At Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL we are trained in a wide variety of dental procedures. But sometimes we’ll refer you to a specialist, or include a specialist as part of your treatment team. The following are some of the most common dental specialties: Endodontists Endodontists specialize in root canal therapy and other procedures involving…
General dentistry
Beware Of Hidden Sugar
Most of us consume far too much sugar. That isn’t exactly a news flash, but at Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL we want to remind you what sugar does to teeth, and what you can do about it. We get cavities when acids in the mouth attack the enamel and dentin of the teeth. The…
How Tooth Grinding Can Damage Your Smile
Categories: Dental health, General dentistry
Teeth grinding is a common behavior in people of all ages, and it can cause real damage to teeth, the molars in particular. At Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL, we watch for signs of teeth grinding in our patients. Also known as bruxism, teeth grinding is when a person involuntarily clenches their jaw or rubs…
Save Your Breath
Categories: Dental health, General dentistry
This post from Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL focuses on a problem experienced by many people, bad breath. Bad breath, or halitosis, has several causes. The most common is poor oral hygiene. Halitosis often happens in the middle of the day, due to an inability to brush between meals. Small food pieces on the teeth,…
How Vaping Can Hurt Your Dental Health
The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (or e-cigarettes) is increasing. At Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL, we are concerned about the oral health risks of vaping. What is vaping? Vaping is an alternative to cigarette smoking Instead of smoking a cigarette, users inhale vapor through an electronic device that contains nicotine The full, long-term…
Bad Breath Treatment At Decatur Smiles
Categories: Dental health, General dentistry
Do you suspect that you have bad breath? At Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL, we can help. Bacteria that live in your mouth cause the bad smell. Breath mints and mouthwashes do not cure bad breath, they only mask the symptoms. Proper oral hygiene can cure many cases of bad breath. However, in some cases,…
7 Steps For A Healthy Smile
Categories: Dental health, General dentistry
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When Benjamin Franklin said that he meant fire safety. But like all timeless quotes, it applies to many more aspects of modern life. At Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL, we apply it to dental health. Keeping your smile beautiful and healthy is done most effectively…
Best Practices For A Healthy, Beautiful Smile
Even if you value a healthy smile, it’s easy to become complacent about smile-friendly lifestyle choices. In this blog post from Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL our goal is for you to evaluate where you stand, and to think about whether you could step it up a notch. By committing to dental health best practices,…
6 Good Reasons To Visit Your Dentist More Often
Most people visit the dentist about once each year. As many as forty percent of Americans see their dentist less often; some go as long as five years between visits! At Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL, we recommend a checkup every six months. Here are six great reasons to visit us more frequently. 1. Oral…
Decatur Smiles Guide To Healthy Tooth Enamel
Categories: Dental health, General dentistry
Tooth enamel is one of the strongest substances in the body, but it is neither indestructable nor renewable. It’s important to brush and floss daily, and have regualr checkups at Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL. We recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Use it after every meal to gently clean away food particles. It…
