Dental patients often ask if chewing xylitol gum is an effective substitute for tooth brushing and regular dental exams. Before we answer that question, here is a little bit about xylitol, courtesy Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL: Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark but is also found in …
Everyone’s mouth provides a cozy home for over 600 types of bacteria. If you are devoted to oral hygiene and have healthy gums, these microbes usually don’t influence your health. But if you have gum disease, bacteria can enter your bloodstream through your gums and cause problems. We can treat gum disease at Decatur Smiles …
Regular dental check-ups and cleanings at Decatur Smiles are critical for ideal dental health. However, some dental patients worry because their gums tend to bleed after a thorough cleaning. It could be a symptom of gum disease. If your gums bleed for a day or two after your appointment, you don’t need to be concerned. …
Body piercings are a common form of self-expression. This post from your Decatur dentist is for those who currently have an oral piercing or are considering one. Since this is a dental blog, you may expect the Decatur Smiles team to raise all sorts of alarms about the dangers of piercings. You’re right. Unfortunately, these …
When it comes to oral cancer mortality rates, Decatur Smiles reminds you that two numbers are key: 40% and 90%. 40% of individuals who receive a late-stage diagnosis die within five years. However, the survival rate for early stage diagnosis is 90%. Oral Cavity and Oropharynx—Mouth and Throat Cancers that start in the mouth (or …
The older you are, the more at risk you are of coming down with gum disease. But even among young and middle-age adults, gum disease is a primary cause of tooth loss. Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL reminds you that an ounce of prevention of worth a pound of cure. Good oral hygiene and regular visits …
When it comes to teeth, some of the most popular dental procedures relate to cosmetic dentistry, like teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. But good dental health and the need to avoid cavities is still the main reason most of our patients come into Decatur Smiles. Here are five things you should know about cavities. 1. …
The most common times people stop to brush their teeth are morning and night – either before or after breakfast, after dinner, or at bedtime. Some of our Decatur Smiles patients worry about hiccups in their teeth cleaning schedule, due to family life, shift work or just plain exhaustion. Brushing and flossing daily is important, …
Are you suffering from a toothache, but so busy it’s easier to ignore the pain? At Decatur Smiles in Decatur AL, we’ll give it to you straight: bad idea. Dental pain is like an unpaid speeding ticket. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. Many people dread seeking relief from a dentist because they fear …
When we’re young, we are invincible. We will live forever, and know more than our parents. But a funny thing happens as we grow up: invincibility fades, forever isn’t as long as we thought, and we begin to appreciate the collective wisdom of those who have gone before us. Since you have probably discovered by …
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