Teeth play a significant role in our digestive system. They are the first to come into contact with food and grind it up for you. But teeth can also have sensitivities to cold and hot foods. For example, you might bite into an ice cream only to feel a searing […]
Beverages that have a low pH — meaning they are more acidic — have the potential to wear away tooth enamel over time, particularly when consumed often and in large quantities. Regular water has a pH of 7, which is neutral. Coffee measures about 5, lemon juice about 2 and stomach […]
While not a replacement for daily brushing and flossing, use of mouthrinse (also called mouthwash) may be a helpful addition to the daily oral hygiene routine for some people. Like interdental cleaners, mouthrinse offers the benefit of reaching areas not easily accessed by a toothbrush. The question of whether to […]
ADA home oral care recommendations are based on data from clinical studies and systematic reviews. While general recommendations may adequately address the needs for many patients, a dentist may tailor home oral care recommendations to fit the individual patient’s needs and wants, focusing on a personalized approach to treatment and […]
Cannabis is a genus of annual flowering plants found in temperate zones around the world, with a long history of use for industrial, recreational and medicinal purposes. The use of cannabis, particularly marijuana smoking, has been associated with poor quality of oral health. Leukoedema is more common among cannabis users […]
Many parents opt to have their teenagers’ wisdom teeth removed, frequently before they go off to college, and often even before the teeth start to cause trouble — and while the child is still covered by parental health insurance. Experts say the teeth should come out when they’re coming in […]
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. You might notice red, swollen gums or bleeding after you brush […]
Breastfeeding is one of the first (and most personal) decisions a mother makes for her baby. It can help your baby’s body fight infections and reduce health risks like asthma, ear infections, SIDS and obesity in children. Nursing moms may lower their chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer. But […]
A regular dental checkup is important year-round, but a back-to-school checkup is key in fighting the most common chronic disease found in school-age children: cavities. In fact, dental disease causes children to miss more than 51 million school hours each year. Even though going back to school looks a little […]
Acute pain is pain that is provoked by disease or injury, and is associated with musculoskeletal spasm and nervous system activation. While acute pain often resolves, pain that lasts longer than 3 months is considered to be chronic. Acute orofacial pain can result from pathological conditions, underlying disease processes, and/or […]