Blog

Tooth decay…Did you know that for over a century dentists removed both healthy and diseased portions of tooth structure when treating patients as a preventative measure to avoid future decay? However, in the 1970s, new treatment options emerged, in the dental field known as “Minimally Invasive Dentistry” (MID) attempts to preserve as much of the healthy structure as possible.

Before MID, dentists offered treatment protocol developed in the 19th Century where dentists remove healthy structure considered vulnerable to decay. This practice resulted in reducing the tooth’s volume and by today’s standards, created larger than necessary fillings.Read More

Oral Hygiene … Okay, we all know what oral means and the definition of hygiene is “conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially through cleanliness”. Therefore it means taking care of your mouth and teeth. All dentists and Orthodontists like those at Southern Maine Orthodontics recommend being attentive to your teeth and your overall oral health.

Oral hygiene and good oral health know no age limits. From infants to seniors oral hygiene is important to your whole health picture.Read More

A dental abscess, or tooth abscess, is an accumulation of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums. The abscess typically originates from a bacterial infection, often one that has accumulated in the soft pulp of the tooth.

Bacteria exist in plaque, a by-product of food, saliva and bacteria in the mouth which sticks to the teeth and damages them, as well as the gums. If the plaque is not removed by regular and proper tooth brushing and flossing the bacteria may spread within the soft tissue inside the tooth or gums, eventually resulting in an abscess.Read More

Did you know that the alignment of your teeth can affect your speech? One of the first things people notice about you is your smile and how we communicate when talking. If you have issues speaking clearly, orthodontics can help!

Lisping, whistling or slurring, and mispronunciation of words with “s” and “t” are the most common offenders. Proper diagnosis and correction during a patient’s developmental years, by an orthodontist, makes it much easier to correct the tooth and/or jaw problems associated with poor speech habits. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be evaluated by age 7. Read More

Along with Lily Allen, Paris Hilton, and Emile Hirsch, Ariana Grande has become the most recent pop diva to share her personal dental experience on Instagram after removal of wisdom teeth. The caption read, “Peace out, final three wisdom teeth. It’s been real.”

Who knows if “wisdom teeth removal” will continue to be a trending topic by celebrities on social media? Nothing is taboo anymore on the celebrity scene. But for those interested or concerned, we wanted to explain more about the procedure and why extraction is recommended for most your adults before problems occur.Read More

Teeth grinding and clenching is a very common problem and it has been found that 70% of people clench or grind their teeth as a result of stress and anxiety. The involuntary or habitual grinding of teeth is known as “bruxism” and it typically occurs during sleep.

Besides stress, bruxism can negatively impact the body in many ways. It may also result from bite problems, the overuse of stimulating substances (caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs), and as a side effect of certain medications.

Sometimes, simply becoming aware of the habit can help. Stress reduction techniques which include exercise or meditation are an option while a dental professional monitor the situation to see if there is an improvement.Read More