What Is Xylitol?

Posted by

Tooth decay is a serious problem in American children. Twenty-five percent of young children from 2 to 5 and 50 percent of children 12 to15 suffer tooth decay. Americans miss 51 million hours of school and 164 million hours of work due to dental issues. Xylitol is an all-natural sugar substitute that can help fight off cavities. In today’s blog your Ankeny, IA, family dentist, Dr. Ericka Peddicord, discusses xylitol.

(more…)

filed under: Cavities, Children's Dentistry, Patient Education, Preventive Dentistry

Swishers

Posted by

drinking sodaThere are people who simply sip and swallow their beverages, and then there are swishers. Swishers have to swish every sip around and through their teeth before swallowing. It doesn’t matter the beverage. It can be soda, coffee, wine, etc. When non-swishers drink a beverage, it moves quickly past their teeth making little contact. When swishers drink a beverage, it is held in their mouth long enough to begin dissolving tooth structure. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, family dentist, Dr. Ericka Peddicord, discusses what to swish and what not to swish.

(more…)

filed under: Patient Education, Preventive Dentistry

Toothbrushes: Electric vs Manual

Posted by

elecmantoothbrushThere are several indications that the use of electric toothbrushes is on the rise. One toothbrush manufacturer claims they’ve doubled sales of electric toothbrushes since 1998. Retail shelf space for electric toothbrushes has increased. Many young children prefer electric toothbrushes because they think they are fun to use, and that they “tickle.” But are there any distinct advantages to using an electric toothbrush over a manual toothbrush? If you have questions regarding the pros and cons of electric toothbrushes, your Ankeny, IA, family dentist, Dr. Ericka Peddicord will be happy to discuss them with you.

(more…)

filed under: Children's Dentistry, General Dentistry, Patient Education

Dental Facts For Sixty And Above

Posted by

senior menAs a child, you may have feared losing your teeth when you aged, and having to wear dentures like your grandparents. That’s because people believed that tooth loss was part of aging. This is a common misconception. Tooth loss is actually the result of periodontal disease. Our teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and with proper care they can. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC), 52 percent of adults over the age of 65 still had most of their natural teeth in 2003, as opposed to the 1950’s when over 50 percent of adults over age 65 had lost all their teeth. Seniors still need to take special care of their teeth. If you are aging gracefully, make sure your teeth age gracefully too. Schedule an appointment with your Ankeny, IA, family dentist, Dr. Ericka Peddicord to discuss how to care for aging teeth.

(more…)

filed under: General Dentistry, Gum Disease, Health News, Patient Education, Preventive Dentistry

Fillings

Posted by

fillings1The majority of people are familiar with tooth decay, cavities, and fillings. Cavities affect over 90 percent of the population, and 78 percent of Americans have had at least one cavity by the age of 17. Up until recently most cavities were filled with silver amalgam, but today there are other choices. If you, your child, or another family member needs a filling, your Ankeny, IA, family dentist, Dr. Ericka Peddicord will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of fillings materials.

(more…)

filed under: Cavities, Fillings, Patient Education

Eating For Two…Or Is It Eating For…Tooth?

Posted by

babyteethIf you’ve ever been pregnant or are pregnant now, you will recall the many times someone made the remark, “That’s okay…you’re eating for two.” Considering the findings by the recent Canadian study, that cute little comment may develop into “You’re eating for…tooth” not your tooth, but your child’s teeth. Everything a pregnant mom puts into her body has the potential to affect her unborn fetus for good or bad, during gestation, after birth, and even into adulthood. A team of researchers from the University of Manitoba conducted a study and found a link between tooth decay in children, and vitamin D deficiency in their mother’s during pregnancy.

(more…)

filed under: Children's Dentistry, General Dentistry, Patient Education

What Is Tooth Contouring?

Posted by

vampire teethWith all the popular books, TV shows, and movies, vampires are in…but you may not want to look like one. If your bicuspids are super pointy, verging on “vampire teeth,” they can be corrected with an easy and minimally invasive procedure. Odd shaped, unevenly shaped, chipped teeth, and overlapping teeth can all be remedied too. If you are unhappy with your teeth and your smile, schedule an appointment with your Ankeny, IA, family dentist, Dr. Ericka Peddicord, for a consultation on how to improve your smile.

(more…)

filed under: Bonding & Contouring, Cosmetic Dentistry

Does Your Baby Need A Dentist? Take This Quiz To Find Out

Posted by

mom and babyGood dental habits start young. But how young? Do you think your baby needs dental care? Take the quiz below and find out.

True Or False:

  1. Children need dental care as early as 12 months of age.
  2. Primary (baby) teeth cannot decay.
  3. You don’t have to worry about your child’s teeth until the first one erupts.
  4. You should clean your child’s teeth with fluoridated toothpaste, no matter how young.
  5. Parents whose children ingest a high amount of sugary substances, take their children to the dentist more often.

(more…)

filed under: Children's Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry

Smoking And Dental Health

Posted by

cigarettesIn 2012, over 42 million adults smoked in the US alone. The US spends nearly $133 billion in medical costs for adult smokers.  Smoking causes a host of ailments including bronchitis, chronic airway obstruction, diabetes, emphysema, stroke, heart disease, and cancer. Smoking affects oral health, too. People who smoke or “chew” smokeless tobacco, commonly known as chewing tobacco, are four times more likely to develop cancer in the oral cavity. Smoking also causes bad breath, stained teeth, gum disease and tooth loss. If you’re a smoker, schedule an appointment with your Ankeny, IA, family dentist, Dr. Ericka Peddicord, for a professional cleaning and a consultation on how to care for your teeth.

(more…)

filed under: General Health, Gum Disease