If you’re interested in having a smile that is white and bright, you may be considering getting your teeth professionally whitened. And you might also be wondering how exactly teeth whitening works. Here, we’ll explain the science behind teeth whitening and discuss your whitening options here at North River Dental Care.

What's the Science Behind Teeth Whitening?

Over the years, your teeth can become discolored by things such as poor dental hygiene, teeth grinding, tobacco, and dark-colored drinks like coffee, red wine, and soda. As you age and consume foods and beverages that are sugary or ...

The holidays are filled with family, friends, joy, and food. Chances are that many of your favorite foods of the holiday season have been filled with sugar. For our team at North River Dental Care, these sugar-laden foods can be worrisome, as sugar is the major contributor to tooth decay. We recommend eating sugar only in moderation, but that ideal seems much harder to adhere to during the holiday season. As this year turns into the next, consider keeping the sweetness you crave in your favorite treats by incorporating the following sugar ...

Does your mouth feel like a desert? Saliva plays an important role in digestion, your ability to taste, and protecting your teeth against harmful bacteria left behind by food particles. A decrease in your saliva production is not only a nuisance, but it can negatively impact your oral health. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most common causes of dry mouth and a few best practices to correct it.

1. Medicinal Side Effects

Medications used to treat a variety of health issues can cause dry mouth. These medications are not ...

If you undergo dental surgery, it is important to diligently follow your post-operative instructions to promote a smooth, healthy recovery and to avoid painful complications. Of course, follow any instructions from your doctor about what you should or should not eat and drink, but Dr. Bailey and our team have also put together the following list of tips to aid your recovery!

1. Stick to Soft Foods

At first, you’ll need to only eat softer foods. We recommend Greek yogurt (less added sugar than regular yogurt), smoothies, pureed soups (like tomato soup or this yummy black bean soup from Our Best Bites), mashed bananas, and mashed veggies (like mashed sweet potatoes). ...

Every once in a while, a popular fad will come along that seems to sweep up everyone in its path. Whether it be clothing, home decor, language, lifestyle, diet, or personal care, after gaining a few years perspective, we’re often left wondering what in the world we were thinking. Today, our team at North River Dental Care wants to go over a few dental fads we recommend avoiding to protect your oral health!

Oil Pulling

Proponents of oil pulling assert that swishing oil (often coconut oil) in your mouth for twenty to thirty minutes can increase energy, rid the body of toxins, freshen your breath, whiten your teeth, and help draw plaque and tartar ...

It might seem odd, but there is actually a link between your oral health and how clear your skin is. When your skin is breaking out you may first think it has something to do with your stress level, your diet, or your environment, but it could potentially be dental-related! Read on to learn why.

Toothpaste

Ever thought that your toothpaste could be the culprit to your acne woes? It may be surprising, but toothpaste residue could be causing you to break out around your mouth. It’s important to wash ...

A healthy diet is not only great for your overall body wellness but for your teeth as well. The healthier you eat, the healthier your smile! Check out these five teeth-friendly foods:

1. Apples

Most people know how important oral hygiene is for us humans. But did you know that it is equally important for our beloved fur babies? Because we understand it's not an easy feat to brush your pet’s teeth, Dr. Bailey and our North River Dental Care team have compiled five simple tips to help make your furry friend's oral care be as "paw-sitive" as ...

Many people wonder if they inherited “bad teeth” from their parents and assume they are doomed to lose their teeth, regardless of what they do. So they don’t even try to take care of their teeth. However, the good news is that although genetics can play a part in your oral health, particularly in the case of gum disease, most of your oral health is directly under your control. You get to choose how healthy your teeth are! Proper dietary habits, brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist Dr. Bailey at North River Dental Care will make an enormous difference over a lifetime.

Many factors play a part in your oral health: ...

Preventing tooth decay starts with good oral hygiene and dietary habits. As you have probably heard, it’s important that you always brush your teeth at least twice a day as well as floss daily. We probably sound like a broken record, but it’s true! Brushing and flossing are your first lines of defense against cavities.

How Does Tooth Decay Happen?

Tooth decay starts when food particles are left behind on your teeth from eating and drinking. Bacteria in your mouth feed off of these food particles, and turn them into acid. The acid then eats holes into your teeth. These holes are called cavities. Before cavities get a chance to negatively affect ...