Sound fun?

Did you know…

• Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in a human’s body.
• Toothbrush bristles were originally made from cow hair.
• A shark goes through about 40 SETS of teeth during its lifetime.
• A person’s teeth set is unique—much like their fingerprints. Even identical twins do not have exactly the same set of teeth. Did you know that your tongue print is also unique?
• The average woman smiles about 62 times a day! A man? Only 8!
• Kids laugh around 400 times a day. Adults… just 15.
• According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the average person only brushes for 45 to 70 seconds a day. The recommended amount of time is 2-3 minutes.
• People who are right-handed typically chew their food on the right side of their mouth. Left handers? The left side.
• 50% of people consider the smile the first facial feature they notice.
• 80% of people are not happy with their smile.
• 78% of Americans have had at least one cavity by age 17.
• 32% of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of a co-worker.
• According to the recent American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey, 92% of Americans believe that an attractive smile is an important social asset.

Well, there you have it! We hope you enjoyed those facts! It never hurts to know a little more about your smile. Contact us if you have any other dental-related questions or to set up an appointment!

Oh, and please “Like” us on Facebook too!

We look forward to seeing you during your next visit!

Tooth sensitivity can come from many things including sweet or sour foods and hot or cold temperatures. For some, simply biting down can hurt. The resulting pain can be mild to severe—and sometimes very sharp, shooting directly to tooth nerve endings.

Regardless of the level of pain, tooth sensitivity is not pleasant. If the pain is long lasting or severe, you should probably make an appointment to visit with us. If the pain is minor andor very occasional, here are a few basic things you can do to help prevent sensitivity:

Proper Brushing

Keeping up great oral hygiene prevents tarter buildup. This helps reduce the risk of exposing nerves. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush causes less abrasion and reduces potential gum recession. There are also several brands of toothpaste that, with regular use, help decrease sensitivity.

Fluoridated Mouthwashes

Daily use of a fluoridated mouthwash can decrease sensitivity.

Avoid Highly Acidic Foods And Drinks

Highly acidic foods and drinks can contribute to the dissolving of tooth enamel, which in turn can increase sensitivity. Limit such items—including many sports drinks. It can also help to rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking acidic items.

Don’t Clinch Or Grind Your Teeth

Teeth grinding and clenching can also lead to enamel wear, which can cause sensitivity (and a host of other problems). Visit with Dr. Theurer if you suspect this is a problem you need help with.

As always… Our sincere thanks for the trust you place in our practice. Here at Theurer Family Dental, we want to be your greatest information resource for preventing and solving tooth sensitivity issues.

Here’s a short video you’ll enjoy about this topic:

We look forward to seeing you during your next visit!

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Fortunately, today’s advances in dentistry and oral health awareness are causing these silver alloy fillings to gradually become thing of the past. Here at Theurer Family Dental we now offer you, our valued patients, beautiful white composite fillings that match your teeth. When you open wide and visit with people, your fillings will no longer draw unwanted attention. In fact, it’s practically impossible to even tell the fillings are there!

If you still have silver amalgam fillings from your past, we recommend that you consider having them replaced—and not just because of their less aesthetically-pleasing appearance. Silver amalgam fillings don’t bond as well to teeth—in order to make sure the filling is held in place, it has to be prepared with “undercuts” that can weaken the tooth structure and result in fractures. Amalgam fillings can also corrode over time as they swell and expand, putting you at risk for cracks. Additional problems can also occur as moisture and bacteria leak through microscopic spaces that develop between the tooth and the filling over time. Often, if not given immediate attention, this can cause a tooth to decay completely and/or break.

White composite fillings don’t require undercuts in your teeth, making them much more proficient in bonding, and definitely superior. In fact, such fillings can actually help strengthen teeth. And of course they’re much more aesthetically pleasing.

Still have questions about silver amalgam fillings and what to do about them? Set up an appointment with us. We’d love to go over all the options with you.

And don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook so we can stay connected with you!

DO YOU HEAR THE WORDS “ROOT CANAL” AND CRINGE?

Of course, here at Theurer Family Dental we remind everyone that they should do all they can to keep their teeth healthy and to minimize the amount of restorative dental work needed. However, here’s the deal… In most cases, root canals are no more uncomfortable than having a cavity filled, and the benefits greatly outweigh any minimal discomfort.

Sometimes, if you have a decaying, dying or dead tooth, a root canal may be the only way to save it—and saving your natural teeth is nearly always the best way to go. Healthy, stable, natural teeth allow you to eat the foods you want and to maintain proper nutrition. They are an integral part of your lifelong health. A root canal is often the very best way to preserve that natural tooth. Alternatives to root canals are typically far more involved, are more costly, and require additional treatments including having the tooth completely extracted and replaced with a bridge, implant or denture.

Here at Theurer Family Dental we want to be sure you understand that there are potential side effects that can result from an untreated root canal infection, including:

• Abscess: An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of your tooth.
• Swelling: This swelling can spread to other areas of your face, neck, or head.
• Bone Loss: You could lose part of the bone around the root of your tooth.
• Drainage Problems: A hole can occur in the side of the decaying tooth, which causes drainage into your gums or even into your skin through your cheek.

When it comes to keeping your teeth healthy and doing your best to avoid a root canal, the bottom line is always the same one we all should have learned as kids… Brush, floss, and schedule regular cleanings and checkups. Also wear a mouth guard when playing sports.

Do all you can to minimize the need for a root canal. BUT, when necessary, don’t avoid or postpone one. Root canals can be a huge blessing in disguise when it comes to restoring the health of your smile.

If you have more questions about root canals, please speak with Dr. Theurer. Thanks for the trust you put in our practice.

Also, be sure to connect with us on our Facebook Page by clicking on the image below:

Wisdom teeth get their name from the time period in one’s life when they typically decide to emerge—however, there’s no connection to those late bloomers and your IQ (haha).

Here at Theurer Family Dental, we often get questions about wisdom teeth. While many people are certainly able to leave their wisdom teeth untouched, many people find that their wisdom teeth grow in sideways, only partly emerge, get trapped beneath the gum surface, or come up underneath existing teeth. All of these issues can lead to pain, damage, and costly repair on your other teeth. That’s why it’s important to have our team periodically look at them. And if there’s a problem, don’t postpone having them removed.

If removal is necessary, for those of you whose wisdom teeth have completely emerged, the removal process is relatively simple. For those of you whose teeth have not cleanly emerged, the process can become a little more complicated. We’ll be sure to answer your questions about your specific situation. During your scheduled appointment, you’ll be placed under anesthesia and the teeth will be removed. You may feel a little loopy when we’re finished, but you’ll quickly feel like yourself again and those troublesome teeth will be gone for good.

Here at Theurer Family Dental you’ll be in the very best hands. Dr. Theurer will supply you with all the necessary information to help the recovery process go as smoothly as possible and your mouth will be healed in no time!

If you’re concerned about any pain associated with wisdom teeth extraction, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can answer your questions. We’d love to help.

Also, please join us on Facebook by clicking on the logo below! We look forward to connecting with you there.

Traditional veneers require a considerable amount of tooth reduction—that is, the size of your teeth must be reduced in order to “cap” or cover your teeth with a veneer. Unlike traditional veneers, our prepless veneers are extremely thin (generally about 0.2 to 0.4 mm) and require little to no reduction of your tooth enamel. Plus, they’re unbelievably strong!

Prepless veneers are also aesthetically pleasing because they block out undesirable colors and allow the beauty of the natural teeth to shine through. Because all of the color is built straight into the veneer instead of added onto the surface, Dr. Theurer is able to make the most of the available space.

Though the simplicity of a prepless veneers procedure makes it one of the most appealing of our cosmetic dentistry options, it is not always the best solution for everyone. Because the veneers are so thin they are best suited for patients whose teeth are a little smaller or slightly spaced out. The only way to really determine if you are a good candidate for prepless veneers is to visit with Dr. Theurer And keep in mind… Individuals who clench and grind their teeth are typically not the best candidates for prepless veneers as those activities could cause the veneers to chip or crack.

If you are wondering whether or not prepless veneers are the solution for you then set up a smile consultation today! Dr. Theurer would love to go through your options with you.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

There’s something remarkable about a smile that sparkles versus one that doesn’t. Who doesn’t want a whiter, and brighter smile to help make a statement? Teeth whitening is certainly one of the least invasive cosmetic dental procedures available, and although there are many different whitening processes available over the counter, none of those products will whiten your teeth as effectively as the products we can give you here at Theurer Family Dental. Not to mention that most of them certainly can’t bring you the fast results you may be looking for!

If you happen to fall under the category of someone looking for high quality & fast results, go no further. Here at our practice we offer Zoom! whitening, as seen on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, and it’s the best cosmetic teeth whitening available—nothing whitens better, or faster. With this gel + laser treatment, your teeth will get an average of 8 shades whiter in just 45 minutes!

We’ll simply sit you down, cover your lips and gums so that only your teeth are showing, apply the Zoom! special whitening gel, and then apply the Zoom! light. Together, the light and gel will work together to penetrate your teeth and break up the stains and discolorations.

Zoom!’s effectiveness and safety have been clinically proven, and teeth whitening is one of the safest cosmetic dental procedures available.

Unfortunately, not ALL tooth discolorations are correctable. Since different types of whitening procedures work better for certain teeth, the tooth whitening process can be very effective for some, while others may not get their desired results. For example, if you’ve had bonding, veneers or tooth-colored fillings in your front teeth, there may be potential problems. Our office can advise you about which procedures will most likely give you the best results, so set up a consultation with Dr. Theurer first.

Here at Theurer Family Dental, we offer both in-house, and take-home whitening products, allowing us to design a plan that best fits your lifestyle, wants, and needs. If you choose bleaching trays, the process will start with an office visit to custom-fit the trays, but then most of the bleaching process can be done at home. You’ll wear the mouth trays for a designated amount of time and the bleaching agent surrounds your teeth as it works.

Don’t delay that whiter smile you’ve been wanting, ask us today about which technique would be best for you!

Oh, and don’t forget to become a fan of our Facebook page!! We look forward to seeing you there.

Here are a few, fun “Thanksgiving Facts” that you may not know:

• Turkey contains an amino acid that makes you sleepy—however, it’s the combination of that AND all the carbs and fats we consume that leave us all napping on the couch after our Thanksgiving meals!
• The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade actually wasn’t the first department store Thanksgiving parade. The Philadelphia department store, Gimbel’s, sponsored the first in 1920. However, the Macy’s parade was launched four years later, and soon became a Thanksgiving tradition when it was made even more popular by the movie “Miracle on 34th Street” which was released in 1947.
• Domesticated turkeys are slow birds that can’t fly. Wild turkeys are smaller, more agile, much faster, and can fly short distances.
• Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter suggesting that the wild turkey would be a more appropriate national symbol for the United States than the bald eagle, as it was more respectable, a true origin of native America, and a bird of courage.
• In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the short, jerky movements of turkeys inspired a ballroom dance called the Turkey Trot.
• Native Americans used cranberries, now a staple Thanksgiving dish, for cooking as well as medicinal purposes.

In honor of this beautiful season, and the attitude of thankfulness that spreads across the country, we want to let you know how grateful we are for all of you—our wonderful patients and friends. Where would we be without your loyalty and support?

So, thank you. Thanks for making us excited to come to work every day. Nothing makes us happier than seeing your smiling faces each day in our practice. You inspire and motivate us—and we love serving you.

We hope you had the happiest of Thanksgivings—and don’t forget to floss and brush after all that leftover turkey and pie! (We had to throw in at least one plug for oral care!)

What are YOU thankful for this year? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a comment below or on our Facebook page!