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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

Sports professionals in the limelight are offered the perfect opportunity to give back, especially after overcoming their own adversities or that of a close family member. Peyton Manning, famed football star, overcame a problem of his own after being born with a cleft palate.

A cleft palate is a physical deformity of the mouth, when the two plates of the skull that form the hard palate, also called the roof of the mouth, is not fully joined, causing a gap. As is the case with most children suffering from a cleft palate, Manning faced several challenges. As a baby, Manning had to use special bottles, because the hole in his palate caused the milk he was being fed to come out his nose. Read More

Whether you are wearing orthodontic retainers during treatment or after your braces or Invisalign are completed at Southern Maine Orthodontics, over time… your retainers or aligners can discolor and look gross. You brush and floss daily, so adding cleaning your retainers to your daily routine is just another step to maintaining good oral hygiene habits.

Five Tips for Keeping Your Orthodontic Retainers or Invisalign Aligners Clean and Safe

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