Dr. John Maheu, Author at Central Dental Associates Blog

January 25, 2015

122406213 Is there anything more precious than your little ones’ smiles? Well yes—knowing that those smiles are healthy, too. At Central Dental Associates in Norwood, MA, our dentists believe that the foundation of good oral health begins early. Therefore, we place a premium on children’s dentistry in our practice, focusing on teaching you and your child how best to care for their teeth and gums at home and preventing problems before they begin.

Prevention Starts Early

Actually, children’s dentistry begins even before your child visits the dentist, and it begins with you. As soon as you see that first baby tooth appear, it’s time to begin cleaning. Just take a soft cloth moistened with warm water and wipe baby teeth clean after feeding. As more teeth appear, you can use a small, soft toothbrush dipped in warm water. Begin using a small amount of toothpaste when they are old enough to spit.

Children’s Dentistry at Central Dental Associates

The dentists at Central Dental Associates would like to begin seeing your children for checkups when they’re about three years old. At their first checkup we’ll examine and count their teeth, assess the health of their gums, and—if they seem ready—we’ll clean their teeth, too. Of course, we hope we don’t find any signs of tooth decay. If we do, however, we will repair the cavity with a tooth-colored filling, so your child can have a metal-free smile.

As your children grow and mature, there are other preventive treatments we may recommend including fluoride rinses, dental sealants and athletic mouthguards. We want your children to enjoy the benefits of good oral health care, and we look forward to seeing you and them in our office soon!

Call Our Office Today

If your children are old enough and need to visit the dentist, then schedule an appointment for them with Central Dental Associates in Norwood, MA. We also see children and adults from Walpole, Westwood, Medfield, Dedham and the surrounding communities.

December 25, 2014

57567999 Is everyone in your family up-to-date with their dental checkups? If it’s been more than six months since their last dental exam, they may be unnecessarily endangering their good health. Oral cancer screenings are a routine part of every dental checkup. If you’re over 40, skipping these regular screenings could jeopardize your life. Tens of thousands of new oral cancer cases develop every year. The single greatest factor in the outcome of oral cancer cases is the stage at which it is found. Because many oral cancer symptoms are disguised as less threatening illnesses, it can go undetected for far too long if you don’t see a dentist regularly. The best way to protect your family and yourself is to make an appointment with Central Dental Associates for a dental checkup and oral cancer screening today. Central Dental Associates provides experienced and compassionate dental care to families throughout Norwood, MA, Walpole, Westwood, Medfield, Dedham, and the surrounding communities.

Are You at Risk for Developing Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer can develop at anytime. However, you may be at heightened risk for developing oral cancer if:

You are over 40
You are male
You use any type of tobacco products
You drink any alcohol
You have Human papillomavirus

What Do Oral Cancer Screenings Check?

Any of the following symptoms could be early warning signs of oral cancer:

An ulcer in your mouth or sore on your tongue that won’t go away
A red or white patch in your mouth
Unexplained pain in your mouth or ear
An unexplained lump in your neck
Persistent sore or painful throat
A croaky voice or difficulty swallowing

Oral Cancer Screening Appointments in Norwood, MA

There’s no upside to postponing the dental care you and your family need to stay healthy. Making an appointment for the oral cancer screening and dental checkup you need is easy with Central Dental Associates. Central Dental Associates are standing by to help you protect your family this coming year, and for the many happy years to come. The highly qualified dentists of Central Dental Associates restore smiles daily throughout Norwood, MA, Walpole, Westwood, Medfield, Dedham, and nearby areas.

November 25, 2014

170083078 The approaching holiday season can be a double dose of danger for your dental care. While most people tend to eat more sugary foods and drink more alcohol, they also get so busy with holiday preparations that they forget to keep up with their normal oral hygiene routine. You can protect your teeth and make dental care a priority this season by contacting Central Dental Associates today for an appointment. The experienced dentists of Central Dental Associates proudly serve all of Norwood, MA, Walpole, Westwood, Medfield, Dedham and nearby communities.

Holiday Dental Care Tips

Desserts– Drink plenty of water after eating anything sugary. This will help wash away the bacteria.
Sticky Treats– Avoid chewy candies and dried fruits such as cranberries. These sticky particles will linger on your teeth and are hard to remove, which increases the risk of developing cavities.
Alcohol– Try not to swish wine around in your mouth and drink water between glasses of wine to rinse the acid away from your teeth.
Sugar Free– Anytime you can substitute a treat for a sugar- free version you are helping protect your teeth. Sugar- Free treats containing the sugar substitute, Xylitol, can actually help reduce plaque buildup. Also try chewing a piece of sugar-free gum after a meal to un-stick food material from your teeth.
Got Milk– Dairy can protect your teeth from acids produced by oral bacteria, decreasing the possibility of tooth decay. Just add a glass of milk or a slice of cheese to your holiday candies and treats.
Stress- Holiday stress can cause some people to grind or clench their teeth while sleeping (bruxism). A dentist can provide you with a custom night guard to prevent damage from bruxism.

Holiday Dental Care in Norwood, MA

This time of year can spell disaster for your teeth. Have a healthy holiday season by remembering to keep up with your dental care. Make an appointment with Central Dental Associates for a pre or post holiday cleaning. Central Dental Associates serves patients throughout Norwood, MA, Walpole, Westwood, Medfield, Dedham and surrounding cities.

October 25, 2014

76945246 The average person brushes their teeth over 40,000 times and uses over 80 liters of toothpaste. The tarter build-up fighting, brightening, whitening toothpaste we enjoy today has not been around for very long. In fact, it has only been around in its modern day form for about 60 years. Toothpaste as we now know it has been on a long road of innovation and invention. The experienced team at Central Dental Associates wants to help you learn more about protecting your teeth. Contact Central dental Associates today for your next appointment at their Norwood, MA dental office. The doctors of Central Dental proudly serve Norwood, MA, Walpole, Westwood, Medfield, Dedham, and surrounding areas.

Early Toothpaste Formulas

The search for an effective toothpaste formula has gone on for thousands of years. The ancients were constantly seeking prevention and remedy for toothaches, tooth decay and bad breath. This search led to incredibly bizarre concoctions and formulas. As early as 5000 B.C. the Egyptians created a formula for toothpaste that consisted of mint flowers, salt and pepper. Unfortunately, it also had the side effect of making the gums bleed. Today we use baking soda as the abrasive in toothpaste which polishes our teeth. As early as 500 B.C. in Rome, China and India some of the abrasives used were made from crushed fish bones and egg and snail shells, brushed on with sticks or cloths.

Advances in Toothpaste

It wasn’t until the early 19^th century that the modern toothbrush and toothpaste began to take shape. The popular formula for toothpaste at this time consisted of chalk, salt and glycerin sold in jars, not tubes. An American dentist named Dr. Peabody was the first to add soap in 1824. The modern tube toothpaste can be attributed to a father son in Connecticut. Dr. W.W. Sheffield and his son had developed tube toothpaste by 1892, first Inspired by the tubes of paint used by painters. At this time it was known as “crème dentifrice”.

Modern Toothpaste

In 1896, Colgate began marketing metal tubes of toothpaste that wound up with a key. The healthy effect of fluoride on teeth was revealed by accident in 1901 when a dentist in Colorado Springs found that the local population he treated developed significantly fewer cavities than other populations. It was discovered that this was due to naturally elevated levels of fluoride in their local water supply. By 1950, fluoride was added to the general formula. After WWII synthetic detergents replaced the soap in toothpaste.

Toothpaste and Cavity Prevention in Norwood, MA

Modern toothpaste is made of an abrasive like baking soda or chalk, a whitener, flavoring, a foaming additive and a binder. You can easily make your own toothpaste at home using a simple recipe. Just mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of salt, 3 teaspoons of glycerin, a dash of water and one teaspoon of peppermint. To find out more about taking care of your teeth, contact Central Dental Associates today for your twice yearly check up. Central Dental Associates proudly serve patients in Norwood, MA, Walpole, Westwood, Medfield, Dedham, and the surrounding communities.

September 25, 2014

186932212 Many people strive to have the perfect smiles they see in the magazines and on television, but they may think they could never accomplish it. A beautiful smile always sends a positive message to the people you interact with, and can definitely have positive effects on the way you feel about yourself. If your smile is less than perfect, there is no need for you to feel discouraged feeling as though you will never get the smile of your dreams. The doctors at Central Dental Associates are able to turn your dreams into a reality by offering porcelain veneers to their patients at their Norwood, MA dental office.

Porcelain veneers are wonderful because they are used to completely cover any sort of flaws you may have residing within your smile. If you have a smile that is chipped, gapped, cracked, misaligned, or stained, porcelain veneers mask it all, only revealing an immaculate smile. Also, porcelain veneers are able to give a completely rejuvenated smile in a relatively short amount of time.

The process begins with a consultation with one of our doctors, as they will have to assess the state of your smile and determine whether or not porcelain veneers are right for you. You will also have that time to bring up any questions or concerns you may have. We will take impressions of your smile, and send them to a dental lab to have your custom veneers made. When your veneers are being made, we will keep your smile goals in mind as well as your facial aesthetic, making sure your new smile looks as natural as possible. Your natural tooth will be prepared by removing a small bit of enamel. This ensures that your new smile will have space in your mouth. When your veneers are ready, they will be placed on your prepared tooth and made permanent with dental resin cement. Once everything is done, your smile is beautiful and perfect! If you would like our doctors to help revolutionize your smile using dental implants, contact our office today!

Visit our contemporary practice and learn why Central Dental Associates has been Norwood’s premier choice for family and restorative dentistry since 1965. We’re located in Norwood, MA at Chestnut Green, convenient for patients from Walpole, Westwood, Medfield, Dedham, and surrounding areas. Call us today!

August 8, 2014

shutterstock_115167076 Like everything in life, things experience normal wear and tear as the days push forward. Whether it is an aged leather chair or a stain on your favorite shirt, things have a way of going through life’s daily rigors and having the evidence to prove it. Unfortunately, your smile is no different. Throughout the years, your smile may have gotten stained, chipped, and cracked, and you may not know how to fix it. Many people consider a smile a first impression, and when you are not completely confident in the way you look, it can affect the way you view yourself as well as your interactions with others. Fortunately, the doctors at Central Dental Associates are able to give their patients a renewed smile with the help of cosmetic bonding.

The wonderful thing about cosmetic bonding is that it is able to erase years of damage in a single appointment. If your smile is slightly misaligned, chipped, or cracked, cosmetic bonding is able to make that a thing of the past. We use a composite resin to exactly match the color of your smile, making your transformation as natural and organic as possible. Once the dentist applies the mixture on to your smile and sculpts it to your liking, they will then polish it to make it shine! At the end, you are left with a beautiful new smile!

Cosmetic bonding is a wonderful option for those who do not wish to invest in porcelain veneers, though cosmetic bonding lasts between five to ten years if taken care of properly. Also, cosmetic bonding is stain resistant, making sure your smile is bright and ready at any moment! If you would like to have our doctors help you rejuvenate your smile using cosmetic bonding, contact our office today!

July 16, 2014

shutterstock_148048499 With summer enveloping us in its warm rays, many people are making sure they look their summer best! Whether it is getting your beach body ready or getting their hair done in time for the backyard barbecue, many people want to make sure they are in tip top shape in order to fully enjoy their summer vacation! One thing that may not get as much attention is your smile. There is no doubt you will be meeting and reconnecting with tons of people this summer, and your smile is the first thing they are going to see. If you want to make sure you have a seamless, flawless smile, our doctors are able to give that to their patients by offering tooth-colored fillings.

There are many reasons why people choose tooth-colored fillings. The most popular reason is that people get tooth-colored fillings is because they want to avoid the look of having a mouth full of metal. Many people want a more natural look when it comes to their dental work, and tooth-colored fillings are able to provide that look. The important aspect about fillings is the fact that it saves your tooth. When there is a cavity or a serious infection, we remove the decay and fill the space with your desired filling. If not treated in the proper amount of time, the problem can worsen, even possibly leading toward bone loss.

One of the benefits of having tooth-colored fillings is that it gives you back your confidence. If you are not confident in your smile, it can completely alter the way you interact with people and yourself. There is no doubt our experience team is able to restore your confidence and bring your smile to the next level. If you’re interested in tooth-colored fillings, contact our office and will be happy to help you create the perfect smile you have always wanted!

June 6, 2014

brushes1 Have you ever heard the old adage “It’s the little things that count”? Well, that can be applied to all areas of life, even your oral health! Though it may not seem like a big deal, simple things like brushing and flossing can really make a difference in your teeth. The doctors at Central Dental Associates are strong believers in patient education, and they want to make sure you have the proper knowledge to better care for your smile.

In regards to toothbrushes, small toothbrushes with small, rounded-out ends are best, as they can clean your entire mouth without damaging any tissue. A very important tip is to make sure that you change your toothbrush every three months, or after recovering from a sickness. This prevents bacteria from infesting your mouth and helps you have a cleaner smile. Tilt your toothbrush to a 45 degree angle, and use small, circular movements to gently brush along the gum line and the teeth. To be especially thorough, brush the tongue and the backs of your teeth!

With flossing, this is a very secure way of removing stubborn bacteria, plaque, and tartar from where your toothbrush can’t reach. You want to form a U-shape around the tooth, but do not jerk the floss in and out of the gum line, as that can cause bleeding. Gently slide the floss between the teeth, and do it for every tooth.

If you have any more questions about how to properly brush and floss your teeth, make an appointment, and we’d be glad to help! With summer rapidly approaching, you want to make sure you are able to take full advantage of your summer vacation with a beautiful, and, most importantly, healthy smile!

May 15, 2014

shutterstock_98139272 Living in pain is never an easy thing, especially when it comes to your teeth. Tooth pain can be excruciating, and doing nothing about the pain will only make it worse. If you are suffering from an ongoing tooth ache, it is most likely because your tooth is infected. Left untreated, an infected tooth can wreak havoc on the rest of your smile, leaving you with a much more expensive and painful result down the road. Central Dental Associates understands the importance of making sure your smile is as health as it can be, which is why we offer root canal therapy to our patients!

A root canal needs to be performed when the tooth’s structure has been compromised. Perhaps due to a crack or a large cavity, the tooth’s inner structure has become infected with bacteria, causing you much pain and discomfort. Other things that can cause the need for root canal therapy are deep restorations and dental trauma.

We begin your root canal by focusing on the infected tooth and removing the harmful bacteria. The tooth’s pulp is removed, and then the tooth is filled. After that, a crown is usually placed at the top, protecting the tooth from further harm. At the end, you feel relieved and alleviated of pain!

If you are experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks, pain, swelling, throbbing, and a bad taste in your mouth, you may need a root canal. Make an appointment at our office, and we’ll be glad to help!

April 2, 2014

shutterstock_149625803 Whenever it comes to anything you own, there are certain things you have to do to maintain and upkeep the appearance. Cars have to be washed, and silver has to be polished, all in an effort to make sure they look their best. Believe it or not, your smile is no different. Regular dental checkups are a key point in making sure your smile is healthy and beautiful. At Central Dental Associates, we want to make sure your smile is the best it can be, our doctors are able to deliver just that!

The reason why dental checkups are so important is because it gives us the opportunity to stop an issue before it turns into a serious problem. If your gums and teeth are in bad shape, the rest of your body is as well, so it is vital to make sure everything works in tandem to make a healthy you! When you come in for your appointment, our doctors will inspect every single tooth, leaving no stone unturned in looking for any signs of decay, cracks, or anything else that has the possibility of going wrong. If any of your old dental work is in need of restoration, we are able to offer tooth-colored options, as to make your smile seamless!

We will clean your teeth, removing any plaque and tartar that have the potential of harming your smile. At the end of the appointment, your mouth will feel clean and better than ever! If you are ready for your dental checkup, make an appointment, and let us cater to your smile!