Archive for March, 2019

You have probably found yourself grinding or clenching your teeth sometimes. Grinding your teeth occasionally does not usually cause any harm.  But grinding your teeth on a regular basis, also known as bruxism, can damage them and lead to other oral or dental complications.  Teeth grinding can be a result of stress and anxiety or an abnormal bite or crooked teeth.  It often occurs during sleep and can be caused by sleep apnea, which is a sleep disorder.

Since grinding your teeth usually occurs when you’re asleep, many people don’t even know that they grind their teeth.  Having a dull, constant headache or sore jaw when you…

Many kids growing up and even some adults wear braces to fix teeth that are crooked, too close or far apart, and under- or overbites.  Properly taking care of your braces will lead to more comfort and efficacy.  Not caring for your braces can cause not only damages to your braces, but also gum inflammation and cavities.  To keep your gums and teeth healthy while wearing braces, let’s discuss some ways to care for your braces!

Brushing and Flossing

Even if you don’t have braces, bushing and flossing is integral for a healthy mouth.  But having braces, it is even more important to brush and floss…

A dental crown is recommended by a dentist when a tooth is severely cracked, decayed, or damaged. Dental crowns are restorative prosthetics made to restore a tooth to its natural shape, size, function, and aesthetics. Crowns are custom made to fit over a tooth to protect teeth weaken by decay, prevent cracked teeth from breaking further, and support tooth with large fillings. A crown permanently covers the above gum line portion of a tooth, and replaces the worn or damaged crown of a natural tooth but can extend onto the root.  Let’s take a look at how a dental crown is fitted and what it is made…

You wake up and brush your teeth first thing in the morning and brush your teeth again right before going to bed.  But have you ever wondered if you are brushing your teeth correctly?  Properly brushing your teeth and using the appropriate techniques will ensure that your teeth are being cleaned appropriately.  Inadequate brushing will leave plaque build-up and improperly brushing can damage your teeth and gums.  Here we will review the proper technique to brushing your teeth and some tips to help your teeth stay healthy!

Proper Brushing Technique

1. Place a small amount of toothpaste on the bristles of your toothbrush.
2. Start on the…
   

Many people go to the dentist and receive news that they have cavities, but don’t fully understand how cavities form.  Cavities are among the world’s most common health problems in children, teenagers, and older adults. Let’s take a closer look at what causes cavities and how they form.

Cavities Formation

Cavities are also called caries.  Cavities are permanent damaged areas in the enamel of your teeth that develop into tiny openings. Left untreated, cavities can get larger and go beyond the enamel affecting deeper layers of the teeth.  This can lead to severe toothache, infection, and tooth loss.  Cavities are caused by tooth decay and occur over time.   Tooth…

New parents are often unsure of when to take a child to their first dental visit.  Here, we discuss when the optimal time is for you to take your child to their first visit with a dentist and what to expect during the first appointment.

Timing of Visit

A child’s first visit to the dentist should be about 6 months after their first tooth erupts in the mouth, according to the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.  The first visit should take place by 1 year old and no later than 2 years of age.  Waiting longer than 2 years will…

Gingivitis, also known as gum inflammation, is a common mild form of gum disease and occurs before full onset of periodontal disease.  But not all gingivitis progresses to major oral disease. Gingivitis presents with irritation, redness, and swelling of the gums, especially the part of the gum around the teeth or gingiva. The main cause of gingivitis is plaque build up around the gingiva.  Other contributing factors include bad habits such as smoking, poor oral hygiene, and family history of dental diseases.

Plaque and Tartar

Plaque can lead to gingivitis by first forming on your teeth.  Plaque is a sticky film of mainly bacteria that accumulates on your teeth when starches…

You have probably skipped flossing a few days out of the week. Flossing can be an annoying task to do daily.  Every time you visit your dentist, you are reminded how to floss and to floss everyday.  To floss properly, use about a 12 – 18 inch piece of floss and wrap each end around your middle fingers. Holding the floss between your thumb and forefingers, slide a clean section of floss between your teeth while gently pulling the floss to one side creating a C shape around a tooth.  Slide the floss up and down to remove the plaque, doing the same to the…

When thinking of ways to promote gut health, we usually think of using probiotics, eating a balanced diet, or keeping hydrated.  Oral health probably did not even cross your mind.   But the fact is oral health is very important in maintaining a healthy gut.  Keep in mind, everything that goes through the digestive system starts from the mouth.  Recognizing the link between your mouth and gut can help you better understand how oral health can lead to having gut health.

The Oral and Gut Microbiomes

The mouth and gut has a microbial community called the “microbiome,” which is a balance of over 300-700 different types of good and…

We use medications almost every day to help alleviate headaches and even manage chronic diseases.  But have you ever stopped to wonder how these drugs affect your teeth and gums, or if they do at all? Let’s take a look at how your oral health can be affected by some medications.

Teeth Discoloration

Three drugs that can change the color of teeth are tetracycline, minocycline and chlorhexidine.  Tetracyclines are antibiotics that can cause yellowish permanent stains on developing teeth in children.  Since teeth development starts even before birth, pregnant women should avoid taking tetracyclines to prevent the drug from staining the unborn baby’s teeth.  Children are susceptible…