Category: Preventive Dentistry

Swishers

There 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… Read more »

Dental Facts For Sixty And Above

As 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… Read more »

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

Good 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: Children need dental care as early as 12 months of age. Primary (baby) teeth cannot decay. You don’t have to worry about your child’s teeth until the first one… Read more »

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… Read 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;… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read 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,… Read more »

Ankeny, IA Dentist Discusses the Varying Types of Mouthwash

Did you know that mouthwash has multiple varieties? Most people don’t know that even in their local drugstore, each mouthwash serves a different purpose. To explain the differing types of mouthwashes and their functions, your Ankeny, IA cosmetic dentist, Dr. Erika Peddicord provides this information. Mouthwash Comes in Number of Varieties Fluoride. Act Restoring Enamel… Read more »