Carmel Dental Associates

Put simply, an abscess is an infection of your tooth's root. This can cause severe pain, and worse, it can lead to a lost tooth if left untreated. The good news is that most abscesses can be treated with minimal invasion.

Did you hear the joke about the alginate? It wasn't much, but you could really sink your teeth into it. ?

Tooth decay and gum disease may be the most common oral health issues around, but they are far from the only ones. Understanding less common conditions may prepare you should you encounter them.

What do you call a boomerang made of teeth? ? I don't remember the punchline and it's probably gonna come back to bite me. ?

The first completely recyclable toothpaste tube sets the bar for the rest of the dentistry world to be more environmentally conscious. Who's next?

With these whitening tips, get a whiter and brighter smile through dentist visits or at-home whitening kits. Whether its whitening toothpaste, strips, or trays, focus on following these guidelines to keep your dental hygiene high and your confidence!

How do you get kids to brush their teeth? Make it a fun activity! Instead of setting a timer, try playing their favorite song or game! Getting your children to take care of their teeth is important, and turning it into a fun activity will make them excited to do so!

How did the dentist break the mirror? Acci-DENTAL-ly!!!

Has your dentist referred you to an endodontist? Many dentists do root canals themselves, so you may be wondering what exactly an endodontist does, and what sets and them apart. Wonder no more.

Think you know everything when it comes to oral hygiene? Test your knowledge with these dental hygiene tips.

Did YOU remember to brush today?

Much of oral hygiene is common sense to most adults, thanks to years of practice, but even the best of us could use a healthy reminder every now and then.

Why did the maxillary and mandibular wisdom teeth always argue? They were molar opposites! ?

Why did the tooth do to jail? ? It was guilty of INCISOR trading! ?

We believe it’s important to not only treat our patients with high-quality care but to educate them about their oral health so they can be empowered to live healthy lives.

Despite what you may tell yourself, one toothbrush won't last forever. It is recommended to replace your toothbrush every three months or so. If you're an aggressive brusher, you may need to do so more often, as indicated by flattened or frayed bristles.

You've had them your whole life, but how well do you really know your teeth?

It's normal for teeth to be sensitive to extreme hot or cold contact, but for some, this sensitivity is uncomfortably acute. The causes and treatments are many, so understanding your sensitivity is key.

Did you know your mouth is home to 700 species of bacteria, amounting to tens of billions of microbes? Don't sweat - most of them belong there. As for the rest, proper oral hygiene will take care of it!

Want to freshen your breath up on the fly? If you wear Invisalign, you'll find yourself in a sticky situation if you go with gum. Stick to sugar-free mints for that fresh breath relief.

If you think going to the dentist today is no fun...

Dental treatments, special toothpaste, and endodontic treatment are all ways of treating tooth pain and sensitivity. However, certain oral health routine changes may be a good first step.

Is there such thing as too much brushing? Yes and no. Brushing more than twice a day from time to time is perfectly fine. Brushing too hard for too long, too often is when excessive brushing becomes a problem. Doing so regularly can lead to inflamed gums or abraded enamel.

Oral Hygiene FAQ: Is it better to brush with soft or hard bristles? Contrary to popular belief, soft bristles clean equally as well as hard bristles, but are gentler on teeth and gums. In fact, hard-bristled brushes can do more harm to teeth than good.

Unlike brushing and flossing, mouthwash isn't generally an essential part of an oral health routine, which makes it easy to use incorrectly. Knowing best practices for mouthwash, however, can help you bolster your oral hygiene.

Why did the orthodontist put braces on their patient? It was a stop-gap measure!

Losing a crown or filling can be alarming - and painful - but it's no cause for panic. It is relatively common, and there are remedies to tide you over until you can see the dentist.

The excuses you hear... ? ?