The habit: “Tooth enamel is a crystal. Ice is a crystal. When you push two crystals against each other, one will break,” Dr. Messina says. “Most of the time it’s the ice, but sometimes the tooth or a filling will break.”
The solution: Drink chilled beverages without ice, or use a straw so you're not tempted. “The risk of chewing ice is greater than any pleasure that comes from chewing it,” he says. “Besides, ice is really cold!”
To read the entire article please visit MouthHealthy.org
Solace Dental
SolaceDental.com
The Vibraject™ for Painless Injections
Even if you aren’t anxious about visits to the dentist – who wants to feel even a little pain? Nobody! We are proud to be one of the dental practices utilizing the latest in technology that helps to eliminate the fear of needles. It’s called Vibraject™. This device sends gentle vibrations to the injection site. The vibrations are picked up by the nerve endings before the sensation of the needle. This essentially eliminates pain messages and allows us to give you a comfortable, pain-free injection. Our patients often tell us they “didn’t feel a thing!”
Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org
Sweet as the holidays may be, sugar-packed treats can wreak havoc on your pearly whites. This season, ring in the festivities with healthy and fun holiday snack options that fill your mouth with joy.
Pita Tree Appetizers
The low-fat sour cream in this recipe is a source of vitamin D, which strengthens bones and teeth.
Get the recipe >>
Grinch Poppers
Be good for goodness sake to your teeth with these Grinch Poppers. For a healthier and more MouthHealthy alternative, swap the sugary and sticky marshmallow for another piece of banana.
Get the recipe >>
To read the entire article with all healthy snacks please visit MouthHealthy.org
The habit: Grazing all day, especially on sugary foods and drinks, puts you at a higher risk for cavities. When you eat, cavity-causing bacteria feast leftover food, producing an acid that attacks the outer shell of your teeth.
The solution: Eat balanced meals to feel fuller, longer. If you need a snack, make sure it's low in fat and sugar. If you indulge in the occasional sugary treat, follow it with a big glass of water to wash away leftover food.
To read the entire article please visit MouthHealthy.org
Solace Dental
SolaceDental.com
The habit: Your teeth were made for eating, not to stand in as a pair of scissors or hold things when your hands are full. When you do this, you put yourself at a higher risk of cracking your teeth, injuring your jaw or accidentally swallowing something you shouldn’t.
The solution: Stop and find something or someone to give you a hand. Your mouth will thank you.
To read the entire article please visit MouthHealthy.org
Solace Dental
SolaceDental.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org
Sweet as the holidays may be, sugar-packed treats can wreak havoc on your pearly whites. This season, ring in the festivities with healthy and fun holiday snack options that fill your mouth with joy.
Black Olive Penguins
These penguins will waddle their way into your heart - especially because they’re filled with cream cheese, which has calcium.
Get the recipe >>
Cheesy Reindeer
Rich in calcium, cheese is always a MouthHealthy favorite. To get perfectly round eyes and noses, the author of this recipe used a juice box-sized straw to cut round pieces of black olive and a larger straw for the red pepper nose.
Get the recipe >>
To read the entire article with all healthy snacks please visit MouthHealthy.org
The habit: This nervous habit can chip teeth and impact your jaw. “Placing your jaw for long periods of time in a protruding position can place pressure on it, which is associated with jaw dysfunction,” says Dr. Ruchi Sahota.
The solution: Bitter-tasting nail polishes, stress reduction and setting small, realistic goals can help. If certain situations are triggers, hold something to keep your fingers busy.
To read the entire article please visit MouthHealthy.org
Solace Dental
SolaceDental.com
The habit: Brushing for two minutes twice a day is one of the best habits you can get into. Just make sure you’re not trying too hard. “Brushing with a hard toothbrush, or brushing too hard, can damage teeth and irritate gums,” says Dr. Matthew Messina.
The solution: Use a soft toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance at the proper pressure. “Don’t think ‘scrub.’ Think ‘massage,’” he says. “Save the hard toothbrush for cleaning the grout in the bathroom tile.”
To read the entire article please visit MouthHealthy.org
Solace Dental
SolaceDental.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org
Sweet as the holidays may be, sugar-packed treats can wreak havoc on your pearly whites. This season, ring in the festivities with healthy and fun holiday snack options that fill your mouth with joy.
Egg Snowmen
These adorable snowmen - made with hard-boiled eggs, carrots and peppercorns - will melt your heart before melting in your mouth. Eggs are a source of Vitamin D, which is needed to help absorb, carry and deposit calcium in the bone that supports your teeth. Carrots - which are crunchy, firm and full of water - help to scrub your teeth clean like a natural toothbrush.
Get the recipe >>
Spinach Artichoke Frittata Trees
You won’t need to cut down on these trees! Dairy products like milk contain calcium, eggs are a source of Vitamin D and leafy greens like spinach are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. (Just be sure to floss before flashing a smile beneath the mistletoe!)
Get the recipe >>
To read the entire article with all healthy snacks please visit MouthHealthy.org
Natural-Looking White Fillings
For some time, the silver-mercury amalgam was the traditional filling material used by dentists, and many practices still use it. While they are a reasonable restoration, amalgams have a couple of problems. Metal does not bond well to teeth, so decay will leak into a tooth. The biggest reason many of our patients select white bonded fillings has to do with the way they look. Many patients just don’t want an ugly metal filling in their teeth. We offer modern restorations that are a natural-looking white, contain no metals, and will actually strengthen your tooth structure. They also bond securely with the healthy part of the tooth so there is much less chance of future dental decay.
The habit: “This can cause chipping or cracking of the teeth, as well as muscle tenderness or joint pain,” Dr. Messina says. “You might also feel like you can’t open your mouth wide or chew with pain.”
The solution: “Relaxation exercises and staying aware makes a difference,” he says. A nighttime mouthguard can also help. “You’ll have less tooth damage, less pain and muscle soreness and better sleep.”
To read the entire article please visit MouthHealthy.org
Solace Dental
SolaceDental.com
Early Prevention…or Braces Later
Many of us remember the embarrassment and discomfort of wearing braces as a child. In some cases, this is necessary to correct serious malocclusion (or bite disorder). However, in many cases, early treatment by a knowledgeable dentist can minimize the extent of orthodontics or possibly eliminate the need completely.
Younger children have the advantage of growth on their side, and their teeth and bones are more pliable than those of adults. Catching a child’s malocclusion at an early age can be beneļ¬cial to how the permanent teeth come together. The earlier these issues are detected, the more planning and prevention we can offer to your child.
Using the latest techniques, the team at Solace Dental can now make braces more comfortable and attractive than in the past. It used to be that a child or adult might spend 3 to 5 years in treatment. It’s not that way anymore! The time needed for treatment will vary from patient to patient, but usually can be completed in 6 - 24 months or less.
The Vibraject™ for Painless Injections
For some time, the silver-mercury amalgam was the traditional filling material used by dentists, and many practices still use it. While they are a reasonable restoration, amalgams have a couple of problems. Metal does not bond well to teeth, so decay will leak into a tooth. The biggest reason many of our patients select white bonded fillings has to do with the way they look. Many patients just don’t want an ugly metal filling in their teeth. We offer modern restorations that are a natural-looking white, contain no metals, and will actually strengthen your tooth structure. They also bond securely with the healthy part of the tooth so there is much less chance of future dental decay.
Many of us remember the embarrassment and discomfort of wearing braces as a child. In some cases, this is necessary to correct serious malocclusion (or bite disorder). However, in many cases, early treatment by a knowledgeable dentist can minimize the extent of orthodontics or possibly eliminate the need completely. 