Don’t panic if one of your Greenfield, MA dentists, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda. tell you that you have gum disease at your next checkup. While we are passionate about trying to prevent gum disease when possible, the problem is pervasive. In fact, roughly 80% of American adults have some form of gum disease as we speak. You may be one of the majority, or on your way to your first signs of gingivitis (early gum disease). Education and implementation of proper oral hygiene at home can help.
Preventing Gum Disease Before it Starts
You can start your gum disease prevention in two simple ways:
- You should visit your Greenfield, MA dentists for checkups and cleanings every six months, year after year. A mere 24% of people in the United States follow this schedule, but it’s never too late to make a change. Gum disease is inflammation that results from infection. It begins with plaque, which calcifies into tartar. When tartar develops, there’s only one person that can clean it off safely and properly – your dental hygienist. This is why twice annual cleanings are so important.
- Twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and swishing your mouth with a germ killing rinse approved by the ADA (American Dental Association) will keep plaque and tartar from building up quickly between dental cleanings. Follow a proper regimen, and you’ll likely find that your dental checkups get easier and easier, and your dentist and hygienist will be congratulating you for the good work. (more…)
Are you hoping to set a tone for a lifetime of positive experiences at the dentist for your child? Your 
Ideally, we hope that you visit us every six months, and keep up with your twice-daily oral hygiene so that you can keep your natural teeth for your entire long life. However, things happen. Injuries can occur. Bad habits of earlier days can rear their ugly heads even as you’ve adopted better dental self-care more recently. If you lose one tooth, several, or every single one in your mouth, we can help with tooth replacements. For some people dentures are the best option. 
We ended last month blogging about Invisalign, the clear solution for straightening teeth that we offer in our Greenfield office. For adults and teens that feel self-conscious about the idea of wearing braces but believe straight teeth will improve their quality of life and dental health, Invisalign can be a good alternative to traditional braces. Your 
We try to teach you plenty of facts about important topics in dentistry in our weekly blog, but sometimes it’s fun to lighten things up a little. Here’s an example of a fun fact: chocolate (of the dark variety and in moderation) is not only good for your heart, but also your teeth? The reason is a compound called theobromine that is found in the cocoa bean and has been shown to harden tooth enamel. That’s not all. The American Dental Hygienist’s Association (ADA) reports that chocolate can inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans (bacteria that cause tooth decay). Read on for more interesting factoids related to dentistry from your 
Certain foods are best eaten in moderation. Cakes, pies, cookies, and anything full of sugar or refined carbohydrates are definitely best avoided if you want healthy teeth and a slim waistline. However, most baked goods contain one ingredient that some people swear by as a natural teeth whitener: baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate. 
A white smile is the equivalent of a more youthful and vibrant appearance. No wonder teeth whitening has become one of the most highly requested cosmetic dental services available. Your 
We are very proud to be able to offer our patients the innovative orthodontic solution that has a “clear” advantage over anything else. If you want straight teeth, Invisalign is a terrific solution. Many of our patients have questions brewing in their heads about these clear aligners that can straighten crooked teeth without the disadvantages of traditional metal braces. Your 
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