Dentists do their best to treat children experiencing dental decay, but preventing decay from happening in the first place is truly the best option. According to a three-year study conducted by several universities, with core findings published in the Journal of Dental Research, preventing tooth decay altogether for children is best for oral care. ...

​ Have you ever had a small black dot on one of your teeth that you haven't been able to scrape off? You might want to get that checked out. It could be a cavity. Cavities are damaged parts of your teeth that develop into holes. If left untreated, cavities can grow and affect more of your teeth and mouth. Cavities are caused by bacteria in your mou...

​ We all experience it from time to time, and it's actually one of the biggest reasons for getting a professional cleaning twice a year: tartar buildup. Also called dental calculus, tartar buildup is a yellow or brown deposit that forms on teeth when plaque hardens. It can only be removed by a professional. If it's not removed, it can lead to gum d...

The internet is a wondrous place full of miraculous cures for all sorts of ailments - or so every web-based snake oil salesman with a dream would like you to believe. From miracle diets that claim you can lose 20 pounds in a week to cure-alls for everything from acne to diabetes, if these things worked, life would be great. Unfortunately, most of these so-called cures are just a bunch of broken promises. But one particular cure has a lot of people talking. Some people claim you can naturally heal cavities in just two days. But here's the problem: You can’t heal cavities at home in two days or in any other number of days - there is no way to heal a cavity. That’s because once a cavity becomes a cavity, it’s too late to reverse it. Unfortunately, tooth enamel does not repair itself, which is why when we get cavities, we need fillings. Thankfully, fillings are a relatively straightforward procedure. To fill a tooth, your dentist will clean out the decayed portion and then replace it with a composite made of either metal amalgam or resin. That’s the only way you can actually "heal" a cavity. Sure, there are ways to stop a cavity from starting - that part is simple. Make sure you brush twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss between the teeth at least once a day. George says there are even ways to prevent a pre-cavity from turning into a full cavity. Pre-cavities are not quite cavities yet but could become cavities if not properly cared for. They are spots where the enamel of the teeth has worn away or become demineralized. Because they are not yet cavities, pre-cavities can be treated and stopped before they become full-fledged cavities. Pre-cavities can be treated with fluoride and sealants, but they also respond well to proper oral health care and avoiding foods that are high in sugar or carbohydrates, which the bacteria in your mouth often turn into sugar. The big takeaway in all of this is this: If you have a cavity, get it treated as soon as possible, before it turns into something bigger than it needs to be. Remember, cavities have a way of starting out small and turning into much bigger problems. If left untreated, they can not only get bigger, but can also turn into things like abscesses that require root canals or even extractions. If you suspect you have a cavity, skip the internet and call Dr. George at 724-220-2347.

If your dentist has recommended a dental debridement prior to your next cleaning and exam, you may be confused and maybe even a little bit nervous. After all, a debridement sounds a little bit scary and painful. The good news is, debridement isn’t scary or painful - and it’s certainly nothing to be afraid of. Here’s what you need to know about dental debridement. What Is Dental Debridement? Dental debridement is a process of removing excess plaque and tartar from the teeth. Dental debridement is not used for the average checkup. It is not used for the normal level of plaque most people accumulate every six to 12 months between checkups, but it is a useful procedure for more severe buildup that generally takes years to accumulate. Debridement is completed using special ultrasonic tools that clean and scale the teeth prior to a dental exam, so they are clean enough to be examined by the dentist during the actual dental examination. What Happens During Debridement? During a debridement, the exposed portion of the teeth that sits above the gumline is scraped with special tools used specifically for dental debridement procedures. During a debridement procedure, any parts of the teeth with buildup below the gumline are cleaned with ultrasonic tools that break up the tartar below the surface of the gums. Though it is generally well tolerated, the ultrasonic deep cleaning of the gums may cause some soreness and inflammation of the gums following the procedure. In severe cases where the plaque is particularly dense, the patient is sent home for their gums to heal and is asked to return in several weeks (anywhere from two to six weeks) for the regular cleaning and exam. In other cases, the patient may be able to have their exam on the same day, depending on the condition of the teeth and gums post-debridement. In the meantime, the patient must begin proper oral hygiene to maintain the cleaning and to prevent further buildup from accumulating on the teeth. Post exam, you should plan to visit Dr. George twice annually for your regular cleaning and exam, and continue brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time and flossing at least once a day. To learn more about dental debridement or to schedule an appointment with Dr. George, please call 724-220-2347.

Do you already have a perfect smile, complete with Hollywood-straight teeth? Don’t assume all is well, according to dentists and orthodontists. That’s because, despite looks, even the straightest-looking teeth can often hide problems that can cause everything from a painfully bad bite to microscopic cracks and chips in the tooth enamel. This means that despite that even-looking grin, you could someday deal with painful repercussions that are costly and painful to fix. Dr. Alexandra George is a Wexford, Pennsylvania, dentist. She says that everyone - no matter how beautiful their smile is – owes it to themselves to get an orthodontic exam. "When we think of orthodontics, we most likely think of straightening out a crooked smile," says George. "It seems like a strictly cosmetic procedure to some, but orthodontics really can do so much more." For example, George says one of the most useful things orthodontics can do has nothing to do with aesthetics. Orthodontics can correct a bad bite, something that can cause everything from difficulty chewing to chips and cracks in the teeth. "If the teeth are hitting or scraping at each other when you chew, or they simply aren’t aligned evenly when your jaw is closed, you could be doing damage to your enamel," George says. Enamel is the semi-translucent outer layer of your teeth. Though it is the hardest substance in the human body, unlike bone it doesn’t grow back when damaged. That's why we need fillings when our enamel is damaged. But an aligned bite is one more way to protect that enamel. Another reason people get orthodontic treatment is for a condition called temporomandibular joint disorder. Temporomandibular joint disorder affects an estimated 10 million Americans, most of whom are women. It occurs when the temporomandibular joint becomes misaligned with the rest of the skull and can cause everything from jaw stiffness to tinnitus and head, neck and back pain. What’s more, according to George, you can have a beautiful smile and still have temporomandibular joint disorder. Thankfully, a category of orthodontics called neuromuscular orthodontics can help treat temporomandibular joint disorder by realigning the jaw to its optimal placement. George is a practitioner of this type of orthodontics and has seen success in her patients who undergo this treatment. Another reason to visit the orthodontist? Sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans each night - and many of them don’t even realize it’s a problem. While some may wonder what their dentist or orthodontist can do to help with their sleep, George says many dentists and orthodontists can provide sleep orthotics that help prop the airway open as the patient sleeps. If you have never received an orthodontic evaluation, George says it's never too late to get one. As for children, dentists recommend they receive their first orthodontic exam at age 7. "It’s a good age to get a treatment plan in motion if that is necessary," says George. "It not only helps the parents prepare for the expenses related to the treatment, but more importantly the sooner the treatment begins, the better the results."

Do you wish your smile was just a little bit straighter and whiter? Do you also wish you could take a tropical vacation while getting the smile of your dreams? How much would you pay for this fantasy treatment? If dental tourism packages are to be believed, less than you might pay here in the United States at a board-certified licensed dentist. But buyer beware: You may be getting more than you bargained for - and not in a good way.

Love your teeth? Of course you do! So why not pay tribute to them this Halloween with a fun, tooth-inspired Halloween costume? Why should witches and ghosts have all the fun?

 It’s a familiar scene at pretty much any medical appointment. No matter if you’re a new patient or have been going to the same practitioner for years, most likely you’re going to be asked to fill out your fair share of forms before your appointment. So, why does your dentist need so much information? Here’s a quick guide to what information your dentist needs, and why.  Patient InformationThis basic information section covers everything from your name, address, phone, email and even your Social Security number (SSN). Why do we need your SSN? Many patients' SSN are tied to their dental insurance. To process insurance claims, your dentist needs to provide that information to your insurer.