Etown Dental Blog

A simple way for Pennsylvania residents to choose beverages that won’t harm their teeth is to keep it simple and make water their go-to drink. However, for safety, thrift, and convenience, many dental patients choose to drink bottled water or filter it themselves at home.

Filtered water can be detrimental to oral health if it doesn’t contain fluoride, which is a great tooth decay preventer.

If you choose bottled water and are wondering if any naturally occurring fluoride has been removed, you can check the label. If you prefer to filter your own tap water, look to see if the American Dental Association has given the filter its seal of approval.

Water filters that carry the ADA seal don’t remove fluoride, so you can be sure that the fluoride is still in your water and benefitting your teeth.

I’m Dr. Ed White, an experienced family dentist serving the Hershey, Manheim, and Lancaster Pennsylvania areas, and I am passionate about helping my patients have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. Contact us today at 717-367-1336 and we can answer any questions you have about dental health, cosmetic dentistry, or smile makeovers.

We have been serving the Elizabethtown Pennsylvania area since 1984, and we would love to make you another one of our satisfied patients. If you’re wondering about fluoride and tooth decay, or dental veneers and teeth whitening, we’d be happy to schedule a consultation for you. Call now!

Hello Elizabethtown gum chewers, today we’re going to talk about that sticky wad in your mouth. You know that it can freshen your breath, but can it really help prevent cavities? That’s the question we’re asking in today’s Elizabethtown family dentistry blog.

It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum can help remove bits of food from the surface of teeth, but that benefit is negated by the stream of sugar washing over your teeth as you chew.

However, gums with some alternative sweeteners have an added benefit for your pearly whites. Xylitol is a sweetener which not only has fewer calories than traditional sugars, but it also has antimicrobial properties that reduce plaque buildup. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes tooth decay.

So if you’re headed out to any restaurants in the Elizabethtown area, bring a pack of sugar-free gum with you and pop it in your mouth when your meal is done. Of course, brushing and flossing are a better option for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, choose a sugarless gum with xylitol to chew.

I’m Dr. Ed White, a cosmetic dentist in Elizabethtown. I want my patients to have the best oral health possible. My practice, Elizabethtown Dental Associates, is located at 100 Continental Dr, Elizabethtown PA.

If you have any questions about how to improve your oral health, or if you would like to learn more about any of our cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers, and complete smile makeovers, give us a call today at 717-367-1336.

We specialize in cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, and dental implants. Call our caring and professional staff today for an appointment!

Dr. Ed White
Elizabethtown Dental Associates
100 Continental Dr
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
717-367-1336
http://www.etowndental.com/about/

Hello, I’m Dr. Ed White. At my Elizabethtown practice I have noticed more and more of my patients with stress-related cosmetic dental issues. Pennsylvania men and women may not think about it, but stress can do a number on your oral health.

Mouth sores, clenching and grinding, periodontal disease, and poor oral hygiene can all be exacerbated by stress.

Elizabethtown area people who have difficulty managing stress need to realize that it can increase the risk of getting mouth sores such as cankers and cold sores. Most canker sores only last 7-10 days, but for relief from the irritation, we recommend our patients pick up an over-the-counter topical anesthetic at any Pennsylvania drug store.

Clenching and grinding the teeth is common for stressed-out Elizabethtown residents, and often it’s done unconsciously. Here at Elizabethtown Dental Associates our caring and professional family dentistry staff can determine if a night guard or other dental appliance is appropriate to reduce grinding.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is exacerbated by stress because stress can result in an increase in dental plaque.

And Elizabethtown dental patients may find that when they are under stress it is more common to neglect their oral hygiene habits. Many people find that they eat more sugary snacks when they’re under stress.

If you’re concerned about the effect stress can have on your teeth, schedule an appointment at Elizabethtown Dental Associates today. We treat patients from age 2 to 102 and we offer cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, dental implants, and Invisalign clear braces. We hope to hear from you soon!

Dr. Ed White
Elizabethtown Dental Associates
100 Continental Dr
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
717-367-1336
http://www.etowndental.com/about/

It’s a question that many parents in Elizabethtown debate: When should I take my child in for their first family dentistry appointment? The answer may be a little earlier than you think.

The American Dental Association recommends that a child sees a dentist around twelve months of age. This happens to be about the time when the first teeth tend to erupt.

Some parents may wonder why dental visits are needed so early in their child’s life. Not only will your Elizabethtown dentist want to clean your child’s teeth and apply fluoride, it’s also important for small children to get used to seeing the dentist.

Starting early dental visits will mean that later in life your Elizabethtown child is less likely to require braces or other cosmetic dentistry procedures such as dental implants.

If you have a child that is apprehensive about visiting Elizabethtown Dental Associates, you might want to think about bringing them to your next Elizabethtown dental appointment. Seeing you in the dental chair will help them become more comfortable with the idea.

I’m Dr. Ed White, a child-friendly Elizabethtown dentist, and I want my patients to have the best oral health possible. I also want them to look their best, so if you have any questions about a smile makeover, give us a call at 717-367-1336.

At Elizabethtown Dental Associates we offer:

cosmetic dentistry
sedation dentistry
dental implants
Invisalign clear braces

Thanks for visiting our cosmetic and family dental blog, and contact us today for all your dental needs!

Dr. Ed White
Elizabethtown Dental Associates
100 Continental Dr
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
717-367-1336
http://www.etowndental.com/about/

Dr. Ed White considers many factors when designing a smile for smile makeover client in the Elizabethtown area. One of the smile design elements involved is the facial midline. The facial midline can be determined by drawing an imaginary line from the center of the eyebrows to the center of the two peaks in the top lip (Cupid’s bow).

The skilled cosmetic dentist considers the length and angle of the facial midline to properly position porcelain crowns, veneers and dental implants. When front teeth restorations do not line up with the facial midline, it is called a canted midline. This is a common mistake found in the cosmetic work of inexperienced Elizabethtown area cosmetic dentists.

Most dentistry patients do not realize the level of 3-D engineering required in cosmetic dentistry. In addition to the orientation in relation to the facial midline, there is also the angle and size of the teeth in relation to each other and in relation to the size and shape of the lips and gums.

If you are considering an extensive smile makeover, you do not want to trust your smile to an inexperienced Pennslvania cosmetic dentist. When you have a smile design consultation with Dr. Ed White feel free to ask probing questions about Dr. White’s experience and technical design procedures. We are confident that you will feel comfortable choosing Dr. White for your smile makeover.

Elizabethtown Dental Associates is located at 100 Continental Dr, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. We offer a full range of general and cosmetic dental procedures. Ask us about veneers, clear braces, tooth whitening and family dentistry. We look forward to meeting you. Call us today at 717-367-1336.

These days Elizabethtown residents are more conscious of their health than ever. Many of us are trying to stay active, eat a balanced diet, and better manage stress. When you feel healthy, attractive, and happy, you smile more often. You want your smile to compliment and enhance your physical and mental condition. Here at Elizabethtown Dental Associates, we want to make sure that those in the Elizabethtown, Hershey, and Lancaster area have healthy, attractive teeth.

Eating right is a great step toward optimal oral health. A balanced diet that is low in sugar and high in nutrients will support dental health at every age. And, of course, water is always the beverage of choice for those who want healthy teeth.

Daily brushing and flossing are essential healthy habits for your mouth. Also, regular check-ups and cleanings with your Elizabethtown family dentist are a must.

Another way to get those teeth looking beautiful is by undergoing some routine cosmetic dentistry procedures. If you want to close spaces between the teeth, improve your gumline, or repair chips or cracks in the teeth, then dental bonding, gum recontouring, crowns, or porcelain veneers might be what you’re looking for.

I’m Dr. Ed White, a gentle, caring and professional Elizabethtown dentist. I have been taking excellent care of area smiles since 1984. I want my patients to have the best oral health possible. I also want them to look their best, so if you have any questions about a smile makeover, give us a call at 717-367-1336.

Visiting Elizabethtown Dental Associates in Elizabethtown for regular family dentistry check-ups and cleanings every six months can seem inconvenient and unnecessary at times, but you may benefit in ways you never imagined.

A recent study showed that people who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least once every two years were 24 percent less likely to have a heart attack, compared to those who skipped appointments.

While the study could simply confirm that those people in Elizabethtown who dutifully schedule regular cosmetic dental cleanings also practice healthy habits like exercising and eating right, there is additional evidence of a relationship between oral health and heart health.

Common problems like inflammation with gum disease are linked to hardening of the arteries and other tissue inflammations which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Former American Heart Association President Ralph Sacco, MD, (who did not participate in the study mentioned previously) said:

‘Something as simple as having good dental hygiene – brushing, flossing, and having regular cleanings – may be good for your heart and brain health.’

While the study found that patients who schedule cleanings yearly reap the most health benefits, Dr. Ed White of Elizabethtown Dental Associates recommends coming in for check-ups and cleanings every six months to catch potential problems early, saving Elizabethtown patients time and money. Regular dental cleanings also brighten and whiten teeth, making your smile look its best. Interested in cosmetic dentistry procedures like teeth whitening and dental implants? We have the best dental team in the area.

To schedule a deep cleaning with our caring and professional dental hygienist at Elizabethtown Dental Associates, call 717-367-1336 today!

Dr. Ed White
Elizabethtown Dental Associates
100 Continental Dr
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania 17022
717-367-1336
http://www.ETownDental.com

Welcome to the Elizabethtown family dentistry blog! Today we are going to look at the secret life of our teeth.

The shape of each tooth gives a clue to what it does. The incisors, or your front teeth, are sharp. They need to be because they are there to cut food and their curvature helps move food inside the mouth.

Behind the incisors, you find the canine teeth. Their roots go far into the jaw bone because they are designed to hold onto food and tear through it.

Premolars, found just behind the canines, are flat on the surface. This allows them to crush your food as you chew. And, finally, in the very back are the molars. They are large and have nice, flat chewing surfaces that help them to grind food down into smaller, more digestible pieces.

I’m Dr. Ed White, a local Elizabethtown dentist, and I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little more about the different teeth in your mouth. If you are in Elizabethtown or the surrounding areas and would like to make an appointment at my practice, Elizabethtown Dental Associates, please give us a call at 717-367-1336. We can schedule an appointment and tell you about cosmetic dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening or porcelain veneers.

If you’ve ever been interested in a smile makeover, come on in and we’ll discuss the possibilities. I want my Elizabethtown area cosmetic dental patients to have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. At Elizabethtown Dental Associates, we offer comprehensive dental services including:

dental implants
cosmetic dentistry
root canal therapy

Though we don’t often think about it, Elizabethtown children as young as 9 or 10 months of age can be infected with cavity producing bacteria, which causes cavities and tooth decay. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that almost 20% of children 2-5 have untreated cavities, and the percentage rises in children over 6.

Tooth decay, if left undetected or untreated in Elizabethtown toddlers and children can result in altered eating habits, delayed speech development, and create an unhealthy environment for permanent tooth development. Healthy baby teeth lead to healthier permanent teeth later in life, decreasing the risk for restorative dentistry needs like dentures and dental implants.

Elizabethtown mothers who practice preventive family dentistry and oral care during prenatal and postnatal periods can better protect her child from cavities. Parents and care providers should not prop a bottle for their baby in a crib or car seat, avoiding nighttime bottle or breast feeding, and clean their child’s teeth with a cloth or soft baby toothbrush as soon as they erupt. It is also recommended that Elizabethtown parents check regularly for chalky white or brown spots which could indicate the beginning of decay.

Elizabethtown cosmetic dental professionals and pediatric dentists in the 17022 zip code area advise taking your child to his first dental appointment six months after the first tooth appears, or around his first birthday to begin discussing fluoride prescriptions and other preventive care issues.

To set up your toddler’s first dental check-up at Elizabethtown Dental Associates in Elizabethtown call 717-367-1336 today! Our caring and professional staff will be happy to answer all of your questions.

If you live in the Elizabethtown area and are planning to take a vacation or business trip soon, I recommend you coordinate your dental care with your travel schedule. It’s always a good idea to have a checkup with your Elizabethtown family dentist prior to leaving on long vacations, especially if your trip is taking you to developing areas without good dental care options. This quick checkup will help you be sure that your mouth is ready to travel.

More importantly, if you have any dental procedures scheduled before you leave, discuss it with your Elizabethtown dentist. A large number of dental procedures are actually surgical procedures. This means that your body will need more time to heal than you may realize.

Also, if you’re leaving the Elizabethtown area by plane, you should be aware that changes in the cabin pressure of the airplane may cause tooth pain or discomfort for patients who have just had oral surgery. In addition, make sure you are aware of any necessary follow-up appointments with your Elizabethtown dentist or orthodontist before you schedule a vacation.

I’m Dr. Ed White and I want Elizabethtown residents to be informed about their dental care. My dental practice offers:

cosmetic dentistry
sedation dentistry
dental implants
Invisalign clear braces
family dentistry

If you are looking for general dental care or quality cosmetic dentistry in the Elizabethtown area, please call us today and let our caring and professional staff take care of you.

Dr. Ed White
Elizabethtown Dental Associates
100 Continental Dr
Elizabethtown Pennsylvania
717-367-1336
http://www.etowndental.com/dentist-elizabethtown/