Are you Happy with your Smile?

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Pretty Smile LadyJune is National Smile Month. This is kind of like Christmas for dentists. Since we are in the business of preventing, restoring, and cosmetically altering smiles, we have a vested interest in the grin of every one of our patients. Most people think that smiling is an involuntary response to feeling happy. However, if you are unhappy, the act of smiling can turn your mood around through a rush of endorphins. Dr. Ann Kania would like to make sure that your smile is everything you want it to be.

Building Confident Smiles

A natural, confident, attractive smile can make a big difference in your life, whether you are the one flashing the grin, or you are on the receiving end. Anyone who is extremely uncomfortable with the way their (more…)

Periodontal Disease, and Other Causes of Tooth Loss

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periodontal disease and causes of tooth lossIn a nutshell, one of the most important goals of maintaining good hygiene and regular dental care is the preservation of your healthy, natural teeth and oral structures. In some cases, though, this may not always be possible. Whether by accident or by neglect, adults lose their permanent teeth at an alarming rate, and if not addressed promptly, the loss can have devastating effects on their long-term oral health. Today, we explore the common causes of tooth loss, including periodontal disease, and how they can cost you one or more teeth without proper care and attention. (more…)

What is a Periodontal Cleaning?

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what is a periodontal cleaningWhile regular dental cleanings are a typical, and vitally important, part of a good dental hygiene routine, there may come a time when a simple dental cleaning will not suffice. For instance, when gingivitis becomes a prominent threat, you may require a deeper periodontal cleaning, designed to treat gingivitis by cleaning away the bacteria that lead to its development. Unlike a regular cleaning, a periodontal cleaning may involve more than one visit, and though it isn’t typical, the more advanced preventive treatment might be necessary to protect your oral health, and more. (more…)

Questions About Laser Periodontal Treatment

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questions about laser periodontal treatmentToday, advanced dental and periodontal treatment often involves the use of laser technology. For instance, using a specially-calibrated soft-tissue laser instead of a scalpel, we can perform periodontal surgery to treat gum disease with unmatched precision and reduced damage to surrounding tissues. In fact, with specialized training and education in laser periodontal treatment, Dr. Kania is particularly qualified to help you maintain, restore, and improve your periodontal health using the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, or the LANAP protocol. (more…)

Oral Health Risks As You Age

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oral health risks as you ageThough your teeth are meant to endure, they may not last your entire lifetime, and your chances of developing a destructive dental disease can increase as you grow older. If infection, gum disease, accidental trauma, or excessive tooth wear afflict your smile, then you have a number of options specific to your needs that can restore your smile to its former glory. Whether you’ve never had a dental issue and you’d like to keep it that way, or if you currently have gum disease and are trying to keep it under control, proper oral health care is vital to your mouth’s continued good health. (more…)

Smokeless Tobacco—A Dangerous Alternative to Smoking

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smokeless tobacco - dangerous alternativeAlthough tobacco companies are required to place warning labels on their products, they are not required to provide a full list of the products’ ingredients on each package. Therefore, even people who are aware that tobacco use can be dangerous may not realize to what extent until they are faced with the consequences. Unfortunately, lack of information also misleads some consumers into believing that tobacco is safer if it is chewed rather than smoked. The truth, however, is that smokeless tobacco is equally dangerous (if not more so), and is a leading contributor to a number of potentially-fatal diseases, including oral cancer. (more…)

Gum Disease and Heart Disease in Women

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woman gum disease & heart diseaseThe natures of gum disease and heart disease (two of the most harmful oral and systemic diseases) do not differ from person to person, and without proper care, each can be equally harmful to everyone. However, many of the biological differences between men and women can mean that women may sometimes be at an increased risk of either. To explain, and to help you boost your fight against gum disease and heart disease, we take a look at why women should often be even more diligent in taking care of their oral and overall health. (more…)

What Are Pinhole® Gum Grafts?

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pinhole gum graftsGum grafts are a common recourse for restoring periodontal tissue that has become irreversibly damaged or infected, or that has receded significantly and exposed your vulnerable teeth roots. As part of our continued dedication to providing advanced services and techniques that make your care more comfortable and effective, Dr. Kania is now certified to provide Pinhole® gum grafts using the advanced PST® (Pinhole Surgical Technique) developed by Dr. John Chao. In many cases, pinhole surgery allows us to reestablish your periodontal health with no sutures, and a significantly shorter healing period. (more…)

Keep Your Oral Health Safe from Tobacco

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keep oral health safe from tobaccoThe dangers of smoke and tobacco to your health are not a well-guarded secret. Experts, including the surgeon general, agree that smoking kills healthy tissue cells and can lead to or exacerbate a wide variety of health issues, including lung disease and cancer. Since your mouth is the first part of your body to come into contact with cigarette smoke, we explore the damage tobacco smoke can wreak on your oral health. (more…)

Nutrition’s Role in Your Dental Health Maintenance

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nutrition's role in dental healthThere are a number of factors that can influence your oral health and the effectiveness of your dental hygiene, most importantly the food and beverages that you consume. While most of us have been warned from early ages to refrain from candy, cookies, cakes, and other cavity-causing concoctions, some people may be surprised to learn that what you eat can actually benefit your oral health, rather than threatening it. Today, we explore some of the nutrients that you should include in your diet to help keep your smile strong and healthy. (more…)