My Blog
Posts for: August, 2020

Brushing and flossing are two of the best things you can do to fight dental disease and maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Or is it flossing and brushing? What we mean is, should you floss first or brush first?
There's virtually no debate among dental professionals about whether or not to perform both hygiene tasks. While brushing removes disease-causing plaque from the broad surfaces of teeth, flossing gets to deposits of this disease-causing, bacterial film lodged between the teeth that brushing can't reach. You don't want to neglect one task over the other if you want to fully minimize your risk of tooth decay or gum disease (and don't forget semi-annual dental cleanings too).
But where there is some debate—good-natured, of course—among dentists is over whether it's better hygiene-wise to brush before flossing or vice-versa. For those on Team Brush, you should pick up your toothbrush first for the best results.
By brushing before you floss, you'll remove most of the plaque that has accumulated since your last cleaning session. If you floss first, the flossing thread has to plow through a lot of the plaque that otherwise might be removed by brushing. For many, this can lead to an unpleasant sticky mess. By removing most of the plaque first via brushing, you can focus your flossing on the small amount left between teeth.
Team Floss, on the other hand, believes giving flossing first crack at loosening the plaque between teeth will make it easier for the detergent in the toothpaste to remove it out of the way during brushing. It may also better expose these in-between areas of teeth to the fluoride in your toothpaste while brushing. And because flossing is generally considered a bit more toilsome to do than brushing, tackling it first could increase the likelihood you'll actually floss and not neglect it after brushing.
So, which task should you perform first? Actually, it's up to you: Weighing both sides, it usually comes down to which way is the most comfortable for you and will give you the greatest impetus for flossing. Because no matter which “team” you're on, the important thing is this: Don't forget to floss.
If you would like more information on personal dental care, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Daily Oral Hygiene.”

Singer and actor Demi Lovato has a new claim to fame: formidable martial artist. When she is not in the recording studio, on stage or in front of the camera, Lovato can often be found keeping in shape at Jay Glazer's Hollywood (California) gym. Glazer, who is best known as a sports journalist, also runs conditioning programs for professional athletes and celebrities based on mixed martial arts. On March 6, Glazer got more than he bargained for when 5'3" Lovato stepped into the ring and knocked out his front tooth.
Glazer reportedly used super glue to put his tooth back together. Not a good idea! While it may not be convenient to drop everything and get to the dental office, it takes an expert to safely treat a damaged tooth. If you glue a broken tooth, you risk having to undergo major work to correct your temporary fix—it's no easy task to "unglue" a tooth, and the chemicals in the glue may damage living tooth tissue as well as the surrounding gum and bone.
Would you know what to do in a dental emergency? Here are some guidelines:
- If you chip a tooth, save the missing piece if possible. We may be able to reattach it.
- If your tooth is cracked, rinse your mouth with warm water, but don't wiggle the tooth around or bite down on it. If it's bleeding, hold clean gauze to the area and call our office.
- If your tooth is knocked loose or is pushed deeper into the socket, don't force the tooth back into position on your own. Immediate attention is very important.
- If your tooth is knocked out, there's a chance it can be reattached. Pick up the tooth while being careful not to touch the root. Then rinse it off and have either someone place into its socket, or place it against the inside of your cheek or in a glass of milk. Please call the office immediately or go to a hospital.
What's the best thing to do in an emergency? Call us right away, and DON'T super glue your tooth! You can prevent worse problems by letting a professional handle any dental issues. And if you've been living with a chipped, broken or missing tooth, call us to schedule an appointment for a consultation—there are several perfectly safe ways to restore your smile. Meanwhile, if you practice martial arts to keep in shape, think twice before getting into the ring with Demi Lovato!
To learn more, read the Dear Doctor articles “Trauma & Nerve Damage to Teeth” and “Saving New Permanent Teeth After Injury.”

Here's the bad news on the overall state of dental health in the United States: Over 120 million people have one or more missing teeth—roughly one American in three. But there's also good news: We can replace missing teeth with a number of effective restorative methods. At the top of the list are dental implants, highly regarded by dentists and patients alike as the most lifelike and functional tooth replacement system available.
Dental implants have been growing in popularity since their introduction in the 1980s. Their structural design and construction have continued to improve, giving patients even more options for implant-based tooth replacement.
To bring greater attention to the benefits of this popular restoration, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) designated August as Dental Implant Month in 2016. In recognition, here are 3 of those benefits you might gain from choosing dental implants to replace your missing teeth.
Durability. Unlike other restorations such as conventional dentures or bridges, implants replace the entire root structure of the tooth. To be more precise, implants are a tooth root replacement in the form of a post imbedded securely in the jawbone. As the bone grows around and attaches to the implant, it develops a durable and highly functional hold that can last for decades.
Adaptability. Many people assume dental implants are used only to replace individual teeth, but implants can also support multi-tooth restorations. A few strategically placed implants can securely attach a partial or total bridge to the jaw, or provide added support for a removable denture.
Affordability. At first glance, an implant's initial cost places it at the high end of the scale for tooth replacement options. But because of their long-term durability and high success rate (greater than 95% still in place after ten years), implants may cost less in the long run than lower-priced restorations that may require repair or replacement sooner.
Although they have a wide range of applications, implants aren't suited for some dental situations. Because implants require a minimum amount of bone present in the jaw, for example, extensive bone loss might nullify them as a current option. Even in this case, though, grafting therapy to rebuild the bone could make it possible to place dental implants at some point in the future.
If you've recently lost a tooth or you have an older restoration you'd like to replace, dental implants might be a great option for you. Your first step is an initial exam and consultation to find out if this premier dental restoration is right for you.
If you would like more information about dental implants, please contact us or schedule a consultation. To learn more, read the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dental Implants: Your Third Set of Teeth.”
CEREC one-visit crowns revolutionize dental restoration. If you have a broken, decayed or infected tooth, protect and beautify it in just a couple of hours at Cohasset Dental. Dr. Kevin Thomas and Dr. Aaron Chenette are the premier restorative and cosmetic dentists in the Cohasset, MA area. They can save your tooth with a dental crown, helping you smile with confidence quickly and easily.
What is a dental crown?
Designed and placed by your family dentist in his Cohasset, MA, office, a dental crown is a porcelain cap bonded to the remaining healthy structure of your tooth. A crown brings your tooth back to full strength, form and function. It allows you to eat efficiently, smile confidently and avoid a dental extraction.
What does CEREC mean?
Dr. Thomas and Dr. Chenette offer CEREC same-day dental crowns. These realistic restorations are created start to finish during a single visit to Cohasset Dental.
Your family dentist does a full exam, X-rays your tooth and takes digital impressions. Next, he uses computer-aided design and manufacturing processes to design and mill your crown.
Amazingly, it all happens right in your treatment room with no days-long wait times, sticky impression materials, and multiple try-ons. Your new crown will be precisely fitted and appropriately colored right in front of you. Then, your dentist will bond it to your prepared tooth.
CEREC means chairside economical restorations of esthetic ceramic. In other words, crowns are made right by the dental chair from realistic and durable porcelain. They save you time and money and aggravation as they restore your failing tooth in one visit.
What can our crowns do for your smile?
A crown can:
- Protect and support a tooth which has had a root canal procedure.
- Cover a tooth which has had multiple fillings.
- Improve the shape and size of a tooth.
- Provide adequate tooth structure after injury.
- Restore a dental implant or secure bridgework.
Also, you'll enjoy a restoration which is totally individualized to your smile. Our dentists apply true artistry to every crown they design, make and place.
Contact us
What can a crown do for you? Explore the possibilities of CEREC technology and same-day crowns from Cohasset Dental. We enjoy giving our patients healthy smiles and the confidence outstanding restorative work creates. Contact your family dentist, Dr. Chenette or Dr. Thomas, in Cohasset, MA, for a crown consultation: (781) 383-9393.
Keep your teeth and your overall health by preventing gum disease. The CDC says it's the leading cause of tooth loss in the US. Your Cohasset, MA, family dentists, Dr. Kevin Thomas and Dr. Aaron Chenette want you to know how to prevent this oral health condition. Learn more about it from your friends at Cohasset Dental.
The symptoms of gum disease
Gum disease varies in severity from almost asymptomatic gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. When signs do appear -- if the problem goes untreated--they may include:
- Bleeding
- Bad breath
- Darkened gum tissue
- Sores
- Loose teeth
- Recessed gum tissue and bone
- Dental sensitivity
Why it happens
Oral bacteria contained in plaque and tartar lead to gum disease. Strep germs secrete acids that erode gum tissue and cause a true infection. Your family dentist can actually measure the erosion with a tiny periodontal probe when you come to your Cohasset dentist for a check-up. The deeper the spaces between your gums and teeth are, the more advanced gum disease is.
Prevention strategies
Yes, gum disease can be treated with deep cleanings, gum grafts and more. But you can prevent gum disease with some simple care including:
- A healthy, high-fiber diet
- Drinking water throughout the day--eight or more glasses if possible--for clean teeth and gums and increased production of saliva
- Brushing twice a day as the American Dental Association (ADA) advises
- Rinsing with an anti-plaque mouthwash
- Flossing daily to stay ahead of plaque
- Seeing your family dentist at Cohasset Dental twice a year for an exam and hygienic cleaning (only your hygienist can remove hard deposits of tartar)
- Quitting smoking and chewing tobacco
- Limiting your intake of sugar, carbs and alcohol
Come see us
At Cohasset Dental, your family dentists and their team know the importance of healthy gum tissue. You should, too. Contact Dr. Chenette or Dr. Thomas at our Cohasset, MA, office for your six-month cleaning and check-up. Ask us for more ways to improve your gum health. Phone (781) 383-9393.