1. It’s picture season
You know how summer is.  Whether you’re at a wedding, the beach, a birthday party, a graduation, or a casual gathering with friends, someone will take a few pictures.  When the pictures make the rounds or you’re tagged on Facebook, will you be happy with them?  Will you cringe when you look at your teeth or be pleased with your appearance?

2. You’ll be more confident
Do you ever hide your smile behind your hand?  Are you hesitant to smile or laugh in public?  These are common behaviors for people who are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth.  They lose confidence and try to hide their teeth from friends, coworkers, and other people they encounter through the course of the day.  If this is you, wouldn’t you like to regain your confidence?  You can stop hiding your smile and laugh without feeling self-conscious.

3. It’s easy
At Moore Family Dental, we’ve got take-home whitening solutions as well as powerful in-office treatment options. To start the DIY process, we take impressions of your teeth.  The impressions allow us to make personalized bleaching trays for you.  That means they’re more comfortable because they’re made to fit your teeth.  The next step is to put the whitening product in the trays and wear them; we’ll provide you with the details, including how many days and how many hours per day.

4. You’ll inspire others to whiten their teeth
When you smile, people will notice how beautiful your teeth look.  Some people may compliment you.  Others may fear that pointing it out may be a bit too personal.  Either way, they will notice.  You may start the trend; watch for whiter, brighter teeth among your friends and family.

5. You don’t have to live with the discoloration
When teeth get discolored, many people assume that there’s nothing they can do about it.  The good news is that you don’t have to live with it.  Discoloration can be the result of smoking, coffee, wine, other foods or beverages, or just time.  Regardless of the cause, you can restore your teeth to their whiter, brighter appearance.

You know we’re committed to helping you achieve and maintain excellent oral health, but our commitment to you doesn’t stop there.  We also want to help you feel comfortable and confident with the way your teeth look and feel.  If you’re considering whitening, we’ve got the best solution for you.  We’d be happy to explain it further and answer any questions you may have.  Contact us to get started.

Finally, if you’re getting married or have another special event coming up, this may be the perfect time to take this step to ensure that your teeth look their best for your special day.  We’d be honored to help you with that!

A properly fitted mouth guard, or mouth protector, is an important piece of athletic gear that can protect your child’s teeth and smile. Mouth guards are typically required in contact sports, such as football, boxing, and ice hockey.

However, you don’t have to be on the football field to benefit from a mouth guard. New findings in sports dentistry show that even in non-contact sports such as biking, gymnastics, and softball, mouth guards help protect teeth. Many experts recommend that a mouth guard be worn for any recreational activity that poses a risk of injury to the mouth.

While there are a few options on the market, the most effective mouth guards are custom-made by a dentist.  Moore Family Dental provides form-fitting mouth guards that can be used for most all recreation. These mouth guards are resilient, tear-resistant and comfortable. Furthermore, because they are custom-made, they do not restrict speech or breathing.  These are all important considerations when factoring the safety of your child.

Generally, a mouth guard covers only the upper teeth, but in some cases (braces or other circumstances) the dentist may instead make a mouth guard for the lower teeth. Your dentist can suggest the right mouth guard for you.  Please contact or call Moore Family Dental at 716.835.1670 to find out more about a custom mouth guard.

Whatever the reason for your absence, we want you to come back.  Here are five things you should know if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while.

1. We’ll make you comfortable
We want your visit to Moore Family Dental to be pleasant.  With each patient’s comfort in mind, we have created an environment that is designed to put you at ease.  Our staff members are kind and welcoming and you can listen to your favorite music or watch TV while we take care of your teeth.  Sounds good, right?

2. You’re not in trouble
Sometimes, when people haven’t gone to the dentist in a long time, they hesitate to make an appointment because they believe the dentist or hygienist will chastise them for their long absence.  We won’t do that so please don’t let it keep you away any longer.  We just want to work with you to maximize your oral health so we’ll welcome you without any lectures.

3. Technology has come a long way
We keep up with the latest technological innovations and when something can improve patient care or make patients more comfortable, we implement it at Moore Family Dental.  Let’s consider anesthesia.  Although it makes dental procedures infinitely more comfortable, many patients dislike the needle that is traditionally used to administer it.  That’s where the CompuDent wand comes in.  It’s a pain-free way to anesthetize the area; no more needle!  If you want to learn more, read here.

4. We can help you
Moore Family Dental is the place to go for a regular check-up and cleaning, but it’s also the place to go to address a variety of dental issues, including cavities, root canals, veneers, implants, Invisalign, teeth whitening, and more.  Think of us as your one-stop dental shop.

5. We’re here whenever and however you decide to get in touch
You can call us at 716.835.1670 or contact us via our website.  Are you on Facebook?  We are, too!  Find us here.  We’re also on Twitter.  This means you can contact us when it’s convenient for you, in the way that’s most convenient for you.  We look forward to talking with you!

We take you and your oral health very seriously.  Whether it’s been a few months, a few years, or even a few decades since your last dental visit, we’ll welcome you and make you feel comfortable.  We’ll take care of your teeth and work with you to maximize your oral health.  If a particular issue is keeping you away, give us a call so we can talk with you about it.  We’d like to help you resolve it so it doesn’t get in the way of your health – or your beautiful smile.

Americans are consuming foods and drinks high in sugar and starches more often and in larger portions than ever before. It seems that junk foods have gradually replaced nutritious beverages and foods for many people. Perhaps much of this is due to convenience.  The ease and availability of fast food often makes this a convenient decision.

For example, the average teenage boy in the U.S. consumes 81 gallons of soft drinks each year! Alarmingly, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can ruin teeth, especially among those who snack throughout the day. Common activities may contribute to the tendency toward tooth decay. These include habitually grazing on foods with minimal nutritional value, and frequently sipping on sugary drinks.

When sugar is consumed over and over again in large, often hidden amounts, the harmful effect on teeth can be dramatic. Sugar on teeth provides food for bacteria, which produce acid. The acid in turn can eat away the enamel on teeth.

Almost all foods have some type of sugar that cannot and should not be eliminated from our diets. Many of these foods contain important nutrients and add enjoyment to eating. But there is a risk for tooth decay from a diet high in sugars and starches. Starches can be found in everything from bread to pretzels to salad dressing, so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced, nutritious diet for you and your kids.

Reduce your children’s risk of tooth decay:

• Sugary foods and drinks should be consumed with meals. Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.
• Limit between-meal snacks. If kids crave a snack, offer them nutritious foods.
• If your kids chew gum, make it sugarless – Chewing sugarless gum after eating can increase saliva flow and help wash out food and decay-producing acid.
• Monitor beverage consumption – Instead of soft drinks all day, children should also choose water and low-fat milk.
• Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits.
• Schedule regular dental visits.

In addition, it is important to remember that certain foods and beverages contribute to tooth decay.  Although it is common knowledge that pop (soda), juice, candy, and cookies have sugar, many people overlook the fact that even milk and formula can contribute to tooth decay.  However, children need milk and/or formula to grow properly, so parents need to make sure “sugary liquids [do not] stay on … baby’s teeth too long” and awareness of bottles can be an important part of this.  “Avoid putting him [or her] to bed with a bottle—at night or at nap time.  (If you do put your baby to bed with a bottle, fill it only with water.)”

Before parents know it, the child who just started getting baby teeth will begin to lose them.  “Children can start losing their baby teeth anywhere from about the age of 5 to about 7.”  In addition to bringing a visit from the Tooth Fairy, this also means a child will soon have the first permanent teeth.

It is also important to remember that children may need occasional refresher courses about brushing their teeth.  Check in while your child is brushing and make sure the technique and amount of time spent on the task are appropriate.  Even children who have been brushing on their own for a few years may sometimes lapse.  A new toothbrush or kid-friendly flavored toothpaste may do wonders for a child who has become less than enthusiastic about brushing.

If you need tips or advice on encouraging your child to brush, please feel free to contact Moore Family Dental.  When you teach your child about brushing and flossing, you provide a foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth.  Every time you see your child’s smile, you can celebrate the amazing journey from the very first tooth to the present.

Girls on the Run of Buffalo provides an innovative running program for girls ages 8 to 13 that uses experiential learning to teach very specific and well-defined social and personal skills. The program culminates in a non-competitive community running event that gives the girls a chance to shine and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

Moore Family Dental is proud to sponsor the upcoming Girls on the Run of Buffalo program.  The Spring program begins the week of March 25th and runs through the week of June 11th.  It finishes with a 5K run at Delaware Park on Wednesday, June 13th.  For more information and to register, please visit Girls on the Run of Buffalo.

The goal is to educate and prepare young girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.  We hope to see you there!

For starters, you should have a nearby list of emergency numbers – such as the local police, fire department, family doctor, etc.  Include your dental office phone number listed with this data. If your dentist has off-hours emergency numbers available, be sure to document that information as well.  The information should be readily available and/or programmed into your phone or mobile device.

If you have any type of dental emergency or questions, call the dentist immediately or Moore Family Dental for instructions on how to deal with the situation.  Here are some general guidelines for common dental issues:

Toothache: Try to rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it thoroughly.  Gently use dental floss to remove any food or other debris that may be lodged between teeth and causing the ache. While painkillers may temporarily relieve the discomfort, if the toothache persists, you should see your dentist.  If the toothache pain is excruciating, let your dentist office know and they can schedule you immediately.

Chipped or cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it thoroughly. Use cold compresses on the outside of the cheek to help reduce the swelling.

Knocked-out tooth: If possible, try to find the tooth! This may not always be easy depending on the circumstances. The reason is that sometimes the tooth can be successfully re-implanted.  If you are able to recover the tooth, hold it by the crown and rinse the root in water. Don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If it’s possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket while you head to the dentist. If that’s not possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and bring it to the dentist. Time is critical to salvage the tooth – so don’t delay getting to the dentist.

Objects caught between teeth: Try to gently remove the object with dental floss. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object with floss, contact your dentist.

Tongue or lip bites or wounds: Clean the area gently with a clean cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding can’t be controlled, go to a hospital emergency room or clinic. You may able to reduce bleeding from the tongue by pulling it forward and using gauze to put pressure on the wound.

Possible broken jaw: Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Get to the hospital emergency room immediately.

These are general guidelines for many common dental issues.  Since each case is unique, we encourage you to contact your dentist or Moore Family Dental for more specific instructions.

2.         Several different things can make a root canal necessary, including a major cavity that can spread into the nerve of the tooth if left untreated, a trauma serious enough that it causes the nerve to be exposed, or damage to the nerve caused by a deep crack in the tooth.

3.         If a tooth is infected and a root canal is not done to save it, “the pulp infection can lead to abscess, destruction of bone, and spread of the infection via the bloodstream.”

4.         During a root canal, the pulp of the tooth is removed and replaced.  “The pulp is soft tissue containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.”  It is removed and replaced because “If pulp becomes damaged through injury or disease and cannot repair itself, bacteria and their products can leak into the pulp and cause the pulp to die.”

5.         A root canal requires more than one visit.  At Moore Family Dental, we are committed to making you feel comfortable at all times, including during a root canal.  Good communication is necessary; we’ll make you aware of what’s going on and we request that you provide us with feedback about how you’re feeling and what you need.

6.         The first visit for a root canal involves making an opening “through the crown of the tooth” to allow removal of the pulp and cleaning and shaping of the root.  This stage of the process may also involve medication for “the pulp chamber and root canal(s) to help eliminate bacteria.”  A temporary crown is placed there and you may go home with a prescription for antibiotics.

7.         During the next step, the “pulp chamber and root canal(s) are filled and sealed.”  Finally, you’ll have a crown placed there so the tooth will return to its normal appearance and function.

8.         Don’t take your fully-functioning tooth for granted.  It is important, even essential, to visit the dentist regularly to monitor your overall dental health, including the tooth where you had the root canal.

9.         Listen to music if you’re feeling anxious about having a root canal. “In a new study, 143 people listened to music while they received a painful shock in their fingertip. Participants were asked to follow the melodies, and identify unusual tones in an effort to take their mind off the pain.  It seemed to do the trick. Participants’ pain decreased as they became more and more absorbed in the tunes. Those who were the most anxious reaped the most pain-relieving benefits when they became engaged in the music.

10.       At Moore Family Dental, we take your dental health very seriously.  We also take your questions and concerns very seriously.  If you have any additional questions about root canals or any other procedures or problems, we hope you will let us know.

In support of NCDHM, Moore Family Dental would like to provide you with answers to these important health concerns.  We encourage any parent to contact us regarding the dental wellbeing of their child.  We are ready to discuss (either by phone or in person) best practices for establishing a life of great oral health.  The earlier these habits can be formed, the more natural and long-term they become. We also have assembled a free information package for parents to take with them.

Our goal is to help you learn about when children should have their first dental visit, ways to prevent early childhood cavities, when to expect changes from primary to permanent teeth, proper brushing and flossing techniques, thumbsucking, dental sealants, choosing the right mouth protector for active children and adolescents, and teaching children to say no to tobacco. You will also learn about the importance of regular dental examinations.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us.  We look forward to answering any questions you may have!

We invite everyone to stop by next Tuesday for a delicious meal!  In fact, Moore Family Dental will buy lunch at Lloyds for anyone who donates blood between 10am-3pm.  Additionally, we will be raffling off 5 FREE whitening packages between 10-3pm. Anyone who buys a meal at Lloyd’s or donates blood is qualified to win!

All blood donors will also be entered into a raffle to win an overnight package which includes dinner at Russell’s Steaks Chops & More and a stay at Salvatore’s Grand Hotel!

Don’t miss your FREE lunch at Lloyd Taco Truck!  Come donate blood on Tuesday, January 31 at 350 Alberta Drive, Amherst.