Activated charcoal has been used for centuries for a multitude of purposes including treatment for illnesses and the production of bronze. It has antiseptic properties that ward against diseases and promote overall health. But in recent years, it has become increasingly popular to whiten your teeth. But the question arises, does it whiten your teeth? The answer is yes. Activated … Read More
Are You Grinding Your Teeth?
So, you’re under a lot of stress lately. You notice your teeth are gradually wearing down. It is likely that you are grinding your teeth at night – or inadvertently during the day. Most people will wake up with jaw pain due to constant movement from bruxism. Bruxism, or tooth grinding, shows apparent damage to teeth. Most likely the rounded … Read More
Are Electric Toothbrushes Really More Efficient?
Numerous studies have reported that electric toothbrushes help provide better dental health. Some studies looked at the rotating and oscillating effect of electric toothbrushes, and others looked at powered brush heads that just move side to side and don’t rotate. While researchers haven’t found an electric toothbrush that works better than the other, electric toothbrushes do have an edge over … Read More
Don’t Become a Jack-o’-lantern! Stay Away from These Halloween Candies!
Trick-or-Treat is lots of fun for little ghosts and goblins, and we certainly don’t want to spoil that. But we also don’t want patients to need dental care appointments to address cavities. As such, Dr. G and the staff at Cottonwood Dental recommend avoiding sour candies o Halloween. These contain both sugar and acidic citrus, both of which can damage … Read More
What Causes a Cavity?
What Causes a Cavity? At Cottonwood Dental, we often get questions about what causes cavities and how to prevent them. Cavities result from tooth decay, which happens in several stages. The good news is that decay is largely preventable with good oral hygiene habits, regular dental visits, and a healthy diet. How Does Teeth Decay? Although cavities are relatively common, … Read More
When Do You Need A Root Canal?
An intense toothache could be the sign of poor dental health. However, it could also be the sign of an emergency. Tooth pain always has the potential to be related to nerve pain. If you believe that you are either experiencing nerve pain or tooth pain, a root canal may be needed. A root canal is needed when nerves connecting … Read More
Thumb sucking & Pacifiers: Self Soothing vs. Damaging
Why do children suck their thumbs? Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer because thumb sucking isn’t an issue for all children. At best, health experts can only speculate that the practice provides children with a sense of comfort because “babies have natural rooting and sucking reflexes, which can cause them to put their thumbs or fingers into their mouths — … Read More
Vaping & Dental Health
You may think that vaping is a better choice for your teeth and gums because of the lack of tobacco, but you would be surprised how much of an effect vaping has on your dental health. Cottonwood Dental is here to help! Electronic cigarettes also referred to as “vaping” became a hot commodity in 2011-2012 in the United States. This … Read More
Different Whitening Techniques
If you are a smoker or you drink a lot of coffee, tea, wine or soda, the thought of whitening your teeth has probably crossed your mind more than once. Cottonwood Dental offers many options for whitening your teeth. Bleaching procedures can make your natural teeth five to seven times brighter and remove deep surface stains. But, first, determine if … Read More
How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?
We all know it’s important to see the dentist in order to maintain good oral health, but how often should we schedule our cleanings? Although it may seem like there’s one answer that applies to everyone, there is not. There are many factors that come in to play when evaluating how often you should visit the dentist. Cottonwood Dental recommends … Read More