Inside your mouth are millions of bacteria. Many of them are healthy and good for your overall oral wellness. Yet others build up into a sticky film that coats your teeth and is called plaque. Plaque is the destructive force that creates cavities. The Making of a Cavity When we eat and drink, the bacteria…
Flossing is an important part of the Healthy Teeth Trio which also includes brushing and regular visits to your dentist for a dental cleaning and check-up. Floss plays a unique role in oral health because it can remove a whole variety of things you don’t want between your teeth – food particles, plaque and bacteria…
A patient comes in with a full sleeve of tattoos on his arm and proceeds to confide his fear of dental needles and instruments. Another patient asks the hygienist to “please be gentle,” as if her name badge proclaims her as “The Butcher.” The nervous businessman insists on nitrous oxide and continually asks to “turn…
What is fluoride? Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral compound found in water and soil. It is also present in foods and beverages at varying concentrations. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the entire tooth surface more resistant to acid attacks from the bacteria that live in the plaque on your teeth. Fluoride also…
If you feel anxious or afraid at the mere thought of going to the dentist, you should know that you’re not alone. More than 33% of Americans feel the same emotions about dentists. Often, people who suffer from dental anxiety or fear never go to the dentist, and then are faced with a lifetime of…
You might think of a root canal as being especially painful, but the truth is that most people who have one reported much less pain than they expected. In fact, many compare it to getting a crown or filling. Most importantly, the benefits to your oral health from a root canal can be huge. …
We have seven super foods for your oral health in our latest Personal Care Dentistry blog. From nuts to chocolate, these foods strengthen your teeth and gums, fight bacteria in your mouth, and scrub or wash away cavity-causing sugars. Eat or drink these super seven and you are bound to have a happier smile! Fruits…
If your gums bleed regularly when you brush your teeth, you may be suffering from the early stages of periodontal disease. The earliest stages of this disease of the gums causes inflammation of your gum tissue, followed by bleeding from your gums when you brush. If you don’t take care of periodontal disease, it can…
Americans love chewing gum. In fact, the average American chews more than 1.8 pounds of gum a year. But is all that chewing gum wrecking the oral health of millions of Americans, leaving them to deal with a lifetime of cavities and problems with their teeth? The answer is yes, if that gum is full…
Candy canes and chocolate are usual go-to items for stuffing Christmas stockings. This year, why not add some mouth-friendly items that will enhance your child or partner’s oral health and help brighten their smile? We have nine ideas for you this Christmas that are sure to light up the faces of the recipients. Chewing Gum…