Sugar and Your Teeth: How Often Matters, Too
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Sugar and Your Teeth: How Often Matters, Too October brings plenty of opportunities to enjoy something sweet. Most people know that sugar contributes to cavities, but there is another part of the story: how often your teeth […]
Where Did the Lead Apron Go?
Where Did the Lead Apron Go? Wait — no lead apron for my dental X-rays? Isn’t that what protects me from radiation? And is it really safe to take X-rays without one? If you’ve been going to the dentist for a few decades, having a heavy lead apron draped over you probably feels like part […]
Why Do We Include Fluoride Varnish After Every Adult Cleaning?
Why Do We Include Fluoride Varnish After Every Adult Cleaning? Why would a dental office provide it to adults at no additional charge? Isn’t fluoride varnish just for children? If you brush with fluoride toothpaste, do you need anything more? After every adult cleaning appointment, we offer professional fluoride varnish as a complimentary service when […]
Best OTC Pain Relief for Toothache: What works best and why?
Best OTC Pain Relief for Toothache: Ibuprofen, Aleve, Tylenol, Antibiotics, and Opioids Explained Dental pain is miserable. Whether it is a toothache, soreness after an extraction, or discomfort after dental treatment, most people want relief quickly. For many years, patients assumed that “stronger” pain medicine meant an opioid prescription. Dentistry, like the rest of healthcare, […]
When a “Stain” Is Actually a Cavity: Why Tooth Decay Can Look Smaller Than It Is
When a “Stain” Is Actually a Cavity: Why Tooth Decay Can Look Smaller Than It Is Can a dark groove on a tooth be more than just a stain?Yes — sometimes what looks like a simple stain is actually tooth decay hiding beneath the surface. A back tooth may show only a small dark line […]
Prophy vs. Periodontal Maintenance: What’s the Difference?
Prophy vs. Periodontal Maintenance: What’s the Difference? Why does my cleaning appointment sometimes change names? You may hear “prophy” at one visit and “periodontal maintenance” at another. They can feel similar—but they serve different purposes and what you need depends on the health of your gums. What exactly is a “prophy”? A prophy (regular cleaning) […]
Are Dental X-Rays Safe? Understanding Radiation in Modern Dentistry
Dental Health Matters Are Dental X-Rays Safe? Dental X-rays use extremely small amounts of radiation and help dentists detect problems early—often before they cause pain or serious damage. Are dental X-rays something patients should worry about?Many patients ask “Are dental x-rays safe?”. It’s a good question. Dental X-rays are one of the most useful tools […]
Cold Sores, Valentine’s Day & Modern Dental Care: What Every Patient Should Know
Dental Health Matters What exactly is a cold sore? Cold sores are extremely common and are not a reflection of cleanliness or overall health. Unfortunately, the virus has a habit of reappearing at inconvenient times — often just before vacations, important events, or yes… Valentine’s Day. A cold sore is a small, often painful blister […]
New Year, New Goals: Why Your Smile is the Best Resolution for 2026
New Year, New Goals: Why Your Smile is the Best Resolution for 2026 By Dr. Paul Doodes – Dental Health Matters, Park Blvd Dentistry It’s that time of year again. The celebrations are all cleared up and we’re all looking at our calendars, setting goals, and perhaps feeling that familiar January spark to start fresh. […]
Holiday Smiles: A Quick End-of-Year Check-In
Holiday Smiles: A Quick End-of-Year Check-In The holidays are here — and so are the cookies, chocolates, and “just one more” treats. Good news: research shows cavities care more about how often you snack than how much.¹ So enjoy dessert, just don’t nibble your way from December 1st to January 1st. If you’re sipping […]
Why Do Your Gums Bleed When You Brush — And When Should You Worry?
Why Do Your Gums Bleed When You Brush — And When Should You Worry? by Dr. Paul Doodes – Dental Health Matters, Park Blvd Dentistry Ever notice a little pink in the sink and think, “Am I brushing too hard?” You’re not imagining it. Bleeding gums are one of the most common things […]
Does Tooth Whitening Make Teeth Weak?
We’ve all heard people saying that whitening is bad for your teeth, but is there any truth to it? It seems you only have to mention tooth whitening and someone (who seems to always work in a non-dental or non-scientific field), will assert that it’s bad for teeth, makes them weak, causes cavities, or that […]
Why Should I Replace a Missing Tooth?
We get this question a lot. We often see people with a missing tooth or two, sometimes a recent extraction has left the space, other times it’s been open for decades. So why replace missing teeth? Our teeth are a team that have evolved to work together as a set. Each tooth requires the help […]
Caring for the Aging Smile
Caring for the Aging Smile By Dr. Paul Doodes, Park Blvd Dentistry How do smiles age—and what can we do about it? People are living longer—and keeping their teeth longer, too. That’s wonderful, but it brings new challenges. Geriatric dentistry isn’t “regular dentistry for older patients”; it’s about adapting care to changing health, medications, and […]
Which Type of Dental Floss Is Best for You?
Does floss type matter?Yes. All flosses aim to remove plaque, but their effectiveness varies. Interdental cleaning plus brushing lowers gum disease risk (Ng & Lim, 2021). Texture, material, and coating make a difference. Waxed or unwaxed?Waxed floss slips more easily between tight teeth. Some argue it’s less abrasive, but Imai et al. (2011) found similar […]
Fluoride: Nature’s Cavity Fighter, in the News Again
At Park Blvd Dentistry, we believe prevention is the foundation of lifelong oral health. That’s why we include fluoride treatments for free as part of every routine exam and cleaning — a benefit that sets us apart from many other practices. Recent headlines have once again brought fluoride into the national conversation; now with debates […]
Geriatric Dental Care – Special Care for an Important DemographicCaring for Geriatric Patients: What Are the Special Considerations for Their Oral Health?
Caring for Geriatric Patients: What Are the Special Considerations for Their Oral Health? As we age, our oral health faces unique challenges. Geriatric patients, in particular, have specific needs that require tailored care. What are these needs, and how do we at PBD cater to them? How Do Long Medical Histories Affect Geriatric Dental Care? […]
Am I at Risk for Oral Cancer?
At least once a year all our patients get a comprehensive exam looking for anything unusual in or around their mouth. Of course we are looking for the the usual suspects of tooth decay, cracks, chips, grinding, gum disease, staining, tooth movement and failing restorations but we also take a moment to carefully examine the […]
A Solution to Dental Anxiety
The Role of Sedatives in General Dentistry; a Solution for Anxious Patients Dental anxiety is a common challenge faced by many patients, often leading to delayed or avoided dental care. I get it. I used to be very fearful myself. Apprehension can arise from previous negative experiences, fear of pain, or general anxiety disorders. To […]
Relief for Snoring and Mild Apnea
Everyone needs a good nights sleep Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to fragmented rest and numerous health complications. One of the most effective non-invasive treatment options for certain cases of sleep apnea and snoring […]