Today, we usually take it for granted that having a cavity filled at the dentist’s office is a relatively quick, painless, and effective means of keeping tooth decay in check and preserving overall health. However, it certainly wasn’t always that way. When scientists recently examined the 14,000-year-old skeleton of a caveman, who was discovered by
read moreTea, the second most consumed drink in the world, is brimming with antioxidants that are linked with a number of health benefits, including protecting against cardiovascular disease and a number of cancers. However, tea also contains natural compounds called “tannins” that make it taste bitter and also stain teeth. If tea-stained teeth are a problem,
read moreWhile snoring used to be regarded as nothing more than a noisy habit, it’s now known that snoring may be a symptom of a potentially unhealthy sleep problem. “Sleep apnea” has been linked to high blood pressure and heart problems. Snoring is a sign of a narrowed space either in the nasal passages or at
read moreAs dentists increasingly screen their patients for medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, many health professionals are calling for dentists to also conduct dental screenings for drug misuse. For many patients, a visit to the dentist is the only interaction they have with a medical professional. If these patients (and others) display dental
read moreAs dentists increasingly screen their patients for medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, many health professionals are calling for dentists to also conduct dental screenings for drug misuse. For many patients, a visit to the dentist is the only interaction they have with a medical professional. If these patients (and others) display dental
read moreThe first sign you might have that the enamel on your teeth is beginning to erode is the pain felt after drinking or eating a hot or cold liquid or food. This pain is due to exposure of the sensitive “dentin” layer that makes up the majority of the tooth beneath the outer layer of
read moreWhile tobacco products pose a known risk for oral cancer and other types of cancer and disease, cigars are often regarded as being safer than cigarettes. After all, cigarettes are packaged with a warning label while cigars are more ceremoniously wrapped, packaged, and smoked. However, the National Institutes of Health reveals that a cigar emits as
read moreNot only is it important to brush and floss daily, but it is also necessary to brush and floss at the right times. For instance, it is sometimes better to brush and floss before breakfast than after. Brushing before eating removes plaque that would otherwise interact with food sugars to produce enamel-eating acids. However, drinking
read moreIt is strongly suggested that pregnant women schedule a prenatal visit with the dentist since hormonal changes related to pregnancy make women particularly prone to gum disease (gingivitis). Women who already have gingivitis will likely find that their gums will become increasingly more inflamed, especially if they do not receive treatment. It should also be
read moreGum disease is an unexpected complication of diabetes. If left untreated, “gingivitis” (inflammation of the gums) can progress to “periodontitis,” at which point the gums pull away from the teeth to form deepening pockets that collect bacteria and threaten the health of teeth and underlying bone. These gum problems largely stem from the fact that those
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