preventive care

Is Chocolate Bad for You and Your Teeth?

Patients will often ask Dr. Meier and Dr. Cirka, “Is chocolate bad for my teeth?” This question pops up even more often around the holiday seasons. Patients are many times surprised by the positive effects that chocolate will have on our health in general and the fact that it actually is a much better option for a sweet than sticky candies or sugary drinks. There are a lot of positives effects of chocolate on your health overall, especially when considering how eating chocolate releases endorphins. Endorphins are hormones specifically designed to help us feel good. Endorphins are released in times … Read more

Why Is My Mouth So Dry?!

Patients often come into the office complaining of dry mouth. Sometimes having a dry mouth can be so bad that it wakes patients up from their sleep and can be a constant struggle throughout the day. Dry mouth is not only very uncomfortable; it can lead to serious health problems for you. How do I know if I have Dry Mouth? What are the Symptoms? A dry, almost sticky feel in your mouth Cracked lips Trouble tasting Trouble speaking Trouble chewing and /or swallowing Burning feeling in the mouth and throat A dry feeling in the throat Cracked lips An … 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