Patient Care

When it comes to dental insurance, it seems like there can be as many (or more) questions as there are answers. Even when you are fortunate enough to have dental insurance, navigating its use can still be very confusing. Many people don’t give their dental insurance a second thought – until the day comes when […]

Whether you are a child or an adult, you may find yourself in the dentist’s office getting the news that you need braces. It’s not something you may be excited about, but the fact is, braces may be necessary to give you the best smile possible. But what changes once you get braces? We hope […]

The holidays are upon us! While holiday lights and cute reindeer adorn the streets and shop windows, it seems holiday treats are around every corner. With the overwhelming amount of sugar plums and Christmas cookies this season, how can you keep your teeth healthy? Here are some tips from the experts on how to make […]

When you find a toothbrush that’s just right for you, it can be easy to get attached. After all, you use your toothbrush morning and night (ideally) to prevent plaque and bacteria from hardening and becoming tartar—that’s what we like to call quality time!  When your toothbrush does so much good, you want to return […]

Most of us were taught The Golden Rule as children, but did you know dentists have a golden rule about tooth discoloration? We’re sorry if that pun made you groan, but it’s true we have a common phrase when it comes to what can cause your smile to look more dull and aged than you’d […]

At Main Street Dental, we know a lot of people feel they’re adding a layer of tooth decay and gum disease prevention to their oral hygiene routines when they swish with mouthwash—which may be true, but it depends on the mouthwash. If you floss and brush properly, mouthwash isn’t always necessary, and certain types could even […]

has been an over-the-counter local dental anesthetic for people of all ages for many years. It is available in most drugstores, often under product names such as Anbesol®, Orajel™ , Hurricaine®, and Baby Orajel™.  Recently, the use of benzocaine has been linked to a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia, a disorder that reduces the […]

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines disability as a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” (Specific examples of major life activities addressed by the ADA include functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing and learning.)  Disabilities may be congenital (present […]

Every kid feels uncomfortable in social situations sometimes, especially when they feel they “look different”—and studies show the #1 reason kids are bullied for their appearance is the way their teeth look. Bullies sense this discomfort and annoy, anger, and confuse kids who already feel vulnerable—and if the child being teased is openly reactive, the […]

Today’s families seem to be busier than they were in the past—lots of homework, extracurricular activities, and hopefully, some quality time spent with the family. Here are a few ideas from Main Street Dental to make consistent oral hygiene a little more convenient: Brushing teeth in the shower:  as hard as it is to get […]