Are you afraid of going to the dentist? You’re not alone. In fact, according to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, up to 75% of people in the US experience at least some fear of dental treatment, while 5-10% suffer from dental phobia, the fear of dentists and dental treatment; causing them to avoid the dentist regardless of the consequences.

As all of us are becoming increasingly aware, getting older can have profound effects on our bodies, many of them to our detriment. Of course, like every other area of your body, your mouth, teeth, and gums are also affected by the ageing process. But, again similar to other areas of your body, preventive care and a healthy lifestyle can prevent or postpone the negative effects of aging in your mouth.

The most recent numbers we can find are that, as of early 2011, there were some 352 types of toothpaste available in the US, according an article in the Wall Street Journal. If you find the number of choices confusing, you’re certainly not alone. Whether you're looking for an "advanced whitening formula," or "tarter control"; whether you would like help controlling plaque buildup or a toothpaste for "sensitive teeth," not to mention the variety of flavors available as gels, and pastes, the dizzying array of toothpaste choices can easily overwhelm and confuse the conscientious toothpaste shopper.

A cracked tooth can be a minor problem, where only the enamel of the tooth is affected and which buffing can repair, or it can be very serious, reaching all the way to the tooth root and requiring a root canal to repair. Either way, if you have a cracked tooth, you should see your dentist for an expert evaluation and treatment, to prevent possible further damage to your tooth.

In August of 2013, the New York Times reported that a recent study, published in the Journal of Endodontics, had found that hospitalizations due to oral infections was on the rise, and that deaths due to oral infections may be as well. The story included a report of a 12 year old child from Maryland who had died due to an untreated tooth abscess, when the bacteria from the infection travelled to his brain.

Patients with congenital or acquired facial defects are candidates for what is known as "Maxillofacial Prosthodontics". Patients may be seen for maxillofacial prosthetics include those with birth anomalies such as hemifacial microsomia, ectodermal dysplasia, or cleft lip and palate. Patients who have been treated for oral cancer, or who have experienced trauma to the face or mouth may also require maxillofacial prosthodontics. In other words, Maxillofacial Prosthetics is a subspecialty of Prosthodontics that involves rehabilitation of patients with significant oral or facial defects, regardless of the cause.

The Dental Health Blog is intended to educate and inform, so we would like to offer some information on the various types of dental implants that are available, along with a few recommendations. While by no means is this a comprehensive look at dental implants, as your Littleton area dental implant experts, we hope to be able to present you with the basics, allowing you to inform yourself more fully about your choices and options.

In most dental offices today, the design and fabrication of a dental prosthesis requires a significant amount of out-sourcing to dental laboratories. With the advent of 21st Century technology, this is no longer the case as digital design in prosthetic dentistry can be put back into the hands of the dentist, ultimately improving outcomes.

Say what? Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding. It can occur while awake or while asleep (known as sleep Bruxism). Startlingly, research has shown that some 85-90% of people will grind their teeth at some point during their lives, though it is believed that in only about 5% of people will this grinding develop into a problem that will need attention from a dentist.

Did you know that your teeth, so well designed for long-term use by nature, possess a layer of protection that keeps them strong and healthy? It’s true, your teeth are protected by a layer of enamel; the hardest compound in the human body. Tooth enamel covers the crown of your teeth, the part of your teeth that sit above your gums.

"What the heck is Dental Caries?" you ask. "Cavities – we’re talking about cavities and tooth decay," we answer. The phrase "Dental Caries" is merely the medical term for tooth decay, the oral infection that leads inevitably to cavities.

One of the more frightening dental conditions we see in children , frightening to parents that is, is the lack of teeth growing in their infants mouth; the congenital absence of permanent teeth. Understandably, when their child’s teeth do not come in on time, or at all, parents tend to become extremely distressed.

"Can I really get all of my teeth replaced in just one visit?"

In this video blog post, we discuss the immediate replacement of a single tooth with a dental implant.

Does an electric toothbrush make a good Christmas present? Brushing and flossing are the keys to maintaining dental health, and keeping your natural teeth for a lifetime – not to mention maintaining a beautiful smile. Yet, we regularly hear from folks who do not brush and/or floss regularly, who then wonder why they have to come to us to help them cope with lost teeth.

In this video blog post, we discuss the practice of having your teeth replaced in a single day; how it works; how effective it is; and whether the new teeth are permanent.

While we have long known that gum disease can lead to tooth loss, new research shows that periodontitis can also lead to a general breakdown of the natural immune system in your body; by creating an imbalance between the "good" bacteria and the "bad" bacteria that normally exist within your body.

The first thing to consider in choosing a toothbrush is how well the brush fits your mouth. Do you need a large toothbrush, small toothbrush, or something in between? Different toothbrushes also provide a variation of angles which work better for different people.

In this video blog post we discuss dental implants, including what they are, how they’ve changed, and what to expect from the placing of dental implants.

Welcome to the Dental Video Blog by Dr. James Maroney, DDS; your Littleton dental implants specialist.