Little athletes love sports drinks!  These popular beverages are colorful, tasty and can be refreshing to drink after a game in the hot sun, but they can also be harmful to developing teeth. To protect your child’s smile from the acid and sugar that these drinks contain, limit their intake to only after a game, and not all-day consumption.  It... read more »

Did you know that nearly 70% of the adult population finds a nice smile attractive? Although that number might seem kind of low, the benefits of having a healthy, white smile will always enhance almost every facet of your life. Whether you realize it or not, your teeth can play a significant role in your professional life, social life, and... read more »

Have you tried tooth whitening? It has not worked for you? Well, you know you can go to a cosmetic dentist for veneers. Those will fix that tooth problem straight away. What is a cosmetic dentist? You do not know? What is a veneer? Okay, I can understand not knowing what a veneer is, but what is a cosmetic dentist?... read more »

What is a cosmetic dentist? What makes them any different from my local dentist? Or are they like the apples and oranges of the dentistry world?   First of all, just because one is a cosmetic dentist does not make them any better than a regular good dentist. They perform two very different services that just so happen to both... read more »

The first step is to have either Dr. Kutsch or Renyer examine your teeth. They will check to be sure you do not have any areas of decay or even a broken or cracked tooth.  If you do not have any dental issues, you simply may have sensitive teeth. You should try a sensitive formulated toothpaste, usually this type of... read more »

If you grind or clench your teeth - be warned! Over time, grinding your teeth can wear down the enamel, even though it’s the strongest substance in your body. When the enamel begins to wear down, you are actually exposing the dentin or the middle layer of the tooth, which contains the hollow tubes that lead to your nerves. That... read more »

Your gums have many functions in your mouth – from holding your teeth in place to protecting the roots of your teeth.  If you have inflamed tissue within your gums, it is not doing its job of protecting the tooth roots which can lead to sensitive teeth. By taking care of your gums and teeth you are helping to prevent... read more »

You might think the best method to brush your teeth is using a hard toothbrush and back and forth motion.  Although it might make you feel like you are cleaning your teeth thoroughly, you just might be causing more harm than good.  If you have sensitive teeth, brushing too harshly can cause microscopic scrapes and scratches on your teeth.  With... read more »

There are generally two types of treatments – surgical and nonsurgical.  The majority of TMJ treatments do not require a surgical procedure.  Most of the nonsurgical treatments will help relieve the pain and improve function, but not cure the problem. The most common treatment is a stabilization or bite splint.  This treatment uses a plastic guard which fits over the... read more »

This month we are focusing our educational blog on the temporomandibular joint, more commonly known as TMJ.  The American Dental Association (ADA) considers the temporomandibular one of the most complex joints in the body because it is composed of numerous muscles, ligaments and bones. Its function is to allow the jaw to move up and down, facilitating chewing and speech... read more »