It turns out that tongue piercings can be bad for one's teeth. While this is hardly a surprise to any dentist, it's been confirmed by a recent study from New York's University of Buffalo.

Researchers had previously found that teens with pierced tongues tend to "play" with the barbell-shaped piercing, often pushing the end of the stud against their front teeth — a habit that might leave them needing braces to fix the damage.

In this particular case study, a young woman who had had her tongue pieced for seven years developed a gap between her front teeth from pushing the barbell into the space between the teeth.

It's already known that a tongue piercing can increase the risks of chipping or cracking teeth, wearing down tooth enamel, receding gums, and more — now it's time to add orthodontic damage to the list.

Heartwarming Business Testimonials

I wanted to share a few of the wonderful testimonials that I have received doing what I love so much and being with such a talented team!

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I trusted Dr. Kern to remove thirteen metal fillings (yes, 13) and replace them with beautiful, healthful composites. With her upbeat, take-action style, you don't have to wait around for Dr. Kern. She knows what she's doing, is informed and trained in latest dental techniques, and she specializes in cosmetic dentistry, so even when doing basic dentistry, with Dr. Kern you benefit from her eye to detail in creating a more beautiful smile.
Her staff is well-trained, very friendly, and work well together for the benefit of each patient. The office has a spa-like atmosphere, so for anyone concerned about the stress of visiting the dentist, Dr. Kern and her staff take care of it for you by providing music, warm pillows, calming essential oils, and if you want, homeopathic remedies for stress-relief. All of these I have taken advantage of to make my visits to "the dentist" more pleasant. My experiences with Dr. Kern and her team have helped me view dental visits in a new, more positive light, plus I have the peace of mind knowing I have a dedicated, educated, smart, and skillful dentist. Christina G.



I always feel welcome and appreciate the name recognition as soon as I step through the door. I have NEVER had to wait for an appointment (cleaning or otherwise). That is just unheard of, so thank you! As I sat for my cleaning yesterday I thought back to my first visit and how terrified I used to be of the dentist office. Your welcoming and nurturing environment has turned my fear around completely. THANK YOU! Deena T.



Dr. Kern's office is the most magical dental office with staff that treat you like royalty. I can't imagine improving anything in that office. Thank you...Moojan D.



Jeanette.... thank you not only for your excellence in the field, but also for being a true healer. Dr. Rita G.

Are You Possibly A Tooth Grinder??

Are you frequently waking in the morning with sore cheek muscles, loose or temperature-sensitive teeth, a headache, earache, or jaw pain? If so, you may be grinding your teeth or habitually clenching your jaw in your sleep (or even during waking hours). Known as bruxism, this is a fairly common problem caused by a misaligned bite (malocclusion). It can also be a symptom of nervous tension or suppressed anger. Left untreated, bruxism can eventually wear down your teeth.

If your dentist has found your bite to be normal, you may be stressed or internalizing your anger. There are a number of healthy ways to relieve tension or rage: Biofeedback training specifically aimed at reducing jaw muscle tension can be especially helpful. Breathing exercises are another effective stress-reliever. Daily physical activity, such as a brisk 20-minute walk or practicing tai chi or yoga can also make a big difference. In addition, avoid consuming alcohol late at night. It has been shown to promote bruxism.

You might also ask your dentist for a plastic mouth guard to wear while you sleep. This can help to ease some of the side effects of bruxism. Use it in conjunction with stress-reduction practices for best results.

The Smile Is The Window To The Soul: Final Installment

As a cosmetic dentist, we go to work each day cognizant of our philosophy. Colleagues remind each other that it is appropriate to dig deeper, to question standard practices, to pull back the layers of our profession and look at the truths we reveal. Maybe that makes us mavericks, but we don’t necessarily see it that way.

What we see is people coming through our doors. Some of those people have something locked inside that hasn’t quite found a way out. We have the power to help bring it out.

Brightly, soulfully, vividly, truthfully, we help bring it out.

This is why Creating Beautiful Smiles everyday is my Passion! I truly believe that the Smile is the Window to the Soul. And I love helping people bring out their soul with a beautiful smile.

The Smile Is the Window To The Soul: Part 3


My philosophy has developed from my education and training in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

The Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s stand: We, as a dentist, must think twice before erecting a new smile without regard for the human being to whom that smile belongs. The disconnected, disembodied smile is the result of an approach neither safe nor esthetically responsible. Just as a home renovation must take into account the home’s origins and intentions, a smile renovation must be based on something deeper than a set of rigid right angles and the most garish shade of white available through modern cosmetic technology.

Be esthetically responsible! For us, the learning and exploring of our field has never stopped, and it’s led us to believe that responsible esthetics means dealing in a beauty that’s deeper than skin-deep. It means striving for a smile that connects. Resonates. Rings like a bell.

Part 2 continued from May 9, 2010...

Now, that sounds a little intense—after all, it’s just a smile, but that’s only because we take the smile seriously. It is, after all, our business. We are dentists, and passionate ones at that; the smile is our field of expertise, our chosen avocation, our life’s work. We think about it. We analyze it. We consider its personal, social, and ethical implications.

And we defend it. We defend the true smile against the fake smile. The fake smile is a fearful thing, roughly as warm as fluorescent lighting and about as believable as a politician. Faintly ominous, entirely unnatural, and more like a sensory assault than a show of confidence.

Needless to say, that’s not our thing.

The smile is the window to the soul: Part I

Recently I attended the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry session in Dallas, Texas. We have a new logo and more important, we have a new statement about what we do. “We have the Power to help bring it out.” Brightly, soulfully, vividly, truthfully, we help bring it out.” Of course we are talking about Beautiful Smiles.

Ever heard someone say the eyes are the window to the soul?

Well, maybe it’s because we are dentists, but we beg to differ. Nothing against eyes, but if you really want a glimpse into someone’s soul, it’s their smile you should be looking for.

Yes, their smile. Not an anatomical part, per se, but a moment—an expression. A smile is a brief pulling apart of the clouds, a clearance through which light and levity, humor and humility, kindness and compassion may all simultaneously pass. It’s a complex cocktail of personality distilled into one fleeting instant when defenses fall and guards drop and the truth of a person is laid bare for all to witness.

To be continued…