Dental Check-Ups for Post-Menopausal Women

post-menopauseMay is National Women’s Health month, and we are celebrating by encouraging women of all ages to care for their health. Post-menopausal women encounter many health changes that they never had before, and their teeth are no exception.

A new study from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic may affect how post-menopausal women care for their teeth.

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What Does Ten Years of Dental Neglect Look Like?

Taking care of your teeth is important at any stage of your life, whether you’re nine years old or ninety. It’s important to be consistent for a long period of time, to maintain the health of your teeth.

So, here at our Neighborhood Smiles Wisconsin offices, we wondered what ten years of dental neglect would look like. Click the more button to see a picture…. [Read more...]

Do I Have Acid Erosion?

acid erosion teethThere seem to be a lot of toothpaste commercials lately that talk about acid erosion and the damage it can do to your teeth. But these 30-second slots can’t explain exactly what happens, what causes it or how you can really protect your mouth.

Here at Neighborhood Smiles Wisconsin we want all of our patients to have the healthiest teeth possible, so we hope this post will help everyone prevent acid erosion before it starts. At your next appointment your Neighborhood Smiles dentist will be more than happy to clear up any questions you may have, so don’t forget to ask. You can even call us today if you think you won’t remember!

What is Acid Erosion?

Every substance that you put in your mouth, including anything you eat or drink, has a pH level that changes how it affects your teeth. If the pH level is lower than 6, the food or drink is classified as acidic, and it will trigger dental erosion in your mouth. [Read more...]

Which Easter Candy Your Dentist Wants You to Eat

easter candyNot all candy is created equal. Some kinds of candy are much worse for your teeth than other kinds, and some can even damage your expensive dental work. Our Smiles Wisconsin dentists definitely don’t want you to have to make an appointment because a jawbreaker broke off your crown and you need it replaced!

While we certainly don’t advise Wisconsin residents to eat a huge candy bar with every meal, we know how delicious sweet treats are, and we’re not going to tell you to stay away from them altogether. Here at Smiles Wisconsin, we just want you to make informed decisions about your oral hygiene and nutrition choices, so that you can have a happy and healthy mouth!

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Red Wine Actually Protects Teeth?

white wine, red wineDark, discolored teeth at a dinner party are always an embarrassing giveaway as to who was drinking red wine. But is it possible that these stains could be helping your teeth? Studies now show that the properties of red wine may be protecting your teeth from harmful bacteria and gum disease. And some chemicals in white wine may actually be damaging your teeth!

If you love wine, we certainly don’t want you to stop drinking it altogether. We simply want to make sure all Wisconsin residents have the facts about their food and drinks, so everyone can make informed decisions about their health. Let your Neighborhood Smiles Wisconsin staff know if you have any questions!

White or Red?

Everyone in Wisconsin knows that drinking red wine can leave unsightly stains your teeth, but a recent study shows that white wine may actually be a worse culprit. [Read more...]

What to Do With Broken or Loose Teeth

Chipped, Loose ToothIf you or any of your loved ones in Wisconsin have ever injured a tooth, you know how stressful the experience can be. Whether your son hit his mouth on the kitchen table, your husband wasn’t wearing his mouthguard in a rec hockey league, or your mother chipped her tooth on a walnut, we can help!

Neighborhood Smiles Wisconsin wants to restore your chipped, cracked, broken, or loose tooth to as much of its previous health and appearance as we can, so we’ve given you some tips for how to take care of the situation until you can get in to one of our Wisconsin offices.

However a tooth gets fractured, cracked, chipped, broken, or knocked loose, what matters is how you respond to the situation. Here are some pointers if you find yourself dealing with a tooth injury: [Read more...]

Why Teeth Alignment is Important

Align BiteDuring your appointment at your Neighborhood Smiles Wisconsin office, you might hear us mention the word “occlusion.” This is simply a way of saying the way your teeth are aligned and how your upper and lower teeth fit together. Occlusion is probably not something you think about very often, but it is very important to the health, functionality and appearance of your mouth.

Our Neighborhood Smiles Wisconsin dentists want to make sure you understand why the alignment of your teeth is such a big deal, and the options you have to fix any problems you may have. Always be sure to bring up any questions you may have with our Wisconsin dental staffs, whether you have an appointment or call us up on the phone.

Are Your Teeth Aligned?

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Fresh Breath for Your Valentine!

Fresh BreathValentine’s Day is tomorrow, and you’ve probably already made reservations, ordered flowers, and bought a card. But have you checked your breath lately? Bad breath can ruin any night, whether it’s a first date or a night out with your husband of twenty years.

No one wants to worry about their breath, especially not when you should be relaxing with a loved one. Our Neighborhood Smiles Wisconsin staff will help in any way we can, [Read more...]

Fixing Coffee Stains

Coffee Stained TeethCoffee is delicious and the caffeine can be the only thing that gets you through the day. We understand! This post isn’t to tell you to quit drinking coffee, but to inform you about the effect it has on your teeth.

We want all Wisconsin residents to know how to protect and maintain the health and beauty of their teeth, especially if they don’t have to drastically change their lifestyle. Our Neighborhood Smiles offices are here to help you!

Why does coffee stain teeth?

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Keep Your Teeth Healthy with Hydrogen Peroxide: Five Tips

hydrogen peroxideA great, cheap product to add to your oral hygiene routine is hydrogen peroxide, which can be used in a number of ways to keep your teeth healthy and clean. Our Wisconsin offices loves providing our patients with tips to protect and maintain the beauty and health of their teeth that they can do from home.

Hydrogen peroxide should not be used as a long term solution though. It can turn your gums or tongue black! Just remember to check with us before you try these or any other new treatments, to make sure they are right for your individual needs.

What is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is a common household product that can be found for very cheap at your local pharmacy or grocery store. Chemically, it is two oxygen molecules with two oxygen molecules, and it appears as a clear liquid with about the consistency of water. [Read more...]