Cosmetic Dentistry
Why Add Mouthwash to Your Oral Health Routine?
You may have seen the multi-colored bottles of minty-fresh mouthwash in the supermarket and have been wondering about the benefits of adding mouthwash to your routine. Mouthwash won’t answer all your oral health needs, so read on to find out what it can and can’t do for you. When adding mouthwash to your routine, remember that it is not meant to replace brushing and flossing. Mouthwash is an addition to your oral health repertoire, not a sole component. Mouthwash is primarily used to keep your breath fresh. If you suffer from halitosis, also known as chronic bad breath, then you … Continue reading
ADA Recommends Earlier Fluoride Distribution for Children
When you think about dental hygiene for your kids, are brushing and flossing the only things that come to mind? These two items are highly important to maintain good oral health, but recently, the American Dental Association “recommends earlier fluoride distribution for children,” meaning that parents will have to put a tad more effort into their children’s teeth. Although other findings have stated that children receive fluoride treatment by age six at the dentist, these new findings urge them to accept it even earlier than their first visit. Upon developing their first tooth as babies, the ADA believes they should … Continue reading
3D Printers at the Dentist’s Office?
When you think of a dentist, the only printing you might think of is patient forms, but soon, dentists may start printing 3D models of teeth as well. According to a recent study, commercial printers available to the public can be used for dental applications. Researchers scanned patients’ mouths using a Cone Beam CT scanner. They then fed that information to a 3D printer to print a model of the patients’ mouths. Depending on the accuracy of the models that the dentist needs, dentists can either go with expensive or less expensive printers. Either way, the results are highly accurate, … Continue reading
5 Surprising Foods for a Brighter Smile
If you are looking for a brighter, whiter smile, then these are some foods that you need to incorporate into your diet. Basil: Basil helps to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. What is great about basil is that it can be easily paired with many dishes. You can add it to a salad, a sandwich, or even a soup, which makes it easy to score the benefits from this natural antibiotic.Salmon: Salmon is a great go-to because it is rich in calcium and vitamin D, which helps keep teeth strong. Don’t be afraid to eat some of the bones … Continue reading
Should I Brush My Pet’s Teeth?
Do you love being woken up by your dog’s nuzzling nose in the morning but hate the bad puppy breath? Your dog could have the same oral hygiene issues that plague people. Dogs are just as susceptible to plaque development as humans are. Tooth plaque in dogs is caused by the buildup of bacteria and food particles, whether from their normal dog food or those other things dogs find to snack on – shoes, dog toys, dinner leftovers, etc. There are various at-home methods for caring for your dog’s teeth, all of which can help reduce plaque buildup. Brushing: Brushing … Continue reading
Does Cold Weather Hurt Your Jaw?
Do you notice pain in your jaw when it is cold outside? Do you feel sharp pains in your jaw and teeth during chilly weather? If so, you may have a serious jaw issue that needs treatment by a specialist. If you experience jaw pain in cold weather, you might suffer from a temporomandibular joint disorder known as TMD or TMJ. While cavities could be the source of your pain, it is likely an issue with your jaw. Other symptoms of TMJ or TMD include: Earaches Headaches Pain when chewing Pain when opening your mouth Clicking, grating, or popping sounds … Continue reading
Staff Spotlight: Elise Barry
Elise Barry has been at Paxton Dental Care for seven years. She first became interested in dentistry because her mother and grandmother were dental assistants and dental practice coordinators. When she was younger she would help her mom at work and quickly developed a passion for the patient relationships and the science behind dentistry. Her favorite thing about her job is getting to build new relationships and really getting to know our patients. Growing up she always loved science and animals so initially she wanted to be a veterinarian. But, now she loves dentistry and thinks that it is important … Continue reading
Staff Spotlight: Heather Siciliano
Heather Siciliano went into dentistry because she always enjoyed helping others. She got her degree in human services and is also a CNA, but since she loves teeth and people, she decided to go into dentistry. What she loves most about her job is changing the way people think about dentistry. Four Fun Facts About Heather: She loves hockey and also enjoys playing it.She has two Labradors.She loves to stay busy.As a child she always would tell people that she wanted to be a War Hero. Her Quick Dental Tip: Be sure to floss and love your smile!! Don’t be … Continue reading
The Truth Behind Tartar
While we all seem to know a lot about plaque, the overall population knows a lot less about tartar. Tartar is a hardened, yellow substance on your teeth. Tartar is formed when plaque is not removed from teeth and is left to harden. Once tartar hits, it is big trouble for your teeth. Teeth become harder to brush and floss once tartar hardens on your teeth. Even worse, tartar can cause harm to your gums. If any tartar hardens above the gum line, then it will cause irritation and damage to gums, which leads to gum disease. To fight against … Continue reading
Staff Spotlight: Dr. Scott Siemen
Dr. Siemen was born in Connecticut but moved to Paxton when he was 6. His interest in dentistry began at the age of 16 because his grandfather was a dentist. This left a lasting mark on him, leading to his entrance and eventual graduation from Tufts Dental School. After becoming a dentist, Dr. Siemen found that his favorite part of dentistry was when a patient sees their smile makeover for the first time. The happiness and excitement that is radiated after a moment like that made Dr. Paxton feel satisfied and confident in his passion for dentistry. Here are a … Continue reading
