Dental Health

Saliva. Just the word can conjure an array of images in your imagination. From salivating at a delicious meal to studying Pavlov’s dogs to watching a baseball player spit, life is full of saliva! And that’s a good thing because saliva is essential for oral and overall health. Problems with saliva can lead to dry […]

At Lush Family Dental, we know a lot of people feel they’re adding a layer of tooth decay and gum disease prevention to their oral hygiene routines when they swish with mouthwash, which may be true, but it depends on the mouthwash. If you floss and brush properly, mouthwash isn’t always necessary, and certain types could even […]

If you’re one of the 40 million Americans with sensitive teeth, you must be familiar with the painful zing that follows a hot drink, a bite of ice cream, or just a deep breath of cold air. These and other elements can cause sudden discomfort if you have sensitive teeth, also called dentin hypersensitivity.  Each […]

We all have those nervous habits we turn to when we feel awkward, stressed, or just plain bored. If your vice is biting your nails, you need to know that it can cause a lot of distress to your oral health and overall health. Waukee dentists at Lush Family Dental share why nail biting is […]

It’s no secret that diabetes is a serious health condition that affects the entire body, including your mouth. According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. live with diabetes. Waukee dentists at Lush Family Dental want to share how diabetes can impact your oral health and why proper […]

It’s often said that a true friend will tell you if you have bad breath. Bad breath, formally known as halitosis, is embarrassing and can hold you back from truly enjoying your life and social situations. Like a good friend, Waukee dentists in Lush Family Dental will tell it to you straight. Read more below […]

There’s a saying in nature: “Function follows form.” This means that how something is shaped or designed determines how it works. For example, you might own many screwdrivers of various shapes and sizes (form) to loosen different types of screws (function). Or think of a watering can, one with a long, narrow spout helps you […]

Xerostomia is the technical term for dry mouth, the condition that results from absent or reduced saliva flow. It is not a disease on its own, but it may be a side effect of medication or radiation treatments.  Xerostomia affects about 20% of the elderly population, not because of their age, but due to the […]

A healthy, beautiful smile is important for your overall health and life satisfaction. If your teeth are too close to each other, too far apart, too crooked, or if they fit together uncomfortably when your mouth is closed, it’s likely you have malocclusion.  From the root words “mal” for bad, and “occlusion” for closed, malocclusion […]

These days, people of all ages receive orthodontic treatment, but many of us still associate braces with the awkward and angsty pre-teen and teen years. While some kids are excited about braces because they know some “cool” teenagers who have them, others may worry about how braces might look or feel.   Mom and Dad are […]