Posts Categorized: Dental Health

Plaque vs Tartar: What is the Difference?

Plaque vs Tartar

Plaque vs tartar. You probably know both dental terms. You may even understand that they are both bad for your teeth and oral health. The terms are related but not interchangeable. What’s the Difference Between Plaque vs Tartar? Before your next visit to the dentist, it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on some dental terms…. Read more »

Metals in Dentistry: Exploring Biocompatibility

metals in dentistry

Metals in dentistry are used to create a variety of restorations, from fillings and crowns to bridges and dental implants. Not all metals are created equal. Some are biocompatible, which means they aren’t harmful to living tissue. In contrast, some metals can be detrimental to health over time. Here, we’ll explore some of the most… Read more »

Translucent teeth | Loss of enamel

translucent teeth in smile

Are you wearing the enamel off of your front teeth? As teeth get thin from enamel loss, they become translucent. Translucent teeth appear thin around the edges and are white grey in color. Once the outer enamel layers begin to thin, the teeth are more susceptible to injury. There are various explanations for why the teeth… Read more »

Dental fluoride treatment | Why is it important?

dental fluoride treatments

Have you ever wondered why your dentist recommends dental fluoride treatments with each dental cleaning? Maybe you have never considered this treatment as necessary. Today, we will discuss what fluoride is, it’s benefits, and why it is highly recommended for both children and adults. While some people seem to be immune from cavities, most dentists… Read more »

Gum problems | 80% Of Americans Have It

gum problems

A gum problem (periodontal disease) is a chronic infection of the gums. It is caused by bacterial plaque that accumulates on teeth and destroys the gums.  Plaque can accumulate on teeth if proper oral hygiene habits are not observed, although some people are simply more prone to plaque buildup than others. Various medications and health… Read more »

Types of Mouthwash | Different uses and therapeutic purposes

Types of Mouthwash

Did you know that there isn’t just one type of mouthwash? In fact, some mouthwashes have a specialized purpose and require a prescription for purchase. In other words, not all mouth rinses were created equal, and this blog is meant to explain the key differences. To teach his patients about the types of mouthwash, Dr…. Read more »

Cavity Prevention | Are You Immune To Cavities?

cavities occur without good cavity prevention

Is it Decay Immunity or just good Cavity Prevention? Tooth decay is an international chronic infectious health disease in industrialized and developing countries, especially in young children. Early Childhood Caries (ECC) begins early in life, progresses rapidly, and causes immediate and long-term effects. People suffering from tooth decay can also suffer pain, lack of self-esteem,… Read more »

Strong Enamel – The Secret of Healthy Teeth

There is no secret, one time trick to keep your teeth healthy for life. A healthy mouth requires a lifetime commitment of routine care to protect your teeth and gums. What many people don’t realize, however, is that teeth also have their own protection. A protective layer that keeps the vulnerable inner tooth from being… Read more »

Posture and TMJ Disorder | Help relieve your symptoms

Posture and TMJ Disorder

If your mother drove you crazy with constant demands to “sit up straight”…you should thank her. Whether Mom knew the full effect of posture or not, the truth is, bad posture can be bad for your physical and mental health. Turns out, having a straight spine and correct alignment body can even help relieve symptoms… Read more »

Dentistry in Shakespeare’s Time

Dentistry in the Elizabethan Age

Today we’d like to pay homage to the world’s greatest poet and playwright – William Shakespeare. Sadly, Shakespeare died at the age of 52. Today, this is considered tragically young, but in the 17th century, the average male lived to age 47. Poor hygiene and inadequate medical knowledge meant that disease ran rampant, and this… Read more »

Recovering from Periodontal Disease

Periodontal Disease Recovery

Can I have a nice smile again after recovery from periodontal disease ? Once you recover from periodontal disease and have your oral health fully managed, you may ask yourself: Is there anything you can do to make your smile look the way it used to look? Dealing with significant damage may cause you to… Read more »

Bleeding Gums – It Is More Serious than You Might Think

bleeding gums

Some dental health issues are only obvious once you know you have them. Until then, the symptoms may not seem serious, especially if they don’t include pain in and around a tooth. For instance, if you notice a small amount of blood mixed in with your saliva when you brush and floss your teeth, you… Read more »

Visible Signs of Gum Disease – Diagnosis

Visible signs of gum disease

Most patients understand that they need a dentist to diagnose and make recommendations for gum issues. Having said that, it is good to have an idea of what the visible signs of gum disease. Gum disease is the second most common dental health issue for adults in the U.S. It isn’t because the disease is… Read more »

A Sure Way to Prevent Cavities

Prevent Cavities

There are very few sure things in life. For instance, even when you take excellent care of your teeth, you could still be at risk of cavity development, especially if you let up in your routine once in a while. Still, with consistently good hygiene and a strict schedule of preventive dental care with your… Read more »

Sour breath | Tips for a better smelling mouth

Fix sour breath

The term sour breath refers to foul breath caused by mouth acids. These mouth acids are caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, bacteria in the mouth, or some other general health issue. There are many recommendations for fixing sour breath but many people don’t know them. Are you afraid to stand too close to… Read more »

Signs That You Need to Visit the Dentist

you probably need a dentist

The trouble with most dental health issues is that, unlike a small cut or the common cold, problems with your oral health don’t typically resolve themselves. Dental diseases are usually progressive, and protecting your oral health depends on prompt action to halt the disease and repair any dental damage. When trouble does occur, many patients… Read more »

Are You Flossing Every Day?

floss every day

Do you floss every day? Most people have gotten their brushing routine down. They brush in the morning and before they go to bed. Some even brush after every meal. But the majority of people are still not regular flossers. Using an interdental cleaner, such as floss, is an absolutely essential part of a good oral… Read more »

Diet and dental health – Eating habits affect your teeth

Diet and dental health

Many people don’t understand the connection between diet and dental health. Watching what you eat and drink is an important part of maintaining your health. But it can be difficult to properly choose a diet, especially with so many factors to consider. For many people, the main connection between diet and oral health is that… Read more »

The Safe Way to Whiten Teeth

over bleaching

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available. But many individuals don’t realize that over bleaching can be detrimental to your oral health if performed incorrectly. Here, we’ll explore the safe way to whiten teeth, and discuss several related topics, including: Research studies about whitening and the risk of over bleaching Statistics… Read more »

Preventive Dental Care | Are You Late for a Very Important Date with Your Dentist?

Preventive Dental Care

Are you having a hard time remembering the last time you visited your preventive dentist? Are you are already overdue for your next dental appointment? Regular checkups and cleanings are one of the best ways to protect the smile from dental cavities, gum disease and other common dental problems. Lack of preventive dental care can… Read more »

What is involved in a dental checkup?

dental checkup

When is the last time you had a dental checkup? Did you know that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting your dentist twice a year for regular dental checks? However, patients currently struggling with gum disease or prone to developing cavities may require more frequent dental visits. Why are dental checkups important? Your mouth… Read more »

Dealing with a dry mouth | Benefits of saliva

Dry Mouth Syndrome

Dry mouth is a common and if not addressed, can have devastating consequences to your dental health. Tooth discomfort and bleeding gums are easily recognized as symptoms of dental problems like cavities and gum disease. There are many other warning signs that could be telling you that your smile is in trouble. Chronic dry mouth… Read more »

Toothbrush care | How do you store and clean your toothbrush?

Toothbrush care

For the most part, common dental issues can be prevented with proper, consistent use of your toothbrush. Yet, the state of your toothbrush can determine how effective it is at cleaning and protecting your teeth. Learn proper toothbrush care. If you don’t care for it well, your toothbrush may cause more harm than good to… Read more »

Canker sores | What are they and what can I do about them?

Treat canker sores at home

Does pain from canker sores in your mouth keep you from smiling? Even if you have worked hard to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile through regular dental care and professional teeth whitening, the discomfort can take away your desire to show off your pearly whites. Many children and adults struggle with canker sores. While… Read more »

Preventing Plaque: How to prevent oral bacteria buildup

preventing plaque for better oral health

Learn the best ways of preventing plaque buildup so that you can avoid oral problems like bad breath, dental cavities, and gum disease. There are countless reasons to try to avoid plaque buildup. But many people don’t realize some of the simplest preventive steps they can take to keeping their teeth and mouth healthy and… Read more »

Can You Floss Better?

We can all learn to floss better. Particularly for individuals who have porcelain crowns or veneers – or individuals who have brightened their teeth with teeth whitening – daily hygiene means a healthy smile as well as maintaining a sparkling smile. If you have a solid handle on brushing your teeth and you schedule dental cleanings… Read more »

Bisphosphanates and jawbone infections | Is Your Jaw Safe

Bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis is becoming popular. Unfortunately, having jawbone infections while taking bisphosphanates is dangerous. This medicine doesn’t cause infections. The medicine makes it difficult to fight an infection that has already started. One side affect of using this medicine is decreased capillary flow in your bones. A decreased blood flow reduces a person’s… Read more »

Periodontal Disease And Impotence

Men beware, not only has periodontal disease been linked to many systemic health problems including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, it has been linked to impotence as well. So if you are a man looking for a reason to take better care of your teeth and gums, don’t wait to make a New Year’s resolution…start… Read more »

Childhood Cavities

As soon as you thought you knew everything there is to know about childhood cavities there’s more. Childhood cavities or caries is a chronic and infectious disease in young children and mostly seen in minority and poor populations. Caries is tooth decay, and ironically is common and widespread among children in the U.S. despite the… Read more »

Gums Bleed When Brushed | Why?

gums bleed when brushed

If you only floss occasionally then it is usually normal that your gums bleed when brushed. Hopefully at least they then consider flossing more. When there is bleeding with brushing, most people brush their teeth less vigorously. This is actually usually the wrong thing to do. It may be that you actually don’t know how… Read more »

Xylitol and cavities | Benefits of use

xylitol and cavities

Are you struggling to help keep your family cavity free? Does it feel like no amount of hygiene, or healthy diet, is enough to keep bacteria from causing damaging acid erosion? It seems to some people that the benefits of xylitol are being overlooked. Considering that over 25 percent of American children from 2 to… Read more »

Allergy medications affect dental health

Allergy medications affect dental health

Allergy medications will affect dental health. Aeroallergens exist indoors and outdoors, and spring is ripe with pollen and allergy inducing fungi. Airborne spores and other fungi may originate in fields, forests, agricultural crops, flowers, or grass. Because they are light, sticky, and plentiful, they are easily transferred into homes, offices, and cars. Impossible to get… Read more »

Oral bacteria | Culprits that Cause Dental Diseases

Oral bacteria

Have you ever stopped to consider what the greatest threat to your smile is? It might be traumatic impact from a fall. If you smoke or chew tobacco, then it might be the chemicals your mouth is exposed to through the habit. In most cases, however, the greatest threat to your dental health is something… Read more »

Systemic diseases from gum disease

Are you worried about gum disease affecting you at some point in your life? Did you know that there are many systemic diseases associated with and caused by gum disease? If you haven’t already, there’s a good chance that you might, considering that gum disease affects over 70% of adults in the United States today…. Read more »

Is Cosmetic Dentistry Right for Me?

Cosmetic Dentistry

Is cosmetic dentistry the best way to go for me? The cosmetic dentistry journey is one that begins and ends in the mirror. For most patients, the journey starts when they look at their reflection and feel unhappy or dissatisfied with the general appearance of their smile. That same journey often ends when their dentist… Read more »

Hidden Sugar in Foods You Eat

Why are we getting cavities? Spring is a minefield of sweets and candy. With Valentine’s Day, Easter, cotton candy at the carnivals, and that long awaited day when snow cone stands reopen for business, you may find yourself overindulging in springtime treats. Sugar is often cited as the worst offender for your dental health and… Read more »

Dark chocolate and cavities

Dark chocolate and cavities

Does dark chocolate cause cavities? The consensus up until now has been that chocolate is bad for your teeth. It is high in sugar and sugar causes cavities, right? Wrong. Sugar helps cause cavities but it is not solely responsible. A number of factors come together to create tooth decay including sugar and pathogenic oral bacteria. Pathogenic… Read more »

How to brush your teeth properly

How to brush your teeth

How to Brush Your Teeth Brushing your teeth will go a long way toward good oral hygiene and disease prevention. Specifically, we brush to prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. The ADA recommends that you brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to maintain good oral health. Most of us learn how to brush… Read more »

Interdental Brushing | Proxy Brush for ideal gum health

Do you skip flossing, or is it difficult because of dexterity issues, spacing between your teeth, or dental work? If you hate flossing, or find that it isn’t effective, you’re not alone. Dr. James Fondriest, a Chicago dentist, recommends interdental brushing (also called using a proxy brush) as a fantastic, and often better, alternative to flossing…. Read more »

Oral Cancer Exam at the Dentist

oral cancer exam at the dentist

An oral cancer exam at the dentist can help detect precancerous or cancerous lesions at an early stage. The earlier oral cancer is identified, the earlier it can be properly treated. Cancer kills over two million people annually. Of these two million people, approximately 7,900 people will die from oral cancer. The death rate is… Read more »