Primary (baby) teeth are important to a child’s oral and overall health. They are instrumental in establishing favorable conditions for the permanent teeth to emerge and position themselves correctly — which is why we at NK Family Dental recommend that children receive their first dental visit shortly after their initial teeth begin emerging. This provides…
If you’ve never heard the term “root resorption” before, you aren’t alone, as it isn’t a common term outside of the dental profession. Root resorption is a natural, healthy process in children that occurs when the body resorbs the tissue that connects the primary (baby) teeth to the gums so that they can loosen and…
There is never a good time for a dental emergency, but holidays seem to be the worst — especially this year when many of us feel more comfortable attending family and social gatherings and enjoying seasonal activities. However, pent-up demand for fun can increase the risk for cracking or chipping a tooth on foods such…
If you’ve heard the term “impacted tooth” or “tooth impaction,” it’s most likely been in the context of wisdom teeth. In such a case, the third molar – commonly called a wisdom tooth – is unable to erupt from the gum, which usually occurs between ages 17 and 25. In many cases, the mouth is…
Occlusal disease is a general term that applies to a broad range of conditions that affect a person’s bite. There are several causes, but occlusal disease can often be traced to an unbalanced bite (one side of the mouth bears more pressure during eating), crooked teeth or involuntary teeth grinding/clenching (bruxism). WholeHealth Family Dentistry describes…
The benefits of flossing on a daily basis are well-known. As our blog post – “Is Flossing Really Necessary?” – covers, flossing is essential to maintaining optimal oral health, which also affects our overall health. But while string dental floss has been around since 1882, water flossers – also known as oral irrigation systems –…
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection. Abscesses can occur in different places around a tooth for different reasons and affect not only the involved tooth, but also the surrounding bone and sometimes adjacent teeth. Cleveland Clinic identifies three types of tooth infections that can cause abscesses: Gingival: This infection…
Most people are familiar with such dental restorations as crowns and bridges. However, one common procedure you may not have heard about is crown lengthening – which sometimes needs to be performed in preparation for a crown or bridge. This is both a restorative and cosmetic dental treatment that removes excess gum tissue in order…
Dental fillings are perhaps the most common, best-known of all dental treatments. But you really may not know as much about them as you assume! NK Family Dental is here to “fill you in” on the facts about fillings – including how tooth decay starts and progresses, how to tell if you have a cavity,…
Regular brushing and flossing comprise the foundation of good oral hygiene. But when cavity prevention is the specific goal, additional preventive steps may be necessary – especially for children, who often are unable to brush and floss thoroughly. And not even a diligent adult can always depend upon their brushing skills since toothbrush bristles cannot…
