Dental Tips & Articles
Dental Health Blog
What Is A Dental Assistant?
Quick summary Dental assistants are specially trained professionals who assist dentists with all procedures, while dental hygienists focus on teeth cleaning. In Tennessee, dental assistants must complete a year-long Registered Dental Assistant program and maintain...
Why Does Food Taste Funny After Brushing Your Teeth?
Quick Summary Surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in toothpaste suppress your sweet taste receptors and enhance bitter flavors, making foods taste blander or more sour immediately after brushing. The effect fades after about 30 minutes as your saliva dilutes...
Helping Your Kids Learn And Love To Brush Their Teeth
Quick Summary Children are more likely to brush their teeth consistently when they understand why it matters, participate in choosing their own supplies, and experience it as fun rather than a chore. Start brushing once teeth emerge using a smear of toothpaste the...
4 Tips To Soothe A Toothache Before Your Appointment
Quick Summary Toothaches stem from underlying causes like decay, gum disease, or enamel erosion and only worsen without professional treatment, so seeing a dentist as quickly as possible is essential for both pain relief and treating the root cause. Temporary at-home...
See The Full Picture On Dental X-Rays
Quick Summary Digital dental X-rays detect tooth decay between teeth, under existing dental work, and below the gum line that visual exams cannot reveal, enabling early diagnosis and treatment. Digital X-rays reduce radiation exposure by up to 90% compared to...
Does Your Child Grind Their Teeth and Can Bruxism Cause a TMJ Disorder?
Quick Summary Between 20 and 30 percent of children grind or clench their teeth at some point during childhood, a condition called bruxism that occurs most commonly at night. Most children outgrow bruxism without lasting damage to their teeth, and TMJ problems are...
Fluoride Removed From Soddy Daisy Water System! Is this good or bad?
Quick Summary Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel, repairs early-stage cavities through remineralization, and reduces acid production by plaque bacteria, helping prevent decay at all ages. Communities that first added fluoride to...
Dental Health: Why Do I Always Have Dry Mouth?
Quick summary Dry mouth happens when your salivary glands don't produce enough of the two to four pints of saliva your body normally generates each day, putting you at higher risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and infection. Medications for allergies, blood pressure,...
Should We Throw Away Our Dental Floss?
Quick Summary No, you should not throw away your dental floss because failing to floss leads to cavities and gum disease. Daily clinical observation shows that patients who consistently brush and floss maintain healthy mouths, while those who skip these practices...
How To Prepare For Your Child’s First Dentist Appointment
Quick Summary Your child's first dental visit sets the tone for lifelong oral health habits, and starting at age 3 helps them grow comfortable with regular checkups. Preparing your child by explaining what will happen during the visit reduces fear of the unknown and...
How Everyday Habits Can Affect Your Teeth
Quick Summary Everyday habits like nail biting, using teeth as tools, chewing pens or pencils, and chewing ice can cause chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth and worn enamel even though enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. Ice chewing is especially...
Electric Toothbrush Who Needs One? and Why
Quick Summary Electric toothbrushes deliver thousands to tens of thousands of strokes per minute compared to the 300 strokes achieved manually, cleaning teeth more thoroughly and reducing plaque buildup. They include built-in timers and pressure sensors to ensure...