A tooth is a lot more complicated than just the hard enamel exterior. Most of us don’t really know the components of a tooth or what each part does. Understanding the anatomy of a tooth and how the parts work together is an important part of your general dental health. Working from the top down [...]
Fixing Damaged Teeth Damaged teeth can not only be painful, but also affect your confidence and appearance. Fortunately, there are several options available at James River Family Dentistry for fixing damaged teeth and restoring your smile. In this blog post, we'll explore the different options for fixing damaged teeth, including dental crowns, bridges, and implants. [...]
Teeth whitening is a popular way to achieve a brighter and whiter smile. There are many different ways to whiten your teeth, including over-the-counter whitening treatments and professional whitening procedures. At James River Family Dentistry, we offer Opalescent Professional Whitening and Opalescence Go. How do we Whiten your Teeth? We offer Opalescence Professional Whitening, a [...]
Oral Cancer Awareness Month: What You Need to Know Oral cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that affects tens of thousands of people in the United States every year. Despite advances in medical technology and treatment, oral cancer often goes undiagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. That’s why April is recognized [...]
Thumb sucking is a normal habit for babies and toddlers. In fact, some ultrasounds reveal that babies will suck their thumbs in the womb! This self-soothing reflex helps your child feel safe, secure and comforted. So, why are we suggesting that you help your child stop sucking their thumb? Why Should Thumb Sucking Be Stopped? [...]
Preventing cavities is important. Left untreated, cavities can damage your teeth, cause pain in your mouth, and lead to bigger oral health problems. By following the steps below, you can protect your teeth and avoid cavities. How do you get a cavity? Cavities are holes in a tooth's outer surface (called the enamel). Also known [...]
What Are Fluoride Treatments? Dental problems like tooth decay and cavities are a result of bacteria that builds up into plaque. Plaque is acidic and will build up around the teeth and gums, which causes tooth enamel to wear away. When tooth enamel wears away, our teeth become more vulnerable to cavities, which are holes [...]
The idea that dentists are scary is one played on by media of all types and is passed down from generation to generation. But that stigma doesn’t have to exist. Reducing dental anxiety in your children--and yourself--is quite doable. Still, it might still take some effort on your part. Below are some tips for reducing [...]
Do you have a dry or sticky mouth? A sore throat, especially in the morning? Bad breath? All of these may be indications of dry mouth or xerostomia. Xerostomia is when your salivary glands stop making enough saliva. What Causes Dry Mouth? There are five common causes of dry mouth: Side effects of certain medications. [...]
Symptoms of gum disease can occur in any person of any age. When we think about keeping our mouths healthy, we most often focus on preventing cavities. Cavity prevention is important, but it's equally important to prevent gum disease. We provide education about the symptoms of gum disease, the treatment and causes during every patient [...]
