When you lose one or more teeth, you must take action. Not only does replacing the tooth restore your smile, but it also prevents issues like jawbone density loss, shifting teeth, and challenges with speaking and chewing. Fortunately, when it comes to replacing a missing tooth, you have options. None...
If we told you there was a health condition affecting nearly half of Americans over the age of 30, you’d probably be surprised. But that’s exactly what’s happening when it comes to gum health. At first, gum disease doesn’t seem very serious. In its early stages, it’s called gingivitis. This...
Since breathing is essential to staying alive, it makes sense that the body has a backup plan. If you’re so congested that you can’t breathe through your nose, you’ve always got your mouth. But the body functions its best when you use both your nose and mouth to breathe. If...
Ideally, you wake up in the morning feeling revitalized and ready to seize the day. But many people open their eyes immediately feeling less than their best because of what happened while they were sleeping. Does that sound familiar? If you wake up with an achy jaw, come visit Eric...
Wisdom teeth are our third molars that don’t erupt through the gums until later in life. The problem is that most of our jaws don’t have room for these extra teeth. That can cause problems as they emerge — like impaction or crowding in your jaw that misaligns your other teeth....
If you have a gap in your smile, you’ve probably been looking for solutions. You might have considered dentures, but they come with a learning curve. Or you might have explored bridges, but they need to be replaced periodically. Don’t stop your research until you get to dental implants. These restorations...
No one wants to get a filling, let alone a root canal. Fortunately, you already have tools at home that can help you avoid that unwelcome trip to our office. With a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, you can go a long way toward preventing tooth decay. The trick, of course,...
For 75 years, people across America have been doing something to support their oral health, often without even knowing it. That’s because, in communities across the nation, fluoride gets added to the water supply. In fact, the improvement in the oral health of the general American population can be attributed, at least...
Dental care has come a long way through the decades. What used to require some discomfort now comes completely pain-free, thanks in large part to today’s anesthetics and sedatives available. Take intravenous (IV) sedation as an example. With this highly effective method, Eric R. Koch, DDS, can keep you completely...
Does your jaw pop or click? If it only happens every once in a while, it probably doesn’t bother you. If that sound is a persistent part of your day, though, it’s time to find a solution. And if it hurts when it pops, you need immediate treatment. Fortunately, you’ve...
Your teeth have a significant impact on your health. That becomes extremely apparent when you lose a tooth. Even a single missing tooth can impact your ability to talk and eat. A missing tooth also has cosmetic implications. Fortunately, there are a variety of replacement tooth options and dental implants...
It’s a common misconception that all wisdom teeth need to be removed. But the truth is, some people’s oral health is perfectly fine if these extra sets of molars. But it all comes down to the individual’s unique jaw and the way those additional teeth emerge. Here at Advanced Dental Care...
You already know that flossing plays an essential role in your oral hygiene. But if your gums bleed whenever you floss, you might be tempted to skip this step of your dental to-do list. But did you know that gum bleeding is often a sign you need to be flossing...
For a long time, orthodontics focused primarily on cosmetic results. While you certainly want to have a straight and beautiful smile after you finish orthodontic treatment, the right care plan should also ensure that your jaw is aligned and your airways are unobstructed. That’s why Eric R. Koch, DDS, and...
Tongue thrusting, also known as reverse swallow or immature swallow, is an oral disorder. The condition causes an abnormal muscle habit in which your tongue protrudes toward the front or side when you swallow or speak. It can also affect your tongue at rest. While tongue thrusting is common in...
While it’s not uncommon to experience an occasional headache as a result of stress or inadequate sleep, having recurring headaches associated with jaw or facial pain may be a sign of TMJ disorder. Without treating the underlying cause, these headaches can occur more frequently and interfere with your daily activities. ...
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are located in front of your ears on both sides of your head. These joints perform an essential role in connecting your lower jaw to your skull. TMJs perform like hinges that support your lower jaw as it moves up and down and side to side....
While braces are an excellent treatment for correcting a crooked smile, orthodontics can accomplish much more than improving your appearance. Braces can help you achieve ideal jaw positioning and establish optimal oral function. Teeth that are positioned correctly also promote efficient breathing. Airway-focused orthodontics is an approach to straightening teeth...
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the four teeth that develop at the end of each dental arch. You will likely have one wisdom tooth on each side of your upper jaw and one on each side of your lower jaw. Wisdom teeth commonly appear between the ages...
You’re not alone if the thought of going to the dentist makes you feel nervous or anxious. Many people experience some dental fear or anxiety when faced with the prospect of getting a dental procedure. When your nervousness interferes with your willingness to see a dentist, the results can affect...
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, include the four teeth that erupt at the end of your dental arch — one on each side of your lower jaw and one on each side of your upper jaw. Like your other adult teeth, wisdom teeth erupt on their own timeline, though they...
If you’re ignoring your gum health, you’re jeopardizing more than your teeth and gums. Poor dental hygiene increases your risk of developing gum disease, an infection of the soft tissue, bone, and ligaments that support your teeth and keep them in place. While gum disease increases your risk of permanent...
Having a phobia related to dental treatment isn’t uncommon. Fear of dental treatments, also known as dental anxiety, prevents about 22% of adults from getting the oral care they need to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Dental anxiety that prevents you from receiving routine check-ups and cleanings can increase your...
You’re not alone if you don’t floss regularly. Only 16% of surveyed Americans say they always floss daily, while 20% only floss when something is stuck between their teeth. Another 8% of those surveyed never floss. It’s easy to understand why so many people avoid flossing. Using an improper technique...
Whether you’ve put off scheduling a bi-annual dental exam because of fear, inconvenience, or expense, skipping a dental exam can increase your risk of serious damage from untreated tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Along with daily brushing and flossing, bi-annual dental exams can ultimately save you time, money,...
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are positioned in front of your ears on the sides of your head. These joints connect your lower jawbone, or mandible, to your skull at the temporal bone. The joints work like hinges as they allow you to move your jaw up and down, forward and...
Your wisdom teeth are the four molars positioned at the back of your mouth. Some people don’t experience difficulties when their wisdom teeth erupt in their late teens or early 20s, but for others, they become impacted. When this happens, it can cause a wide range of oral problems. When...
Do your loose or missing teeth make you self-conscious about your smile? Do you have trouble chewing some of your favorite foods or speaking properly? If the condition of your teeth is starting to negatively affect your life, Eric Koch, DDS, and the team at Advanced Dental Care of East...