Your dentist needs to know about your past or current illnesses and medication use. Some general health conditions and medications can affect your oral health, and your oral health can affect some general health conditions. Health History Dentists may ask you about your overall health, including conditions like these1: ▪heart or blood conditions ▪cancer ▪eating […]
A Mouthgaurd helps cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries. Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating—everything would suddenly be affected. Knowing how to prevent injuries to your mouth and face is especially important if […]
Fluoride helps fight “acid attacks” like the sugars you eat or drink, and some make acids that cause cavities. Who Can Benefit From Fluoride? Infants and children whose teeth are still developing When children eat food or drink beverages that contain fluoride, it is carried to teeth developing beneath the gums. Children and adults whose teeth […]
Do you clench your teeth when you are feeling stressed? Do your jaw muscles hurt? – Bruxism What Is Bruxism? Bruxism is a habit during which you grind your teeth or clench or thrust your jaw forward over and over again. This habit can affect your oral health. It can cause teeth to break or […]
Vaping, or use of electronic-cigarettes, is still pretty new, and the long-term health effects are relatively unknown. However, 2019 and 2020 reports of serious health problems developing after vaping, some requiring hospital stays for seizures and serious (even deadly) lung damage, have been headline news. What Is Vaping? Vaping looks a lot like smoking a […]
Your dentist has a number of options for relieving short-term dental pain. Tell your dentist about your level of dental pain and how long you have had it. Give a complete medical history including all the medications you are taking. Over-the-Counter Medications OTC pain-relief medications include acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen products, […]
Gum disease can sneak up on you if you don’t know what to look for. It starts out in a mild form called gingivitis, which rarely causes pain, so you’ll probably see the signs before you feel anything unusual about your gums. You might notice: ▪red, swollen gums or ▪bleeding after you brush or clean […]
How Do I Know Which Products Really Work? – ADA The American Dental Association (ADA) can help. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The Seal says that a dental product is safe and effective. Also, visit MouthHealthy.org or follow the ADA on social media. The ADA provides information on the science behind dental health […]
Choices for fillings has its pros and cons, and your dentist has choices available when fixing cavities. Amalgam You may have seen silver, or amalgam, fillings. These fillings are a mixture of mercury, silver, tin, copper, and very small amounts of other metals. Usually amalgam fillings are used on the chewing surfaces of the back […]
Dental X-rays can detect problems that would be missed by just looking in your mouth ▪an infection in your tooth or tooth root; ▪cavities between teeth or under fillings; ▪trouble with teeth and jaw development in children and teens who are getting their permanent teeth; ▪bone loss from severe gum disease. Sometimes x-rays are needed […]