Do you feel like you need a cavity filled every time you visit the dentist? While we know that tooth decay is largely preventable with proper dental hygiene and routine dental visits, there is also evidence that suggests that genetics can play a role in one’s susceptibility to cavities. If you are diligent in your oral hygiene and still find yourself with frequent cavities, you may be able to blame your parents.
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Life is full of unexpected problems. While a broken chair in your dining room or noisy garage door are not cause for immediate action, issues within your dental health just can’t wait. In fact, putting off or neglecting dental treatment can lead to far worse problems than you started out with.

Dental problems can come in a variety of forms, from a sudden toothache or jaw symptoms to receding gums or painful sensitivity. Unless you are a certified dentist with an x-ray machine at your home, there’s little chance you’re accurately diagnosing your dental issues on your own. A trip to the dentist is almost always in order. (more…)

As you may have already discovered, not everyone sleeps peacefully. There are many sleep conditions that can make a person toss and turn or make noises while they snooze. Among the most serious sleep conditions is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Sleep apnea refers to multiple pauses in breathing throughout the night due to airway obstruction. Unfortunately, untreated sleep apnea can affect more than just your quality of sleep. It can impact your daytime energy, your ability to concentrate and your heart health. (more…)

Much like its name suggests, dental tourism refers to people traveling somewhere else to undergo a dental procedure. This can include travel from state to state as well as oversees in many cases. The dental procedures people travel for can also vary. While some simple need root canal therapy or a dental filling, others seek more advanced services such as implants, bridges and cosmetic dental procedures. Soft Touch Dentistry is proud to be a frequent home for countless dental tourists each year. Dr. Thompson is a highly sought-after cosmetic dentist who treats patients from across the nation with affordable, top quality dental services.

Why do people pack up and leave their hometowns in order to see a dentist? There are many reasons why the time and expense of the travel are worth it. The following are common motivations for dental tourism: (more…)

Are you scared or anxious about visiting the dentist? You are not alone. Dental phobia is quite common in both children and adults. In fact, there are many reasons why you may be fearful of the dentist. Unfortunately, you can’t just go without professional dental care and expect to retain a healthy smile. While modern dentistry has alleviated many of the preconceptions that suggest dental treatments are painful, many patients still struggle to overcome their deep-seated phobias surrounding dental visits. Fear of pain is just one of the many reasons why dental phobia exists.

Research and surveys have revealed the following as some of the most common reasons why patients skip their dental appointments due to fear: (more…)

Whether young or old, brushing and flossing are the daily commandments of proper dental hygiene. Brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing daily is the best way to remove plaque and food debris from all surfaces of your teeth, which helps you avoid subsequent cavities, staining, bad breath, gum disease and other dental problems. While the most important thing is that you complete these tasks, there is some debate about which one should come first. Do you brush before you floss? Is that the best way? (more…)

When discussing orange juice and toothpaste together, it is common to hear feedback about how terrible orange juice tastes when drinking it right after brushing your teeth. While this proves true for many people, the reverse relationship is equally disappointing. Just like toothpaste inhibits your ability to enjoy the taste of orange juice, orange juice can sabotage the effectiveness of toothpaste when cleaning your teeth if it is consumed in the reverse order. Here’s a closer look at why toothpaste and orange juice just shouldn’t be used or consumed together – or at least not in the same hour! (more…)

Dental crowns have been used for decades – and they are still one of the most popular dental restorations used across the world. They’ve gained their favor and widespread use due to their versatility. Crowns can be used to improve the structure and function of a tooth as well as its appearance. This is why crowns are often considered as a cosmetic investment as well as a restorative one. They can even serve as replacements for missing teeth!

Today’s dental crowns are more durable and natural-looking than ever before. While a wide range of materials can be used to fabricate a crown, most dentists prefer porcelain crowns. These provide durability and stain-resistance and they mimic the translucence of a natural tooth. Most of all, modern dental crowns can be tailored to fit your smile. Detailed measurements of your mouth and gums are acquired so that your crown can be customized in color, shape and size to blend seamlessly within your smile. (more…)

There’s no doubt that root canals have gotten a bad reputation in dental care. This is unfortunate. While root canals have long been misperceived as a painful and dreaded dental procedures, this endodontic therapy is actually quite heroic. Root canals save dying teeth – and that deserves some positive recognition! (more…)

Approximately 91 percent of U.S. adults aged 20–64 had dental caries in permanent teeth in 2011–2012, according to CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. While we would love to discuss ways to prevent dental decay, it is also important to talk about how we repair these cavities once they’ve formed. Your options for repairing a decayed tooth is not what they were several years ago. Amalgam (metal) fillings used to be the standard of care, but dentists are now using a much more preferred filling material. Composite resin, known for its “tooth colored” properties has replaced the traditional silver filling for both children and adults. (more…)