Denture wearers primarily rely on their “alveolar ridges” (the bony crests in upper and lower jaws that contain the tooth sockets) to hold their lower dentures in place. In some cases, however, due to bone “resorption,” the alveolar ridge may shrink to the point where their lower dentures “float” and move while chewing. Increasingly, dental
read moreRegular dental checkups and conscientious oral care at home can pay big overall health dividends. The latest evidence of these benefits comes from a study’s finding that “acute coronary syndrome” (sudden blockage in the blood supply to the heart) is 2.7 times more likely among those with infections at the tip of a tooth root,
read morePostmenopausal women may find that they are more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth loss as a consequence of falling estrogen levels during menopause. As declining hormone levels increase (post)menopausal women’s risk of developing the bone-thinning disease known as “osteoporosis,” decreasing bone density in the jaw bones gives rise to a higher likelihood of tooth
read moreWhen chewing or tapping on a tooth causes it to feel tender, it may be a sign of “apical periodontitis,” inflammation at the root’s tip that is most often caused by tooth decay. To relieve the pain and treat the underlying infection, patients undergo “root canal” (or “endodontic”) treatment, during which the inflamed or infected
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