Dentist: Doctors of Oral Health

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the role played by Dentists!

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  

White Dental Fillings

No Mercury! No Metals! No Kidding!Silver-mercury amalgam has been the standard in filling material for many years. It provides only a moderate restoration, as metal does not bond well to teeth, allowing decay to eventually set in under the filling. Patients also don’t care for the very noticeable dark filling in light teeth.

Although some practices still use this material, we offer our patients modern composite resin fillings that contain no metals, bond tightly to teeth to actually strengthen them, and are not noticeable. This material can be made to match the shade of your teeth and are aesthetically pleasing while lessening the chance of decay.

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

What is Tooth Sensitivity?

What is Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is a common name for dentin hypersensitivity or root sensitivity. If hot, cold, sweet or very acidic foods and drinks, or breathing in cold air, makes your teeth or a tooth sensitive or painful then you have sensitive teeth.

Is Tooth Sensitivity Common? 
Tooth sensitivity is very common and it has been estimated that approximately half the population experiences tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity can come and go over time.

Why does Tooth Sensitivity (Dentin Hypersensitivity) Happen? 
Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by dentin on root areas exposed due to receded gums or periodontal disease. Receded gums are very common and up to four fifths of people have gum recession by the time they are 65.  

When the root of a tooth becomes exposed it does not have a layer of enamel like the crowns of your teeth. Instead the roots have a very soft covering called cementum, which once lost leaves the dentin of the root exposed.  Overzealous brushing or using a very abrasive toothpaste can also cause abrasion of the tooth's enamel surface and expose dentin. A very acidic diet - for example a diet with a lot of citrus food, pickles or sodapop - can cause tooth erosion and dissolve the tooth surface, exposing the dentin. Bulimia and GERD can also result in dental erosion and sensitivity due to acid in the mouth.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com

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

Habits That Wreck Your Teeth - Playing Sports With No Mouth Guard

Whether you play football, hockey, or any other contact sport, don't get in the game without a mouth guard. This is a piece of molded plastic that protects the upper row of teeth. Without it, your teeth could get chipped or even knocked out when the action gets rough. Self-fitting mouth guards may be purchased at a store, or you can have one custom made by your dentist.

Above article from: webmd.com/oral-health

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

Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about overcoming dental anxiety.

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  

Treatment Options for Tooth Sensitivity

The best way to find out why a tooth is sensitive is to have dental professional examine you. They can look for the signs of dentin exposure, and run tests to determine what the true cause of the sensitivity is. Sometimes, the sensitivity is due to a cavity or gum disease ñ these can be treated to address the sensitivity. Other times, the cause of the sensitivity is because the enamel has been lost through abrasion or erosion, or the gums have receded, causing the roots to be exposed.

What Can Be Done?
If the sensitivity is due to a cavity, a restoration can be placed. If gum disease is the cause, the dental professional can perform a thorough cleaning of the area.

However, if the cause is from dentin being exposed, then there are a number of professional and at home treatments that can be used to reduce the sensitivity.

In Office Procedures:

• Fluoride varnish can be applied to exposed areas, strengthening the enamel and dentin
• Fluoride foam or gel can be placed into a mouth tray; you then sit with this in your mouth for 3-5 minutes, providing the teeth with a high concentration of fluoride to strengthen the areas
• Bonding agent, the material used to stick tooth colored restorations to teeth, can be used to seal the dentin surface and provide a barrier to the stimuli that cause sensitivity

At Home:

• Use a very soft bristle tooth brush, with low abrasive tooth paste
• Brush correctly and do not over brush
• Use a tooth paste specially formulated to soothe the nerve endings in the tooth
• Use a high concentration fluoride toothpaste (given to you by the dental professional) to strengthen the tooth surface

There are a number of treatments available, and your dental professional can help you find those that will work best, depending on your situation. Always seek a dental professional's help - do not try to diagnose this problem yourself. It may be the sign of something more serious, and only a dental professional can tell you what it really is.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com

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

Dental Root Canal Treatment

Saving Hopeless Teeth
In the past, root canals had the reputation of being a dreaded treatment and something to be avoided. But with advanced techniques and the latest anesthetics, it is a manageable procedure for the patient.

Root canal therapy will save a tooth so it doesn’t need to be extracted. A missing tooth can cause other problems, and keeping a natural tooth in place preserves a full and healthy smile.

During this procedure, the pulp interior of a tooth is removed and a special filling material is packed inside the tooth. This is not the same type of filling as for a cavity restoration. Sometimes a crown is placed over the tooth for added strength and full functionality.

You will be pleased to know Dr. Hagen is very experienced in the latest techniques of root canal therapy to save a tooth that has infected or damaged roots. 



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

Habits That Wreck Your Teeth - Chewing on Ice

It’s natural and sugar free, so you might think ice is harmless. But munching on hard, frozen cubes can chip or even crack your teeth. And if your mindless chomping irritates the soft tissue inside a tooth, regular toothaches may follow. Hot foods and cold foods may trigger quick, sharp jabs of pain or a lingering toothache. Next time you get the urge for ice, chew some sugarless gum instead.

Above article from: webmd.com/oral-health

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

Dental Check-ups

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about Dental check-ups!

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  

Understanding Tooth Sensitivity

Learn more about tooth sensitivity by watching this video from Colgate.com.

Understanding Tooth Sensitivity: Discover the causes, prevention and treatment of sensitivity.

The above video was found on both Colgate.com and Colgate's YouTube Channel.

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

Dental Care for Youth

Choosing Your Child’s Dentist is as Important as Choosing Their Pediatrician
We emphasize the importance of instilling good dental hygiene habits at an early age. Children are more prone to cavities, as they do not always brush well. We encourage parents to be a part of their children’s daily dental care for better cleaning and consistent daily care.

As children eat more often throughout the day, this extends the exposure of acid to their teeth. Every time you eat, acid is produced in the breakdown of food. As acid builds up and bacteria form, cavities will result. If a tooth is not clean to begin with, additional acid from contact with food and drink will increase the rate of cavity development.

With a healthy diet, improved hygiene habits, and an application of fluoride varnish that will mineralize teeth, the chances of decay can be lessened.

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