During your routine dental examination at White Willow Family Dental, we prioritize not just your dental health, but your overall well-being, including early detection of oral cancer. Our dedicated team is trained to identify signs of oral cancer, as early detection is paramount for successful treatment. Understanding the Risk Factors: Top Seven Contributors to Oral Cancer Age: Individuals in their mid-40s and older are at an increased risk of oral cancer, with the majority of cases occurring around age 62. However, recent trends show a decline in the average age due to HPV-related cases, h ..read more

Your smile is your most powerful asset, leaving a lasting impression in every interaction. However, years of wear and tear can take a toll, leaving many feeling self-conscious about their teeth. Fortunately, at White Willow Family Dental, we offer a range of services dedicated to helping you achieve a smile you’ll be proud to share. Unlock Your Smile’s Potential: 8 Ways to Improve Your Smile Teeth Whitening: Restore brilliance and radiance to your smile with professional teeth whitening treatments. Dental Crowns: Reinforce weakened or damaged teeth while restoring their natural appearance wi ..read more

Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, can wreak havoc on your oral health without you even realizing it. If you or your child are experiencing this issue, it’s crucial to seek professional help. At White Willow Family Dental, Dentist Willow Street, we specialize in diagnosing and treating teeth grinding to safeguard your smile. Here’s what you should know about this common problem: Root Causes of Teeth Grinding Bruxism can stem from various factors, including stress, anxiety, improper bite alignment, and sleep disorders. Research published in the Journal of the American Dental Associati ..read more

Have you ever wondered how often you should be visiting our team? Being proactive rather than reactive with oral health could help prevent long term tooth loss and other dental problems.   According to a study published in the Journal of Dental Research titled “Patient Stratification for Preventive Care in Dentistry,” the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends working closely with your dentist to find a dental plan tailored to your needs. Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry found that individuals need different frequencies of visits to the dentist d ..read more

Calcium is an important mineral for building strong, healthy teeth, but not everyone can tolerate the lactose found in dairy. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. About 65% of people have reduced ability to process lactose past infancy. If you have difficulty with lactose but want to ensure you are getting the calcium you need, consider one of these non-dairy sources of natural calcium. Canned seafood, such as sardines and salmon, can be a good source of calcium. These inexpensive options actually contain more calcium than their fresh counterparts. Canned seafood contai ..read more

We use our tongues every day to talk, taste, and swallow, yet we rarely take time to think about this flexible organ. Here are 9 things you may not know about the tongue:  The longest recorded tongue was more than 3.8 inches from back to tip; the widest measured over 3” across.  The human tongue contains 8 separate muscles intertwined.  A blue whale tongue weighs about 5,400 pounds and is roughly the size of an adult elephant!  Tongues come in many shapes and have varying numbers of taste buds. This makes a human tongue imprint as unique as a fingerprint.  The averag ..read more

Your teeth age with you. It’s important to keep them strong and healthy even as you grow older. Seniors are at a higher risk for developing periodontal disease. In addition to getting a regular dental examination, here are some other tips to keep your teeth healthy.  Keep a Routine  Regardless of age, we cannot stress the importance of keeping up with a daily oral hygiene routine. Make sure you are brushing twice-daily and flossing at least once per day. For seniors with dentures, it is important that you remove them for at least four hours each day. We recommend removing them at ni ..read more

In addition to brushing your teeth twice each day and flossing at least once, it is also important to take good care of your tongue. Bacteria can build up on your tongue throughout the day. For some patients, using a tongue scraper can be the best solution for a cleaner, healthier tongue.  Should You Be Using One?  The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) found scraping your tongue results in a noticeable decrease in the sulfur compounds which can lead to bad breath. According to a study in the Journal of Periodontology, tongue scrapers reduced these compounds by 75%, while using a st ..read more

The internet is fraught with myths about everything. In this “information age” you might think it would be easy to find the truth, but that’s not always the case. Dentistry is no different. It’s no surprise that dental myths are abundant, especially in regard to some of the more intimidating procedures. However, advancements in dental technology have made it possible to receive the advanced care you need with little to no discomfort. Here are some common myths you might hear about root canals debunked. Contact our dental office to learn more.  Myth 1: Root canals are painful.  Long ..read more

Cosmetic dentistry has been around for ages. We’ve noticed that now, more than ever, people are concerned with overall wellness in addition to a beautiful smile. In past years, we had many patients come to us seeking whitening and seeming unconcerned with ridding their smile of infection and decay.   More recently, however, mainstream news has joined our efforts to educate the public on the oral & overall health connection. This has led to patients seeking care that will contribute to overall wellness. We’ve experienced a surge in questions such as:   Does periodontal ..read more