The Michael W Thompson DDS Blog

“Am I Too Old for Braces?”

googlelogin0643@sesamesearch.com — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:04:52 +0000

Absolutely not! Orthodontic treatment for adults is becoming more and more common. In fact, the number of adults getting braces has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996! More adults than ever are realizing that orthodontic treatment is not just for kids, and can help improve the aesthetics and health of a smile of any age! In a society where appearance matters and can help make the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing wisely to invest in orthodontic treatment.
Some of the most common reasons our adult patients come to us considering orthodontic treatment include:
• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, sometimes as a result of tooth decay or gum disease
• Pain or pressure from crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw
• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly
Most of all though, adult patients come to our office seeking a healthier mouth and a more confident smile! Orthodontic treatment at our office can be successful at any age, and adults especially can appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile.
As an adult patient, we recognize that you have different needs than our younger patients, and we will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment and that your needs are met with understanding and respect from us.
If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, we would love to have you visit for a consultation. We understand you have a busy schedule, and will work with you to find a time that is convenient for you. Please visit our website or give our office a call to schedule your appointment today!

Video Testimonials from Our Own TruDenta Patients

googlelogin0643@sesamesearch.com — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:20:23 +0000

TruDenta™ has helped many patients receive relief from migranies, headaches, face and jaw pain, and other issues resulting from temoporomandibular disorders. Check out these videos from some of our own patients who have benefited from TruDenta treatment!

Patient question: “What should I expect during my first visit?”

googlelogin0643@sesamesearch.com — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:54:27 +0000

Thanks for the question. Your first visit typically includes an x-ray that allows us to view the structure of the jaw, the position of any teeth that have not yet erupted, malformed roots, and tooth decay.

The initial visit also involves getting your medical history. When you share your medical history with us, be sure to provide complete, up-to-date information on your health. Please let us know if you have experienced recent hospitalization or surgery, or if you have recently been ill. Also tell us the names, doses, and frequency of any medications you are taking — whether prescription or over-the-counter products — and the name of your physician. Please also let us know about any changes in your health or medications. This information will us select the most safe and effective method of treatment path for you.

Have any more questions about your first visit? Please give us a call!

May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month!

googlelogin0643@sesamesearch.com — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:59:59 +0000

At our practice, we know image is everything. May happens to be National Teen Self-Esteem Month, and during this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images, and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

We know one of the great ways to improve your confidence is to improve your smile. And that begins with a visit to our office. Has your child visited us in the past six months for his or her regular check-up? We invite you to give us a call to book your appointment!

See you soon!

$1.50 for a Cavity

googlelogin0643@sesamesearch.com — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:31:40 +0000

Vending machines are a quick way to satisfy hunger. You put in $1.50 and you get back a candy bar, bag of chips or even a soda…but that’s not all! We wanted to remind you that vending machines not only dispense sweet treats and caffeine bursts, but they also dispense cavities!

Every time you chow down on that chocolate bar the bacteria in your mouth have a party feasting on the sugar. The sugar quickly turns into acid; that’s right, ACID!!! The acid sits on your teeth and eats away at the tooth’s natural enamel (the stuff that protects your tooth from decay). When this enamel is eaten away by the acid on your tooth, you get a cavity! Brushing your teeth after eating a sugary treat can help prevent cavities; but before you indulge, remind yourself: “can’t brush? Hold the sugar!”

When choosing a snack, consider these nutritional options that will not only satisfy your hunger and that “sweet tooth,” but won’t cause acid build up resulting in cavities:

• Fresh Fruits (berries, oranges, melon, pears, etc)
• Raw Vegetables (broccoli, celery, carrots, etc)
• Bread
• Pretzels (low salt)
• Milk (low or non-fat)
• Cheese (low or non-fat)
• Nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc)
• Sliced meat

If you would like more advice about how you can prevent cavities, give us a call!

If I use fluoride toothpaste and the water in my area is fluoridated, do I still need additional fluoride?

googlelogin0643@sesamesearch.com — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:00:12 +0000

Cities have been adjusting the fluoride levels in water since 1964. Since that time, fluoridation has dramatically improved the oral health of tens of millions of Americans. Community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay, but you may not be drinking as much fluoridated water as you may think. If bottled or home-purified water is your main source for drinking water, you may be missing out on this extremely safe and effective mineral that prevents tooth decay.

Of course, using toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Approval is a good source of fluoride, but optimal levels of absorption can only be achieved if you use it as directed: brushing twice a day for two to three minutes each time.

At our office, you can receive professionally applied topical fluoride during your next dental checkup. This is extremely important for people who are at high risk for tooth decay, including children, people with less than perfect oral hygiene, people undergoing orthodontic treatment, and people with weakened enamel due to lifestyle choices or genetic factors. If you have any questions regarding fluoride, please feel free to ask us at the office. We want you to have the healthiest smile possible.

Spring is here! Do we have your current contact info?

googlelogin0643@sesamesearch.com — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:10:55 +0000

Spring is in the air! As you probably know, you can always connect with us on our Facebook page, but we invite you to please contact our office with any updates to phone numbers and addresses, so that we may be able to reach you.

We also encourage you to call us and let us know if you have any new phone numbers or if your contact information has changed!

Thank you! Have a great weekend!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

googlelogin0643@sesamesearch.com — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:52:15 +0000

In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest quality care available to our patients, we screen our patients for oral cancer. The fact is, every hour of every day in the U.S., someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth-most common diagnosed form of the disease. The five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved.

Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. Ask our team about a screening at your next appointment!

Bad Breath is No Good

googlelogin0643@sesamesearch.com — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:02:56 +0000

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You may not even be aware of your own bad breath, so if you’re concerned you may be suffering from it, talk to our team. We can help identify the cause and, if it’s due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to treat it.

There are many reasons for bad breath:

• What you eat can also affect the way your breath smells. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, can have a very strong and lasting odor.
• If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath, not to mention tooth decay and gingivitis.
• Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor.
• Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask us for tips on kicking the habit.
• Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If this is the case, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause.

The good news is there are many ways to help eliminate bad breath from your life. Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath, so schedule regular dental visits with Dr. Thompson and Dr. Laudig for a professional cleaning and checkup. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque, and don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!

What, exactly, is tinnitus?

googlelogin0643@sesamesearch.com — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:30:59 +0000

We have all experienced some degree of ringing in our ears, which can be quite irritating, but usually goes away on its own. But, did you know that these abnormal noises in the ear or head have a name? If you are experiencing noises in your ear or head, you may be experiencing tinnitus. Tinnitus is, in many cases, more of a nuisance than a serious problem, and can arise in the outer ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, or by abnormalities in the brain. Some tinnitus or head noise, however, is completely normal. Fluid, infection, or disease of the middle ear bones or ear drum can also cause tinnitus.

Tinnitus has also been observed in patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disease, or TMD. A sensitive ear canal can be the result of the over-activity of the jaw. The ear has two important muscles (tensor tympani and tensor levi palatine), and those muscles are tensed whenever the jaw is clenched. The over-activity of these muscles can result in the ringing of the ears, or tinnitus. Research has shown that ear and sinus symptoms can be related to a disturbed temporomandibular joint, which can be treated by Drs. Michael Thompson and Benjamin Laudig.

If you have been experiencing noises or ringing in your ear or head, you may want to discuss TruDenta treatment options with your dentist. As a TruDenta dentist, Dr. Thompson and Dr. Laudig are specially trained to examine and diagnose tinnitus and other pain-related issues, and our team can help alleviate tinnitus symptoms.

To learn more about tinnitus, we invite you to give us a call. With TruDenta, you can finally get the relief you’ve been looking for. If you have questions, give us a call or find us on Facebook!