Hi. I’m Dr. Brett Felton, an experienced dentist here in Missoula. It is my goal to help my patients have optimum oral health, and today I would like to talk about something else associated with our mouths that doesn’t get as much attention as cavities or cosmetic dentistry: it’s our sense of taste.
Patients often come into our Missoula, Montana dental practice and complain about ‘a toothache the size of Lolo.’ I understand this kind of pain, and realize that when you describe it like that, it really hurts. I can help.
Every health-conscious Missoula parent knows that sugar is the number one cause of cavities for Montana kids – and plenty of us adults also snack on too many sweet snacks and beverages.
Soft drinks, soda, pop. No matter what you call it, it seems that these days it’s the dietary villain of choice. Today in the Felton Dental Care Dental Blog, we are going to give you yet another reason to avoid this ubiquitous drink.
Today in our Missoula dental blog we will highlight some of the simple things you can do with your toothbrush to keep your mouth as clean and healthy as possible.
Gum disease is a common dental issue for many Orchard Homes residents. When gum tissue pulls away from a tooth, it forms a pocket. This pocket is a warm, moist place for bacteria to flourish. (You know what they say about nature abhorring a vacuum.)
Most health-conscious individuals in the Missoula, Lolo, and Frenchtown area exercise regularly, and many turn to sports drinks for hydration.
While it’s true that sports drinks help maintain electrolyte levels in the body (and pose fewer health risks than energy drinks), their acidity can erode tooth enamel. And when tooth enamel erodes, those pearly whites are more susceptible to staining, discoloration, and decay.
Jaw pain may be caused by sinusitis. Sinusitis is the inflammation of the tissues that line your sinuses, and when these tissues are inflamed, the sinuses exert pressure on surrounding areas. If the inflamed sinus is near the jaw, pain in the jaw joint may result. This commonly happens following a cold or when someone suffers from allergies.
Malocclusion (literally ‘bad bite’) is the term used for all types of bite problems including overbites, underbites and crossbites. Jaw alignment disorders can cause a range of problems and often prohibit proper chewing and/or swallowing. Teeth can shift around in the mouth, causing even more discomfort or difficulty.
So, what is a responsible dental patient to do? The first thing is to meet with your Missoula dentist and see what their opinion is. If you love floss picks, continue to use them when convenient, but still try to use regular dental floss daily.
1750 Brooks St.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-0896
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