You may not be ready to take heroic efforts to hang on to your youthful glow yet but there are some simple steps you can take to improve your smile. - First and foremost, brush and floss your teeth! Brush, at a minimum, morning and evening and floss daily. If you don’t floss daily, don’t fret; floss every time you... read more »

Maybe you’ve got everything planned to ensure a romantic evening but it has just dawned on you that your breath may not be as pleasant as all of the other details you’ve tended to. If only you had not canceled that six-month checkup two months ago! Here are some tips to freshen your breath and smile before the big night:... read more »

It is not uncommon for an individual to avoid dental visits for fear of the experience. Sometimes it is the result of an unpleasant experience earlier in life. The sound of the dental equipment can cause anxiety, as can an anticipation of bad news. Unfortunately, it is a negative cycle when a person fails to visit the dentist for a... read more »

Diabetes is a condition in which a person’s pancreas does not produce adequate insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a normal range.  There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 (formerly called juvenile diabetes) and Type 2 (adult-onset diabetes). Type 2 is the more common form of the condition.  Ideally, Type 2 diabetes is controlled with a balanced diet,... read more »

You may not realize what preparations are made before your dental visit. Our dental office adheres to CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines to ensure proper infection control for you and our team. Some examples of the precautions taken to ensure your health and safety are the use of disposable products that are... read more »

More and more evidence demonstrates that there is a link between gum disease and atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries. This narrowing of the arteries is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Studies have shown that an improvement in gum health reflected slower rate of plaque accumulation in the arteries. One study followed 420 adults who were... read more »

Do you experience cold sensitivity, pain in your jaw muscles or popping in your jaw joint? You might be grinding your teeth. Grinding one’s teeth is also known as bruxism which is defined as a destructive and parafunctional (not normal) activity. This, often unconscious, behavior can create several oral and overall health issues. In addition to the symptoms mentioned above,... read more »

If you’ve had them, you hate them....mouth ulcers. Ulcers in the mouth, also known as apthous ulcers, are sores in the mouth that are red on the edges and yellow or grayish white in the center. A common condition, one in five adults suffer from recurrent mouth ulcers  and they can be tremendously painful.  The most common causes of these... read more »

You may not be aware that in addition to leaving you with a clean mouth and fresh breath at your semi-annual dental visit, Dr. Jekel is also evaluating your mouth for any signs of oral cancer.  While this part of the visit may not leave you feeling any differently, it is a very important part of your appointment.  Over 40,000... read more »

Your fight against gum disease may be helpful in fighting heart disease and other conditions. It’s common knowledge that we should be flossing on a daily basis. But how many of us actually do? There’s more incentive to floss than just a healthy smile and fresh breath. New research has found an association between the bacteria that causes gum disease... read more »