We wish everyone a wonderful Holiday. While we hope you indulge in many treats and feasts, we ask that you keep your oral hygiene in mind. Acids found in food and liquids can have a harmful affect on your teeth. Each tooth has a hard protective layer called the enamel. When acids come in contact…
Xylitol Do you find yourself frustrated by reoccurring cavities? Many people look to Xylitol products to finally find a solution to becoming cavity free. Xylitol is a sugar substitute, occurring naturally in the fibers of foods like berries and mushrooms, which just happens to prevent cavities as well. Because Xylitol isn’t actually a sugar, it doesn’t feed…
Invisalign® Frequently Asked Questions What are aligners made out of, and what do they look like? The virtually invisible aligners, made of a thermoplastic material uniquely developed for the Invisalign treatment plan, look similar to teeth-whitening trays. A series of Invisalign aligners are custom-made for you, to move your teeth in sequence determined by Dr.…
FAQ’s Regarding Your Insurance FAQ’s regarding your BC/BS plan: Some of our patients have been calling and asking some great questions regarding Dr. Valle’s decision to no longer participate with Carefirst, Blue Cross/Blue Shield. We have come up with the following to answer many of the questions we have been asked: Q: If you no…
Fall Allergies In the past year, 16.9 million adults and 6.7 million children were diagnosed with seasonal allergies. One of the worst symptoms of this malady is sinus pressure. Sinuses are pockets of bone lined with mucous membranes, the most “famous” of which lie in our face. When congestion develops in our maxillary sinuses (so named for their location…
What’s in Your Drink? We all know sugary soda is hard on our teeth, but here are a few things that might surprise you. According to a study in the Journal of General Dentistry, all soft drinks contain enough acidity to damage tooth enamel, and result in weaker teeth, sensitivity, and cavities. Researchers found that the non-colas such…
Can Your Teeth Take the Pressure? You may not know it, but your teeth are like a ruler that can be bent back and forth until it breaks. Constant pressure on your teeth can cause them to crack, splinter, and break. This condition is called “abfraction.” An abfraction looks like a notch in the top…
Oral Health and Heart Disease Everyone knows exercise is good for the heart and mind, but you may not be aware that poor oral hygiene can cause heart disease. If you have poor oral hygiene, you can end up with bleeding gum tissue. Bleeding tissue in the gums provides an entry point 700 for bacteria found in…
Why Do We Go to the Dentist? Of course it’s to keep your teeth clean and healthy. But there’s more to it than that. You want to look your best: clean and healthy teeth and gums make you look great … for yourself, and everyone you meet. But you don’t just want to look better; you want to…
Concerns About Dental X-Rays Some of our patients have voiced concerns regarding dental X-rays. Their concerns may involve anything from exposure to cost. Keep in mind that we only make X-rays when they are necessary for proper diagnosis and/or treatment. We take them during your cleaning appointment to diagnose problems early. Early diagnosis enables us to treat…