In 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.
Myths and Facts About Fluoride and Our Teeth
Fluoride is a mineral that is found naturally in food, soil, and water. Direct contact between fluoride and teeth remineralizes weak enamel. However, many people debate the advantages and disadvantages of fluoride, particularly fluoride treatments for children. Dr. Erika Peddicord wants to dispel a few common myths about fluoride. At Peddicord Family Dentistry, patients of all ages will experience expert, compassionate dental care for a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services.
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Why Do We Get Toothaches?
A toothache can be a persistent and uncomfortable issue. At some point in our lives, we all develop a toothache. However, toothaches are often the first indicators of serious dental health issues. In fact, if you experience a toothache that persists after 48 hours, you should see your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, right away.
Don’t Replace Oral Hygiene with Oil Pulling
Some homeopathic remedies have no basis in science, so it’s hard for someone who requires proof to put any faith in them. Still, there are tried-and-true supplemental health practices that certainly can’t hurt, and may even help. Take oil pulling for example. This do-it-yourself procedure is credited to ancient Ayurvedics, but it is gaining popularity in modern America. The theory is that pure organic oils pull bacteria and other unfriendly organisms out of your mouth, leading to better overall dental and overall health.
Oil Pulling
You can take your pick of the oil you choose for pulling – coconut, sunflower, and olive (as long as they are extra virgin cold pressed) are all considered acceptable and effective. However, the most popular oil for this treatment is organic sesame oil. Some experts suggest alternating oils for optimal effectiveness. No matter what oil you choose, the procedural elements are the same. Begin with about a tablespoon, first thing in the morning, before you’ve consumed anything. Swish the oil in your mouth for 20 (more…)
The Importance of Patient Education at Peddicord Family Dentistry
At Peddicord Family Dentistry in Ankeny, Iowa, our approach to dental care is two-fold. First and foremost, we provide top-notch dental care to our patients. We offer the most advanced and proven cosmetic, preventive, and restorative services to help our patients achieve and maintain the highest levels of health and beauty possible.
Secondly, we make it a priority to educate our clients so that they fully understand the importance of healthy teeth and gums. We want each and every one of our valued patients to be comfortable in our dental chair, and that starts with a basic understanding of the care we provide.
Understanding the ins and outs of dental care in Ankeny, Iowa
Our dedication to patient education starts at your first appointment at our Ankeny, Iowa, dentist office. At your appointment, you’ll meet our staff, take a tour of our state-of-the-art facility, and have the opportunity to ask Dr. Erika Peddicord and the rest of our team any questions you have about your dental health, our treatment philosophy, and our office. Then, we’ll dive right into assessing your oral health and addressing your unique needs. Once you’re a Peddicord Family Dentistry patient, we keep an open-door policy, which means that you can and should give us a call any time you have a question about your smile (or even your dental insurance benefits). We’re here to help you any way we can.
Another way we help our patients learn more about what’s going on inside of their mouths is with our online patient education center. Here, you’ll find a library of information about topics ranging from how to prevent dental problems, to the ins and outs of a variety of cosmetic and restorative dental procedures, to pre- and post-op instructions. We encourage all of our patients to become familiar with this information — especially if it pertains to their dental health needs — and give us a call or ask us about it at their next appointment if they have any questions.
About Peddicord Family Dentistry
Dr. Erika Peddicord of Peddicord Family Dentistry received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Her enthusiasm for building lasting relationships with her patients and her dedication to oral health set her apart as an outstanding family dentist. Whether bringing your little one in for a first checkup or your parents for a new set of dentures, Dr. Peddicord and our staff can provide all the services you need to maintain the health, beauty, and function of your smile. Patients can schedule an appointment with Dr. Peddicord by calling (515) 963-3339.
How to Take Great Care of Dental Veneers (and Other Porcelain Restorations)
As we discussed in our previous post, porcelain dental veneers provide an ideal solution for covering severe enamel stains, hiding misshapen teeth, and closing gaps that might be spoiling the overall beauty of your smile. These handy little cosmetic restorations are crafted from dental porcelain by dental technicians at specialized labs. On its own, porcelain is highly breakable (just think of how fragile a porcelain teacup is). Yet, porcelain veneers are as strong as your natural teeth because they have been bonded to a sturdy substructure (specifically, your tooth). Despite the resilience of bonded dental porcelain, it can still suffer from chips and breaks if care is not taken. Whether you have an all-porcelain crown or porcelain veneers, ensuring the long life of that restoration requires a few simple steps. (more…)
The What, How, and Why of the “Instant Smile Makeover”
Surprisingly strong and exceedingly lifelike, porcelain veneers make up a crucial part of many smile makeover treatment plans. While many people assume that “getting veneers” means having these thin sheaths of porcelain placed on all the front teeth, some cosmetic treatment plans only include veneering one or two teeth. Today, we’re taking a closer look at porcelain veneers and discussing what they are, how they’re used, and why they just might be the ideal solution for the right patient. (more…)
How Root Canal Therapy Can Save Your Tooth
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, yet despite its strength, your teeth still sustain serious damage. Whether through traumatic injury (like a crack, fracture, or break) or untreated tooth decay, when bacteria bypass the outer enamel, you could develop cavities and deeply set dental infection. Without treatment, severely decayed or damaged teeth often break off at the gum line or require an emergency extraction. In order to prevent completely losing a compromised tooth, your dentist may recommend an endodontic procedure known as root canal therapy. (more…)
Connecting the Dots Between Oral Health, Heart Health, and Junk Food
Very few people are under the illusion that junk food is good for them. It’s called “junk” food for a reason. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the damage that frequent consumption of junk food can do to your heart and your smile (not to mention your waistline). Today, we’re taking an up-close look at how sugar-laden junk food harms your oral health and how compromised oral health can actually exacerbate junk food’s effect of your heart health. (more…)
How to Get the Most from Your Teeth Whitening Treatment
Fed up with dull, yellow teeth ruining an otherwise lovely smile, you talked to your dentist about professional teeth whitening. You moved forward with treatment and now you’ve got your custom-fitted trays and syringes of whitening gel home. The steps you take during and after whitening your teeth at home can enhance your results safely. (more…)