Applegate Dental PLLC Blog

Between the demands of work and family, your life is certainly full, but quite stressful. You are usually able to manage it pretty well, but lately, you have been feeling quite a bit of pain and stiffness in your jaw, and you seem to develop a tension headache every single day. Could this be the result of your stress? According to a dentist in West Seneca, yes. In fact, stress is one of the main risk factors for a problem that causes the exact symptoms you are experiencing: TMJ disorder. What is it, and better yet, what can you do to treat it so you have one less thing to worry about during the day?

You work hard to take care of your teeth during the day, but did you know that they could be developing serious damage while you sleep? Periods of high-stress can lead to unconscious teeth grinding during the night, better known as “bruxism,” and this can spell serious trouble for your oral health if left untreated. If you suspect that you might be grinding your teeth in West Seneca, read on to learn how you can find out, and more importantly, what you can do to stop it and protect your smile!

A fact that you have probably heard over and over again from different sources is that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., so taking any action to lower your risk is always considered a good idea. For most people, this usually leads them to start exercising and alter their diet, both of which can have tangible benefits. However, there is something else that might be increasing your chances of having a heart attack or stroke that has nothing to do with what you eat or your genetics. Both the American Dental Association and the American Heart Association have recently acknowledged there is a definitive connection between gum disease in West Seneca and heart disease. Why is this the case, and what can you do to protect yourself from both of these problems?

It is very common for patients to experience a little soreness after having one of their teeth removed, but if the pain does not improve after a week or so, then they may have developed something called a dry socket. This problem is certainly annoying, but thankfully, it is also easy to handle. Here are the top 3 ways to deal with a dry socket after an extraction in West Seneca.

When you are at work, your mind is probably focused on aboutthree different things at any given moment. You are thinking about your nextmeeting, that client you are supposed to call, the emails you need to answer,and so much more. Like most, the absolute lastthing on your mind is probably your teeth. While this is completely understandable,practicing a little dental care at work can not only make your professionallife better, but help you save money inthe dental chair as well. Here are a few workplace tips from a dentist in West Senecaon how to take care of your teeth while you are taking care of business.

It is already October, which means it is that time of the year when the leaves start to change colors, the weather cools, and people begin thinking about the holidays. But, did you know that it is also the perfect time to save on your dental care with your Delta Dental dentist in West Seneca? To learn more about how you can take care of your smile and your wallet this season, keep on reading! (more…)

If you watch TV or videos online for any length of time, then it is almost inevitable that you will see a commercial for an energy drink. They are extremely popular among teens and young adults, and according to research, about half of U.S. teens drink at least one per day. Unfortunately, they are highly acidic (even more than soda!), which means they can do major damage to your teeth if consumed too often. Rather than telling you to completely avoid them, a dentist in West Seneca is going to offer 4 helpful tips so you can enjoy energy drinks and look out for your dental health at the same time. (more…)

For many mothers, breastfeeding offers a seemingly perfect way to bond with their child and feed them at the same time. According to numerous studies, breast milk can help babies fight infections, reduce their risk for asthma, and even lower the chances of SIDS. However, something that is not talked about very often is the impact breastfeeding can have on a child’s dental health. Today, a dentist in West Seneca shares 5 important facts every nursing mom should keep in mind. (more…)

It is a problem that affects about 40% of Americans at least once a month, and it goes by a few different names: heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, better known as GERD. They all describe a common condition where acid in the stomach is able to leak into the throat and mouth. While many people are familiar with the telltale burning sensation it can cause in the chest, few are aware that it can actually harm the teeth as well! Today, a dentist in West Seneca discusses how GERD can affect the teeth as well as how they can help patients keep their smile protected. (more…)

Tooth decay. Two words we have been taught to fear from a very young age. For some, it seems to pop up again and again, leading to multiple cavities and extra trips to their West Seneca dentist. Today, we throw back the curtain to not only reveal the top 3 causes of this all too common problem, but what you can do to combat each one so you can keep your smile healthy, strong, and beautiful for years to come. (more…)