Dr. Jim Erpenbach's Blog

Dr. Jim Erpenbach’s Blog

Since the 1830s when amalgam fillings were introduced to the public, people have expressed concerns about mercury poisoning. While scientists can agree that dental amalgam fillings do release small amounts of mercury vapor into the mouths of people with amalgam fillings, the amount of mercury released and whether it is harmful has remain…

What is your dental self-care routine? Do you brush when you wake up in the morning, before breakfast, eager to get rid of that morning breath? Do you wait until you’ve eaten a meal so that your brushing will work away food particles? Do you brush again at night? Right after dinner? Right before bed? When and how often to you floss your…

Gum disease can have negative implications on your oral health beyond just tooth loss (though many might think that is enough). Oral health and overall health are related, so tackling periodontal disease aggressively is important in avoiding other conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, strokes, Alzheimer’s Disease, and even rheumatoid…

When the discomfort of a toothache sets in, it may be hard to think straight. Educating yourself in advance can be the difference between acting swiftly and calmly, or panicking. Read today’s blog from Knoxville dentist, Dr. Jim Erpenbach, to learn more about some of facts and fiction regarding toothaches.

Toothache Facts and Fiction

FACT:…

Do you consider yourself to be a walking encyclopedia of dental knowledge? Or are you curious to learn more about the way your mouth, teeth, and gums work together to add to your overall health and happiness? Research suggests a strong connection between oral health and total well-being. Your Knoxville dentist, Dr. Jim Erpenbach, is dedicated…

Do you want a great smile but don’t want to deal with all the metal? Invisalign clear removable braces may be what you need to finally have the smile you’ve always wanted. Besides a beautiful smile, research has shown that evenly spaced teeth can lead to healthier gums. When your teeth are straight they work in harmony with your gum…

Smoking is a detrimental habit that dentist, doctors, and other medical professionals do not generaly condone, for the betterment of your health. In general, your age doesn’t matter in terms of smoking being a less-than-ideal activity. Sometimes age and medications can also influence the specific health issues that can be exacerbated by…

We hear about gum disease on commercials for dental hygiene products, and when we speak to our dental hygienist and dentist at our six month checkups. Do you realize how very prevalent this bacterial infection of the gingival tissues is in America? A whopping 80% of people in the United States are thought to have gingivitis (early gum disease) or…

Stress is one of those concepts that can perplex scientists. We can prove that stress causes reactions in your body, but to what degree does stress damage your health? Stress’s effect on heart health is a particularly common topic of research studies. While there is no definitive proof that stress causes heart disease, there’s no doubt…

What do you know about ozone? It protects the air that we breathe, but did you know it can be used to clean teeth? Ozone has been shown to prevent tooth decay, and reduce sensitivity in teeth. Knoxville general dentist, Dr. Jim Erpenbach, has used ozone on every dental restoration he has performed for years. At Knoxville Family…