Sci-fi is a beautiful genre, stretching the realm of reality and science into a futuristic world of wonder. But sometimes science fiction is more real than you think.

Ionizing radiation and invisible rays sound made up, but are actually well known and used daily by the scientific community. Including your local dentist! More commonly, these terms are describing your typical X-ray. Discovered in 1895, a man by the name of Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was experimenting with cathode-ray tubes when he noticed a fluorescent glow of crystals on his table next to the tube. This led him to experimenting and later uncovering the methods that formed the modern X-ray!

With that brief history lesson, you probably still have questions or concerns about X-rays. “Generally, the amount of radiation you’re exposed to during an X-ray is the equivalent to between a few days and a few years of exposure to natural radiation from the environment”, this comes from the NHS website. In other words, X-rays are perfectly safe.

X-rays are important for dentists so they can get a clear view of your dental health. It’s a less invasive and oftentimes more detailed view of the health of your teeth. The CDC has a great page describing the reasons behind X-rays. 

Most importantly, we here at Dr. Drew and Crew are here for you. And any questions you may have we can help answer!

Smiles around the world! It’s one of the most universal languages to signify happiness, comfort and community. We’ve all got one. But not all smiles are created equal.

According to the American Association of Orthodontics, if people were given the option to improve one thing about their smile, 90% of patients chose teeth whitening. It’s one of the easiest things to fix about one’s own smile. You see self-whitening kits all over stores. But is it worth the price?

There are many causes that affect the color of your teeth. Some are in our control and others are not. Luckily, we all have the option to correct it. There are two camps to whitening your teeth. The cheaper and most common route is a self-whitening kit. These run about $50 or so. The other option is getting your teeth whitened at your local dentist. This costs a bit more than your average kit, but the added benefits of getting it done professionally can save you money in the long run.

For more information, see our previous blog: Do You Want Whiter Teeth?

The Dental Associates Blog puts it well, “The main benefit of professional teeth whitening is that the whitening occurs much faster than the multiple kits often required to achieve and maintain whitening from at-home solutions.” At the professional level, teeth whitening takes a shorter amount of time, saves you money in the long-run and keeps your teeth whiter for longer.

We at Dr. Drew and Crew can provide you with amazing service. Schedule a consultation for your next whitening appointment!

National Children’s Dental Health Month starts in February! How is your child’s dental care routine? 

Your child is growing constantly. It can be difficult making sure your child is on the right, healthy path. One of the most important things you can keep in mind when it comes to your child’s health is their teeth. 

From their first baby tooth to the day their last adult moller comes in, it is vital to their mouth health that we keep them clean. Promoting good eating habits, avoiding sugar and cleaning their teeth daily is paramount to making sure their mouth and teeth are healthy. There are some helpful and easy tips you and your child can follow to make their teeth shine:

• Brushing your teeth twice daily
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet 
• Avoid too much sugar
• Teach your child to spit their toothpaste out when done
• Use toothpaste with fluoride
• Drink plenty of water
• Floss regularly 
• Check in with your dental care provider at least once a year

Kids Health has a great piece on the details of child teeth health here. We here at Dr. Drew and Crew encourage you and your family to practice proper dental health. Call us with questions and set up an appointment today.

We are social creatures, and being confident with ourselves helps us socialize. Confidence is a collection of everything that makes you. It’s a combination of your outward appearance and your inward mindset. One thing we have all encountered, either from some person or ourselves, is bad breath. And that’s one thing that can kill confidence in any social situation.

Bad breath happens to the best of us, and can be attributed to many different factors:

• Food
• Poor Dental Hygiene
• Tobacco products
• Health Conditions

These are just a few reasons – the Mayo Clinic has an article detailing more causes of bad breath.

This can cause anxiety in the most confident of people. It’s hard to tell on your own if you have bad breath. Let’s come up with a plan to combat bad breath!

1. Floss and brush your teeth twice a day. Good oral hygiene is the first line of defense.
2. Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash, such as Listerine.
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Encourage good bacteria in the gut with yogurt or pro-biotics.
5. Keep your regular cleanings with your dentist and hygienist. There may be decay or gum disease that is fighting against you.

For a more complete list, check out our previous blog:  Steps to Fresh Breath.

We’re here to help you toward a healthy and pleasant smile!

Halloween is synonymous with candy! Kids dress up as anything they want and we reward them with sweets. Go figure. Some worry about the antics that are played on the 31st, but they should be concerned more about the treats than the tricks.

National Brush Day is November 1st, a reminder to keep up your oral health. It follows Halloween because of the literal metric tons of candy consumed the days and weeks following the holiday. What better time to be reminded!

Yes, candy is amazing. Here’s a secret that allows you to keep eating candy for years to come: Common sense oral health! The problem isn’t necessarily candy or sugar, but how the bacteria in your mouth breaks down those sugars. Harmful bacteria feed on the sugar and create acids that eat away the teeth, first destroying the outer enamel layer of your tooth. Using the acids, the bacteria burrow deeper into your tooth causing pain and possible tooth loss.

No one wants to cut sugar out of their diet, so here are some preventative recommendations:

• Eat less sugar, desserts with meals are better than continual snacking.
• Consume a healthy diet of fibrous fruits and veggies.
• Drink plenty of water (water with fluoride is recommended).
• Brush and floss your teeth daily.

Halloween only happens once a year. But oral health is a year-round practice. Enjoy your treats in moderation and be mindful of your teeth.

Autumn!  Leaves are changing.  But that doesn’t mean your teeth have to change with the season.  How are trees and teeth similar?  They both look beautiful when they are healthy, and they both stay healthy by having a strong foundation.  In this case, just like the soil around a tree, your gums are the foundation!

Keeping your gums healthy leads to beautiful, strong teeth.  Gum disease can be prevented by just following a few simple methods.  Regular dental check-ups, brushing, flossing, avoid tobacco.  Talk to us in the office for specifics regarding your gums.

Providing your gums with clean water, healthy and nutritious food, and proper dental cleanliness will help not only your oral health but your wallet for when you go to the dentist!  Celebrate Gum Care Month with us and create a strong foundation with your gums.