The 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
read moreWhile the dentist’s primary objective is to preserve teeth, some conditions and circumstances dictate that a tooth must be extracted. Causes include infection, crowding, and impaction. Whatever the reason, for a simple extraction, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic beforehand. After the extraction, the initial healing period typically takes one to two weeks.
read moreWhen white patches appear on the tongue or inner cheek, it may be an indication of a “thrush” infection caused by the candida fungus (yeast). While small amounts of the candida fungus are present in the mouths, digestive tracts, and skin of most healthy individuals, they are normally kept in check by other microorganisms and
read moreAs sales of tooth-whitening products in the United States have risen by 300 percent since 1996, Americans’ desire for pearly whites goes unabated. However, there has been a downside to this fondness for white teeth that leads increasing numbers of women in particular to become so obsessed with tooth-whitening that it has become an integral part of
read moreGrinding one’s teeth at night (“bruxism”) not only produces a disconcerting noise for anyone within earshot, but it also wears down tooth enamel. On top of that, bruxism may lead to shifting of teeth and weakening of underlying bone to the point where it can contribute to periodontal (gum) disease. To prevent these adverse effects, the dentist
read moreMissing teeth is one of the most common developmental problems in children, with permanent teeth being more likely to be among the missing than primary teeth. This inherited tendency often involves lateral incisors, second premolars, and third molars. When a missing tooth creates a gap in the dental arch, not only does this present a problem in terms
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