Archive for December, 2019

Remembering to schedule a checkup visit with your dentist is important. But it is also a good thing to know and understand some of the dental vocabulary you come across when at the dental office. Since it’s the end of the year, let’s take some time to review some common vocabulary terms and definitions used in a dental offices. This will help you become more familiar with different terms and understanding of different dental concepts. This is part 2 of the list of common dental terms and their…

It is recommended that you visit your dentist at least two times a year. Every time during your checkup, there are probably some dental jargon that you hear and do not know what it means. Since it’s the end of the year, let’s take some time to review some common vocabulary words and definitions used in a dental offices. This will help you become more familiar with different terms and understanding of different dental concepts. This is part 1 of the list of common dental terms with their…

The chewing of non-food items has been very popular in human history. A primitive form of chewing gum made of tree resin was very popular in ancient Egypt. Now days you can find a variety of chewing gums at your local grocery store and gas station. Chewing gums come in a variety of colors, shapes, and flavors. Traditionally chewing gums were sweetened with sugar, which contribute to dental caries. Today, however, many chewing gums are sweetened with sugar substitutes. Chewing gums that are free of sugars do not have detrimental effects on promoting tooth decay. Gum…

From the moment our first baby tooth erupts and falls out, our mouth is exposed to various external environmental factors. The environmental and genetics affect our oral health as we age. Damage to the oral cavity such as teeth, and the structure that supports the teeth can have a detrimental effect on our quality of life. Tooth infections can lead to infection of the surrounding tissues and in the most severe case cause systemic wide infection. For this reason, chronic oral infection is well recognized health issue, particularly among older adults. The quality of life for ageing adults can severely be impact by tooth…

What are tonsil stones?

Tonsil stones are formed when food debris or bacteria gets lodge in the tiny cervices on your tonsils. The back of the throat has gland like structures made of tissues with cells that fight off infections. These cells fight off infections by trapping and destroying bacteria. When debris starts to turn hard, a tonsil stone is formed. Tonsil stones can appear as a white or yellowish mass. Tonsil stones don’t always irritate the tonsil or throat, but the odor can be unpleasant and can be a source of bad breath.

Common symptoms…

During the cold weather, a cup of coffee in the morning taste and feels so good – especially for coffee lovers. There are many people who just love coffee. A good cup of coffee can help wake you up in the morning and make you feel more alert. But coffee lovers, beware; coffee stains teeth. Coffee drinkers can have yellowish colored teeth making smiles not as attractive. Understanding how coffee stains and yellows teeth can help coffee drinkers know why. There are also different ways to help limit coffee stains on teeth.

What Makes Coffee Stain Teeth?

Your teeth are made of an outer layer, known…

Now, the baby boomers generation is between the ages of 55 and 75 years of age and many are considered seniors or are over the age of 65 years. Many seniors have medical coverage to assist with any health and medical expenses that occur. Additionally, seniors also have dental care coverage as part of their health insurance coverage. This is especially important for seniors because as we age our bodies change, and our mouths are no exception. Because of the advances in dental medicine, many older people today are able to retain many…

Periodontal disease is caused by infection by invasive oral bacterial pathogens. These bacteria form dental plaque biofilms on the tooth surfaces that triggers an immune response. The persistent immune response causes the gums to become inflamed, eventually leading to gum recession and bone loss. The end result of periodontal disease is tooth loss if the disease is left untreated. To treat periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend dental scaling and root planning as the first line of defense. Scaling and root planning is…

Gum enlargement or gingival hyperplasia can be painful and can affect your oral health. Gum enlargement is cause by overgrowth of the gum tissue. Several health issues can cause gum enlargement. Gum enlargement can be cause by three common problems 1.) gum inflammation, 2.) medication, and 3.) genetics.

1. Gum inflammation induced enlargement

Gum inflammation is a common reason for the gums to become enlarged. Enlarged gum inflammation is likely cause by plaque or other infections. The enlargement may be localized to a specific area of the gum. When bacteria infect the gums,…

Do you snore loud, have morning headaches, or wake up frequently in the night? If so, then you may have a condition known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be a potentially serious disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The main types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form and occurs when the throat muscles relax. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send proper signals to the muscles that help control breathing. Complex sleep apnea…