Tuesday 30 June 2015

Dental Grills: The Bad Things

Bad Effects Of Dental Grills
Dental grills, also known as “grillz,” have become popular among some teens and adults due to their popularity among celebrities, especially rap musicians. Grills are decorative covers that snap over one or more teeth. They are usually made of gold, silver or other precious metals. But less expensive grills are often made from base metals that can cause irritation or an allergic reaction.

There are no long-term studies of dental grills, so there are no data about long-term safety or about problems resulting from long-term wear.

Grills can promote plaque buildup and tooth decay because food particles and bacteria may build up between the teeth and the grill. A grill may also cause abrasion of the teeth that border it. Excessive wearing of grills may discolor teeth, too, so grill fans may need to whiten teeth when they decide to stop wearing the grill.

Anyone who wears a dental grill should be especially attentive to dental hygiene, and follow a consistent routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. Also, be sure to remove the grill before eating and rinse it often to remove bacteria and food particles. Talk to your dentist before getting a dental grill and be sure to find out how best to reduce the risk of bacterial buildup and other complications.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Sunday 28 June 2015

Dental Digital X-rays

Digital X-rays Mean Less Radiation

We use only digital X-rays that are available immediately for viewing on our computer. There is no waiting time for images to develop, no polluting chemicals used in the process, and 75% less radiation than conventional X-rays.

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Wednesday 24 June 2015

Great American Smokeout

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about about quitting smoking.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Sunday 21 June 2015

Dental Care for Seniors

Specific Care for Seniors

Just as we notice changes to our bodies as they age, you will notice changes to the condition and appearance of your teeth. They may no longer have the brilliant white luster of the past due to years of consuming caffeine, tobacco, and other substances that stain. Old fillings may loosen and need to be replaced due to decay that has set in. The flow of saliva may be reduced because of certain medications. And gum disease is often a problem in seniors that needs urgent treatment. Continued good nutrition and daily cleaning are important in keeping your natural teeth. As a word of caution, at the first signs of bleeding gums or loose teeth, please contact us immediately.

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Thursday 18 June 2015

Top Dental Symptoms: Cracked or Broken Teeth

A cracked or broken tooth can happen for a variety of reasons- brittle teeth, teeth grinding, injury. The crack may be invisible to the naked eye and even X-ray, but they can be incredibly painful and create bigger problems if left untreated. If you experience pain when chewing see your dentist. They can diagnose the cause and develop a plan for treatment.

Above article from: Mouthhealthy.org

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Tuesday 16 June 2015

The Importance of Daily Flossing

Daily flossing is an important component of plaque removal, but it’s one that many people avoid because they find flossing painful. But the right flossing products can make flossing easy and painless.

Many people think that standard dental floss is the only effective product for tooth flossing. But there are many products to meet the needs of people of all ages with any type of dental condition. If one of these conditions applies to you, consider some specialized flossing options:

  • You have sensitive gums. If you have sensitive teeth and gums that bleed easily, choose a soft floss, such as Oral-B’s Satin Floss, that slides easily and comfortably between the teeth
  • You have braces. If you wear braces or have dentures, that doesn’t mean that you can’t floss. Try a specialized floss, such as Oral-B’s Super Floss, which has a stiff end that you can thread beneath the main wire of your braces and a spongy component that slides easily between the teeth
  • You have a child. It’s important to teach children the benefits of flossing at a young age. You can start teaching children to floss their teeth at about age 5-7 years, but many children are less than enthusiastic, and they may complain that flossing hurts or is difficult. Try a kid-friendly flossing tool, such as the Oral-B Stages flossers, which are designed to be easy for children to handle and feature kid-friendly characters
  • You have difficulty manipulating floss. Try an electric flosser, such as the Oral-B Hummingbird. An electric flosser is neat and easy, especially if you don’t like reaching into the back of your mouth. And an electric flosser provides the right amount of pressure to leave your gums feeling pleasantly stimulated.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Saturday 13 June 2015

Wine Tasters, Beware

Wine tasters may be at high risk for enamel stain and erosion.

Why? Sipping wine many times a day -- and swishing it in the mouth -- increases the enamel's exposure to damaging acids.

That is why it's better to drink a glass of wine, soda, or sweet tea with a meal instead of sipping it over several hours.

Above article from: Webmd.com/oral-health

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Thursday 11 June 2015

Your Mouth Is Not a Bottle Opener!

Your mother was right: Never open bottles, packages, or other containers with your teeth. You might permanently chip or crack the enamel.

Gnawing on anything else -- like pens or fingernails -- or chomping down on seeds, popcorn kernels, or ice could have the same result.

Above article from: Webmd.com/oral-health

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Tuesday 9 June 2015

Saliva Shortage? Pay Extra Attention to Plaque Removal

Saliva has an important job to do in your mouth. For starters, it helps to remove food particles. But it also helps prevent tooth decay and infection by washing away plaque and keeping disease-causing bacteria from building up on your teeth and gums. But saliva can’t do all that work by itself. So it’s important to remove plaque yourself by practicing good oral hygiene, which means proper flossing each day, and twice-daily tooth brushing.

Most of us don’t think about the moisture in our mouths until our mouths become dry. A variety of conditions can cause dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, including the following:

  • Cancer treatments. If you have any type of cancer of the head or neck and you receive radiation therapy, dry mouth is a common side effect because the radiation damages the salivary glands in addition to destroying the cancer. Some medications used to treat cancer in any part of the body can also cause dry mouth.
  • Prescription medications. Hundreds of common medications, including many antidepressants and medications for high blood pressure, can contribute to a dry mouth. If you take medications that seem to make your mouth feel dry, be especially vigilant about tooth brushing and proper flossing.
  • Nerve damage. Some types of injuries to the head or neck can damage the specific nerves that tell the salivary glands to produce saliva.
  • Chronic illness. Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and Parkinson’s disease are among the diseases that can contribute to a chronic dry mouth.
  • Drug use. Methamphetamines have been associated with dry mouth.

To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Sunday 7 June 2015

Receding Gums

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about receding gums.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Saturday 6 June 2015

Foods That Stain Your Teeth: Tea and Your Teeth

Although tea has a reputation as a healthy beverage, it may not be the best choice when it comes to keeping your teeth white. Dentists say tea -- especially the basic black variety -- can cause more stains than coffee. However, recent studies have found that even herbal teas and white teas have the potential to erode enamel and cause tooth staining.

Above article from: Webmd.com/oral-health

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Thursday 4 June 2015

Dental Health

Full-Mouth Rehabilitation

Oral health plays a major role in your overall health. There are many dental problems that affect how you feel and how much energy you have. Tooth grinding, TMJ, periodontitis, crooked teeth, and malocclusion (bite doesn't come together properly) are some of the problems that can be corrected to restore vitality and keep you healthy. 

Dr. Moss takes the time to discuss these problems in detail, and how you can correct them to obtain better health and more energy. Through digital X-rays, photos, and oral imprints, he can then present options to help you achieve a new outlook on life with diminished pain and other problems. 

We also discuss phased treatment and financial planning to make these solutions a reality.

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com

Tuesday 2 June 2015

Scaling And Root Planing: Professional Plaque Removal

Perhaps you’ve been neglecting a good oral health routine. Or, you’ve done your best, but you’ve developed plaque and tartar buildup. A regular routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing is an important part of regular plaque removal for everyone. But if you have risk factors that have caused a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums to harden into tartar, your dentist or dental hygienist may suggest scaling or root planing your teeth to remove the buildup. If left untreated, severe tartar buildup along and under the gum line can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, which may increase the risk of gum disease.

Scaling and root planing are common nonsurgical techniques that may prevent the need for more serious procedures, such as periodontal surgery or a root canal.

Here’s what to expect if your dentist or dental hygienist recommends these techniques:

  • You won’t feel it. You’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb the area.
  • Scaling: Your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the areas both above and below the gum line.
  • Root Planing: Your dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools to smooth rough spots on the tooth roots. This process not only removes bacteria and helps reduce plaque buildup, but it provides a smooth surface for gums to reattach to the teeth.

After a scaling and root planing procedure, be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions and maintain an oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. If your gums are sensitive after the procedure, try a spongy floss, such as Oral-BÆ Ultra FlossÆ, to help prevent painful flossing.

The above article is from: OralB.com

Moss Family Dentistry   
Whittaker Moss, DDS   
1916 East Lamar Alexander Parkway   
Maryville, TN 37804   
(865) 983-4642   
MossFamilyDentist.com