August 1, 2022 A full set of upper and lower dentures can be a godsend for people who have lost all of their natural teeth. Tooth loss is frequently the result of decay, injury or severe gum disease. Wearing dentures enables people to speak and eat much more efficiently than they would without dentures.  The office of Dental Life is an excellent one-stop solution for the oral healthcare needs of your whole family. We’re experienced in treating patients of all ages. Whether it’s time for the kids’ back-to-school checkup or you have a toothache, we will provide the expert service you need and expect. Without the support from all of your teeth, the muscles in your face will sag and sink into your mouth. But, as with natural teeth, dentures fill out your face and improve your appearance. And they will undoubtedly enhance your smile.  Traditional dentures are removable and custom-fit to your mouth. If some teeth had to first be extracted, the gum tissue will have to be healed, which could take a few months.  Immediate dentures are put in your mouth the same day that your remaining teeth were removed. Before that appointment, a dentist will measure and make models of your jaw. You won’t be without dentures while your gums heal, but your dentures may have to be relined or reconstructed after your jaw has healed.  If you have a few remaining healthy teeth, a dentist will prepare them for an overdenture, which will be placed over them and serve as anchors.  Your new dentures will likely feel awkward for a few weeks while your cheek and tongue muscles acclimate to them. Minor irritation or soreness and increased saliva flow are also not out of the ordinary. You’ll need to have follow-up visits with your dentist so he (or she) can check and adjust the dentures’ fits.  People who wear full dentures need to practice excellent dental hygiene. They must use a soft-bristled brush to clean their gums, tongue and roof of their mouth to remove plaque and particles of food. And as with their natural teeth, they must brush their dentures to remove plaque, food particles and stains. Your dentist will answer all of your questions about your adjustment period and cleaning technique.  Dental Life has a solid reputation for providing excellent care and compassionate service. New patients are always welcome to our state-of-the-art facility, your resource for the best in modern dentistry. Please call us to schedule an appointment.

September 1, 2022 How many times have you brushed your teeth? If you’ve done it twice a day every day, then that’s a lot of times! And because brushing your teeth plays a crucial part in your oral health as well as the health of the rest of your body, you want to get the most out of it. Beautiful smiles start with the professionals at Dental Life. We provide comprehensive treatment options for your dental needs and those of your whole family. We possess the skills and experience to give all of you your best smiles. Here’s how to make each cleaning a thorough cleaning.  Use the proper technique. Tilt the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and start at the gum line. Brush each tooth’s surface: the outside, the inside and the top.  Establish a pattern so you don’t miss an area. For example, begin with the outer surfaces of your top teeth, then do the outer surfaces of your bottom teeth. Then move on to the inner surfaces of your top teeth and the inner surfaces of your bottom teeth. Finish it off by attending to every top surface.  Don’t rush it. Have each session last for at least two minutes.  Pick the brush that’s best for you. If you can’t decide on bristle firmness, the head size, or between a manual or powered brush, talk about it with your dentist.  Use the best toothpaste. That means any brand that has the American Dental Association seal on its packaging. The ADA’s approval means that the toothpaste is safe and effective, and it will fight plaque and tooth decay.  Floss the right way. Every time you do it, use about 18 inches. Wind the strand tightly around your middle fingers, leaving 2 inches to work with. Gently slide the floss between your teeth and under their gum lines, using a clean section as you progress from tooth to tooth.  Keep your brush in good shape. That means keeping it clean by rinsing it off and letting it air dry. Use a new toothbrush every three to four months, when bristles start to fray and become less effective. It’s also important to toss your toothbrush after you recover from an illness.  Put your tongue in the mix. Use a tongue scraper to put the kibosh on bacteria and food particles that like to hang out in its nooks and crannies. Some toothbrushes come with scrapers on their backs.  At the office of Dental Life, our highly skilled, knowledgeable professionals are at the forefront of new technologies to make your dental treatment efficient and effective. For more information about our office and our many services, please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment today.

October 1, 2022 Youngsters like to participate in a variety of activities. Unfortunately, brushing their teeth probably isn’t one of them. But a change in attitude can make a world of difference. Parents can help their offspring by drumming up enthusiasm for it in them. When you need the services of a top-notch dentist, rely on Dental Life. All of our patients recognize the quality of our care from the moment they enter our office. We consider every patient to be unique regarding his/her wants, needs and preferences. Turn each session into two minutes of fun. In other words, don’t make kids just stand there performing a dull routine. Create an engaging two-minute event twice a day. Turn up the volume on your kid’s favorite songs and transform it into a dance party. They’ll be shocked by how quickly the time passes. Young children might be more amused if you use funny hand gestures and dance moves. Whatever tactic you employ, switch things up so brushing time is always an entertaining time. Make it a routine from which they won’t stray.  Have brushing their teeth in the morning and before bedtime be a no-big-deal standard practice. If your kids make an adverse fuss about their oral care and consider it an unnecessary inconvenience, tell them about all consequences—cavities, fillings, bad breath, loose teeth—that can result from dental neglect.  Use positive reinforcement. Who doesn’t like praise and reward for excellent work? If your child is big on stickers, create a chart and add one each time he brushes. If he likes bedtime stories, let him pick one out or read one to you. Or, you can simply tell him he did a great job and you’re proud of him.  The family that brushes together… Parents are their children’s biggest influencers. You and/or your spouse (and any other youngsters at home) can make it a group effort in the morning or at night—or both. It will instill a sense of camaraderie and not make your child’s brushing a solitary task.  At the office of Dental Life, our team of dental professionals has the cutting-edge equipment and expertise to provide our patients with unmatched care. We welcome people of all ages and look forward to establishing long-lasting relationships. Please call us today for an appointment.

November 1, 2022 Third molars are called “wisdom teeth” because they usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 21. That’s when we’re supposed to be maturing and, in the process, gaining insight and intelligence. Those four choppers came in handy when our predecessors needed them to pulverize their diets of nuts, twigs and raw meat, but those days are long gone. Wisdom teeth are usually nuisances if they erupt in the wrong position or if your mouth can’t accommodate them. A dentist might have to remove them.  The office of Dental Life is an expert in the field of dentistry. We will gladly take as much time as needed to tell you about the health of your teeth, explain to you in detail any issues you have, and offer clear explanations of your treatment options. Wisdom teeth are impacted if they’re trapped under your gums or in your jaw, which invites a host of problems. An impacted tooth can cause a cyst to form on or near it, which could damage the roots of nearby teeth or injure the supporting bone.  Wisdoms that erupt in incorrect positions hinder effective flossing between them and the molars in front of them. Food can get stuck, grow bacteria and lead to cavities. Even worse, partial eruptions give bacteria entries into gums and subsequent invitations for infections. Wisdoms without enough room to come through can misalign and damage nearby teeth.  Though each patient is unique, there are particular conditions in which wisdom teeth must be extracted. Those conditions include pain, infection, tumors, damage to nearby teeth, cysts, gum disease, tooth decay and preparation for orthodontic treatment. (Fun fact: Some people, for genetic reasons, develop no or only two wisdom teeth.) Before deciding on a course of action (if needed), a dentist will X-ray the area and monitor the wisdoms’ development. You and she (or he) will talk over the best treatment approach.  The dentist will continue to monitor the wisdoms that stay in place because issues could crop up down the road.  Dental Life is dedicated to providing excellent and considerate care. For more information, please don’t hesitate to call us today for an appointment. We look forward to finding out how we can help you.

December 1, 2022 Tartar can be the impetus behind cavities, tooth decay, gum disease and even the loss of teeth. That’s why you need to know what tartar is and why it’s important to control its buildup. At the office of Dental Life, our skilled professionals are experts at diagnosing dental issues as well as providing the treatment needed to maintain excellent oral health. Your care and comfort are our priorities, and we take as much time as you need to address your every concern and explain your options in care.  Your and everyone else’s mouth have bacteria. Even people who practice meticulous oral care can’t escape them. When bacteria mingle with proteins and food particles, the mixture produces dental plaque. This sticky film eats away at enamel and infiltrates your gum line. Plaque hardens and becomes tartar, which is also called calculus, spreads over each tooth. Only a dentist can remove tartar.  Take comfort in the fact that you can take steps to eliminate plaque before it turns into tartar.  Give your teeth a thorough brushing twice a day for at least two minutes each time. A quick, haphazard session is not sufficient.  Use a soft-bristled brush whose head is appropriate for the size of your mouth. A large head for small arches will only skim over much of your dental real estate. And be assiduous about reaching behind each tooth and getting to those back molars.  Manual or powered? Chose the type of toothbrush you are most comfortable using. But whichever one you pick, it must have the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. That means that it has passed the ADA’s demanding quality and safety tests.  The type of toothpaste you use also plays an important role. Use one that includes fluoride, focuses on tartar control and has the ADA stamp of approval.  Even if you’re a whiz with a toothbrush, some of your tartar-control efforts will be for naught if you don’t use dental floss. It’s the main way to banish plaque from between your teeth and under your gums. Flossing also removes food particles that cause plaque to form in the first place. And if you want to “go for the gold,” use a water flosser to blast the particles out of your mouth before brushing. Dental Life’sfriendly team is eager to help you feel comfortable and relaxed while receiving the best dental care. For more information about how we can help you, don’t hesitate to call us to schedule an appointment.

January 2, 2023 The holidays are filled with opportunities to share the joy of the season with our family and friends. And when those gatherings take place around the table, there are bound to be plenty of sweet temptations. Our friendly family dentist at Dental Life wants our patients to enjoy the holidays while making smart choices and keeping our oral health in mind. The holidays can be just as sweet while applying a dose of moderation! Here are a few basic recommendations for enjoying a taste of the holidays that you won’t regret come January: Sweet next-to-nothings: It’s OK to sample the pies, cakes and cookies that dance before your eyes, but place a limit on your indulgence. If there’s fruit on the table, replacing or supplementing with this healthy alternative can cut into your sugar craving. Rinse your mouth with water afterward to give your teeth a quick wash. Hard lessons: Candy canes, other hard candies and caramels are a definite no-no. And why bother with the soda that’s sure to be flowing? It’s not worth packing on the calories and sugar you’re already sampling from the holiday table. Dinner vs. dessert: Have a healthy portion of main dishes like turkey and go for the fresh veggies; don’t skimp on food in favor of leaving room for dessert. Travel kit: If you’re on the road for the holidays, don’t forget to pack a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and an interdental brush. This makes it easy to duck away from the festivities to give your teeth a thorough cleaning.  Keep your routine: It’s easy to forget our normal routines around the holidays, and that can include oral hygiene. Stick to what works: brushing and flossing at least twice a day, spending about two minutes to clean each chewing surface.  Our entire staff at Dental Life wishes you and your family a healthy and happy holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year!

February 9, 2023 It’s important to take excellent care of your teeth and gums no matter how old you are. But as with the rest of your body parts, age can take a toll on them. Due to natural wear and tear, senior citizens need to pay extra attention to their oral health. At the office of Dental Life, our skilled professionals are experts at treating patients of all ages. We provide all of our patients with treatments needed to maintain excellent oral health. Your care and comfort are our top priorities.  Older adults should monitor these dental concerns.  Tooth decay Even toddlers can get cavities, but seniors are particularly at risk because decades of use weakens tooth enamel, which promotes cavities.  Gum disease At the same time, gum recession leaves root surfaces vulnerable to decay. Left untreated, the decay infects the tissues and bones that encircle the teeth. It starts as gingivitis (swollen, red or bleeding gums) and progresses to periodontitis (receded gums and worn away bone). Still left untreated, teeth might loosen or fall out. About 66 percent of adults who are 65 and older have gum disease. And here’s a disturbing statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 34 percent of Americans 65 and older have lost six or more teeth to gum disease and tooth decay.  Dry mouth Reduced saliva production, specific medications or certain persistent conditions can lead to dry mouth, which ups the risk of cavities. Talk to your dentist for ways to replenish moisture in your mouth and your physician to find a medication or dosage that won’t dry up your saliva.  Oral cancer It’s always more treatable when found in its early stages, before it’s had a chance to metastasize. Pain isn’t a common early symptom, so regular dental checkups are crucial. Learn about oral health issues as you age, and talk to your dentist about how to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Dental Life provides premium care. For more information, please don’t hesitate to call us today for an appointment. We look forward to finding out how we can help you.

March 14, 2023 Everyone knows about teeth, but not everyone knows all there is to know about their choppers. One reason is that there are many aspects to our pearly whites, from baby teeth (technically called primary teeth) to permanent teeth. We at the office of Dental Life are oral healthcare experts and understand “all things dental.” In emphasizing the importance of preventive dental care, we are dedicated to helping every patient enjoy the benefits of a healthy and beautiful smile. We provide a comprehensive program of preventive care designed to protect your teeth and reduce your risk of dental disease. Your 20 primary teeth are in place between ages 2½ and 3. Between the ages of 6 and 12, these primary teeth begin to fall out to make way for the permanent set of teeth. Most adults have 32 permanent teeth. Teeth are versatile in their names and uses.  Central incisors and lateral incisors are the eight at the front (four on top, four on bottom) of your mouth. Their jobs are to slice and dice food into manageable sizes. Four cuspids (aka canines) flank the incisors. They grip and tear food. Four premolars (aka bicuspids, because they have two points) are next to the canines and are permanent teeth. Their job is to crush what you eat. Small bits of food are easier to digest than larger pieces.  Eight molars are also used for chewing and grinding. The four third molars are known as wisdom teeth and may need to be extracted because they’re impacted or crowding the rest of your teeth. When searching for a dental practice that’s dedicated to providing the topmost standard of personalized care, look no further than the office of Dental Life. We offer an extensive menu of high-quality dental services for people of all ages. Our skilled team has your needs in mind. For more information about our many services, please call us to schedule an appointment.

April 18, 2023 Do you dislike your smile because your front teeth have minor alignment issues? Do the issues bother you to the extent that they reduce your self-confidence in your social, personal and business lives? The many types of cosmetic dentistry include odontoplasty (also known as enameloplasty, dental recontouring and tooth reshaping). Odontoplasty might be just the thing that boosts your self-image. At the office Dental Life, we employ sophisticated technology and advanced techniques to diagnose and treat dental issues for patients of all ages. We have a long track record of successfully treating many patients, and we’re confident we can do the same for you.  Odontoplasty can make a significant difference in the symmetry of your smile if: one tooth slightly overlaps another, the lengths of your front teeth don’t match, one or more teeth are too pointed, there’s minor crowding, or the enamel has bulges. Odontoplasty is painless, non-invasive and completed in one appointment.  Here’s how it works. Enamel is a tooth’s thin, see-through outer covering. (Dentin, the hard tissue beneath the enamel, gives teeth their color.)A dentist removes small amounts of enamel using a sanding disc or a diamond-tipped drill. He (or she) uses the tool to fine-tune a tooth’s shape, size and/or length. The dentist then completes the procedure by polishing the area, and the results are immediate.  Aftercare Odontoplasty makes the enamel of the treated tooth/teeth thinner, so you must maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine. Brush twice daily, and use dental floss and a water flosser before your final brush of the day.  Ask a dentist if odontoplasty would benefit you. Dental Life is your go-to destination for safe and effective odontoplasty and all of your general dental needs. For more information about our office and our many services, please don’t hesitate to phone us today.

May 25, 2023 Admittedly, tongue scraping does not have a pleasant sound to it. In fact, it sounds uncomfortable at best! But as our friendly dentist at Dental Life explains, it’s a proven method of enhancing your oral health. And it’s not painful at all! Here’s what tongue scraping is all about and how to do it correctly. Our tongues are repositories for bacteria, food particles and debris which cause bad breath. Using mouthwash only masks the odor, as opposed to removing the culprits.  Besides resulting in fresher breath and possibly a sharper sense of taste, ridding our mouths of bacteria provides another defense against tooth decay, gum disease and other problems.  What you’ll need to give this a try is a tool called (what else?) a tongue scraper available in plastic, stainless steel and other materials. It looks a bit like an inverted spoon, and in fact you can use an ordinary household spoon or even your toothbrush as a tryout.  Now, standing at the mirror, open your mouth, stick out your tongue and place the rounded edge of the scraper gently at the back of the tongue. If you feel your gag reflex kicking in, start in the middle of the tongue. Pull the scraper forward from the back to the tip. Wash the scraper off and repeat one more time, Clean the scraper thoroughly with soap and warm water. This short process can be repeated as often as needed, There really isn’t a downside to this simple process. Just be gentle, especially at first, when placing the scraper to avoid triggering the gag reflex, and make sure the scraper doesn’t have any sharp or uneven edges. If you notice your tongue has a “hairy” appearance or an unusual color, please contact our dentist for an evaluation.  Here’s another simple way to improve your oral hygiene: Visit our friendly dentist at Dental Life regularly for checkups and cleanings! Please contact us today for an appointment.

June 26, 2023 The human body is a complex system in which everything is interconnected. From head to toe, what affects one area of your body influences one or more other areas. The well-being of your whole mouth is just one example. It’s a component of your whole physical being, which is why taking excellent care of it is crucial.  When receiving care from a dentist, you want a thoughtful and detailed provider who makes you feel at ease, listens to any of your concerns, offers excellent service and works with you throughout your treatment. Dental Life is proud to possess all of those qualities. Here are examples of how gum disease, gum infections and untreated cavities can trigger health issues elsewhere. Some may surprise you!  Cardiovascular disease is an overall term for heart and blood vessel disorders. Coronary artery disease can bring on heart failure and heart attacks. It’s the primary cause of death in the U.S. People with periodontitis are quite prone to atherosclerosis (clogged blood vessels that run oxygen and blood out from the heart). There’s a strong connection between periodontal disease and  strokes (when part of your brain loses its blood supply), especially strokes linked to atherosclerosis. Endocarditis is a bacterial infection in a heart’s valves—and sometimes its chambers. Unhealthy hearts can acquire endocarditis during a highly invasive procedure, such as a tooth extraction.  Untreated cavities have been known to cause bacterial, viral and fungal types of pneumonia when oral bacteria travel into the lungs through the nose, pharynx or larynx. Oral bacteria have also been associated with pregnancy and birth complications. The bacteria can make its way into the bloodstream and harm the woman and/or the fetus. Detriments include gestational diabetes, preeclampsia , stunted growth, low birth weight, stillbirth and miscarriage.  Now that you know of the significant connections between oral health and systemic health, it’s time to evaluate your dental routine. It should include brushing at least twice a day, flossing and using an oral irrigator once a day, and visiting a dentist every six months.  We here at Dental Life are dental experts. Please call us today to learn how we can serve you.

July 25, 2023 Americans are known around the world for their healthy and attractive teeth. Our standards are higher than those in other countries, and many of us work hard to sport sparkling smiles. One method to banish tooth discolorations is to use whiteners. But have you ever thought about how and why some of those stains appear? We want to tell you! In addition to improving and protecting your oral health, Dental Life’s services include a selection of cosmetic treatments to enhance your smile. We can transform less-than-perfect teeth into the smile of your dreams.  These types of discolorations are notorious for tarnishing teeth.  Extrinsic stains tinge enamel, which covers each tooth. It protects the dentin, which is softer than enamel and lies right under it. Enamel is the toughest part of a tooth and comes into contact with everything you put in your mouth. And considering all the color-potent things we stuff in our maws—such as berries, nicotine, red wine, coffee and tomato-based sauces—it’s no surprise that the enamel absorbs some of it. Here’s the good news: Extrinsics don’t move out of the enamel, so they’re easy to remove.  Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, slip through the enamel and into the dentin. Dentin, which is inherently dimmer and has more of a yellow tint than enamel, becomes exposed due to thinning enamel or life’s typical wear and tear. Intrinsics are a bit harder to eradicate.  Age stains are the mark of the passage of time. No one is exempt from the elapse of time. Enamel gets thinner and dentin turns darker. Even the most ardent oral care routines don’t stop these changes.  At-home whitening products can help relieve your teeth of extrinsic, intrinsic or age-related stains, but it’s best to put the job in the professional hands of a dentist. He or she will have a variety of whitening methods on hand that best suit your preferences and needs.  At the office of Dental Life, our friendly, highly trained team will help you and your family feel comfortable and relaxed while providing the very best in dental care. For more information about our many services, please call us today. We look forward to hearing from you!