You’ve probably heard about dental plaque and tartar – but do you know the difference between the two? Both plaque and tartar increase the risk of cavities and gum disease, and we need to keep our teeth clean of them for good dental health. However, tartar is a much more concerning oral health issue than plaque, and can only be removed and treated by dental professionals – whereas plaque can be removed simply at home. We’ll break down the difference between plaque and tartar

Trying to eat healthy this summer? It can be tough! Sweet summer treats like lemonade, popsicles and ice cream are great for cooling off – but they are also loaded with sugar, which wreaks havoc on our oral and overall health over time. And even in so-called “healthy” treats like frozen yogurt, added sugar renders them surprisingly unhealthy. In fact, most flavored froyos contain as much sugar as ice cream! But that shouldn’t deter you from regular, plain yogurt. Plain yogurt

Have you been told you have gum disease? Gum disease is all too common, with nearly 50% of all American adults suffering from some stage of the disease. If left untreated, it can worsen and have serious consequences, such as chronic bad breath, deterioration of the jaw bone, tooth loss, and even heart or lung disease via the spread of oral bacteria in the bloodstream. Fortunately, gum disease is also very preventable and treatable! The first step to preventing gum disease is

Imagine losing a front tooth due to a sports injury, or painfully cracking a tooth due to habitual teeth grinding. The trauma of the injury would be distressing enough on its own, but simple enjoyments and daily routines like eating, speaking and smiling would also be affected. In many cases, dental injury is preventable with mouth guards! Mouthguard Uses Sports & Recreation: Teeth are extremely vulnerable to damage when they are not properly protected while playing contact s

Here at Zen Dental Center, we welcome patients of all ages and accommodate the unique needs of every patient! We know that infants and toddlers require a special approach to dental care, and that the very first visit can seem intimidating to both parent and child. Not to worry – ahead, we’ll walk you through all the whens, whys, hows and whats about your baby’s first dental appointment! When and Why Should Babies Go to the Dentist? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

You've heard of dental fillings and crowns, but have you heard of inlays and onlays? In the past, dental crowns were always the go-to solution for restoring teeth too damaged to be repaired with fillings. But today, there are intermediary options: Inlays and Onlays. What are Inlays and Onlays? Inlays and onlays (also known as indirect fillings) are strong, durable tooth restorations that are custom made to repair a tooth, and are great options for restoring teeth with medium

Got sensitive teeth? You’re not alone – an estimated 1 in 8 American adults have sensitive teeth that can make eating, drinking, and even brushing their teeth a painful experience. The causes of sensitive teeth can vary widely – from worn enamel, diseased or receding gums, exposed tooth roots, or damaged teeth (such as a dental cavity, or cracked or chipped teeth). The first step to finding relief for your sensitive teeth should always be to visit your dentist to determine th

National Tooth Fairy Day is February 28th! Healthy baby teeth are so important for a young child’s health and development – they aid young children’s digestion, speech and social development; they help the jaw and other facial features develop properly; and they guide adult teeth into the correct positions. If a child’s baby teeth are decayed, or lost or pulled too early, the child may suffer from difficulties in development as well as crooked adult teeth and other dental pro

February is American Heart Month! We all know that a healthy diet and regular exercise are great for a healthy heart, but here’s a lesser known fact: your oral health has a big impact on your heart health, too! People with periodontal (gum) disease may be two times more likely to develop heart disease compared with people with healthy gums. How are oral health and heart health linked? Two interconnected factors: inflammation and the spread of oral bacteria through the bloodst

Baby teeth may be temporary, but they are incredibly important! They play a big role in a growing child’s speech, digestion, and social development, and also serve as placeholders that help guide adult teeth into their correct positions. And because they’re so important to a young child’s health and development, it is very important to prevent cavities in baby teeth. What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay? Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is called baby bottle tooth decay (also c

Diet sodas may be a tempting choice for people seeking to cut down on sugar and calorie intake, but the truth is that “diet” sodas may just be an empty promise. Studies suggest that diet sodas actually cause weight gain and other unwanted health issues. And due to their high acidity, diet sodas are just as damaging to tooth enamel and oral health as regular sodas. Diet Soda vs. Regular Soda for Oral Health? One might think that diet soda is better for teeth than regular sodas

Wish you could improve your smile? Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you, and many view an attractive smile as an important social and career asset. Many of today’s cosmetic dental treatments have a restorative component along with their aesthetic purpose and work doubly to improve your smile while also improving your oral health. Listed below are the 6 most popular cosmetic dental treatments today. Teeth Whitening Teeth Whitening is probably the most po

‘Tis the season for lights, gatherings, smiles, and food -- lots of food. It can be tough to eat healthy and in moderation during the holidays, so we’ve put together a few holiday-themed, tooth-friendly snack ideas that will help you keep the cravings under control while keeping your mouth (and your dentist) happy! Antipasto Wreath What You Will Need: Large Circular Platter Fresh Rosemary Sprigs Sliced Cheeses and Meats Assorted Fruits and Vegetables, such as: seedless grapes

November is National Diabetes Month, and we want to do our part in raising awareness of the effects of diabetes on oral health! An unfortunate truth about living with diabetes is that the disease increases the risk of developing a number of oral health issues, like gum disease, tooth decay (aka cavities), thrush, and more. But fortunately, it is also true that with a bit of extra TLC, you can take control of your oral health, and have a happy, healthy mouth! Diabetes and Your

Do you use an electric toothbrush or a regular one? Does one type seem like it cleans your teeth better than the other? The truth is that both manual and electric toothbrushes are great at cleaning your teeth effectively, as long as they are used properly! That said, there are several pros and cons that may make one type a better choice for you over the other. Let’s take a look! Manual Toothbrush Pros: Affordable and easy to replace - Standard toothbrushes are widely availabl

Do you ever feel self conscious about your breath? Bad breath happens to everyone at some point or another, but chronic bad breath (aka halitosis, or oral malodor) is a glaring warning sign that you need to make some changes to your oral health routine! Common Causes of Bad Breath The first step to getting rid of chronic bad breath is to figure out what is causing it. Sometimes the cause is obvious, such as not brushing or flossing daily. But sometimes the cause of chronic ba

Are you trying to cut down on sugar? As dentists and health professionals, we definitely support that choice! But be aware: though many drinks and foods claim that they are “diet” and sugar-free, not all artificial sweeteners are created equal. But how do artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes affect the health of our mouth and teeth? Scientists are still learning about the health effects that various sugar substitutes have on the human body, but we do know that artifici

When a tooth is damaged beyond a simple filling repair, a dental crown can often save it and protect it from further damage, and/or improve its aesthetic appearance! But how exactly is a crown custom-made and delivered to suit your smile? Let’s take a look at the dental crown procedure! The Dental Crown Procedure As with any dental treatment, an initial consultation is needed to determine that a crown is the ideal choice for you. We will also confirm that your tooth and surr

Did you know: Dental crowns have been used for thousands of years! There is evidence that ancient Etruscans used rudimentary gold tooth coverings to restore the shape and function of teeth - which is effectively still the purpose of dental crowns today. Crowns have evolved quite a bit since ancient times however, from placement and crafting techniques and technologies, to dental crown materials. How Does a Crown Restore A Tooth? Today, a dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” t

“Baby teeth fall out anyway, so they’re not important.” ─ We hear this often, yet it couldn’t be further from the truth! Baby teeth, or primary teeth, serve as placeholders for adult teeth and play a very important role in a child’s physical, emotional and social development. Baby teeth aid a growing child in their: Health and Nutrition ─ Chewing requires teeth! - and also fosters good nutrition and aids digestion. If a child has dental pain due to cavities and is unable to p