5 Things You Didn’t Know Your Dentist Was Doing at Your Checkups

We all go to the dentist, some more frequently than others. You may even have a general idea of what your dentist is doing in there as your smile goes from dull to sparkling. But did you know that your dentist is doing a whole lot more than just cleaning your teeth?

Today, all of us here at Susquehanna Dental Arts want to take you on a deep dive into just how much of your health your dentist is checking during your routine visits. As it turns out, there is much more than meets the eye. Continue reading →

Spit it Out! Is Saliva Important?

Saliva is something we take for granted every day. Little do we know, saliva plays a huge role in our health, and is integral to a strong digestive system. For starters, we need to understand what saliva is, and all the ways it benefits our bodies. Continue reading →

What is Tooth Enamel, and Can it Be Restored?

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body; it’s even harder than bone. However, just because it’s tough doesn’t mean it can’t decay. Much like anything in your body, it requires your time and care to keep it strong. Here’s some useful information that we here at Susquehanna Dental Arts think you should know in order to keep your smile as healthy as possible. Continue reading →

5 Surprising Foods That Are Actually Good for Your Teeth

We’ve all had the dangers of certain foods drilled into our brains; which foods cause cavities, which ones cause staining, and which ones erode enamel away. However, we rarely hear about foods that are not only okay to eat, but healthy for your teeth. Here are a few foods that your dentist will be happy to hear you’re eating regularly. Continue reading →

Replace That Missing Tooth!

missing tooth on a stand

The majority of complaints about missing teeth are for aesthetic purposes, but the truth is that aesthetics is a very minor concern compared to other issues that missing teeth might present.

Today, we want to outline a few more health-related reasons you should be replacing that missing tooth, and what may happen if the issue remains. Continue reading →

So What Happens at a Dental Checkup?

A routine dental checkup is vital to keeping your mouth in tip-top shape. Since good oral health contributes to overall health, it’s vital to keep up with your dental care. Unfortunately, some patients are fearful of dentists and only visit us when things go wrong, making it more likely that a procedure will be necessary.

To prevent that, we strongly encourage regular visits. No one can get the mouth as clean as a dentist, and we can spot potential issues before they cause you more pain.

To help put your mind at ease, here’s what to expect at a routine dental checkup at Susquehanna Dental Arts. Continue reading →

Mouthguards Prevent Injuries

Odds are that if you have kids, they’ve been involved in sports at some point during their childhood. Competitive sports are a part of millions of adolescents’ lives, and we don’t expect this to change anytime soon.

Physical competition leads to injuries, and when it comes to common sports injuries, maxillofacial injuries (injuries of the mouth) are near the top of the list.

Many of these injuries could be avoided simply by using a mouthguard. In this article, we want to highlight some of the benefits of using a mouthguard, the different options available, and other helpful information. Continue reading →

Mind Your Tongue

We’ve long emphasized the link between oral health and overall health. Today we want to look at a specific aspect of oral health – your tongue, and what it can tell you about the rest of your body.

There are three primary things you need to pay attention to with your tongue:

Tongue Coating
Tongue Color
Tongue Texture

Continue reading →

Fight Acid Erosion!

close-up of a smile

Teeth are durable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about what you consume. We all know sugary foods and drinks are harmful to our teeth (and our waistline!), but there are other types of foods and drinks to be cautious with as well.

Sugar is harmful because it can do significant damage to your teeth’s enamel. Once this protective surface of your teeth wears away, the dentin is exposed and that can lead to plaque, bacteria, sensitivity and other issues. And don’t forget another primary culprit behind the erosion of enamel – acid! Continue reading →

All About Cavities

It seems that cavities are the hot topic on the Susquehanna Dental Arts blog! Our previous article on 10 cavity signs and symptoms has generated quite a buzz, and has led to dozens of follow up questions from patients and other readers.

We thought we’d answer a few of the most frequently asked questions about cavities, for your reading pleasure. Of course, if you have a question and don’t see it answered on the list below, feel free to give us a call at 717-285-7033 and we’ll be happy to discuss any remaining questions you might have.

What are cavity signs & symptoms?

There are several warning signs that you may have a cavity. These include white, chalky, or opaque spots on your teeth, highly sensitive teeth or outright toothache, dark spots, and swelling of your gums.

Can a cavity heal on its own? Do cavities get worse if they’re untreated? Continue reading →