Sorting Through Cosmetic Dentistry Options

Cosmetic dentistry can address concerns with the appearance of your smile ranging from small flaws to large issues. If you find yourself self-conscious of your teeth or grin, you may consider cosmetic treatment. Once you start considering cosmetic treatment, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the options. Your dentist is always there to answer your questions and help you decide on the best treatment for you and your smile, but knowledge can always make you feel at ease. Let’s sort through the options to understand some different types of treatment, what they are, and why they are used. (more…)

Mansfield Music Alley Festival

Mansfield has a brand new music festival this year. This will be the first year for the Music Alley Festival. The festival is taking the place of the Wurstfest festival that normally would be held at this time of year. The Music Alley Festival celebrates all things music and art with live concerts and interactive activities for guests of all ages. There will be four stages featuring live performances from everything from jazz to marching band to marionette puppets to country line dancing and beyond. There will be a “petting zoo” for instruments, where people can pick and play a wide variety of musical instruments. (more…)

Why Get Screened For Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer screenings are designed to identify early signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer can easily be treated at early stages, but it can be quite deadly if left to progress. During routine checkups, your dentist can perform an oral cancer screening that takes very little time and is normally painless. Your mouth, neck, face, and lips can be examined within minutes by a trained professional. If you notice any abnormalities or new developments in your mouth or surrounding areas, you may want to schedule a consultation with your dentist rather than wait for your regularly scheduled checkup.  (more…)

Importance Of Treating Sleep Apnea

Snoring can be embarrassing. It can also be a burden on your family or your partner, if your snoring keeps them up at night. Snoring can be much more than an inconvenience; It can also be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that cause serious health complications. a breathing issue that can seriously complicate your health. Sleep apnea blocks your airway during your sleep which puts your body into stress putting you at risk for health problems. It can also interrupt your sleep each night preventing you from getting restful, restorative sleep. Treatment is possible for sleep apnea and it can be treated by your dentist. (more…)

The Negative Effects Of Bruxism

Bruxism is the act of grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw. There are many reasons that this unintentional bad habit may occur, such as, stress, misaligned teeth, or a side effect of medication or medical disorder. Grinding your teeth usually happens subconsciously while you sleep.  If you wake up with headaches, a sore jaw or teeth, or have noticed sensitivity to your teeth, you may be grinding your teeth. If you think you are grinding your teeth, you should talk to your dentist about treatment options. Treatment for bruxism is important as it can cause some serious side effects to both your oral and overall health. (more…)

Free Yoga At The Library

The Mansfield Public Library is hosting a free all-levels yoga class on the first Tuesday of the month. All level of experience is welcome, even if you have never tried it before. Yoga has a calming effect on most people. Yoga has been around for more than 5,000 years. The practice of yoga focuses on syncing your breathing with your mind and your body. It can help with your breathing and circulation, along with helping with your flexibility. Training at a class, especially as a beginner, can ensure that you are doing your poses correctly. Sometimes doing a yoga video at home can be difficult if you are unsure if the moves you are doing are correct. Some studies have shown that yoga practice can help to drain your lymphatic system and can boost your immunity. Speak with your doctor before jumping into a new exercise routine, even yoga. The yoga class at the library requires no registration, but you will need to bring your own mat.  (more…)

Are You Brushing Effectively?

Have you ever gotten a diagnosis of a cavity or gingivitis from your dentist despite your vigilant oral hygiene routine? During your routine cleaning, has the dental hygienist told you that there are some spots you seem to be neglecting? Certain areas are commonly missed by many people during brushing, so you are not alone. However, missing these spots during brushing can lead to a buildup of bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Even skipping just one part of your mouth can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Here are some basics on making sure you effectively brush:  (more…)

Can Adults Get Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are a thin protective layer of biocompatible material applied directly to your teeth. The sealant protects the enamel of your teeth from harmful bacteria and acid. The sealants can cover nooks and crannies created by the surface of the teeth preventing plaque and bacteria buildup from eroding the enamel. Dental sealants are often used on children’s teeth, as they are higher risk of developing cavities due to their less thorough hygiene and possible candy habits. Are dental sealants appropriate for adults? The short answer is yes. Some adults that are susceptible to tooth decay due to genetics or health issues may get a recommendation from their dentist for dental sealants.  (more…)

Toothache? Some Things To Think About

A toothache can feel like it came out of nowhere. One minute, you feel fine and the next minute you are dealing with some serious pain. Toothaches can be caused by several different things. Some of these causes can be serious, some can be not-so-serious, and some causes can be not-so-serious with potential to quickly turn into serious. How do you know which of these three blurry categories does your toothache fall under? When can it wait and when is it necessary to get into to see the dentist as soon as possible? (more…)

Protecting Your Tooth With A Filling

Prevention is the most important part of dentistry. The second most important part is regular checkups, which can provide early treatment of problems. Tooth decay can usually be prevented with good oral hygiene, mindful nutrition, and regular professional cleanings. Even with our best effort, tooth decay can still occur and cause cavities in our teeth. Teeth grinding, genetics, and dry mouth can all increase our risk for tooth decay despite our good efforts. A cavity can and should be treated with a dental filling to prevent it from spreading deeper within the tooth. (more…)