All I Want for Christmas

Posted on Dec 01, 2020

One day in 1944, Donald Yetter Gardner was teaching music to a class of second graders at a public school in Smithtown, New York. When he asked the children what they wanted for Christmas, many of them answered in a lisp. It was then that he noticed that most of the students were missing at least one front tooth. This inspired Gardner to write the song, “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth.”

The first time the song was performed was on Perry Como’s radio show in 1948. It has since been recorded by Nat King Cole, George Strait, Ray Stevens, The Platters, The Andrews Sisters, The Chipmunks, and The Three Stooges!

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours from all of us at Discovery Smiles.

For an appt at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000.

Neglected Oral Health in the Elderly

Posted on Nov 01, 2020

A new article indicates oral health is a critical component to overall health for all ages, but it’s especially important for the elderly. The incidence of cavities is nearly twice as high in older adults as in young adults, and it’s estimated that more than half of older adults in the United States have gum disease. Gum disease is associated with heart disease and diabetes.

The author of the article says simple tooth brushing can cause bacteria to be released into the blood stream, which can lead to infections in parts of the body far away from the mouth. Bacteria can cause joint and heart valve infections.

Tooth loss can make it difficult for an elderly person to chew, which can lead to malnutrition.

Patients with dementia and those in nursing homes may be at increased risk for oral health neglect.

Make sure your elderly loved ones have at least a biannual oral health assessment by a dentist, regular follow-up visits, and good daily oral hygiene.

For an appointment at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000.

What Parents Should Know About Tooth Gems

Posted on Oct 01, 2020

The latest craze in the genre of body piercings and tattoos is tooth gems. For a price, beauty boutiques are offering to attach tiny, temporary jewels to people’s teeth – often young people. There are also inexpensive DIY kits available. Ariana Grande, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber are a few of today’s popular celebrities who are popularizing the trend.

Whether tooth gems enhance a smile or just makes it look like you have a piece of spinach stuck to your teeth, we’ll leave to your judgement, but we do have an opinion about the advisability of tooth gems from a dental viewpoint. While these tooth gems are small, they can lead to big problems. The most obvious one is that if it comes loose, one could actually swallow it. A less obvious problem is that the adhesive used to bond the gem to the tooth can damage tooth enamel. Gems can also trap food, germs, and bacteria, resulting in an increased risk of infection. They can also cause discoloration of the tooth!

For those who want to dazzle with their smile, we suggest a whitening treatment as a safer alternative. For an appointment at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000.

Overcoming Your Fear of the Dentist

Posted on Sep 01, 2020

According to the American Dental Association, 22% of Americans avoid seeing a dentist because of fear. We want to change that, because we know the real things to fear are the medical problems that can ensue when you DON’T visit a dentist regularly – little things like having no teeth, gum disease, heart disease, and diabetes. These conditions have all been linked to poor oral hygiene.

We think you will be very pleasantly surprised at how little there is to fear when you’re in our care. It’s okay to tell us you’re nervous. Our sympathetic and soothing staff will do everything possible to make you feel comfortable and put you at ease. You can read more about our Total Comfort Commitment here.

So, what are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment at Discovery Smiles now. Call us at 520-721-2000. 

Professional Athletes and Tooth Decay

Posted on Aug 01, 2020

A recent survey of more than 352 Olympic and professional cycling, football, hockey, swimming, and other athletes revealed that they have a higher incidence of tooth decay and gum disease than the general population. Yet the athletes brush their teeth more frequently than most poeple. So what accounts for the problem?

Researchers discovered that a majority of the athletes frequently consume sports drinks, energy bars, and energy gels. The sugar in these products increases the risk of tooth decay, and the acidity in them increases the risk of tooth enamel erosion.

To overcome the problem, doctors recommend that athletes increase fluoride use with mouthwash, make more frequent visits to their dentist, and reduce their intake of sports drinks.

Is it time for your next cleaning? Call Discovery Smiles at 520-721-2000 to schedule an appointment today.

7 Symptoms of Gum Disease

Posted on Jul 01, 2020

1) Bad breath that won’t go away
2) Tender or bleeding gums
3) Red or swollen gums
4) Receding gums
5) Painful chewing
6) Sensitive teeth
7) Loose teeth.

At Discovery Smiles, we use a tiny ruler to measure any pockets around your teeth. In a healthy mouth, these pockets are no greater than 3 mm. If you have deeper pockets, we may recommend taking some extra measures in your daily oral hygiene regimen, or we may recommend other  treatments to get any infection in check before it leads to tooth loss and other serious problems.

Keep your gums healthy with regular, professional cleanings. To make an appointment at Discovery Smiles, call 520-721-2000.

Summer Tips from Discovery Smiles

Posted on Jun 01, 2020

Summer has arrived. It’s a time when your normal daily routine can get out of sync. You may have big vacation plans, and you may have kids that are home from school. With longer days, you may be spending more time outdoors. Strive to maintain a good brushing and flossing routine despite any changes in your schedule.

If you go on a trip, remember to pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, and other oral hygiene tools, and don’t leave them behind when you return!

Stock up on healthy snacks, especially for kids who may get into bad eating habits when they’re not relying on school cafeteria food.

Wear a mouthguard if you’re participating in any wild summer sports.

Summer is a good time to mix a lot of pleasure with a little bit of business in the way of a visit to the dentist for a checkup and cleaning. To make an appointment at Discovery Smiles, call us at 520-721-2000. Have a great summer!

What Are Dental Veneers?

Posted on May 01, 2020

An American Hero and Dentist

Posted on Apr 01, 2020

Paul Revere is best known for his April 18, 1775 midnight ride to warn the minutemen of a British invasion during the American Revolution, but did you also know that between 1768 and 1775, Paul Revere worked as a dentist? He served the upper echelons of Boston society, cleaning teeth and wiring in false teeth carved from walrus ivory or animal teeth.

Five years before his famous ride, Paul Revere advertised in the Boston Gazette that he had “fixt” hundreds of teeth “as well as any surgeon-dentist who ever came from London.” He fixed them in such a manner that, “they are not only an ornament, but of real use in speaking and eating.” We should hope so!

If you’d like to have your “ornaments” “fixt” with all the comforts modern dentistry affords, call Discovery Smiles Dentistry today to schedule an appointment. (520) 721-2000

Does the Tooth Fairy Exist Outside of the United States?

Posted on Mar 01, 2020

In the United States, when a child places a lost tooth under his or her pillow, the tooth fairy often magically appears during the night, whisks the tooth away, and leaves a sum of cash in its place. Outside the U.S., customs for children’s lost teeth widely vary.

In China, children throw their lost tooth onto the roof of their house while yelling out a wish that it be replaced with the tooth of a mouse. It’s a lucky child who has teeth like those of a mouse, because they grow continuously!

In Mongolia, tradition calls for burying a lost tooth by a tree, so that the new tooth will develop strong roots.

In Turkey, children believe the placement of their lost teeth plays a role in their future, so if they want to grow up to be a farmer, they might bury their tooth in a field, or if they want to grow up to be a teacher, they might bury their tooth in a schoolyard. With each new tooth lost, they get a new opportunity to change their destiny!

In Pakistan, it’s good luck for children to wrap their lost teeth in a cloth and throw them in a river.

In Nigeria, children play a game with their lost teeth, and in Lithuania, children sometimes keep their lost teeth and make a necklace or other keepsake with them.

What’s YOUR family tradition for lost teeth?

Call Discovery Smiles Dentistry today to schedule an appointment. (520) 721-2000.