Dental Tips & Articles
Dental Health Blog
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) Causes, Effects and Treatments
Quick Summary Dry mouth affects about one-tenth of the population and reduces saliva's ability to protect your teeth from bacteria, bad breath, and decay. Common causes include over 400 medications that list dry mouth as a side effect, as well as smoking, drinking,...
It Is Time For Back To School Dental Check Ups!
Quick Summary Children who visit the dentist every six months have approximately a 90% chance of reaching college without a cavity in a permanent tooth. Back-to-school dental visits include professional cleaning, comprehensive exams covering growth, development,...
5 Simple Ways To Improve Oral Health
Quick Summary Beyond standard brushing and flossing, you can improve your oral health by replacing your toothbrush every 3-4 months to prevent bacteria buildup, using an electric toothbrush to avoid damaging enamel, and adding a tongue scraper to eliminate bad breath....
Sedation Dentistry? Dental Fear? We Can Help You
Quick Summary Dental anxiety affects 9 to 15 percent of Americans, but most patients can overcome fear through gradual exposure, communication with their dentist, and modern comfort techniques like Kovanaze nasal spray or nitrous oxide. Modern dental technology has...
I Was Told My Child Is A Mouth Breather, What Does This Mean?
Quick Summary Mouth-breathing in children can alter facial development, causing flatter features and a narrow jaw, and may lead to extended orthodontic treatment with higher relapse rates and increased risk for sleep apnea. In Chattanooga, enlarged tonsils and nasal...
Impact Of Medication On Oral Health?
Quick Summary Many common medications can harm your teeth and gums through direct contact damage or side effects like dry mouth, gum inflammation, and altered taste. Steroid inhalers for asthma and allergies may cause oral thrush, a fungal infection with white patches...
Dental Patient Testimonial Featuring Josh Bennett McOmie Family Dentistry Chattanooga, TN
Josh Bennett speaks about how having cosmetic dental work done by McOmie Family Dentistry that has allowed him to pursue his dreams of being a professional opera singer. Josh was born with a cleft lip /cleft palate that required several...
Heard of swimmers ear? How about swimmers mouth?
Quick summary Chlorine in pools with improper pH balance can erode tooth enamel and cause swimmer's calculus, which leaves yellow and brown stains on teeth and increases sensitivity. Deep-water diving introduces additional risks including barodontalgia (tooth squeeze...
Dental Implants What Exactly Are They?
Quick Summary Dental implants are a replacement option for patients missing one or several teeth due to periodontal disease, tooth decay, or injury-related trauma. They can restore both function and appearance when you have experienced...
Teeth Have White Spots? What Can Be Done?
Quick Summary White spots on teeth can result from fluorosis, enamel hypoplasia, or demineralization, and several treatments are available depending on severity. Microabrasion removes a thin enamel layer for uniform appearance, bleaching balances tooth color, bonding...
Grinding Your Teeth Is A Serious Condition Called Bruxism. What Can be done?
Quick Summary Bruxism is teeth grinding or clenching that can occur during sleep or while awake, often linked to stress, sleep apnea, or misaligned teeth, and may cause jaw pain, headaches, tooth damage, and sensitivity. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and...
Invisalign Patents Are Running Out What Does This Mean For People Wanting Invisalign “Braces”?
Quick Summary Invisalign's patent protection is expiring, with 40 key patents ending in October 2017 and an average of 23 more expiring each year through 2018 and beyond, which is expected to bring more competitors into the clear aligner market and reduce treatment...