Columbus Dentist Blog

Updated Columbus Ohio Dentist Blog Posts

Dr_Fleming — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:59:08 +0000

Are you looking for more recent dental columns from the Columbus Ohio dental office of Courtney Fleming DDS? We have added a new blog location http://flemingdentalcare.com/columbus_dentist/

SENSITIVE TEETH

Dr_Fleming — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:07:16 +0000

Sensitive teeth are typically caused by exposed dentin due to loss of tooth enamel and gum recession. There are many reasons for tooth sensitivity which include tooth decay, grinding teeth, a cracked tooth, brushing too hard, not brushing enough, and even brushing too often. There are toothpastes that are specifically designed for sensitive teeth. These typically have an ingredient which is designed to mask the symptoms and prevent the pain, and may be less abrasive than some other types. Whether this fix will last, or is simply a temporary pain reliever ultimately depends on the root cause of your symptoms. A visit to the dentist to determine the root cause of your tooth sensitivity can help toward the road to recovery and just as importantly determine a method to prevent further deterioration.

Toothpaste of Choice

Dr_Fleming — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:07:10 +0000

Today in the toothpaste isle we are inundated with a multitude different types, brands, and flavors of toothpaste. There are gels, powders, & pastes that promise everything from whiter teeth to fresher breath. In most cases there are a few basic things to look for when choosing a brand and type.

While most toothpaste on the market today contains fluoride, there are a few that do not. With the reduction in the amount of fluoride consumed in drinking water due to heavy consumption of bottled water, it is more important than ever to use fluoridated toothpaste.

There are cases where non-fluoride toothpaste should be considered; this is especially prevalent where someone (often a child) regularly swallows their toothpaste rather than spitting it out. Teaching proper brushing, monitoring their brushing, switching to a less desirable flavor, and even monitoring their brushing is usually a better first step, however you should follow the recommendations of your dentist related to your specific situation.

Another thing to look for is the ADA seal on your toothpaste of choice. To get the American Dental Association seal of acceptance fluoride toothpaste must meet the ADA’s requirements for safety and effectiveness in reducing tooth decay. This seal provides assurance by the ADA that the claims on the toothpaste packaging are true.

Embarrassed to Speak

Dr_Fleming — Tue, 03 May 2011 16:32:17 +0000

Halitosis (bad breath) is a condition that can be embarrassing, can cause social awkwardness, and even lead to depression. There are a number of factors which cause bad breath ranging from the oral health and hygiene to medical disorders or what foods you eat. The use of breath spray and mouthwash generally offer only a temporary masking effect. Regular brushing and flossing are extremely important to your overall oral health and can prove to be an effective solution for bad breath, however if the problem persists it can be very helpful to schedule a visit the dentist’s office. The dentist can assess your situation and work with you to develop a plan to determine the cause of the halitosis and an effective solution.

At Fleming Dental Group we regularly help patients overcome oral health issues such as bad breath. Please don’t hesitate to schedule an appoint at our Columbus Ohio dental office in Clintonville. We regularly take patients from throughout the Columbus area and like to be considered a dental office near Worthington, a dentist close to Upper Arlington, a dentist serving the northland area of Columbus, a dentist convenient to Grandview Heights as well as downtown.

Whiter Brighter Teeth

Dr_Fleming — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:40:31 +0000

We are now offering the second generation of the popular Zoom tooth whitening system, Zoom2. We chose to invest in the newer technology due to the benefit to our patients. Zoom2 is reported to provide superior clinical performance by offering nearly a full shade greater whitening with results that are better maintained. Additionally, tooth sensitivity is reported to be decreased by greater than 70%.

Zoom2 is applied in three 15 minute applications and can bring your teeth up to eight shades whiter according to the Vita Shade scale. Contact our office today to determine if Zoom2 is the best alternative to brighten and whiten your smile.

Same Day Crown in Columbus Ohio

Dr_Fleming — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:06:51 +0000

If you have ever had a crown placed on a tooth, you likely remember the experience being without a proper tooth, or using a temporary false tooth for a couple of weeks while waiting for the permanent restoration to be created in a dental lab. Through advancements in dental technology times have changed! In many cases we are now able to create your crown the same day in our dental office through the use of Cerec Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology.
This technology allows you to watch us to design your crown chairside on a high resolution monitor. The design is then loaded into the Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) part of the Cerec process and your restoration is precisely milled from a block of ceramic material using a diamond bur and disk. We will then bond the newly milled all ceramic restoration to the tooth using an adhesive.
In addition to the advantage of leaving our office with your restoration completed on the same day it began, your new crown does not require the metal coping usually associated with porcelain fused to metal (PFM) restorations. The all ceramic restoration offers a translucency that mimics that of natural teeth; for this reason, cosmetic dental procedures frequently utilize all ceramic restorations.

Dental Headaches

Dr_Fleming — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:30:51 +0000

Did you know that headaches are a common symptom of oral health issues? In fact, there are several dental issues which are related to headaches. Bruxism (clenching or grinding or your teeth) puts pressure on your jaw muscles and tissues and can lead to TMJ in addition to the possibility of wearing down your teeth. Poorly or misaligned teeth can cause overworked muscles of the jaw to become strained which may result in facial pain or headaches. A toothache can cause referral pain which may cause a headache. A sensitive tooth can cause you to chew most foods with one side of your mouth, which can lead to muscular imbalance and in turn be a cause of headaches amongst other issues.

While there are numerous factors which can contribute to your headache, it can provide a great relief to treat the root cause in addition to controlling the symptoms and progression of your issue. Depending on the issue, a visit to the dentist may be able to help you to feel better. Your dentist can assess your problem to help determine if a cause of your headache is one of the factors listed above or one of many other potential dental issues. The dentist can then prescribe a treatment to treat the related symptom or the root cause depending on your health issue and will hopefully lead to a happier healthier you.

Bottle it up!

Dr_Fleming — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 23:44:57 +0000

Over the past two decades bottled water has rapidly increased in popularity as the drink of choice in the United States. In addition to bottled water, many utilize filtration systems at home to purify water. This presents a unique issue with oral health as bottled water often does not contain the levels of fluoride recommended by the American Dental Association for prevention of tooth decay. Studies have shown water fluoridation to reduce dental decay by 20-40%. Since 1950 the ADA along with the United States Public Health Service has endorsed optimal fluoridation of community water supplies as a measure in prevention of tooth decay. The ADA recommends optimal levels (0.7-1.2 ppm) of fluoride in water to achieve the appropriate tooth decay preventative effects.

While water consumption may be increasing, the consumption of fluoridated tap water is often replaced by consumption of bottled or filtered water. Some measures that can be taken are utilization of fluoride toothpaste while brushing, additionally there are fluoridated mouth rinses available which can help with decay prevention. This also amplifies the need for regular dental cleanings and checkups. If you feel that you are not getting enough fluoride discuss it with your dentist. We can individually assess your situation and make personalized recommendations for you.

See the American Dental Association Fluoridation Fact sheet

Snap on a Smile

Dr_Fleming — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 21:08:44 +0000

Over my years of practicing dentistry in Columbus Ohio I have found that many people would like that Hollywood smile, but simply don’t feel that they can afford it. While we accept most dental insurances in addition to having financing available, the fact is dental work can be expensive, especially extensive cosmetic dental work. My office in Clintonville now offers a cost effective solution called Snap-on Smile to allow virtually anyone to have a gorgeous smile at a much much lower cost. Snap-on Smile makes use of a proprietary hi-tech dental resin that is fitted to your teeth to give you a beautiful, natural looking smile. The Snap-on Smile can give you the smile you have always wanted as it snaps in place to fit over your teeth like a glove. Best of all there is no drilling, no shots, and no adhesives required for your Snap-on Smile. As with any dental procedure your case should be assessed individually by your dentist to determine if Snap-on Smile is right for you. As a general dentist practicing family and cosmetic dentistry I stay abreast of the latest technologies and techniques in order to provide the best care possible for my patients. Please feel free to visit my website at www.flemingdentalcare.com for more information about my practice.

Chewing Gum gets a bad “wrap”

Dr_Fleming — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 22:22:12 +0000

Chewing gum is commonly thought of as a candy and gotten a bad “wrap” as being a cause of tooth decay and poor dental health. The fact is that there are many gums available now which are sugar-free and have met the American Dental Association’s criteria for safety and effectiveness for one or more specific indications, such as reducing plaque acids, promoting re-mineralization of tooth enamel, reducing cavities and/or reducing gingivitis.

Yes, chewing gum can be considered good for you by the ADA.
Chewing gum increases saliva flow within your mouth; increased saliva carries more saliva and phosphate which helps strengthen tooth enamel. The increased saliva also can help to break down and wash away the acids that break down tooth enamel over time.

Gum is certainly not a replacement for proper oral hygiene! Brushing twice per day and flossing is an important daily habit and should not be overlooked, but unwrapping the occasional piece of chewing gum is not such a bad idea.

Not all gum carries with it the positive effects described in this article; we suggest that you look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance the next time you are buying gum. Full shopping list of Consumer Products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance (PDF)

Have a great day and excellent oral health,

Courtney Fleming, DDS
Fleming Dental Group
Columbus, Ohio
www.flemingdentalcare.com