It’s obvious why so many children love the holidays. After all, who wouldn’t love a season dedicated to eating huge amounts of candy and sugary sweets. Even parents might indulge in a little extra sugar during the spooky season and beyond. But with all that additional sweetness in our holiday diets, our dental health can start to suffer. So why... read more »
Can you get a cavity between your teeth? Unfortunately, they’re more common than you might think. Cavities between your teeth–also known as an interproximal cavity–are hard to spot. They’re less noticeable visually and might not cause you much discomfort in the early stages. However, these cavities are also fairly common–especially in patients who haven’t kept up with their flossing regimen.... read more »
Swollen belly, swollen feet, and now--swollen gums? Pregnancy has many unexpected effects on the body, some of them amusing and others just downright unpleasant. But many people don’t even think about the ways that an impending little one can impact our teeth and gums. A change in gum health is common during pregnancy. Bleeding gums is a good indicator that... read more »
No matter the circumstances, getting a tooth extracted is rarely much fun. Even though the worst is probably behind you once a dentist removes your tooth, practicing proper aftercare will help your mouth heal up quickly. Of all the questions people ask after this procedure, the most common one is simple: “After a tooth extraction, what can I eat?” While... read more »
These days, people who are looking to straighten their teeth have quite a few options. However, choosing between braces and clear aligners like Invisalign can be confusing. If you’re interested in orthodontics, here are a few things to keep in mind when comparing Invisalign vs. braces. Braces: The Pros and Cons Braces have been the go-to method for achieving a... read more »
Though we don't often think about it, babies as young as 9 or 10 months can be infected with cavity-producing bacteria, which can cause tooth decay. At Pinnacle Dental Associates in Albany, dental health is a lifelong commitment. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that almost 20% of children 2-5 have untreated cavities, and the percentage rises... read more »
A wise person once said that everyone wants to have a long life, but no one wants to get old. Yet it happens. At Pinnacle Dental Associates in Albany, we believe that just because we get older doesn't mean we sacrifice our dental health. Many dental problems common among retirees such as missing teeth, gum recession, tooth damage, and yellowed... read more »
Root canals have a bad reputation. Just hearing the words make a lot of people uneasy, because they're associated with pain. But at Pinnacle Dental Associates in Albany, we stress that root canals do the opposite: they don't cause pain, they relieve it. A root canal usually becomes necessary when a tooth is infected or badly damaged. Formally known as... read more »
Most people know they can come to us at Pinnacle Dental Associates in Albany for toothaches, cleanings, and bleeding gums (not to mention cosmetic dentistry procedures such as a smile makeover). But there are some lesser-known concerns that we can help you with. Dry mouth, technically called xerostomia, is caused by a lack of saliva and can be quite uncomfortable.... read more »
There is more than one way to fix a tooth. In this post from Pinnacle Dental Associates in Albany, we look at six restoration procedures that are used to repair a damaged tooth: 1. Dental Bonding Bonding, officially called direct composite veneers, is used to fix chips, cracks, stains, and make teeth longer. It is also sometimes used to fill... read more »