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 […]
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 […]
Playing sports is a great way for your kids to get exercise and socialize with their peers. As much fun as a new sport may be for your little one, young athletes are at a higher risk for sports-related injuries. With fall sports in full swing, protecting your child’s teeth […]
Water flossing is a way to clean between and around your teeth. A water flosser is a handheld device that sprays streams of water in steady pulses. The water, like traditional floss, removes food from between teeth. Water flossers that have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance have been tested […]
Dry mouth—also called xerostomia—results from an inadequate flow of saliva. It is not a disease, but a symptom of a medical disorder or a side effect of certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics and many others. Saliva is the mouth’s primary defense against tooth decay and maintains […]
If you were to walk into a dentist’s office, you might find a great divide between people who are against the use of fluoride treatments and those who wish to have them. But many of the arguments against fluoride are rooted in a fear of how it was first discovered […]