Blog Archive
When it comes to getting whiter teeth, you have options. In fact, you probably have way too many options! How do you know what over-the-counter product is best or whether a take-home kit from your dentist will work for you? A conversation with Dr. Stephen Hiroshige can help you understand...
There are plenty of reasons to get your teeth straightened, but there are almost as many reasons you might not want traditional braces. This conundrum is one of the reasons the Invisalign® system has proven so popular. But, when patients come to Dr. Stephen Hiroshige to inquire about Invisalign, he...
The number of teeth-whitening products available to you can be confusing. How can you decide what to use? What’s safe? One way to make a decision is to talk to an expert. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff are always happy to help our patients understand how teeth whitening works....
When you first get dentures, you feel excited. You may have needed them for a while, and perhaps you feel like your smile finally looks the way you’ve wanted it to look. But, the reality of being a new denture-wearer may not be exactly what you imagined. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige...
Not every toothache becomes a problem requiring a trip to the dentist, but some certainly do. You may wonder how to tell the difference. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff put together this list of five common signs of a tooth infection. If you have these, it’s time to see...
The technical name for what happens when your teeth migrate back to their original positions is called orthodontic relapse. If something has a technical name, you can guess that it’s fairly common. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff know that when you got Invisalign® aligners and wore them just like...
If you’re missing one, two, or even three teeth, you may not think it’s time to consider dentures. And you’re right—it isn’t time to think about a full set of dentures. However, you may need to consider a partial denture. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige finds that patients often don’t realize there are...
A missing tooth or teeth can lead to a cascade of dental problems, so getting a replacement is a good idea. You may not realize it, but you have several options for replacing missing teeth, and choosing the best one can be a bit confusing. Here, we describe two popular...
Dental implants are the most permanent way to replace a lost tooth or multiple teeth, and some 150 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), around one million implants were placed in 2019. In discussing dental implants with patients, Dr....
Dental caries, or decay, is incredibly common. The National Institutes of Health reports that around 90% of adults between the ages of 20-64 have decay in their teeth. The most common treatment for dental caries is dental filling. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his team want you to enjoy the best...
If the number of advertisements for teeth whitening “systems” is any indication, plenty of people are concerned about their teeth not being as bright and white as they’d prefer. Your teeth can look less than pristine because of staining, poor hygiene, or thinning enamel. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff have...
It’s difficult to overstate the impact that feeling good about your smile can have on your life. When you smile more, people perceive you as being more open and friendlier. When you like your smile more, you feel more confident. Those two things work together to give you a boost—maybe...
Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic investment. After all, don’t you want to show the world your best smile? Your smile reflects your inner self, and having a set of teeth that you’re proud to show off makes it much easier to share. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff want...
Dentists perform root canals to save teeth. You may be shocked to learn that a root canal is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling! If you’ve heard that root canals are terribly painful, keep reading! Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff have performed hundreds of root canals over the years, and are...
Even before they meet you, people likely notice your smile. A great smile can give you confidence, show the world that you’re friendly and welcoming, and change the way that you interact with people. So, what happens if your teeth begin to look less white and your smile is no...
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants have long been the gold standard in dentistry. Dentures and bridges are fine, but dental implants are a step up. You might wonder, though, if it’s possible to replace multiple missing teeth with implants. The answer is yes. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige...
If you spend months or years caring for braces and experience the revelation of nice, straight teeth after they were removed, you probably expect them to stay put. However, your teeth can shift after your braces are removed, for a number of reasons. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige can help. There are...
More than a quarter of the adults in the United States have untreated dental caries, or cavities. Dental fillings are one of the most common treatments dentists perform. Even though you may not look forward to getting a filling, it can be a critical part of maintaining your oral health. ...
The simple fact that you can’t turn around without encountering an ad for a product that promises whiter teeth should tell you that a bright smile is important to most people! It’s easy to get lost in the forest of marketing claims, so we’re offering you some tried-and-true tips for...
Dental abscesses are quite common, but left untreated can be very dangerous. If you notice a small, raised bump on your gums, you should seek dental care as soon as possible to prevent possible complications. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff work to help you enjoy the best oral health possible. An abscess...
The medical name for a misaligned bite is malocclusion, and it’s a common dental problem. You may have also heard malocclusion called crowded teeth, crossbite, overbite, underbite, or open bite. Each of these issues can lead to complications if left untreated. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff are dedicated to helping...
You know that you should brush twice a day and floss at least once a day, and you’re aware of the importance of visiting your dentist regularly. However, there may be some habits you don’t even think about that are detrimental to your oral health. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff...
When you look at photos of yourself smiling, what do you notice? Is it how happy you look, or is it how yellow your teeth are? If your teeth appear brown or yellow, there could be several reasons — but there’s also a solution. Even though Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff...
Congratulations! You’ve decided to invest in yourself by improving your smile. We think it’s a great decision that’s likely to boost your confidence and help you feel great. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff are always pleased when patients decide they want to take the time and make the effort...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 90% of adults over the age of 20 have had at least one cavity, and about 25% of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 currently have at least one cavity. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff are here...
It may take two to three weeks before your permanent crown is ready. What should you do about oral hygiene while you wait? Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff always want you to practice flawless dental hygiene because it’s crucial for a healthy smile. But we know you may have...
Most people want straighter teeth so that they will have a more attractive smile, and that is certainly a good reason to consider getting your teeth straightened. However, you may not realize that getting your teeth straightened also benefits your oral and physical health in several ways. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige...
About 90% of people who don’t have any teeth (they have edentulism) have dentures. It’s safe to say that no one looks forward to losing their teeth, for whatever reason. Happily, dentures are common, safe, and easy-to-wear. Stephen Hiroshige, DDS recommends dentures when they are the best way to preserve...
A root canal is often the best option for preserving a tooth. The procedure is incredibly common, with more than 16 million patients undergoing a root canal each year. Unfortunately, root canals don’t have a great reputation. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff work to preserve your oral health and,...
Around 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. There are excellent reasons to consider replacing missing teeth, and there are options for replacements. Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff understand that sometimes tooth loss is unavoidable, and we...
Have you ever been watching TV and thought, I wish my smile looked like that? Celebrities have the brightest, most attractive smiles, but attaining that look is probably easier than you realize. Dr. Stephen Hiroshige recommends veneers for patients who want to look younger, have a celebrity-level smile, or need...
According to the American Dental Association, more than 26% of adults in the United States have untreated dental caries. It’s entirely possible that some of those people have this problem because they don’t know what to expect during a dental filling procedure. Not knowing can lead to fear. Dr. Stephen...
How you feel about your appearance affects all parts of your life, because your self-perception and your self-esteem are inextricably intertwined. And there are few parts of your appearance that are more important than your smile. It’s the first thing people notice about you; it can make you appear friendly...
Even if you hate your smile, it can be hard facing a solution that involves metal brackets and wires in your mouth. Fortunately, Invisalign® aligners provide a more modern, comfortable, and discreet alternative. And, they can resolve many of the same dental problems as traditional orthodontic treatments to give you...