Stop Your Cold Sore with Laser Therapy!

It begins with a tingling, itching, a painful area around your mouth or lips, a fever, sore throat, achy neck.... and then it appears, a COLD SORE. If you get them, you hate them!

After the blisters appear, the cold sores usually break open, leak a clear fluid, and then crust over and disappear after several days to 2 weeks. Cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters, are a group of small blisters around the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus enters the body through a break in the skin and can be spread from a simple touch from one person to another. After the blisters appear, the cold sores usually break open, leak a clear fluid, and then crust over and disappear after several days to 2 weeks. For some people, cold sores can be very painful.

Some common cold sore triggers include:

• Fatigue
• Sun and Ultraviolet Exposure
• Chapped or Dry Lips
• Illness or Fever
• Emotional and Physical Stress
• Injury to Lips

How can you treat Cold Sores:

Normally cold sores will usually start to heal on their own within a few day and there are treatments including skin creams, ointments, and pills, however, these treatments will only heal the cold sore 1-2 days faster. Although they definitely take away the uncomfortable sensation and pain, there is a more EFFECTIVE SOLUTION, LASER THERAPY!

Benefits of Laser therapy for Cold Sores:

• It destroys the virus causing the sore
• instant relief
• helps prevent if used at first sign of tingling
• hurrys up healing process
• very affordable
• only takes a few minutes to complete
• sore will not occur as intense or as frequent in that location

There is no cure once the virus infects the body, it stays there for your entire life. The great news is by having this laser treatment there is a great chance that you will not get another sore in that same location.

For immediate relief from your cold sore,  call Glacier Dental and get back to your day, 920-235-3251!

Spreading Free Smiles Across Oshkosh!

Spreading Free Smiles Across Oshkosh, Wisconsin

 Glacier Dental will host Dentistry From The Heart - providing more than 150 people with free dental care on Friday, May 5 , 2017.

 Glacier Dental will host Oshkosh’s annual Dentistry From The Heart  event – providing a free day of dental care to more than 150 residents.

The line will begin as early as 6am, with many  prepared to camp out in order to receive free services. Dentistry From The Heart patients travel from across Wisconsin each year to Glacier Dental in Oshkosh for the annual free day of dentistry, happening on Friday, May 5, 2017.

In 2001, Dentistry From The Heart started with New Port Richey dentist Dr. Vincent Monticciolo as a way to giving back to the community and provide aid to the growing number of Americans without dental insurance. Since its inception, Dentistry From The Heart has grown to include over 200 annual events nationwide and provided more than 45,000 people with free dental care services.

Annually, Glacier Dental and the team of dentists, volunteers and sponsors provide patients with a free extraction, filling or cleaning. This is the 4th annual event for Glacier Dental who has donate more than $160,000 in free dental care to more than 475 Oshkosh residents. 

“It all comes down to wanting to provide something greater to my community,” said Dr. Steckbauer. “The services provided by Dentistry From The Heart helps more than just a patients teeth, it gives them a renewed reason to smile.”

Join us on Friday, May 5, 2017 to spread free smiles across Oshkosh through Dentistry From The Heart  located at 1720 Congress Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54901. For more information please visit www.dentistryfromtheheart.org.

Dentistry From The Heart is a registered non-profit organization that provides free dental work for people those in need. In the past 15 years, Dentistry From The Heart events have contributed more than $8 million in free dentistry and helped more than 45,000 patients across the country. For more information, visit www.dentistryfromtheheart.org

6 Common Areas to Get Cavities

We all want to hear the Dentist say, "great job with your home care, no cavities!" right? Well here are 6 common areas that cavities form. Pay extra close attention to these 6 areas and you are sure to have a more positive exam at your next visit.

1. In the grooves or pits on the chewing surface of the back teeth. There are many grooves, called fissures, and pits on the chewing surface as well as the sides of the back teeth that tend to hold bacteria.

2. Between your teeth.Typically teeth touch each other on each side except for the ones all the way in the back. It is difficult for a toothbrush to reach the tight spaces between teeth which is why we use floss to clean that area of the tooth. Plaque can easily grow and create a cavity in this area, especially if you are not flossing!

3. At the margins of Crowns, Bridges, or other dental work. The area between the restoration and the tooth may not be completely smooth leaving space for bacteria to grow and cause decay of the tooth.

4. On the tooth just above the gumline.  This is commonly seen in people who drink sports drinks, soda, or energy drinks. It's believed that the acids pool around the gumline and create decay on the tooth.

5. On the Roots of teeth. When suffering from Periodontal Disease which is more commonly known as Gum Disease, also the leading cause of tooth loss, the bone and gums surrounding the teeth falls away. The receding of the gums exposes the root of the tooth which has a softer surface making the area more susceptible to decay, this is why it is so important to catch and treat gum disease in it's initial phases.

6.Teeth right next to a Partial Denture. Food can easily find its way and get trapped between a partial denture and a natural tooth. If there is also a metal appliance that fits around the tooth this is the ideal breeding ground for plaque to form. It is important to maintain regular denture cleanings and checkups to ensure a healthy mouth.

There you have it, 6 common areas where cavities form. If you want to hear the words, ""great job with your home care, no cavities!" come out of the Dentists mouth at your next visit be sure to bring focus to these areas while brushing and flossing. If you would like to learn more about your dental health, well being, and for all of your dental needs call Glacier Dental, 920-235-3251. An experience to smile about!

What is the cost of missing teeth in how you live your life?

If you find yourself thinking , "Dental implants are just too expensive", you are not alone.

It's no secret that dental implants are not cheap, but have you ever thought about it this way? What is the cost of missing teeth in how you live your life?

The average American between the age of 35-49 is missing 7 teeth! Chewing healthy food and the inability to eat because of missing teeth can directly impact your overall health , weight, and digestive system just to mention a few. None of which are things anyone would gladly sacrifice. How much extra money are you willing to spend on other health care expenses due to missing teeth?

Not only are teeth the first thing we see when looking at another person. A healthy smile is at the top of the list, for many, when judging attractiveness, or even considering a potential employee. Are you able to attach a price tag to your confidence? A missed job opportunity? 

Dental  implants are often thought of as a cosmetic procedure but healthy teeth are not a luxury, they are a necessity.  Sure you could live a completely happy life without replacing a missing tooth, or teeth, but that doesn't mean you have to.

Do you find yourself hiding your smile? If you had to put a dollar in a jar every time you hid your smile, how quickly would it add up?

Call the Implant Experts at Glacier Dental take back your smile, 920-235-3251!

Cavities are contagious, learn how to stop spreading them!

Yes! Tooth decay is indeed contagious. Because there is bacteria in the tooth decay, it can be passed between people, similar to a bad cold.

Sugar is a big culprit for causing cavities, but they're also caused by certain types of bacteria. These bacteria release acids that break down the hard enamel on the outside of the teeth causing holes, better known as cavities. This bacteria can easily be passed by kissing, sharing food or even sharing silverware.

Another interesting fact, children are not born with cavities. More often than not, cavities are passed to them from their parents or caregivers. As long as the mom or dad have good oral health, their children should have good oral health too.

There are ways to avoid passing cavities from one to another, for example, if you drop a pacifier, do not put it in your mouth to clean it off and then place it in your child's mouth. Rather go to a restroom to clean it. A few more ways include avoiding sharing utensils, avoid kissing baby's lips, not sharing toothbrushes or even avoid pre-chewing food for youngsters if you do not have proper utensils to prepare it.

The best way to avoid cavities is by practicing good oral health. Brushing and flossing at least two times a day, and if you eat more acidic food adding an extra brushing afterward wouldn't hurt. Keep these tips in mind to help your children practice good oral health too!