Dental Tips & Articles
Dental Health Blog
I Think I Grind My Teeth At Night, Do I Need A Night guard?
Quick Summary Night guards create a cushioning barrier between your upper and lower teeth to prevent irreversible damage from grinding and clenching, protecting teeth from chipping and erosion while the guard itself absorbs wear. Custom-fitted guards from a dentist...
It Is National Pet Day!!!! Show Us Your Pet!
Quick Summary National Pet Day on April 11th is a celebration of the pets that bring joy to daily life, and research shows that people who live with pets live longer, happier, and more productive lives. McOmie Family Dentistry's team includes passionate pet owners who...
Athletic Mouth Guards What Do They Do?
Quick Summary Custom athletic mouth guards prevent three major dental injuries: tooth fractures, complete tooth avulsion (when a tooth is knocked completely out), and luxation (when teeth become loose from direct impact). Modern custom guards are made using digital...
We Are American Dental Association Members. Why Choose An ADA Member?
Quick Summary Choosing an ADA member dentist means you receive care from professionals who participate in ongoing clinical research, hold leadership positions in professional associations, and stay current with rapidly evolving dental science. McOmie Family Dentistry...
Cokes, Ice and Your Teeth How Do They Mix?
Quick Summary Sugary drinks feed oral bacteria that produce acids which erode tooth enamel and increase gum disease risk, while carbonated beverages contain phosphoric, citric, and carbonic acids that attack enamel directly even in diet versions. Chewing ice can break...
Tooth Fairy From Cultures Around The World
Quick Summary Lost tooth traditions differ globally, ranging from tooth mice who exchange teeth for coins in Spain and France, to roof-throwing rituals in Greece and China where tooth landing position may determine how the new tooth grows. In the United States, 80% of...
Get To Know Chattanooga Dentist Dr. Mark McOmie and McOmie Family Dentistry
Quick Summary Dr. Mark McOmie leads McOmie Family Dentistry in Chattanooga with specialized expertise in advanced dental materials and modern technology. The practice focuses on solution-oriented care tailored to your individual dental...
Quitting Smoking And Your Dental Health
Quick Summary Smoking doubles your risk of gum disease, restricts blood flow to oral tissues which delays healing, and is linked to 80 percent of oral cancer diagnoses. It causes visible staining in every crack of your teeth, thick white patches on the roof of your...
What About Gum Recession? How Did I Get It?
Quick Summary Gum recession occurs primarily from tartar buildup caused by irregular dental cleanings, chronic teeth-grinding (bruxism), or overbrushing with hard-bristled brushes. When plaque hardens into tartar along gum lines, it leads to gingivitis and can...
Halloween Candy, How To Manage All Those Sweets!
Quick Summary Limiting how much Halloween candy your child eats is more effective at preventing tooth decay than choosing specific candy types. You can set a plan before trick-or-treating to trade most of the candy for a non-candy prize or limit how many houses your...
What Toothbrush Should I Be Using?
Quick Summary Soft-bristle toothbrushes are always recommended because hard bristles scrape away enamel and cause permanent gum recession. Electric toothbrushes outperform manual brushes by decreasing plaque up to 21 percent more and lowering gingivitis risk by 11...
Do It Yourself Tooth Whitening, Does It Work? Separating Fact From Fiction
Quick Summary Most DIY tooth whitening methods like charcoal and lemon juice can permanently damage your enamel, while FDA-approved professional systems like Glo and Opalescence deliver proven, safe results. Charcoal scrapes away protective enamel even as it absorbs...