Elmbrook Family Dental Blog

Not all electric brushes are created equal.

April 11, 2015

How many times have you walked into the toothpaste and toothbrush isle at Target or Walmart and just stared at the wall of endless options? It can be so overwhelming as you try to make the best decision. Many of our patients ask about purchasing an electric brush because they have heard great things about them. While an electric brush MAY greatly increase your quality of oral hygiene, not all brushes are created equal. And while each persons needs are individualized, there is one brush we stand behind at our office. We gladly promote the use of the Sonicare electric brush and even sell them at our office for a great price!

Why Sonicare you may ask? Well, it is proven to remove as much as 5 to 7X the amount of plaque that a manual brush removes. It is extremely gentle on your gums and root surfaces that often show in areas of recession. It can aid in keeping stain away if you are prone to getting it, and it also has a 2 minute timer to help you complete the recommended amount of brushing time (no cheating!). It has a rechargeable battery and removable brush heads. This means that multiple family members can use the same unit. Just be sure to change the brush head for each person. They have handy color coated rings so you can tell which is yours.

Ask your Dental Hygienist for brush recommendations at your next visit to see if a Sonicare may be a good brush for you. And if you do purchase one, just remember that brush heads wear out and collect bacteria. They should be replaced about every 3 months.

March Celebrations!

March 30, 2015

If you have followed us on our blog or our facebook page, it is no news to you that we LOVE celebrating great things around this office! This month we celebrated birthdays of 3 staff members. We also celebrated a baby shower for our Assistant April.

Our assistant Mindy celebrated her birthday on 03/12. She was able to take the day off and spend some time with her husband Cory and enjoy some fantastic food at Cafe Hollander.

Our front desk member Wendy celebrated on 03/15. She spent some time in beautiful Galena IL with her fiance John enjoying some great food, gambling and shopping.

Our hygienist Ashley also celebrated her birthday on 03/19. She and her husband Barry spent some time at Ho-Chunk gambling and relaxing. They were also able to head to the outlet mall and get some shopping time in.

Our assisting team member April had a special baby shower at Mo’s Irish Pub on 03/15th. She received some awesome gifts for her baby boy. The staff got her some great baby outfits, a gift card and other important baby necessities. The doctors got her a car seat. We can’t wait to share pictures of her new little bundle of joy (he arrived just last night!).

March Madness Recipes

March 20, 2015

We have a good amount of you joining us for our NCAA bracket tournament again this year. We have really been enjoying watching these games! What goes better with a good game more than good food? We have found a couple links that have some yummy game day recipes. Southern Living has everything from easy chili to salt and pepper oven fries. The Herald Times Online has some fantastic dip recipes, perfect and an easy crowd pleaser for any party. Enjoy, and as always, don’t forget to brush after enjoying all this great food!

http://www.southernliving.com/food/entertaining/march-madness-party-recipes

http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/entertainment/parade/parade_food/sweet-march-madness-dip-recipes/article_4c3d59fe-7d1c-5c32-a3ce-652482b08edd.html

Protect Your Oral Health with Comprehensive Gum Disease Therapy in Brookfield, WI

March 17, 2015

Swollen and bleeding gums should never be ignored. Although gum disease is preventable, treatable, and in some cases reversible, many patients misinterpret these facts to mean that gum disease isn’t a serious oral health concern. In fact, gum disease is a serious medical condition that can infect other parts of the body and is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. If you have gum disease symptoms, don’t ignore them; schedule a gum disease therapy appointment with the highly qualified general dentists of Elmbrook Family Dental today. Elmbrook Family Dental delivers quality care daily throughout Brookfield, WI, Elm Grove, Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Waukesha, New Berlin, and the surrounding communities.

How Does Gum Disease Develop?

Gingivitis (Early stage gum disease)

o Gum disease at this stage is easier to treat because it only affects the gums.

o Patients with gingivitis typically have red, swollen, and bleeding gums.

o Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious condition known as periodontitis.

Periodontitis (Advanced gum disease)

o Periodontitis often occurs when gingivitis is left untreated.

o Bacteria cause chronic infection in the gums and supporting tissues.

o Pockets, or deep spaces, form between teeth and gums.

o Can cause destruction of supporting bone and tooth loss.

o May lead to disease progression and surgery.

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

Scaling and root planing is a trusted and effective gum disease therapy option. In this procedure, we will gently clean plaque and tartar from your teeth and tooth roots. Scaling and root planing can remove much of the plaque below your gum line where harmful bacteria produce the toxins which irritate your gums and cause inflammation. Further treatment may also include antibiotics. In the case of advanced stage periodontitis, gum and flap surgery may be required to fully restore your good oral health.

Brookfield Gum Disease Therapy Appointments

When you come in for a dental checkup, we can accurately measure the depth of your gum pockets. A pocket depth of 4 or more millimeters is a clear indicator of gum disease. If you avoid the gum disease treatment you need, it could lead to potentially invasive and expensive surgeries in the future. Don’t postpone the treatment you need any longer. Schedule a gum disease therapy appointment with the trusted general dentists of Elmbrook Family Dental today. Elmbrook Family Dental proudly serves families daily throughout Brookfield, WI, Elm Grove, Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Waukesha, New Berlin, and the neighboring areas.

6th Annual NCAA March Madness Tournament

March 4, 2015

Wow! Can you believe we have been hosting this contest for 6 years? We always have such a blast doing this with you all, so we thought we would keep the party going. Some of you may have received an e-mail with all of the contest details, but if you haven’t, all of the information is listed here is well. Good luck and have fun everyone.

To sign up, go to http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/en/frontpage and create an account. Once you have logged in, click “My Groups” link toward the top of the page. Type Elmbrook Family Dental in the search box. Our group password is TEETH. Create your own bracket, and please use your actual name as your team name (so we know who you are!) and choose who you think will win. For more information, click the “How to Play” link.

All patients who have seen us for a routine cleaning within the last year are eligible to enter our contest. Brackets starts on Sunday, March 15th at 7pm, and can be filled out until tip off of the first game on march 19th.

We are awarding prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place this year. Here is what you can win:

1st place: Apple iPad Mini
2nd place: 4 Brewers tickets (date choices still to be determined)
3rd place: Custom whitening trays and a $25 Jose’s Blue Sombrero gift card
4th place: $25 Jose’s Blue Sombrero gift card

Instantly Correct Cosmetic Imperfections with New Porcelain Veneers from Elmbrook Family Dental in Brookfield, WI

February 17, 2015

Are you dissatisfied with your smile? Then it’s time to consider porcelain veneers.Because porcelain veneers have so many applications, you can enjoy the benefits of teeth whitening, orthodontic treatment, and dental crowns, with just one cosmetic procedure. In addition, porcelain veneers offer unbelievably life-like results. After placement, many patients feel the need to confidently show off their brand new smiles to their friends and family. If you’re ready for a smile make-over, make an appointment with the highly qualified cosmetic dentists of Elmbrook Family Dental for your new porcelain veneers today. The experienced team at Elmbrook Family Dental proudly restore smiles daily throughout Brookfield, WI, Elm Grove, Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Waukesha, New Berlin, and the surrounding communities.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are simply thin ceramic shells that can be attached to the surface of your teeth for an immediate smile renovation. Porcelain veneers can be as thin as a fingernail, allowing for minimal tooth reduction, and in some cases, requiring no procedural anesthesia. Veneers are individually crafted to cosmetically enhance the teeth using material that mimics the appearance of your natural tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers are incredibly versatile and can be used for many different cosmetic corrections. Due to their life-like form and wide array of functions, porcelain veneers consistently rank first among the most popular cosmetic procedures we offer.

How Can Porcelain Veneers Improve Your Smile?

New porcelain veneers can instantly fix:

Chips
Cracks
Gaps and spacing
Misalignment
Discoloration and staining

Brookfield Porcelain Veneers Appointments

Over the past 30 years, advancements in dental technologies have made porcelain veneers more natural looking and effective than ever before. Today, the porcelain materials used are incredibly durable and can reflect light just as well as your natural tooth enamel. Don’t put off the smile over-haul you need another year. Make your porcelain veneers consultation appointment with the experienced cosmetic dentists of Elmbrook Family Dental today. Elmbrook Family Dental delivers quality care daily throughout Brookfield, WI, Elm Grove, Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Waukesha, New Berlin, and the neighboring areas.

Alleviate Pain with Gentle Root Canal Therapy from Elmbrook Family Dental

January 17, 2015

Are you tired of tooth pain and sensitivity? If you’re seeking relief from tooth aches and sensitivity to hot and cold foods, Elmbrook Family Dental can help with root canal therapy. Root canal therapy is a dental procedure where your diseased or damaged inner tooth pulp is gently removed and the inside areas (root canals) are disinfected, filled, and sealed. Once root canal therapy is completed, a dental crown can be placed over your the tooth to restore its full functioning. You can make an appointment with the gentle restorative dentists of Elmbrook Family Dental for your root canal therapy procedure today. The highly qualified dentists of Elmbrook Family Dental proudly serve patients of all ages throughout Brookfield, WI, Elm Grove, Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Waukesha, New Berlin, and the surrounding communities.

Do You Need Root Canal Therapy?

Inside each tooth are soft pulp tissues containing blood, nutrients, and nerves from which you experience sensations of hot and cold. This tissue is vulnerable to damage from infection, accidental injury, tooth fracture, or trauma from repeated dental procedures. If your tooth becomes diseased or injured, bacteria can build up inside the pulp, spreading infection and causing pain and sensitivity. You may experience severe, constant, or throbbing pain, as well as prolonged sensitivity to heat and cold, swelling and tenderness in the gums and face, and discoloration. In some limited cases, the pulp may die so gradually that there is little noticeable pain.

Does Root Canal Therapy Hurt?

Not when you choose the gentle dentists of Elmbrook Family Dental. Your root canal therapy will be performed in conjunction with our Single Tooth Anesthesia system. A rubber dam will be placed in your mouth to isolate the infected tooth. The dentist will then make an opening through the natural crown of the tooth to access the root canal and pulp chamber. Creating this access also relieves pressure built up inside the tooth which can immediately decrease any pain. Next, small files are used to clean and disinfect the entire canal space. The canals are also slightly enlarged and shaped to receive a rubber-like filling material called gutta-percha. However, the tooth will not be filled or sealed until completely free of bacteria. You may receive a temporary seal, or the tooth may be left open to drain with an antibiotic to counter any spread of infection. Once the canals are completely clean and filled with gutta-percha, sealer cement is applied. The restored tooth is then protected by a temporary filling or crown until a permanent restoration is placed.

Brookfield Root Canal Therapy Appointments

Successful root canal therapy will not only ease pain, but will also save your natural tooth from extraction. Don’t let tooth pain or discomfort get the best of you. Make your root canal therapy appointment with the trusted family dentists of Elmbrook Family Dental today. The restorative dentistry experts at Elmbrook Family Dental proudly restore smiles daily throughout Brookfield, WI, Elm Grove, Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Waukesha, New Berlin, and nearby areas.

Happy Birthday Tonia!

January 16, 2015

Last week we celebrated a special birthday for our assistant Tonia. The staff brought some great food and treats in for us all to enjoy. She was able to spend the weekend celebrating with her boyfriend and family. After a special dinner at Cooper’s Hawk with her boyfriend, they spent time celebrating the holidays with his family. Sunday she cheered on the Packers for a win at her parents house. Happy birthday Tonia! Thank you for letting us help you celebrate.

Get Immediate TMJ Disorder Treatment from Elmbrook Family Dental

December 17, 2014

Pain and discomfort from TMJ disorder can often be confusing and detrimental to overall quality of life. Many patients may not recognize that they have the disorder or they may only believe it is a symptom of stress or poor sleeping arrangement. However, untreated TMJ disorder can worsen over time and lead to the deterioration of the facial muscles that control and align the jaw. That’s why it’s so important to familiarize yourself with the signs of TMJ disorder and seek immediate treatment if you suspect that TMJ disorder is causing your head and neck soreness or jaw stiffness. You can make an appointment with the experienced and attentive dentists of Elmbrook Family Dental for a TMJ disorder evaluation today. The restorative dentistry experts at Elmbrook Family Dental proudly serve patients throughout Brookfield, WI, Elm Grove, Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Waukesha, New Berlin, and the surrounding communities.

What is TMJ Disorder?

TMJ Disorder is a degenerative group of dysfunctions of the temporomandibular joint and the surrounding muscles. These joints are located on each side of your face just in front of your ears. TMJ disorder can be caused by myofacial disturbances, jaw injuries, or arthritis.

What are the symptoms of TMJ Disorder?

Jaw noises such as clicking or popping sounds
Chronic headaches and ear aches
Face and neck pain
Jaw stiffness
Difficulty chewing or yawning

TMJ Disorder Treatment Appointments in Brookfield, WI

Elmbrook Family Dental offers TMJ disorder treatment with the NTI Tension Suppression System. This oral appliance system has proven effective in treating and reducing TMJ associated symptoms. You don’t have to put up with the pain and discomfort of TMJ disorder any longer. Make an appointment with the highly qualified family dentists of Elmbrook Family Dental today. They can provide immediate treatment for your TMJ disorder. Elmbrook Family Dental proudly serves patients throughout Brookfield, WI, Elm Grove, Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Waukesha, New Berlin, and nearby areas.

Hunger Task Force Winner

December 17, 2014

What a wonderful success our food drive was! We collected 27lbs of food, and also $70 in cash donations. Thank you so much to all of you who donated! We are so thankful for patients like you who enjoy helping those in need as much as we do. Patricia K. donated 18 bags of food and was the winner of this wonderful gift basket. Thank you Patricia! We hope you enjoy all of your goodies.