Do you have Bruxism? You do if you regularly grind or clench your teeth. You may be unconsciously doing it or when you’re asleep but either way, it’s not good for your teeth or jaw. Bruxism is considered a sleep related movement disorder. A what? Typically, people who grind their teeth during sleep have…
So your gums are tender and swollen and they bleed when you brush your teeth. What. Is. That. Most likely you have gingivitis, a relatively common form of gum disease. When you eat sugars and starches, you get a sticky layer of bacteria that builds up on your teeth. Yuck. WHAT CAUSES BLEEDING GUMS?…
CAN DRUG USE RUIN YOUR TEETH? With so many people currently addicted to drugs and as many as three million new users each year there is bound to be an upsurge in periodontal disease as well. It’s not news that people with drug addictions would be more likely to have periodontal disease and tooth…
SUGAR ADDICTION Most of us love sugar. We can eat it any time, any place and in just about anything. We don’t have a sweet tooth; we have a sweet arm or leg. We know it’s not healthy or good for us but we just can’t help ourselves. We swear that starting tomorrow we…
SYMPTOMS OF ORAL CANCER There are several things to look for so performing a monthly self-check can mean an earlier diagnosis with a better outcome. Using a bright light and mirror, be sure to remove any dentures. Look and feel inside your lips and the front of your gums. Tilt back your head…
CHILD OBESITY As parents, having your child’s best interest at heart is always at the forefront of your mind. Making sure they are well cared for, well fed and always healthy. One part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is ensuring there is ample amount of exercise and activity to stimulate the children physically and…
WHAT CAUSES BLACK TRIANGLES BETWEEN YOUR TEETH? So you’ve noticed there’s a black space between your teeth that’s shaped like a triangle. It didn’t used to be there and then it was just kinda small and now it’s a pretty big gap. WHAT is going on? Are your teeth separating? Probably not. Are they thinning on…
DANGERS OF SHARING A TOOTHBRUSH While sharing a toothbrush may sound pretty disgusting, can it really be that bad for you? You figure you share a fork or kiss your significant other all the time and nothing happens so is sharing a tooth brush really that different? The answer is – YES! Maybe you’re…
OIL PULLING WHAT IS IT? We’ve all been hearing a lot about oil pulling for dental and gum care. But what is it and does it really make a difference with your oral health? Oil Pulling, which is also known as “kavaka’ or ‘gundusha’ is an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique. Ayurveda goes back over 3,000…
TOOTH INFECTION Most of us have had a toothache at one time or another and our first inclination is to wait and see if it eases or goes away. However, there are different types of tooth pain and they can mean different things. If you have pain when you eat or drink something hot…
DENTAL INSURANCE POST-RETIREMENT Many people have dental insurance through their jobs but once they retire, they lose those benefits. Medicare and the Affordable Care Act don’t offer dental care and even the most simple dental plans are extremely costly. With over 10,000 people retiring every day, this means that over 70% of retired baby…
GUM DISEASE AND RA For over a century, doctors have known that oral health and your overall physical health are directly related. As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, there is scientific proof that gum disease is known to cause other more serious diseases in the body. For decades doctors have known that gum infections…
Your Braces Could Be Causing Gum Problems Orthodontia, or braces, can vastly improve the appearance and function of the teeth. On the other hand, orthodontic appliances may also contribute to periodontal problems such as enlarged gums or gum recession. The presence of braces can make cleaning the teeth more difficult. When you are unable…
You may feel indifferent about visiting the dentist, sometimes you may even “forget” your appointment because, really, is it that important? You brush and floss your teeth twice a day so how much does going to the dentist really impact your overall oral health? The answer is: A LOT! Recent studies suggest it could even…
EXERCISE We all know we need to exercise and how important fitness is, but finding or making time isn’t always easy. Now you won’t have the excuse that you don’t have time because all you need is 10 minutes 3x a week to get the benefits. And those benefits aren’t just physical! It’s time…
Everyone knows that going to the dentist twice a year for bi-annual check-ups is the best way to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy. Also, there are many different published resources and old time sayings that allude to the fact that overall bodily health starts with your mouth. Not only do you want to…
There is a small group of dental professionals currently providing the LANAP laser gum procedure. While this technology has been a part of periodontal practices for many years, it has now become FDA-cleared for a new use in bone regeneration. Used by a trained and certified periodontist, LANAP is a surgical laser procedure designed for…
If you’re undecided about getting a flu vaccine, this might help determine if it’s the right thing for you and/or your family… It’s All About The Numbers We already know that the flu vaccine lowers the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder but a recent study is definitely good news for those…
Having a dry mouth is annoying and uncomfortable. There are many causes of dry mouth including diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and even cancer treatments. Tobacco use is another big contributor to dry mouth. Many people don’t realize that certain medications can cause dry mouth, too. Certain drugs used to treat depression or anxiety, Parkinson’s disease and…
The use of sedation in dentistry has revolutionized the way patients view dental visits. Patients who once were afraid or anxious about even the most routine dental procedures now visit the dentist with confidence. Sedation is typically administered to healthy individuals who need help relaxing or managing treatment anxiety. Reasons for needing sedation may include…
Preventative dentistry is about more than just visiting your dentist twice yearly for an exam and thorough cleaning. In fact, the majority of your preventative care is done at-home as a part of your normal hygienic routine. Many residents use manual toothbrushes to remove debris and plaque from their teeth. However, electric brushes have become…
There are many forms of self-expression, art, writing, fashion, even body piercing. When it comes to oral piercings, however–such as lip, labret, cheek and tongue piercings–it’s important to know all the risks involved. Know The Risks Before You Pierce Piercing anywhere near the mouth is very different than simply piercing an earlobe. The oral cavity…
Brushing twice a day is important to keeping your smile healthy, but WHAT can switching from a manual to an electric toothbrush do for your oral health routine? Electric Toothbrushes Provide Many Benefits While a manual toothbrush can get the job done if used properly, an electric toothbrush provides benefits that go beyond simply scrubbing your…
We’ve all been told (and many of us tell our children) that milk builds strong bones. But our nutritional and dietary preferences are not only widely varied, they also change from time to time. Does milk really “do a body good”? Some believe it does, and others believe it doesn’t. Regardless of your take, you’re not alone. Today,…
If you have experienced tooth loss, you are not alone. In fact, more than 35 million Americans are missing all of their teeth, while 178 million are missing at least one tooth. Here’s the good news: there are solutions for you. Dental Implants Function Much Like Natural Teeth While there are other tooth replacement options,…
We can all admit that flossing isn’t always fun. That doesn’t mean we can skip this all-important task. Luckily, there’s a way to make flossing easier, faster, and more fun: the Waterpik® Water Flosser. Flossing Is Essential for a Healthy Mouth Did you know that if you don’t floss you miss cleaning 35 percent of…
Here is an interesting fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50% of adults in the United States are affected by periodontal disease. Periodontal disease will silently invade your mouth and affect your overall, general health, without your knowledge. How is this possible? Periodontal disease starts off as gingivitis which is harmless…
While most people have thirty-two permanent teeth that develop (including the wisdom teeth) some people’s permanent teeth never grow in at all. These are called congenitally missing teeth—teeth missing from birth—and it’s actually more common than you think! So, what do you do if you find out you or your child has one or more…
Periodontal disease begins in the mouth but it travels all over the body. It has the potential to travel through your bloodstream and work its way into vital organs. There are many different causes as to why someone could have periodontal disease. Some of these variables are genetics, stress, tobacco use, medications or even medical…
DID YOU KNOW THAT STRESS can have an effect on your oral health? As if you needed any more on your plate! Knowing how stress and oral health are connected can help you combat any problems that might arise. Stress May Contribute to Teeth Grinding Bruxism is the technical term for habitual teeth grinding and…
