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We all try to have a consistent oral hygiene routine that will remove plaque, food and debris from our teeth.   Unfortunately, brushing and flossing can not always remove the food and bacteria from your back teeth because of the deep grooves your teeth need to help you grind up food when you chew.  To help reduce the risk of cavities, Dr. Mary Rose will place sealants to reduce the risk of cavities.

What are sealants?  Dental sealants are a thin, protective plastic coating that protect the chewing surfaces of your back teeth.  Once applied, sealants can protect molars for up to 6 years reducing the chances for invasive dental work.  Dr. Mary Rose will check the sealants during your hygiene visits to make sure they do not need replaced due to wear or if missing.

Who can benefit from sealants?  Dr. Mary Rose recommends sealants for children when their permanent molars have fully erupted.  In some cases, Dr. Mary Rose might suggest sealants for your child’s primary (baby) teeth if there are deep grooves to protect the adult teeth.  Dr. Mary Rose recommends sealants to anyone, even adults, who are prone to tooth decay on their back teeth.

Sealants are a safe and effective way to reduce the risk of cavities.  If you have any questions, Dr. Mary Rose would be happy to discuss sealants with you.

2023 is right around the corner!  Everyone looks forward to seeing what the new year will bring.  If you make a list of resolutions each year, Dr. Mary Rose suggests choosing one of these ideas to add to your list.

1. Floss Every Day – Flossing reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay in hard to reach places between your teeth.  Plus, you will have a fresher breath!
2. Brush Your Teeth For Two Full Minutes – Studies show that most Americans brush significantly less than one minute. Try using a timer or sing Happy Birthday twice.  It will improve your oral hygiene.
3. Quit Smoking – Smoking is a dangerous habit for your health and teeth. Quitting will reduce your risk for gum disease, tooth loss and serious health issues.
4. Buy an Electric Toothbrush – Electric Toothbrush is an excellent investment in your oral health. It helps clean your teeth significantly better than a manual toothbrush.  Mary Rose suggests the Oral B Vitality for her patients.
5. Invest In a Tongue Scraper – Brushing your tongue with a toothbrush can remove some bacteria but investing in a tongue scraper will ensure your tongue is clean and bacteria free.
6. Visit your dentist regularly – Check your schedule to make sure you have an appointment for your regular checkup.

Have a wonderful 2023 and we look forward to seeing you in our office!

Everyone loves the holiday season.  We tend to be more relaxed with our hygiene and our eating habits change during the holidays.  During this busy season filled with family gatherings and parties with friends, Dr. Mary Rose has helpful tips to keep your smile bright and healthy.

1. Limit your intake of sodas – The holiday parties have wonderful festive drinks that  contain sugary sodas.  The sugar and acid in sodas are not healthy for your teeth.  Try limiting these drinks by drinking carbonated water and use a straw to help minimize the acid on your teeth.
2. Be cautious with hard candies – Candy Canes and other hard candies are very popular during this time of year. Biting down on hard candy can crack your teeth if you bite down wrong.  Mary Rose suggests limiting hard candies.  If you do enjoy hard candies, allow the candy to dissolve in your mouth instead and make sure you brush thoroughly after eating candy.
3. We all love the dessert spreads during the holidays. Tasty cookies and cakes are hard to resist.  Try heading to the vegetable trays.  Vegetables are loaded with vitamins.  Carrots and Broccoli are loaded with vitamin A which helps strengthen your enamel and are low in calories.
4. Enjoy your turkey!  Turkey is one holiday food that is tasty and is healthy for your teeth.  Turkey is loaded with phosphorus and protein which can help your body fight tooth decay and keep your teeth healthy and strong.
5. Snack on cheese while drinking your alcoholic drinks – Cheese helps with PH balancing as well as neutralize the acid in your drink.  The calcium in cheese is a healthy bonus.
6. Avoid snacking all day – During this time of year we tend to leave treats out all day. Grazing all day can put your teeth at risk for decay.  Try putting out food at mealtimes only, which will help your teeth and your waistline.  Try activities like games, craft projects or watching holiday movies instead of snacking.

Dr. Mary Rose and the entire staff at Twohig Dentistry wishes you a wonderful holiday season!

Losing a tooth is a frustrating experience, fortunately, there is a simple solution for those with missing teeth.  Dental Implants look like real teeth and are a viable option for many, however, some individuals are unaware of the benefits.  Let’s discuss the benefits of Implants.

1. Self-esteem – If you have a missing tooth (or teeth that need to be removed), it can prevent you from smiling in public. Dental Implants look and feel like a real tooth which will give you confidence in your smile.
2. Dental Implants behave like natural teeth – Dental implants are anchored into your jaw with a titanium post that replaces the tooth root, allowing you to chew most like a natural tooth.
3. Prevents Bone Loss – When you lose a tooth, you also tend to lose bone mass in your jaw. Dental Implants are the only tooth replacement option that also replaces the jaw bone stimulation it needs to maintain its mass, helping to prevent bone loss.
4. Convenience – Dental Implants do not need to be removed or kept in place with adhesives. Caring for the implant will not require special products like other tooth replacement options. You can brush and floss your implant the same way as your natural teeth.
5. Enables Natural Speech – Tooth replacement options, like dentures, can sometimes slip causing difficulty pronouncing words correctly.
6. Durability – With Proper care, dental implants can last for years.

Dental Implants are a realistic and life-changing option.  If you have any questions regarding implants, Dr. Mary Rose would be happy to help you with your decision.