The Purpose of Teeth

Before your next visit to the dental practice of Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD, our staff would like to explain why you have so many different teeth in your mouth. Teeth don’t just help you bite and chew. Imagine speaking without a mouth full of pearly whites. You would look silly because teeth play an important role in your facial structure. The reason all of these teeth look different is because each one of them serves a different purpose in your mouth. Read on to learn more about the different types you have and their functions!

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have further questions about your teeth, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Handling Common Dental Emergencies

Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD understands that accidents happen and being informed about what to do in case one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. If you or your child experience some sort of trauma to your mouth for whatever reason, please give us a call immediately. Meanwhile, in the midst of a dental emergency, utilize these tips to ensure a smooth recovery. 

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you suffer a dental emergency, please give us a call immediately. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

Gum Disease: Causes and Treatments

Gum disease can be painful, irritating, and frustrating. It can also affect your overall health and wellness. Here at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA we are dedicated to helping patients understand how gum disease happens so they can prevent it.

Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar build-up irritates gums. The infected gums will begin to recede, if not treated. The receded gums expose the tooth’s root and create a deep gum pocket. This pocket collects bacteria and allows it to reach down deep by the roots of teeth.  This is a problem because it can cause decay of the tooth below the gum line and it perpetuates the gum disease. In order to remove the bacteria, a scaling and planing procedure is needed. We use a tool to remove plaque, tartar, and rough spots on the tooth where bacteria can hide. After gum disease is cleared up, a surgical process is often needed to repair the receded gums and deep pockets.

To keep plaque and tartar from irritating the gums, brush your teeth two to three times per day. Flossing every day is also important to remove plaque from between teeth. Make sure to brush in circular motions to hit the gum line well. To schedule your professional cleaning with Lehigh Valley Smiles of Easton, PA, call our office at   (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Implants for Permanent Tooth Replacement

Missing teeth means you bite differently, chew differently, and maybe even talk differently. There are several replacement options out there but only dental implants have the ability to last a lifetime. This is why we offer dental implants here at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA.

Implants are permanently placed in your mouth. The titanium implant post is placed into the bone socket, where it will bond with the jawbone. The bonding process will take a few months, so you will wear a temporary crown during this time. When the customized crown is ready, an abutment is attached to the implant post. The permanent crown is then cemented into place for a lifetime.

Dental implants are a great option because they don’t require healthy teeth to be reduced to place them. Being a single tooth replacement, brushing and flossing are made easier, so oral health is easier to maintain. With a good oral hygiene routine, implants can last a lifetime.

To find out about implants, a permanent tooth replacement solution, contact Lehigh Valley Smiles. Our Easton, PA office can be contacted by calling us at  (610) 252-7414 or by visiting our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Teeth Care for Seniors

As we age, our bodies grow weaker, and the same applies to our teeth. Fortunately, our staff at Lehigh Valley Smiles can assist you in keeping them healthy. Your teeth are some of the strongest units in your body. However, they can still be worn down. No matter what your age, your permanent teeth can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups.

Even if you brush and floss regularly, you may face certain issues in your senior years when it comes to your oral health. This is because seniors are more prone to oral health conditions such as darkened teeth, gum disease, sensitive and tooth decay. In reference to our bodies growing weaker, the same applies to our hands. Certain medical conditions, such as arthritis in the hands and fingers, may make brushing or flossing teeth difficult or impossible to perform.

If you are a senior struggling with your oral health routine, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, DDS, FAGD in Easton, PA, call 610-252-7414.

TMJ Pain and What We Can Do

TMJ pain can affect how you eat, what you eat, and it can affect many of your daily activities. At Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, we have recognized many of our patients’ TMJ issues and work with them to relieve the symptoms and pain.

TMJ pain is often referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction). A cause of TMD is not exactly pinpointed; however, there are certain things that can trigger pain. Common symptoms of TMD include a swollen and painful jaw joint, sore jaw and facial muscles, clicking in the jaw, difficulty chewing, ear pain, headaches, and the locking of your jaw. The jaw is responsible for so much including eating, talking, smiling, laughing, and showing emotion. This is part of why TMD is such a frustrating condition to live with.

Fortunately, here in our Easton, PA dental practice we are trained in recognizing TMD and can offer our patients relief. Through guidance, pain relief tips, and possibly a night guard, we can make sure TMD isn’t a daily interrupter.

If you are suffering with jaw pain, make sure to schedule an appointment with us. To schedule at Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call us at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. 

Traditional Braces for a Healthy, Beautiful Smile

A straight smile is not only beautiful, but it’s also healthier! At Lehigh Valley Smiles, we want to be sure we offer several options for straightening teeth so all of our patients can find a solution that works best for them. One of the orthodontic options we offer here in our Easton, PA dental office is traditional braces.

Traditional braces have been around for a long time and it is because of their effectiveness. Today’s braces are strong and sleek, offering faster moving of teeth than before. They also stay durable and effective for years. For those who would like to add a bit of flair to their braces, we are able to use different colored bands!

Straight teeth contribute to a healthier mouth. This is because when teeth are in their proper positions, they can function optimally, they are able to be cleaned easier, and they do not pose as a risk for injury to other teeth.

Traditional braces work by attaching brackets to each tooth with a wire that connects them all together. Through a carefully directed plan, the wires will shift the teeth until they are in their correct positions. The average length of time braces are worn for teens is about two years. For adults, it is about one year. Every patient is different, so each patient will need a different length of time.

Whether you want to straighten your teeth for cosmetic reasons or health reasons, traditional braces are a long-standing option we offer. To schedule your consultation with Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA, call our office at (610) 252-7414 or visit our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.