Dr. Ken Cirka

Are Dental Implants the Right Solution for Me?

If you are missing teeth, one of the best options for replacing them today is with dental implants. A dental implant is a “man-made root” that is placed into the jaw bone and sits where the roots of the tooth normally would. Yes, it may sound strange or even painful; however, the jaw bone has less nerve endings than the tooth itself and we find patients normally experience much less sensitivity than they expect. Dental implants are a great way to replace teeth because they provide a long-term solution and can last a lifetime. Based on your health history, you … Read more…

7 Foods Healthy for Your Teeth

  Nutrition is key when it comes to the health of your teeth. If your diet is full of sugary and acidic foods then you bet your teeth will be full of cavities. On the other hand if you are eating foods rich in certain nutrients you can protect your teeth and gums from harmful bacteria. Here are seven foods that you should be eating that can help you keep your teeth strong and healthy: Carrots Carrots are great because they are full of fiber and vitamin A. If you eat a few raw carrots after a meal it will … Read more…

8 Reasons You Need Invisalign Right Now

Why get Invisalign? Straightening the teeth has a lot of benefits besides cosmetics. The straighter the teeth are, the healthier the mouth is. This is true for young patients as well as adults. In the past, traditional metal bracket braces were needed to straighten teeth. Now dentists are very successful in treating patients with clear aligner therapy to correct malocclusion (a bad bite). Malocclusion can come in many forms and cause various problems for people. It is important to have your dentist and hygienist evaluate your bite and determine whether you would benefit from alignment of your teeth. Clear aligner therapy is done … Read more…

5 Ways Your Dentist Can Help You Look Younger

A big secret to how to look younger is in your teeth. Looking beautiful is often associated with looking younger and the teeth play a big part in this. Studies show that a smile is the first thing people notice about you. Working with your dentist to either preserve your natural teeth or enhance them is a great place to start in looking younger and being healthier. Prevention is an important part in staying healthy. It is important to brush twice daily, floss daily, and see your dentist regularly for a checkup and cleaning. While prevention is a key role, it … Read more…

5 Ways to Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is when bacteria have invaded the gum tissue and it is not healthy. Often patients are unaware that they are suffering from gum disease unless they are told by a dentist. There are two main categories that the stages of gum disease are broken into: In dentistry, “gum disease” or “periodontal disease” are general terms used to describe when gum or gingiva tissue is in an unhealthy state. There are two key classifications that gum disease can be broken into: Gingivitis When still in the early stages, periodontal disease is known as gingivitis. At this … Read more…

Do’s and Don’ts of Flossing

The American Dental Association recommends using floss once a day. Patients will often ask if this should be done in the morning or at night. What we find is that as long as you are flossing around the same time each day, then you will be less likely to forget to do it. It’s more about forming a habit and once it is part of your routine you are much less likely to forget. Without being given proper instructions, it can be tricky to know if you’re doing a good job flossing. Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts … Read more…

9 Tips For Choosing the Best Toothpaste

 Have you even been in the dental aisle at the drug store and completely overwhelmed by all of the different choices of toothpaste there are? It can be tricky knowing which toothpaste is the best for your health when there are so many options! This article will help you navigate the dental aisle more easily in order to make the best decision possible. Here are 9 tips for picking the best toothpaste for you: Check the Ingredients for Fluoride  Fluoride is a major tool in fighting cavities. It protects the enamel layer that works to make teeth strong and less … Read more…

Oral Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

The More You Know… The most common places that oral cancer begins invading the body are the tongue and the floor of the mouth. These growths can be serious and are usually a form of squamous cell carcinoma. Often they will spread to the lips and if left untreated the cancer will continue to spread to other body parts. The most common places it will travel to are the lips, floor of mouth, tongue, hard and soft palate, the sinus cavity, cheeks, and throat. As with many cancer the presentation of oral cancer may be the origination or it could … Read more…

What Effect does Sparking Water have on Your Teeth?

There has been a debate recently on whether or not sparkling water is as good for you as plain water. When reading the label of sparkling water there is no mention of sugar or other ingredients so it is difficult to assess if there really is a problem with drinking it. The potential problem with drinking sparkling water lays in the fact that it is more acidic that plain water. The reason that sparkling water has its refreshing fizz is due to the carbon dioxide (CO2) infused in it. There is a chemical reaction that takes place upon drinking the … Read more…

Waking up restless and sore? It could be Bruxism.

Do you wake up with a headache? Do you ever experience soreness or tenderness in your jaw muscles? Does your jaw click when you eat?  Do you ever have an earache? Neck pain? Ringing in your ears? If you are answering yes to one or more of these issues, that could mean that you have Bruxism. How do I know if what I’m experiencing is Bruxism? The majority of patients have no idea that they are grinding and/or clenching in their sleep. It is difficult to know if you have Bruxism, especially because you don’t necessarily wake up while clenching/grinding. Below are … Read more…