Dental Health Blog
Expert answers to your dental questions — from implants and cosmetic dentistry to gum health and everyday care, written by Dr. Hank Michael and the Sarasota Dentistry team.
Dental ImplantsDental Implant Pros and Cons
Dental implants have become a game changer in the replacement of missing teeth. If you need to replace teeth and do not like the idea of living with dentures or dent…
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Gum HealthReceding Gums Stages
Receding gums may be more common than you think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), over 47% of U.S. adults suffer from some form of g…
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Gum HealthWhen Is It Too Late for Gum Grafting?
Gum recession is a common dental problem. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat and sometimes reverse it. A dentist often recommends gum grafting when gum recess…
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Gum HealthWhy Do My Gums Bleed When I Brush?
Seeing blood in the sink while brushing can be anything from slightly concerning to alarming. If you see blood when brushing your teeth but no pain occurs, you may i…
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Gum HealthIs Periodontal Disease Contagious?
Most families and intimate partners do not think much about exchanging kisses, sharing bites of food, or drinking from the same glass. But what are the risks if some…
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Dental ImplantsTypes of Dental Implants
According to the American College of Prosthodontists, about 178 million Americans are missing one or more teeth. Having a gap where teeth used to be is more than jus…
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Gum HealthDental Deep Cleanings: Everything You Need to Know
Regular dental check-ups are essential to maintaining your smile and overall health. Routine dental cleanings may be enough to remove the buildup of plaque and tarta…
Read articleGum HealthRecession? Exposed Tooth Root Causes and Treatments
It can be upsetting to look in the mirror and notice gaps between your teeth. Having gums that look uneven can also leave you concerned. Any of these irregularities…
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Gum HealthGingivitis vs. Periodontitis: What’s the Difference?
If your gums look swollen or bleed when you floss, you probably have some form of gum disease. You could have early signs of gingivitis. But how do you know when it…
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Gum HealthBlack Tartar on Teeth: Symptoms and Treatment Options
It can be alarming to spot dark or black stains on your teeth. If you can rule out medication side effects or an underlying dental condition as causes, you can likel…
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Gum HealthDoes Mouthwash Help With Periodontal Disease?
If you suffer from periodontal disease or gum disease, you are not alone. About 50% of adults in the United States have gingivitis, and approximately 80% have suffer…
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General DentistryWhy Does My Breath Smell Bad Even After Brushing?
Coping with halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, can be distressing and embarrassing. However, despite your best efforts at maintaining dental hygiene, your bre…
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Dental ImplantsWhat Are Implant Overdentures, and are They Right for Me?
Losing some or all of your natural teeth can hurt your appearance and confidence. To restore your smile and the look of natural teeth, an implant overdenture is some…
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General DentistryWhat Causes Crowded Teeth and How to Fix Them
Having an attractive smile requires more than just the right shade of white. It also depends on how well the teeth are aligned. In contrast, having teeth that appear…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningHow to Fix Black Triangles in Teeth
Many people strongly desire that movie-star white smile but feel insecure about one or more imperfections. Black triangles between teeth make up just one of those co…
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Gum HealthHow Long Can You Keep Your Teeth with Periodontal Disease?
More than half of adults in the United States have some form of gum disease, also called periodontal disease. Some individuals have inflamed gums, while others suffe…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningHow Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost at the Dentist?
Few people can maintain their original teeth whiteness without some form of treatment or intervention. Most individuals experience tooth discoloration over the years…
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General DentistryHow Long Do Dental Fillings Last?
While the quick and easy answer to this commonly asked question is 10 years, it turns out the answer may be a bit more complicated. Keep reading to learn more about…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningDiastema Causes and Treatment Options
Lauren Hutton, Samuel L. Jackson, Sir Elton John, Madonna, Woody Harrelson, Michael Strahan and many other celebrities are famous for their winning smiles . . . and…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningSnap On Veneers vs. Traditional Veneers
Having yellow or stained teeth, a noticeable gap, or missing teeth can diminish a person’s smile and confidence. Some individuals turn to porcelain veneers to remedy…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningBrown Spots on Teeth: Causes, Prevention, and Removal
A winning smile can be an important part of a person’s look. However, when brown spots start to appear on teeth, self-confidence can diminish. Moreover, discoloratio…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningHow Much Do Veneers Cost?
Patients dissatisfied by the color, look, or shape of their teeth might consider getting porcelain veneers. They are custom-made, thin layers of ceramic porcelain th…
Read articleGeneral DentistryWhat Are Permanent Dentures?
A person’s smile is their calling card. Missing teeth can diminish that smile and rob them of their confidence and ability to talk or eat contentedly. That’s why per…
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Sedation & ComfortThe Complete Guide to the Different Types of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry exists to reduce discomfort and anxiety before and during oral surgery and other dental procedures. Although many people have heard of or used “la…
Read articleGeneral DentistryPorcelain Fillings vs. Silver Fillings
Porcelain and silver fillings are among the most common fillings used to treat cavities. According to the National Institutes of Health, cavities affect an estimated…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningTea and Coffee Teeth Stains: How To Remove Them
Many of us rely on tea and coffee every morning to wake up and feel more alert. Unfortunately, these beverages can also cause yellowing and discoloration over time t…
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Gum HealthHow to Remove Tartar from Teeth Without a Dentist
Tartar can be difficult to remove on your own at home without going to a dentist, but you can still remove it with consistent brushing, flossing and some do-it-yours…
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General DentistryHow To Remineralize Teeth
Cavities and gum disease are common oral health problems that can arise after your teeth have been demineralized. Fortunately, you can take steps to repair your enam…
Read articleGum HealthHow To Fix Receding Gums
Receding gums are a dental condition in which gums pull away from the teeth to expose tooth roots—leaving teeth vulnerable to decay and sensitivity to hot and cold.…
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General DentistryWhat is a Dead Tooth
A dead tooth not only can cause pain locally and in surrounding gums but may also change in color — degrading the quality of your smile. Left untreated, a dead tooth…
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Gum HealthWhy are My Gums Sore and What Does it Mean?
Sore gums are a common dental issue. Gum pain can flare up when you’re brushing, flossing, eating, or drinking. Gums that are sore and swollen may also start bleedin…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningWhat to Do If You Have a Chipped or Broken Crown
If you have a dental crown, you should know what to do in case it becomes chipped or broken. Crowns are very strong, and often last for a lifetime. But an accident c…
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General DentistryWhat Are Flexible Partial Dentures?
Flexible partial dentures are an ideal solution for those who want to replace missing teeth while also enhancing their smiles. Flexible partial dentures can restore…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningVeneers vs. Crowns
If you’re looking to improve the appearance or function of your teeth, crowns and veneers are both suitable options for dental restoration. They serve different purp…
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General DentistryHow to Fix Worn-Down Teeth
Tooth wear tends to become more prevalent with age. Worn-down teeth can lead to various cosmetic and oral health problems such as yellowed teeth, tooth sensitivity,…
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General DentistryAre Root Canals Safe, & Do Root Canals Cause Cancer?
Every year in the United States, dentists perform an estimated 15.1 million root canal treatments. Despite the fact that root canals are a common dental procedure, m…
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Dental ImplantsHow to Clean Dental Implants: Dental Implant Care 101
An estimated 3 million people in the United States have dental implants—a number that is growing by 500,000 every year. (1) For those who have lost one or more teeth…
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General DentistryIs Charcoal Toothpaste Safe for Your Teeth?
Charcoal dentifrices, including toothpastes, gels, liquids and toothpowders, have become a rapidly emerging fad promising whiter teeth by using a more natural ingred…
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Sedation & ComfortLaughing Gas: What Is It, How Does It Work, and Does It Make You Laugh?
Laughing gas is commonly used as a mild sedative in dentistry to relieve pain and help people relax during complex procedures like root canals, wisdom teeth extracti…
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General DentistryHow to Find the Best Dentist near You
{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "HowTo", "name": "How to Find the Best Dentist near You", "description": "Maybe it’s been a few years since you have been…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningBest Professional Teeth Whiteners: Laser Teeth Whitening vs. Bleaching
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Dental ImplantsHow Much Do Dental Implants REALLY Cost?
Dental implants typically cost between $500 for the lowest grade product to $3,000 for a higher grade product. Some products can be significantly higher, even as muc…
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Dental ImplantsDental Implants vs Dental Bridges – Which Should I Choose?
Over the past decade, dental implants have really changed the ‘missing-tooth’ game. Until fairly recently, dentures and bridges had been the standard in care to reso…
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Dental ImplantsToo Much Loss for Dental Implants? Bone Grafts may be a Solution
A dental implant via a bone graft is one of the most common solutions for filling a space caused by a missing tooth. However, one small issue can come up that can pu…
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Dental ImplantsHow To Stop Bleeding After A Wisdom Tooth Extraction Or Dental Implants
Bleeding gums after a tooth extraction, dental implant or periodontal surgery can be very worrisome but it is to be expected after dental surgery. It’s important to…
Read articleDental ImplantsZirconia Dental Implants vs Titanium Implants
When looking for replacement teeth, there are a lot of factors to consider. Due to increasing interest in holistic medicine and the concern of putting anything synth…
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Sedation & ComfortSensitive Teeth – What Can I Do To Make Them Feel Better? Sensitivity Relief 101
Many people struggle with sensitive teeth every day. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 40 million adults in the United States suffer at some t…
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Cosmetic & WhiteningSuccess Story: Invisalign Saves Smiles and Careers
“Since I finished my Invisalign treatment two years ago, my career has changed entirely, I feel no pain when I play, I can practice for many more hours in a day…it f…
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Dental Implants99 Foods To Eat After Dental Surgery, Implants, or Wisdom Teeth Extractions
“What do I eat after dental surgery?”, is a common question asked by many patients. Dental surgery can be a daunting task but the recovery can be even more stressful…
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Dental ImplantsImmediate Dental Implant – Can You Really Get a Dental Implant Same Day as Extraction?
An immediate dental implant is a dental implant that is placed in the jawbone immediately after a dental tooth extraction. It is usually placed at the same visit as…
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Oral SurgeryHow Long Does it Take for Wisdom Teeth Holes to Close & Feel Normal Again?
It takes about 6 weeks for the jaw bone and gum tissue to repair itself following wisdom teeth extractions. This time may vary depending on if the wisdom teeth were…
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Dental ImplantsHow do Dental Implants work?
Replace Missing Teeth and Restore Your Confidence…
Read articleDental ImplantsWhat is a Full Arch Dental Implant?
If you need a full arch of teeth replaced, Dr. Hank D. Michael can place full arch dental implants to restore the function and beauty of your smile. During this trea…
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General DentistryGetting Started with Instant Orthodontics
Instant orthodontics is a group of procedures that use porcelain veneers and dental crowns to eliminate gaps, correct overlaps, and improve the cosmetic appearance o…
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Gum HealthHow Often Should You Floss?
Many patients come into their regular dental checkups asking this question. “Do I need to floss every day? Twice a day?” The first thing we want to say is, “Yes. You…
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Dental ImplantsHow do Multiple Tooth Dental Implants work?
If you are missing more than one tooth, Dr. Hank D. Michael can restore the beauty and function of your smile with a multiple teeth dental implants procedure. This a…
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General DentistryMy broken tooth is cutting my tongue – What can I do to make it feel better?
Broken, fractured or chipped teeth are a very common event. It usually doesn’t cause any immediate pain to the tooth, but can quickly become very painful to the tong…
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Dental ImplantsSingle Tooth Dental Implant Procedure & Benefits vs. Traditional Bridges
Not necessarily. Some patients are missing multiple teeth or have other circumstances where multiple dental implants are an option. Single tooth dental implants are…
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