bathroom mirror? Although there are many reasons for having discolored teeth, some are actually hereditary and not your fault at all! Here are some of the possible causes of stained teeth and a few ways that a cosmetic dentist can help.