Whether through tooth decay, bruxism (teeth grinding), or a powerful blow, teeth can break, and when they do, a dental crown should be placed to repair the damage and lend them strength. If not, they will only suffer further injury, eventually necessitating an extraction. However, when it comes to receiving a dental crown, you will be faced with a choice. Dental crowns are made out of several materials including metal, porcelain, and a combination of porcelain and metal, and each of these materials has its strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, if you come to your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, for a dental crown, she will begin by discussing your options with you, providing you with guidance to ensure that you choose the restoration that is right for you. (more…)
Introducing Lighthouse 360
Recently, our dental practice has upgraded our ability to communicate with our patients. The software we have chosen is called Lighthouse 360, and it will provide our patients with appointment confirmations through both text messages and emails, ensuring that you receive a convenient reminder about your scheduled appointment. In addition, Lighthouse 360 will allow you to contact our office electronically about your appointment, streamlining communications for you and for us. We look forward to hearing from you soon, and as always, will do our utmost to provide you with top-notch dental care.
Why Gingivitis Lingers in the Body
Did you know that gingivitis will prevent the body’s immune system from fighting against it? This unfortunate effect of gingivitis occurs because the disease triggers the body to produce IL-10, an anti-inflammatory molecule. Since gingivitis inflames the gums, it would seem that an anti-inflammatory molecule would be a good thing to produce. However, these molecules interfere with the body’s T-cells, preventing them from attacking gingivitis at its source, namely the bacteria that cause it. Thus, your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, encourages her patients to take preventive action against gum disease, as lingering gingivitis may progress into periodontitis, a damaging form of gum disease that attacks ligaments and tissues that support teeth. (more…)
Ankeny IA Dentist: Root Canal Therapy Can Eliminate Pain
Risks and Symptoms of Dental Infections
When your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, performs root canal therapy, her goal is to remove an infection from a tooth in order to preserve the tooth and improve oral health. If the infection is allowed to linger, the tooth may eventually be lost, and the infection could spread into the jaw or throughout the mouth. In addition, the presence of an infection in the body always carries some risk of illness, and it is not impossible for a dental infection to spread into the rest of the body. Some symptoms of an infected tooth include sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, a persistent toothache, and pain when the tooth is compressed. (more…)
Ankeny IA Children’s Dentist Discusses Children’s Dentistry
Taking care of your teeth is a lifelong commitment. Therefore, to ensure that your child starts off on the right foot, it is very important to find a good children’s dentist. In the early years of a child’s life, the focus of dentistry is on development and education. Thus dental appointments should include instruction about brushing and flossing and the importance of homecare techniques and habits. These dental visits are also very important in forming a child’s opinion about dentistry in general, which is why your Ankeny IA children’s dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, strives to interact with children in a positive and fun way. Positive interactions help to form constructive opinions about the value of dentistry, making a child more likely to make oral health a priority later in life. Thus, while much of the earliest dental visits are about checkups and building a relationship, they are some of the most important visits of a lifetime because they form the foundation of a child’s feeling about dentistry and oral health.
What to Expect from a Dental Visit
The first few dental visits that a child will attend are as much about creating familiarity and trust between the patient and the dentist as they are about examining a child’s teeth. Children should attend their first dental visits at about one year of age or six months after the emergence of the first tooth. During the first visit, Dr. Peddicord will examine your child’s teeth, ensuring that they are coming in properly. She will also spend some time getting to know her new patient, building trust with her caring demeanor.
Compassionate Children’s Care in Ankeny IA
If you are in search of a children’s dentist, Dr. Peddicord is a great choice. Her gentle and understanding approach helps to put children at ease, making their first experiences with dentistry very pleasant. She also encourages communication and seeks to get to know her patients individually. In addition to her ability to put children at ease, Dr. Peddicord has the experience and knowledge to provide first-rate dental care. She is meticulous and dedicated, meaning your child will be in great hands.
About Dr. Erika Peddicord
Dr. Erika Peddicord 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.
Ankeny IA General Dentist Offers Homecare Tips
Homecare is very important in preventing both tooth decay and gum disease. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your habits and techniques are effective. To help you in this endeavor, your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, has put together the following list. Read below as she shares several homecare tips that can help you fight back against plaque and tartar. (more…)
Ankeny IA Dentist Discusses Candy and Teeth
With Halloween fast approaching, candy is being displayed in more and more prominent ways. Unfortunately, while candy is fun for the holiday, it may not be good for your oral health, especially if candy consumption is typical in your diet. To learn more about how candy can impact your oral health, read the following information from your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord. (more…)
Ankeny IA Dentist Answers Your Questions about Teeth Whitening
When you smile, is it radiant? If not, what is stopping you from whitening your smile? The teeth whitening treatments of today are surprisingly convenient and effective. However, many patients are still left with unanswered questions when it comes to teeth whitening treatment. Here with the answers to those questions is your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord. (more…)
Ankeny, IA General Dentist: Healthiest Foods for Your Teeth
Did you know that your diet affects your teeth? In fact, maintaining an unhealthy diet tends to wreak havoc upon your smile and oftentimes your waistline, too. However, by making healthy dietary choices on a regular basis, you can ensure your smile won’t endure major dental issues.
To explain which foods promote sound dental health, your Ankeny, IA general dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, shares the following blog post with her patients.
For a Healthier Smile, Eat More of These Foods
- Milk. Enamel is the hardest substances within your body and it’s attributed to the structure. The enamel is made from tightly packed calcium and phosphorous, which is why a daily intake of milk and dairy is incredibly important. Additionally, calcium helps fortify the gums, too. To reap these benefits, your Ankeny, IA general dentist, suggests having at least three servings of dairy products each day.
- Raw fruit. Alongside calcium, the tissues in your mouth need vitamin C to stay healthy. Eating more oranges, grapefruits, and even pineapple provides you with sufficient doses of vitamin C. Furthermore, consuming raw fruits acts as a natural toothbrush. For example, the seeds in strawberries help remove stains from teeth to make for a whiter smile.
- Crunchy veggies. Milk provides the calcium and crunchy veggies provide the phosphorous. Choosing to snack on celery sticks, broccoli, and carrots is not only good for the body, it provides healthy doses of phosphorous to keep your enamel strong.
Moreover, eating crunchy veggies helps stimulate the salivary glands. Since saliva is the mouth’s natural defense against cavities, more of it helps ward off cavity-causing bacteria.
- Leafy-green veggies. While any type of vegetable is excellent for your overall and oral health, leafy-greens tend to top the list. Leafy-green veggies come packed with essential vitamins, plus, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, and even beta carotene.
Your
Ankeny, IA general dentist recommends adding more kale, cabbage, and spinach into your diet to ensure your teeth keep their top-notch health status.
Peddicord Family Dentistry Offers Oral Health Care Tips
If you would like more oral care tips and tricks to maintain your smile healthy, talk to Dr. Peddicord. She can tell you which dietary choices prove healthiest for smiles. To schedule an appointment with your Ankeny, IA general dentist, call us at (515) 963-3339. Also, visit our website for patient forms, oral care tips, and to learn about our team. We happily serve new and existing patients in Bondurant, Polk City, Elkhart, Alleman, and Cambridge, and neighboring areas.
Ankeny IA Dentist Can Fix Your Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth can be very detrimental to a smile’s appearance because the irregular shape caused by the damage will draw the eye to it. Thus, even a small chip can become the center of attention, making the chipped tooth’s repair a priority for restoring a smile’s beauty. But how exactly is a chipped tooth repaired? To find out, read below as your Ankeny IA dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord, discusses three methods for repairing a chipped tooth. (more…)