From the monthly archives:

January 2011

Oral Health and Pregnancy: Part Two

January 31, 2011

As you learned from Part One of Oral Health and Pregnancy, periodontal disease is not only dangerous to a woman during pregnancy, but also affects the infant after birth. An infection during pregnancy may also carry other consequences for the infant beyond the risks of preterm birth and low birth weight. Some types of cytokines [...]

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A special Valentine’s display steams up the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden!

January 31, 2011

Beginning Tuesday, February 1st, a new display will be in the Conservatory, including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in  full bloom, while the tropical wing showcases fragrant, exotic orchids.
Located in historic Richmond, Va., Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers year-round beauty with more than 40 acres of spectacular gardens and the mid-Atlantic’s only classically styled Conservatory open [...]

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Beat the Bruxism

January 27, 2011

Cosmetic dentistry can be a miracle for your mouth. It can give you a beautiful, complete smile, but only if it’s done correctly. Cosmetic dentistry is an investment of your appearance, your money, and your trust in your dentist, so it is important to be aware that there is a right way and a wrong way for cosmetic dental procedures to be done.

I’m Dr. Charles Martin of The Richmond Smile Center, and I am proud of offer my patients quality dental care. I want to give you the smile of your dreams, and I realize that if you suffer from bruxism, you might need a little extra help.

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3 Self-Checks to Help Your Teeth Live Long and Prosper

January 26, 2011

I wonder if Spock’s grandparents had false teeth? If anything, they probably had dental implants, I suppose.
Scientists have recently revealed more and more evidence confirming the link between oral health and overall health, and today, people are keeping their natural teeth longer than ever before. There’s no question that we all want to keep our [...]

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Not all dental treatments are created equal.

January 25, 2011

There are an insane number of cosmetic dental procedures floating around out there today. They all claim to be right for different dental needs, different age groups, different budgets, but they all promise the same thing: a beautiful smile.

I’m Dr. Charles Martin of The Richmond Smile Center, and I’m here to tell you that you can’t believe everything you hear.

You may have heard about Snap-On Smile, recently. Snap-On Smile is a dental device that literally snaps onto your existing teeth. It is worn to attempt to change the appearance of your smile by “replacing” missing or stained teeth.

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Oral Health and Pregnancy: Part One

January 24, 2011

About 80% of Americans have some type of periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease. The condition is progressively harmful for anyone, but pregnant women with gum disease are at risk of having a preterm birth or low-weight baby. The chief link between periodontal disease, preterm deliver, and low birth weight can be summed up [...]

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LiveSky and Sky Watch Tonight at Science Museum Of Virginia in Richmond!

January 21, 2011

Friday, January 21 •  6 pm
Take a guided tour of the current night sky, using the computerized magic of our Digistar™ planetarium, and find out about the latest celestial happenings. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and make requests of your astronomer host. Since the sky is always changing and audience questions and [...]

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You Are What You Eat

January 20, 2011

I hate to break it to you, but everybody has bacteria in their mouths. Tooth decay happens when certain types of these germs turn sugar into acid. This acid causes tooth decay, but, fortunately, your saliva steps in and stops the acid dead in its tracks. Your saliva has the ability to neutralize the acid and help to protect your teeth.

The oral cavity is an amazing thing, and this all sounds great, but did you know it takes two hours after you eat or drink anything containing sugar for your saliva to rebuild your enamel to protect your teeth? This means that for two whole hours, your teeth are unprotected. If you only have two meals a day with sweets and nothing in between, your teeth are unprotected and dissolving for at least four hours. I don’t know about you, but as a dentist, I am not okay with this.

I’m Dr. Charles Martin of The Richmond Smile Center, and I want to tell you about a few diet-related things you can do to protect your teeth and gums.

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Grinding, Clenching, and Headaches

January 19, 2011

Did you know there’s a medical term for the habit of clenching and grinding your teeth? It’s bruxism. Approximately 30-40 million Americans suffer from this disorder, and many are unaware, because they grind their teeth at night.
A dentist might find evidence of bruxism during a dental exam. I’ve also had patients tell me that they’ve [...]

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Dental Do’s and Don’ts

January 18, 2011

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: having regular dental check-ups and cleanings every 6 months is the best way to maintain a healthy mouth a protect yourself from developing serious, long term dental health problems, such as gum disease and oral cancer. These check-ups, along with good at-home dental hygiene habits, are the best things you can do for your mouth.

I’m Dr. Charles Martin of The Richmond Smile Center, and I’m here to tell you a few additional dental do’s and don’ts that will keep your mouth as healthy and beautiful as possible.

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