December 26, 2018 By
Dr. Rick Leppo For most of us, New Year’s resolutions are about committing to being our best selves by creating new habits. This year, might I suggest you focus on doing something for yourself that doesn’t involve giving anything up or starting the newest trend. At some point, we have all considered making changes to those pearly whites: […]
November 27, 2018 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Teeth whitening tops the list of the most popular cosmetic services requested by patients from their dentist. Over 10 million people will purchase whitening products in the U.S. this year alone. The best source of accurate information about choosing a quality product is from your dental team. Misconceptions on teeth whitening exist, here are a […]
October 30, 2018 By
Dr. Rick Leppo You pay money for dental insurance coverage, why not use it! As the year winds to a close consider using any remaining dental insurance benefits or Flex plan allowance to complete needed care before they expire. If your dental insurance runs on a traditional calendar year, you may be able to save yourself money by […]
October 04, 2018 By
Dr. Rick Leppo The mouth is a breeding ground for ghostly germs. The warm, moist, dark mouth is a great place for wicked bacteria to lurk. Let’s be candid and discuss what makes our mouths just plain gross. It’s true even healthy mouths are full of bewitched bacteria, mucus, and other voodoo food particles that form a gooey, […]
September 11, 2018 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Your teeth are one of the first things people notice. Having great teeth is very important in today's culture. Beautiful teeth are a sign of health as well as confidence. When making a first impression, many worry about having aged, crooked or discolored teeth, which can be misinterpreted that you don’t really care about yourself. […]
September 11, 2018 By
Dr. Rick Leppo It is unfortunate that those who are missing teeth have to hold back from laughing or smiling because they are embarrassed by their smile. An implant would nicely fill in the gap and bring back their confidence. A few options are available for replacing missing teeth, such as dental bridges and removable partial dentures. But […]
September 11, 2018 By
Dr. Rick Leppo The beginning of the school year is usually a big transition as a student’s leisurely summer mornings are replaced by the mad dash to the bus stop. Getting back into a regular routine is a wonderful opportunity to return to daily oral care habits. The summertime brushing slack, was an invitation for teeth to become […]
September 11, 2018 By
Dr. Rick Leppo A small chip on a tooth may not look like much, but it’s already got a lot of potential to cause trouble because it might not stay that way. Chipped teeth or tooth fractures of any size weaken the overall integrity of the tooth. Over time, there’s a strong possibility the chip will become larger. […]
September 11, 2018 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Quenching summertime thirst could pose a dental concern if the drink selected is potentially damaging to your teeth. When you drink a liquid, the teeth are bathed in that beverage so your drink selection becomes especially crucial. Unfortunately, some drinks pose a threat to your dental health- similar to that of sugary treats. What are the drinks […]
January 19, 2018 By
Dr. Rick Leppo There are a few options available for replacing missing teeth, such as dental bridges and removable partial dentures. Some folks opt to do nothing, altogether. But dental implants deliver a more benefits when compared with traditional options. Consider just a few of the biggest advantages. Smile with confidence. It’s a sad thing if you have to […]
December 08, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo If you ask a dentist or a dental hygienist, they’ll tell you that their patients don’t always know how to floss. They know they should- at least once a day; but for some reason, they either don’t floss or don’t floss properly. It’s an important step to your dental hygiene, and crucial to keeping your […]
November 14, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Missing a simple teeth cleaning appointment every now and then may not feel like the end of the world. But there are three very important reasons your semi-annual trips to a Columbia dentist will pay off big time. Regular Checkups Help You Detect Problems Early Dentistry is all about prevention…and buying time. The sooner you […]
October 12, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Is it time for a fresh toothbrush? It may be, if you’re noticing any of these characteristics: Gum Recession Do your teeth seem to be getting longer? Are the gums tugging away from teeth in a V-shape? Is your gum line rolling farther away from the teeth? This could mean that you’re using a toothbrush […]
September 19, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo It would be nice if a quick rinse was all it took to disinfect your mouth. The bacteria that cause gum disease, however, are too stubborn for such a simple method to work. Why Is Periodontitis So Tough to Treat? Gum disease (periodontitis) is caused by bacteria that thrive in the low oxygen conditions below the […]
August 17, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Now that you’ve got that perfect smile you’ve always wanted, the next step is keeping it that way. Teeth bleaching, veneers, crowns, bonding, and other cosmetic dental treatments can rack up quite a bill. But if you maintain your smile properly, then you’ll agree that the investment was worth it. Here are a few general tips to […]
July 18, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Root canals remove or prevent damaged nerves due to disease or fracture. If your tooth needed a root canal but you didn't get one, your tooth could wind up seriously infected and very painful. Even though a root canal could be the only way to hold onto your tooth, no one is usually very excited about endodontic […]
June 20, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Time is money and many people can't afford to invest personal time in caring for their smiles or making trips to the dentist when they should be at work. In fact, some people are convinced that paying for dental care is a luxury, not a necessary preventive service. The reality, however, is that dentistry is all about […]
May 16, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo For a few weeks now, something has felt a bit “off” in your bite. When you’re chewing food, a particular tooth seems as though it’s out of place or even twinges now and then. You can’t nail down exactly what area it’s coming from, but you’re sure that something isn’t normal. You’re right. That tooth […]
April 19, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Digital dental x-rays are an important part of our technology here at Columbia Dental Center. One of the most important roles x-rays play in dental health is detecting the start of decay in teeth. But if you've got a great track record where tooth decay is concerned, do you really need to be exposing yourself to […]
March 21, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Dental implants are great restorations. They've completely revolutionized the way people restore their smile. No longer is anyone limited to wearing a bulky partial or slippery denture. Does this mean that an implant is equally as beneficial for kids? You're probably wondering this if your child has managed to knock out an adult tooth. Dental Implants […]
February 16, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Want whiter teeth without an appointment? Columbia Dental Center recommends these steps if you want to try teeth bleaching without visiting the dentist: 1. Cut Back On Staining Foods The first step in brightening your smile is to cut way back on the foods that contribute to dark-stained teeth. You probably realize this means limiting […]
January 23, 2017 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Everyone worries about their wisdom teeth from time to time. What about you? If you know you've got a couple of wisdom teeth already or have been told that they will come in, then you might worry about needing to get them pulled. Here are a few signs that your teeth may need some professional […]
December 30, 2016 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Granted, it's usually the kids and teenagers that you see in braces. But even if your teen years are well behind you, your smile could still stand to benefit from some tooth realignment help with your dentist or orthodontist. It’s Never Too Late! While it is effective for kids to have braces simply because it's […]
November 03, 2016 By
Dr. Rick Leppo To some folks, a chipped tooth is just a cute anomaly. It might be the defining feature of a certain individual. Dr. Rick Leppo, however, sees a fractured tooth in a very different light . . . not merely because of looks. Your chipped tooth might not bother you all that much. But here's why you should […]
October 30, 2016 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Teeth bleaching, or whitening, is a popular cosmetic treatment. White teeth are almost universally seen as a sign of health, youth and beauty. Who doesn't want a more sparkling and charismatic smile? Before you make the decision to lighten the shade of your teeth, make sure that you know what you're getting into. How To […]
October 04, 2016 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Have you recently had a root canal? Do you have a badly chipped tooth that needs to be fixed before your only option left is to have it pulled? If you're avoiding trips to the dental office because of the time that it takes, it's time to ask about CEREC same day dentistry. At Columbia […]
October 04, 2016 By
Dr. Rick Leppo If it's your first time having a cavity (or you haven't had one in some time), you might be asking yourself, "How long can I wait before I get this thing fixed?" Well, it all depends. Tooth decay is something that is non-reversible. If we catch it in the very beginning stages of demineralization, it […]
September 30, 2016 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Gum disease strikes quickly and silently. It's a big problem, because gum health is closely linked to overall wellness. With as many as 80% of adults in the U.S. being affected by gum disease, you can't ignore the fact that you might be at risk. Here are some of the top signs of gum disease […]
August 22, 2016 By
Dr. Rick Leppo Dental professionals often hear patients say, “My gums bleed when I brush my teeth. Should I be concerned?” If you’re wondering the same thing, you should know—when it comes to bleeding gums, there might be cause for concern. While bleeding gums may be associated with many things, from gingivitis to pregnancy, dentists notice that plaque […]
