Articles

The last thing you want to worry about when you’re sick is your dental health. Unfortunately, your teeth can be extra vulnerable when cold and flu season strike. If you find yourself under the weather, read on for helpful tips on protecting your mouth! Watch Out For Dry Mouth You know that feeling when your nose is so stuffy you can’t breathe out of it even if you tried? We all have the potential to become mouth breathers when we’re sick, especially at night. Consequently, our mouths become dry, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Some of… Read Full Post →

DO YOU EVER cringe when you watch someone bite into ice cream? Are you sometimes fearful of that first sip of hot soup or drink of tea? You’re not alone. Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common complaints we hear about! Teeth Feel Sensitive When Nerves Are Exposed On the outside of each tooth is a protective layer of enamel. Over time, the enamel can wear away leaving an inner layer, called the dentin, exposed. This occurs due to normal wear and tear, poor dental hygiene or certain lifestyle choices. Dentin contains fluid-filled tubules that reach into the… Read Full Post →

Most people aren’t born with perfectly white teeth, and, as we age, it’s completely normal for our teeth to gradually discolor from the foods we consume, the habits we have, and even the medications we take. Fortunately, there are methods to remove discoloration, such as with professional teeth whitening. Whether or not you’ve had teeth whitening, there are a few different ways that you can go about maintaining your teeth’s brightness: Know Which Foods Cause Discoloration Certain foods and drinks are known culprits for causing stains. Knowing which ones to look out for is a good way to maintain a… Read Full Post →

THE CDC REPORTS THAT 1 in 5 children (between ages 5 and 11) in the US have untreated tooth decay. Not only should tooth decay be treated in regular dental appointments, it should be prevented! Tooth decay is 100 percent preventable with effective personal care and regular dental cleanings. In honor of Children’s Dental Health Month, we’re spreading the word about children’s dental health. YOU Can Help Little Ones Have Healthier Smiles! Encourage them to brush for two full minutes: Pick a song about two minutes long and sing it to them during brushing time. Set reminders to brush… Read Full Post →

HISTORY IS FULL of outrageous tales about teeth! How many of these dental facts have you heard before? The Dental Woes That Won the Battle Of Yorktown? During the Revolutionary War, George Washington wrote a letter to his dentist requesting some dental cleaning tools to be sent to New York, noting that the American forces wouldn’t be in Philadelphia any time soon. The correspondence was intercepted by the British, making them think that Washington would not move his army to Yorktown. When the Americans attacked Yorktown anyway, the British were caught unawares and the battle was ultimately won. Check… Read Full Post →

WE’VE SAID IT BEFORE AND WE’LL SAY IT AGAIN… taking care of your teeth and mouth is more than just about cosmetics, it’s about your health! When you think of being healthy, your mouth probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But your oral and overall health are more intertwined than you think. Your Mouth Is The Gateway To The Rest Of Your Body According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2000 report, “Oral health and general health should not be interpreted as separate entities. … As the gateway of the body, the mouth senses and responds to… Read Full Post →

If you’re in New Mexico, like our dental office, or another part of the American Southwest, you are probably familiar with the yucca plant with its spiky leaves and towering blooms. You may have also eaten at restaurants where “yucca” is served in forms similar to white potatoes — fried, mashed, or baked. But did you know that the ornamental plant and the commonly consumed root are completely different? Both have unique medicinal and nutritional properties, and it’s important to understand the difference and learn how they can benefit your health — and your teeth — in different ways. What… Read Full Post →

There are countless methods we use to try and turn back the clock on our appearance. Whether it’s hip wardrobes and hairstyles or costly cosmetic surgeries, people go to great lengths to recapture the look and feeling of their youth. Despite all of these anti-aging fads and gimmicks, studies show your smile can do more to make you look younger than anything else! Good Oral Hygiene Keeps Your Smile Looking Younger, Longer The simplest thing you can do to keep Father Time at bay is to practice good oral hygiene habits. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly promotes… Read Full Post →

Dr. Tropp was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. He graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology- Biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008. Continuing his trek west, in 2012, he received his DDS from the University of California, San Francisco, where he met his wife Almut. They have 2 daughters, Michaela and Adelaide and 3 cats. Dr. Tropp enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, the great outdoors, and is an avid skier. He is very excited to be joining the team and getting to know all of the patients. Welcome to the LCDS… Read Full Post →

You might think that baby teeth don’t matter because “they’re just going to fall out anyway,” but think again! There are a lot of myths about baby teeth out there, so we’re going to set the record straight: here’s a list of the top four baby teeth myths, BUSTED! Myth #1: Baby Teeth Aren’t Important Although baby teeth eventually fall out, they are extremely important to a child’s developing oral health. Not only do they hold the space for permanent teeth to grow in straight (preventing crowding and crooked teeth), they also help the face structure develop properly and… Read Full Post →