Blog

Although the goal and hope is to retain your natural teeth through a lifetime, the reality is that many of us will need to have a permanent tooth extracted at some point in time. At Grateful Dental, we do everything we can to save and preserve your natural teeth. However, there are situations when it…

Do you chew gum after meals? If it’s sugarless gum, you are significantly boosting your dental health. According to the American Dental Association, studies show that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay. You may think that you are just freshening your breath, but what goes on inside your…

Your smile has unique needs throughout various stage of your life. As an aging adult, there are specific health risks that affect the heart and bones as well as the mouth. Educating yourself on the conditions associated with aging and oral health can help you retain your smile for years to come. After all, your…

When it comes to kissing your spouse or sharing food utensils with your child, you are at risk for passing a cold and catching a cavity. That’s right; just like the flu or a cold, dental caries are contagious. While sugar tends to get all the blame, tooth decay is primarily caused by bacteria that…

Do you find yourself overwhelmed at the endless toothpaste options at your local grocery store? From whitening and tartar control to all-natural and fluoride, deciding which tube to purchase can be a daunting task. While not all toothpastes are created equal, they all seem to have some common ingredients, such as abrasive agents for scrubbing,…

You have probably heard the terms TMJ and TMD mentioned together or even interchangeably. While they both refer to the jaw, they do not hold the same definition. Let’s take a look at the difference between TMD and TMJ. Symptoms of TMD It is important to know the symptoms of TMD. Recognizing them at home…

Are you bothered by the appearance “black triangles” in your smile? In most cases, these dark spaces form between your teeth are a result of gingival (gum) recession or resorption of the gum tissues between your teeth. Black triangles can form on the upper or lower teeth. To fix black triangles or other cosmetic dental…

You know you need it, but do you know why? Fluoride is an integral component in your dental health. It makes your teeth stronger, prevents cavities and even reverses early tooth decay! What exactly is fluoride? Fluoride is a chemical ion of fluorine, which is one of the top 20 most common elements in the…

You are probably well aware of the harm that smoking can do to your heart and lungs, but have you considered its damaging effects on your smile. Your oral health is profoundly compromised when you smoke tobacco. The oral health consequences range from yellow teeth to oral cancer. Understanding the following ways smoking sabotages your…

While many parents are diligent about washing hands to avoid cold and flu germs, they may surprised to know that tooth decay is also contagious. Cavities are caused by a bacteria known as mutans streptococcus. This bacteria feeds on sugars in the mouth and creates an acid. The acid is what eats away the enamel…