Emergency Dentistry

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about Emergency Dentistry!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com  

Snap-On Smiles

Beautiful Smiles without Shots or Drilling
If you are uncertain if you want to move forward with a permanent change to your smile, we have a great alternative to veneers and cosmetic makeovers. Snap-On Smile™ is an appliance that goes over your teeth to give you a new smile. No tooth removal, bonding, drilling, or shots are needed to give you a temporary solution that can nevertheless last for years. The appliance can be removed or worn while eating. Our patients have been impressed with this approach, and love the look and feel of Snap-On Smile. We know you will too! 

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com   

Good Food for Dental Health: Water

Water Rules
Water, especially fluoridated water, is the best beverage for maintaining your oral health. That's because fluoride helps to make teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that can cause cavities. As of 2012, nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population had access to fluoridated water, so drinking water from your own kitchen sink can help prevent dental problems. 

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com  

Oral Warning Signs Can Indicate Serious Medical Conditions

Regular dental exams not only help to decrease a patient's risk of oral diseases, such as cavities and periodontal (gum) disease, but they may also help to diagnose other, sometimes life-threatening, medical conditions.

 

Dentists are able to assess a patient's overall oral health and may recognize symptoms of serious diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and eating disorders, which often manifest as signs and symptoms inside of the mouth. Click here to learn more.

Above article from KnowYourTeeth.com

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com  

Good Food for Dental Health: Fruits & Veggies

Fruits and Veggies Pack an Extra Punch
Fruits and veggies are an important part of any balanced diet, and they are also good for your teeth. Since they are high in water and fiber, they help to balance the sugars they contain and help to clean your teeth. Chewing also helps to stimulate saliva production, which washes harmful acids and food particles away from your teeth. 

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com  

Your Family’s Oral Health

Have you heard that you should only take care of the teeth you want to keep? It's true!

That's why at any stage of life, it's important to practice good oral hygiene at home and to visit your general dentist regularly. Starting early is critical to success in preserving a healthy smile for a lifetime. 

KnowYourTeeth.com has loads of information and resources for families who want to know more about good dental care and oral health.  Whether you are an expectant mom, a teen dealing with braces, a grandparent, or someone in between, we have the answers for you. What's more, kids will find games, quizzes and other ways to make learning about dental care more fun!

Visit www.knowyourteeth.com or more great dental information

Above article from KnowYourTeeth.com

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com  

Good Food for Dental Health: Nuts

Nourishing Nuts
Nuts contain protein which help strengthen and protect your teeth. Also, chewing helps to stimulate saliva production, which naturally cleans your mouth. Remember: Not only is a balanced, nutritious diet essential to healthy living, your eating patterns and food choices play an important role in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. You may eat with your eyes first, but your mouth, teeth, and gums are more than just tools for eating.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com  

Dental Sealants Dentist

Preventing Child Tooth Decay – the Easy Way!

Children often need help in the prevention of tooth decay. They may miss areas in hard to reach places like the grooves of back teeth. As acids form, bacteria and plaque result and eventually cause decay. Any amount of decay is permanent damage that needs a restoration with a filling or crown.

We have a treatment that helps to protect teeth from cavities. It is an application of a dental sealant in a quick and easy procedure.

Every tooth is first cleaned and then sterilized. A clear or white, thin coating is applied to the exposed surfaces of each tooth. A curing light bonds the sealant to the tooth. This invisible coating can greatly reduce the chances of cavities. No shots or drilling are necessary, and the tooth remains intact. It takes just a few minutes, but the benefits will last throughout a child’s formative and teen years, when they are most susceptible to cavities.

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com  

What is a Mouthguard?

A mouthguard is a flexible appliance that is worn in athletic and recreational activities to protect teeth from trauma. The dental profession unanimously supports the use of mouthguards in a variety of sports activities.

Why should I wear a mouthguard?

A mouthguard can prevent serious injuries such as broken teeth, jaw fractures, cerebral hemorrhage and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw. Mouthguards are effective in moving soft tissue in the oral cavity away from the teeth, preventing laceration and bruising of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear orthodontic appliances. They may also reduce the severity and incidence of concussions.

In what sports should I wear a mouthguard?

Anytime there is a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces, it is advisable to wear a mouthguard. Players who participate in basketball, softball, football, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, in-line skating and martial arts, as well as recreational sports such as skateboarding and bicycling, should wear mouthguards while competing.

Why don't kids wear mouthguards?

Parents are sometimes uninformed about the level of contact and potential for serious dental injuries involved with sports in which the child participates. Some, though not all, schools reinforce the health advantage of mouthguards for their contact sports. Cost may be another consideration, although mouthguards come in a variety of price ranges.

What are the different types of mouthguards?

Stock mouthguard: The lowest cost option is a ready-made, stock item, which offers the least protection because the fit adjustment is limited. It may interfere with speech and breathing because this mouthguard requires that the jaw be closed to hold it in place. A stock mouthguard is not considered acceptable as a facial protective device.

Mouth-formed mouthguard: There are two types of mouth-formed mouthguards. The first is a shell-liner mouthguard that is made with an acrylic material that is poured into an outer shell, where it forms a lining. When placed in an athlete's mouth, the protector's lining material molds to the teeth and is allowed to set. Another type is a thermoplastic, or "boil-and-bite," mouthguard. This mouthguard is softened in hot water and then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth by using finger, tongue and sometimes biting pressure.

Custom-made mouthguard: The best choice is a mouthguard custom-made by your dentist. It offers the best protection, fit and comfort level because it is made from a cast to fit your teeth.

How should I care for a mouthguard?

• Clean your mouthguard by washing it with soap and cool (not hot) water. 
•  Before storing, soak your mouthguard in mouthwash. 
• Keep your mouthguard in a well-ventilated, plastic storage box when not in use. Make sure the box has several holes so the mouthguard will dry. 
• Heat is bad for a mouthguard, so don't leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed automobile. 
• Don't bend your mouthguard when storing. 
• Don't handle or wear someone else's mouthguard. 
• Call your dentist if there are any problems.

Above article by: KnowYourTeeth.com

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com  

Top Dental Symptoms: Toothache

If your mouth or jaw hurt, it could be from a toothache. Toothaches usually indicate a cavity but they can also signal gum disease. In some cases, a toothache is a sign of an abscess or impacted tooth. A toothache should be evaluated by a dentist right away to determine the cause of the problem and prevent the tooth from dying.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com  

Preventive Dental Care

The Primary Cause of Lost Teeth
It is important to know that most tooth loss is not due to decay, but gum disease. This infection can be completely unnoticed until it reaches the advanced stages, when gum surgery is necessary. If you have the symptoms of bleeding gums from brushing or flossing, or loose teeth, you can reverse the problem with nonsurgical methods if treated in the early stages.


Gum Disease Can Contribute to Heart Disease and Even Stroke
Medical research has identified a link between gum infections and life-threatening conditions like stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. Dentists now consider gum disease a more serious matter than simply losing your teeth. The American Dental Association has announced that 80% of all Americans have some stage of gum disease, and dentists consider this percentage and condition an epidemic.

As the bacteria in the gums travel throughout the bloodstream, it can have a harmful effect on vital organs. The American Academy of Periodontology reports, “studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.”


But There Is Good News
Gum surgery can almost always control and reverse an advanced condition of gum disease. This is necessary when the infection is at a severe level. In milder cases, nonsurgical methods are used. Together with better daily hygiene, it can stop the spread of the infection to heal the gums to a healthy state. Both procedures are generally covered by most dental insurance plans.

What’s So Bad about Losing a Tooth?
Is it a big deal to lose a tooth? More than you may think. Eventually, other teeth will start to loosen or shift and move. This can affect how you chew and how many nutrients you absorb from your food. If healthier natural foods become difficult to chew, you may start to eat softer foods that have a higher calorie content, resulting in weight gain. Missing teeth can change the appearance of your face and give you a sunken look without the support of all your teeth. Your speech may also become hard to understand, and that can be embarrassing.

We recommend replacing missing teeth with dental implants for as many teeth as you have missing. They give full functionality for eating and speaking and look so good, you will be smiling with a gorgeous smile again.

Hagen Dental
Dr. Lawrence Hagen, DDS
4998 Glenway Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45238
(513) 251-5500
HagenDDS.com