Are Black Gums normal? Are you noticing black spots on your gums? Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. There are various reasons why your gums may have black spots or appear black in color. The key to treating this issue is finding out what is responsible for the different colors. Occasionally black gums can be a… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Dental Health
Plaque vs Tartar: What is the Difference?
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 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
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?
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 »
Carrots Good For Your Eyes And Teeth
Are carrots good for your eyes and teeth? Remember your parents telling you to eat carrots because they are good for your eyes? Well, they are, and they are good for your teeth, too. Who would have guessed that that funny shaped, bright orange, crispy, crunchy vegetable that grows upside down in the dirt could… Read more »
Gum problems | 80% Of Americans Have It
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 »
Does weak enamel run in families?
Does weak enamel run in families? Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body. It protects your inner tooth (the dentin and pulp) from decay. Mature enamel consists of 96 percent minerals, 3 percent water, and 1 percent organic material. It is hard and tough, yet decay or caries remains a chronic disease in… Read more »
Brush teeth before or after breakfast, which is better?
Do you brush your teeth before or after breakfast? Every new parent asks this question when they focus on teaching good life skills for their kids. Did you grow up hearing that you should brush your teeth before or after breakfast? Even as a kid I knew that I wanted to be a dentist so… Read more »
Tongue Thrusting
Did you know that 20 to 80 percent of orthodontic patients throughout the U.S. present with some form of tongue thrust? Do you know what tongue thrusting is? Babies are born with this natural “extrusion reflex” for survival. When their lips are touched, they extend their tongue expecting the breast or bottle. Within the first… Read more »
Cavity Prevention | Are You Immune To Cavities?
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
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 »
Advantages and disadvantages of dental plaque
Most dental patients only talk about the topic of dental plaque with their dentists. What they might not realize is that dental plaque has positive qualities, as well as downsides. If you have never considered the role that dental plaque plays in keeping teeth healthy, read on to discover some interesting facts that most individuals… Read more »
Dentistry in the Elizabethan Age | Dentistry in Shakespeare’s Time
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 »
A Sure Way to 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
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
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 »
Bad Oral Habits
If you care about your oral health, then you may have already learned a few extra ways to keep your teeth strong and how to protect them. Daily brushing and flossing, for instance, are incredibly important. A healthy diet and regular dental visits can also help. But have you thought about the many seemingly small… Read more »
Age related dental problems
Our smile changes with age. Did you know that several age related dental problems have been linked to several health problems in an aging population. It is easy to understand how dementia can cause tooth loss. People suffering from Alzheimer’s, memory loss, or other types of senility can easily forget things such as to take… Read more »
Is sugar really bad for my teeth?
Since you were a child you have heard that sugar is bad for teeth. It is true that sugars of all types break down in the mouth to become excellent food sources for the bacteria that lives there. It is the bacteria that causes cavities. If you care about maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile,… Read more »
Are You Flossing 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
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 »
Keep a healthy smile with these simple tips
Did you vow to take better care of your teeth and gums this year? If so, how is your commitment to that resolution going? If you feel you’ve lost steam, or simply feel unsure that you’re really doing all you can to protect your healthy smile, the great news is that preventive care can be… Read more »
The Safe Way to Whiten Teeth
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?
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?
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 »
One More Reason to Drink More Water
You might already have been told countless times that you should drink more water, in order to protect your overall health. Chances are your general doctor has been urging you to stay properly hydrated for years. Sadly, dehydration is common, and unfortunately it can lead to a host of issues, including headaches, dry mouth, dizziness,… Read more »
Dealing with a dry mouth | Benefits of saliva
Dry mouth is 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 and… Read more »
Toothbrush care | How do you store and clean your toothbrush?
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 »
When’s the Best Time to Schedule a Dental Checkup?
Is it time to schedule a dental checkup? Besides thoroughly cleaning your teeth of plaque and tartar, your regular appointments allow your dentist to check up on the health of your teeth and gums and inspect for signs of trouble. If trouble is found, then your dentist can recommend a treatment plan to address it… Read more »
Canker sores | What are they and what can I do about them?
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
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 »
Dental Preventive Care
You and your smile make a great pair. Together, you could take on the world, and you do, daily. A great, healthy smile is one of the first things people will notice about you. Unfortunately, the same is true if your smile is damaged or unhealthy. From stains to bad breath, when you fail to… Read more »
How A Tooth Decays | Causes, Prevention
Tooth decay is a chronic problem among children in the United States, but children are not the only ones who suffer from decay. The tooth decay process can strike any one at any age. A commonly held belief is that sugar causes tooth decay, but sugars are not the direct cause of decay. Sugars attract… Read more »
Dental x rays | Why Dentists take X Rays
When is the last time you had dental x-rays? Do you keep putting them off? Maybe it’s the expense. Maybe it’s the radiation, or maybe you just don’t think they are important. When you are considering whether or not to get x-rays, consider this…cavities commonly do not cause symptoms until they are so advanced they… Read more »
Bisphosphonates and jawbone infections | Is Your Jaw Safe
Bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis is becoming popular. Unfortunately, having jawbone infections while taking bisphosphonates is dangerous. This medicine doesn’t cause infections. The medicine makes it difficult to fight an infection that has already started. One side effect of using this medicine is decreased capillary flow in your bones. A decreased blood flow reduces a person’s… Read more »
Swapping Spit: Is It Safe To Kiss Your Dog?
Swapping spit with a dog will give you a good share of dog germs. Will it hurt you? That’s what kids call kissing now-a-days. And that is exactly what you are doing when you kiss. You swap spit, and bacteria that is in your spit. In fact, you can swap over 80 million bacteria in… Read more »
Chewing Gum can be good for your Teeth
Many people enjoy chewing gum now and then. Many even chew gum after every meal to freshen their breath. There have been mixed reports regarding gum chewing. Some say chewing gum is good for your teeth. Others say chewing gum is bad for your teeth and can cause cavities. Gum chewing has been said to… 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 »
Gums Bleed When Brushed | Why?
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
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 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
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 »
Sugar free gum
Do you chew sugar free gum? October might seem like the official candy month, with Halloween front and center, but did you know that it is also National Dental Hygiene Month? This year the American Dental Hygienists Association has partnered with the manufacturer of Wrigley gum to compile a month long agenda, the goal of… 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
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 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… Read more »
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 »
Do you brush your teeth properly?
How to brush your teeth You might think proper brushing is common sense, but many intelligent people do it incorrectly. Brushing and flossing your teeth properly is the key to keeping your mouth healthy. You should use a different technique from the one you used as a kid. Adults and children should use slightly different… Read more »