Blog - TLC Dental Care | Dr. Tamara L. Clauson

Dental Specialists

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Dentistry

When it comes to looking for a dentist, you may come across terms such as cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, or family dentistry. Even more confusing, dentists can be endodontists, periodontists, or orthodontists, etc., but do you know what those words mean? This article takes a quick look at the different types of dental specialists and these dental terms. According to the American Dental Association, dentistry is “the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders

Will My Root Canal Hurt?

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Dental Procedures

Root canals are a procedure for rescuing teeth that are decayed or severely infected. This procedure is needed when a tooth infection, which started as a toothache in the beginning, forms an abscess and expands throughout the tooth’s root. Root canal therapy, done by an endodontist or a dentist, eliminates the infection from the insides of the tooth and removes the pulp and nerve found inside its root canal, saving the natural tooth. Some people are worried by the idea

What Happens During a Dental Checkup?

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Dental Procedures

At a dental exam, the dentist is doing more than looking for cavities. There are good reasons why it’s recommended that we have a dental exam twice a year. Regular exams still are critical for making sure your smile remains beautiful and for maintaining the health of your gums and teeth, but, in addition to that, dental exams are also to check for problems that might not be restricted to your gums and teeth. These routine dental checkups are in

Can Thumb Sucking Harm My Child’s Teeth?

Posted on November 19, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Oral Health & Prevention

Thumb-sucking is an ordinary habit in young children. It’s something that soothes them and makes them feel more secure, and it can even aid sleep. That being said, if it continues on for too long, or if the child sucks too aggressively, the habit can cause a number of dental problems. It’s important to note that this applies to pacifiers as well. For the most part, kids should stop sucking their thumbs or pacifiers no later than age 3. It

Am I Missing Permanent Teeth?

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Oral Health & Prevention

Usually, human beings will grow and lose 20 primary teeth early in our youth. As they fall out, we will usually grow 32 permanent teeth. That’s what’s typical, anyway. Were you aware that not everyone has 32 (or 28, if wisdom teeth are removed) permanent teeth? You may be one of these people. A developmental abnormality called hypodontia is commonly responsible. People with hypodontia will be lacking six or fewer teeth (missing more than 6 teeth is called oligodontia, and lacking

Common Allergies at the Dentist – Part 2

Posted on October 22, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Oral Health & Prevention, Sedation Dentistry

In our previous blog, we discussed some dental allergies patients may experience when they go to the dentist. In part two of this series, we will be discussing the other types of dental allergies that can occur. What is Contact Dermatitis? Sometimes, a latex allergy can actually be a form of contact dermatitis. When skin touches certain chemicals in soaps, perfumes, or makeup, it results in contact dermatitis. The symptoms of this reaction are dry, tingling, and inflamed skin. Contact

Common Allergies at the Dentist – Part 1

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Oral Health & Prevention

Am I Allergic to the Dentist? Ever skipped your dentist appointment and blamed it on your allergies to the dentist? In reality, there are patients who experience allergies when they visit the dentist. Many times it is the materials that the dentists use in their daily appointments. These materials include latex and other substances. It is important to voice any of these allergies before you arrive at your dentist appointment. What is a Latex Allergy? Latex allergies are due to

How to Get Whiter Teeth? Part 2

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Oral Health & Prevention

In the previous blog post, Dr. Clauson introduced the topic of teeth whitening and discussed the many factors as to why your teeth may become discolored. Once patients are aware of why their teeth are discoloring, it is time to look into which teeth whitening method is right for you: In-Home System: In-home whitening systems will differ from dental office to dental office. These systems generally use a whitening gel along with custom made trays to place the whitening gel.

Want a Whiter Smile? Teeth Whitening Part 1

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Dental Procedures

Smiling is nonverbal communication that we use to express our emotions. We notice if someone’s pearly whites are not so white anymore. Cosmetic dentistry has been on the rise recently to restore the brightness and shine to one’s mouth through noninvasive procedures. There are many different options when it comes to teeth whitening procedures. The most important step before getting them done is to understand why your teeth are discolored, to begin with. Listed below are the most common reasons

Sealants: Another Way to Fight Cavities

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Oral Health & Prevention

The most effective method of fighting cavities is to floss and brush at least twice a day, but occasionally it can be hard to reach the entire surface of your teeth. This is especially true in the case of our molars, which reside in the deep depths of our mouths and act as a shelter for leftover food and bacteria. The good news is, dentists like Dr. Clauson offer sealants, which are thin, plastic coatings that are attached to your