A dull jaw ache when it rains, lingering sensitivity when you sip your coffee, a knee-buckling twinge when you bite down on a piece of food. Toothaches can take multiple forms and the causes of a toothache can range from something as innocuous as a tightly lodged piece of popcorn to a deep, infected cavity. Old wives’ tales about toothaches are numerous and, unfortunately, following this questionable advice can result in a worsening oral health situation. Today, we’re shining some light on two of the more persistent toothache-related myths. (more…)
How to Handle a Chipped Chomper
Maybe you bumped your tooth on the microphone at karaoke or took a softball to the face while playing catch in the backyard. Whatever the cause, there’s nothing like accidentally chipping a tooth to make a grown person feel a bit slow and uncoordinated. Once you get over your embarrassment, though, you should follow these basic steps to ensure that your smile (and possibly your pride) returns to normal as soon as possible. (more…)
Do You Suffer from Dental Anxiety?
As important as healthy teeth are for your overall wellbeing and appearance, like most people you probably do not list “going to the dentist” as one of your top favorite activities. We understand; you are busy with work, family, and the activities you love, which is why dental treatment should be as convenient and comfortable as possible. However, if you have an extreme aversion to dental treatment, you may suffer from dental phobia. Fortunately, if you struggle with this recognized condition, there are a number of options that can help you overcome your anxiety and receive the treatment you need. Nitrous oxide, offered by your dentist in Ankeny, IA, is one of the most popular and effective tools in overcoming dental phobia. (more…)
Are Fuller Lips the Key to True Love?
Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching and while a sense of humor and a confident, friendly attitude are important to establishing long term romance, lovely lips might be the key to nabbing a first date. Research reveals that fuller lips might be the key to helping women attract the attention of a potential date. Genetics play a huge role in the fullness of a woman’s lips, but the help of a talented cosmetic dentist can enhance even very thin lips. (more…)
Cool New Technology for Better Root Canal Therapy
Root canals enjoy the dubious distinction of having a terrible reputation (as far as dental procedures go). However, most people have an outdated understanding of root canal therapy. Thanks to recent advances in dental technology, a root canal takes less time, provides a more accurate treatment, and involves less patient discomfort than before. Today, we’re taking a closer look at four types of cutting edge dental technology that may find their way into your dentist’s office. (more…)
From Chaos Comes Order: How Dental Implants Help When Your Mouth’s a Mess
Reading about dental implants online is a little like reading the blurb on the back of a book: it gives you a general impression of what’s going to happen, but the little details and nuances are left out. For instance, most dentistry websites give the impression that dental implants are only a solution for replacing teeth that you’ve already lost. While that’s certainly true, most of these websites fail to mention that patients currently living with painful, infected teeth can also benefit from dental implants. Today, we’ll take a closer look at how removing problematic teeth prior to dental implant placement can help you enjoy the benefits of a healthier mouth sooner. (more…)
Top 3 Ways Your Dentist Uses Crowns
Whether they’re made from porcelain, gold, or zirconium, dental crowns are your dentist’s favorite little multi-tasking dynamo! These versatile little restorations serve as adjuncts in procedures ranging from the restorative to the cosmetic to the prosthetic. Today, Dr. Erika Peddicord, a family dentist practicing in Ankeny, IA, talks about the three most frequent uses for dental crowns. (more…)
Cosmetic Dentist: When Teeth Whitening Won’t Work
Although effective in most situations, teeth whitening treatments may fail to remove certain stains from teeth. For this reason, your Ankeny IA cosmetic dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, encourages her patients to attend a consultation before choosing a treatment. During a consultation, Dr. Peddicord can examine your teeth to make sure they are healthy enough to receive whitening treatment and to make sure that the stains you are targeting can be removed with a whitening procedure. There is a possibility that your teeth could be discolored by intrinsic stains (stains inside of teeth) rather than extrinsic stains (stains on the surface of teeth). If this is the case, the whitening agents in the whitening solution will be unable to reach and remove these stains. (more…)
Ankeny IA Family Dentist is an Oral Health Advocate
Dr. Benjamin Rush, George Washington’s physician, recognized the connection between oral health and the health of the rest of the body when he stated: “Our success in the treatment of all chronic diseases would be very much promoted, by directing our inquiries into the state of the teeth in sick people.” Emerging research confirms this; the health of your whole body depends on the health of your mouth. Your Ankeny, IA, family dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, is an advocate for improved oral health for you and your family.
The Importance of Fluoride for Your Child’s Dental Health
Fluoride is an important mineral for dental health, especially for children, and it is found in the water supplies of nearly every major city in the US. However, many people do not understand the importance of this mineral. In this post, Ankeny, IA children’s dentist Dr. Erika Peddicord outlines the importance of fluoride for dental wellness and explains why you may want to consider fluoride treatments for your child. (more…)