Blog
The dreaded shot. The dreaded drill. The dreaded puffy face. As if the cavity itself wasn’t bad enough, you have to go get the thing fixed. Ugh. Luckily, there’s another option these days. Laser dentistry can fix cavities without all the painful stuff. Just imagine getting rid of that toothache and not hearing the sound… Read More
Crafting perfect dental implants is a combination of both science and art. Dental implants have been used for tooth replacement since the 1970s. But today’s implant has evolved from a one-size fits all model to a highly customized fit for each patient, each tooth and each situation. What Is a Dental Implant? A dental implant is… Read More
Does sugar stain teeth? No. Can it lead to tooth discoloration? Yes. Because the bacteria that eat sugar in the mouth also erode tooth enamel, sugar left on teeth can ultimately result in exposed dentin and a yellowing of the smile. Is there anything that can be done about this? Of course – and much… Read More
Dental bonding is a restorative solution with applications in both general and cosmetic dentistry. While there are a number of reasons to consider dental bonding for the perfection of your smile, five of the top include: Dental bonding is a less expensive alternative to porcelain veneers Dental bonding is safe, nontoxic, and free of metal… Read More
Tongue scraping sounds unpleasant – perhaps even painful – but it is actually a proven way to remove volatile sulfuric compounds (VSCs) from the tongue and help fight chronic bad breath. VSCs have been identified as a major source of bad breath and brushing alone only removes around 40% of them. Tongue scraping has been… Read More
It is advisable to replace your toothbrush or electronic toothbrush head at least every three months. You can, of course, replace your toothbrush more frequently if use has bent the bristles or you feel it’s losing its effectiveness, but four times a year is the typical recommendation. Over time, the bristles of a toothbrush become… Read More
Cedar Rapids family dentist Dr. Blaine McLaughlin cares deeply about the oral health and beauty of every patient he sees. To help protect the strength and integrity of our patients’ smiles, Dr. McLaughlin is pleased to offer a full range of family dentistry services. For more information about these services or to schedule an appointment… Read More
Cedar Rapids dentist Dr. Blain McLaughlin recommends you visit our office every six months for professional cleanings and examinations. These biannual visits allow us to keep your teeth bright and your gums healthy, and to check for early indications of oral health issues that may produce serious problems down the road. If you are overdue… Read More
Xylitol is a plant-derived sugar substitute that can be found in many “natural” children’s toothpastes. Some studies have also found this ingredient to help prevent decay, making it an attractive substitute for fluoride in toothpastes for very young children. The safety of xylitol has been well-established and its presence in toothpaste, even those that may… Read More
A newly published study has found that chewing sugar-free gum for 10 minutes following a meal can remove as many as 100 million harmful bacteria from the mouth. This is fairly exciting news for people who love to chew gum and may even help reduce the need for flossing multiple times during the day. Here’s… Read More