Perhaps you’ve been neglecting a good oral health routine. Or, you’ve done your best, but you’ve developed plaque and tartar buildup. A regular routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing is an important part of regular plaque removal for everyone. But if you have risk factors that have caused a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums to harden into tartar, your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest scaling or root planing your teeth to remove the buildup. If left untreated, severe tartar buildup along and under the gum line can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which may increase the risk of gum disease. Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal. Here’s what to expect if your dentist or dental hygienist recommends these techniques: You won’t feel it. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area. Scaling: Your dentist or dental hygieni...

Regular dental exams not only help to decrease a patient's risk of oral diseases, such as cavities and periodontal (gum) disease, but they may also help to diagnose other, sometimes life-threatening, medical conditions.   Dentists are able to assess a patient's overall oral health and may recognize symptoms of serious diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and eating disorders, which often manifest as signs and symptoms inside of the mouth. Click here   to learn more. Above article from KnowYourTeeth.com Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

A mouthguard is a flexible appliance that is worn in athletic and recreational activities to protect teeth from trauma. The dental profession unanimously supports the use of mouthguards in a variety of sports activities. Why should I wear a mouthguard? A mouthguard can prevent serious injuries such as broken teeth, jaw fractures, cerebral hemorrhage and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw. Mouthguards are effective in moving soft tissue in the oral cavity away from the teeth, preventing laceration and bruising of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear orthodontic appliances. They may also reduce the severity and incidence of concussions. In what sports should I wear a mouthguard? Anytime there is a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces, it is advisable to wear a mouthguard. Players who participate in basketball, softball, football, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, in-line skating and...

Don’t replace fillings just because they’re old  When you have a cavity, the dentist removes it and puts in a filling. These fillings can last for many years, but some people get silver fillings removed because they don’t like the color. However, the process of removing a filling can weaken the tooth. Additionally, insurance may not cover the removal.  To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org . Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

Use toothpaste with fluoride for infants and children  For children younger than 3 years, you should begin brushing a child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste in an amount no larger than a grain of rice. For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Consider sealants to prevent decay or treat beginning cavities on the back teeth  Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. They are a plastic material applied by a dentist to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay occurs most often. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org . Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

Water Rules Water, especially fluoridated water, is the best beverage for maintaining your oral health. That's because fluoride helps to make teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that can cause cavities. As of 2012, nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population had access to fluoridated water, so drinking water from your own kitchen sink can help prevent dental problems.  Above article from: MouthHealthy.org   Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

What is Gum Disease? Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up and the bacteria infect not only your gums and teeth, but eventually the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. This can cause them to become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist. There are three stages of gum disease: Gingivitis:  this is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gumline. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. You may notice some bleeding during brushing and flossing. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth ...

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about Stress and your Oral Health! The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

Diabetes puts you at risk for dental problems. It impairs the ability to fight bacteria in your mouth. Having high blood sugar encourages bacteria to grow and contributes to gum disease. You may have gum disease if you have: Gums that are red, sore, bleeding, or swollen, or that pull away from your teeth Loose teeth Chronic bad breath An irregular bite or dentures that don't fit well The above article is from:   WebMD.com Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

Saving Hopeless Teeth Missing teeth are a detriment to maintaining your optimum health. A root canal can avoid the necessity of an extraction, saving teeth with roots that have been injured or infected. A root canal is a procedure that rehabilitates a tooth by clearing out the pulp chamber and packing the void with filling material. This is often needed when dental decay impacts the nerve of a tooth (or the tooth has become infected). At that point, you require more than a simple filling to act as a repair. Our dentists are skilled in advanced root canal therapy. We use modern anesthetics and technology, making a root canal a manageable form of treatment. Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

Learn what the American Dental Association's answer is to the question: "How Often Should a Senior Citizen Go to the Dentist?".   The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

Now the Good News The threat of gum disease has been confirmed, and now most dental insurance plans provide coverage for an assortment of available treatments. While in the most severe cases surgery is the only guaranteed help, for all other cases there are now powerful NON-surgical procedures that, combined with better dental hygiene, can virtually halt the spread of the disease. Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about flossing and if it is good or not! Kind of reminds me of coffee, some studies say is good for you and others say it isn't. Our dental office believes that flossing is beneficial to a person's general oral health. Our staff is trained to address the issues of proper flossing to our patients on an individual need basis. We promote many different tools used to effectively and safely clean between the teeth. If you are concerned with the recent news reports, please give our office a call to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to review your concerns and make sure you are properly caring for your teeth. Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Sher Warkentin Maintaining good oral care during the holidays can be tough with the bombardment of sugary sweets all season. Counting down to Christmas with an advent calendar is a fun activity for your kids, but if they are filled with chocolate and sweets, it won't be so great for their teeth. Check out these simple sugar-free ideas to fill your countdown instead. Holiday Activity Fun Fill your child's countdown with special moments that they will cherish all year round. For each day of the month come up with a fun holiday activity that you can do together as a family. Some ideas include: watching a holiday movie, going ice skating, building a snowman and looking at Christmas lights. Write down the activity on a slip of paper and tuck one note into each day of your advent calendar. A Puzzling Treat Give your child a fun challenge with a customized puzzle. Draw a picture or write a special me...

Solutions for Denture Wearers Imagine a denture plate fitted so well that you never have to worry about the foods you eat. It's true. Newly improved designs mean we can provide natural-looking, slip-proof dentures! Your meals can be enjoyed without the nagging fear of an embarrassing denture moment. This even eliminates the frustration caused by shifting and slipping. If you are a denture wearer, be sure to ask us about this amazing improvement. Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com

Gum Disease Can Contribute to Heart Disease and Even Stroke Recent medical research has shown that gum disease contributes to the onset of stroke, heart disease, and many other life-threatening illnesses. So you can understand why treating gum disease is absolutely necessary in the fight to retain your overall good health. The American Dental Association has stated that upwards of 8 out of 10 Americans may have periodontal (gum) disease. Percentages this extreme should warrant treating it as a national epidemic. But because tooth loss has long been thought of as merely unpleasant, not immediately life threatening, the severity of the disease has been neglected for far too long. However, things are changing. The American Academy of Periodontology has stated that "Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due ...

75% Reduction in Radiation Digital X-rays require no film developing, because a digital sensor placed in your mouth takes the image and stores it directly to the computer, where it's available for immediate viewing. In addition, this new technology lowers your exposure to radiation by 75% as compared to conventional non-digital X-rays. As an added benefit, because no developing chemicals are required, this style of X-ray produces no environmentally polluting waste. We also have the ability to take panoramic digital X-rays of your entire mouth, jaw, and facial structures. Digital X-rays produce image views that are not possible with standard film systems. Without compromising the original data, images can be clarified, magnified, rotated, or color coded. With digital files, newer images can be superimposed over older digital images to highlight changes in your dental health. Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 9866...

The Primary Cause of Lost Teeth Periodontal (gum) disease destroys more teeth than any other cause. The problem is that the affliction often develops slowly, with no pain, which is why you may not realize that your gums are infected until after your teeth are permanently damaged. Are you experiencing these symptoms: bleeding gums when you brush or floss, and loose or shifting teeth? If so, your teeth are at risk, but it's not too late. Even if you've been told that you need gum surgery, we can help. The latest dental treatments have made it possible to control gum disease with a variety of non-surgical methods. Sheron Dental   Adam Sheron, DMD Chad Sheron, DDS Richard Sheron, DMD 1200 NE 99th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 356-7096 SheronDental.com