Good oral hygiene practice consists of brushing and flossing daily to prevent cavities. However, it is not always easy to clean the nooks and cranny of your back teeth called molars. The uneven surfaces of your molars are ideal spots for tiny food particle to become lodge. The trapped food particles promote bacteria to thrive, increasing the chance of developing cavities. To reduce food particle from sticking between these tiny nooks and cranny, effectively sealing these surfaces can prevent the teeth from developing cavities. A dental sealant is a thin resin coating applied to the surfaces of the premolars and…

Do you ever wonder what qualifications your dentist has? It’s important to understand the extensive classroom and clinical education and licensing your dentist has obtained. Your dentist is the one who performs all the dental procedures and makes a diagnosis that affects your oral cavity. Dentists are responsible to care for your teeth, gums, neck and jaw, salivary glands, and nerves in the head and neck. On average, it takes 8 years after high school for a dentist to complete their education. Let’s take a closer look at what it takes to become a dentist!

Classroom and Clinical Education

After high school,…

Gum disease starts with inflammation of the gum line that supports the teeth. Gum line inflammation is caused by bacterial plague build up that infects the surrounding tissue. When plague build up is not removed from routine brushing and flossing, the plague will eventually form into a harden calculus. Prolong inflammation of the gum line can eventually progress to infect the bones that surrounds and supports the teeth. Gum disease can be classified into three progressive stages called gingivitis, periodontist, and advanced periodontitis, which ranges from mild to severe.

The Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontist

Gingivitis is defined as the inflammation of the gum line cause…

We brush our teeth and eat food daily. We know that the food we eat can affect our teeth. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay. But what are some foods that can change the color of your teeth? Here is a list of 10 foods that can turn your teeth a different color or stain your teeth. You will be surprised at some of the food on the list.

Ten Foods That Change Your Teeth Color

1. Coffee – Many people will brush their teeth in the mornings and then immediately grab a cup of coffee on their way to work. After…
   

New parents often wonder when their baby’s first tooth will appear. Baby’s first tooth usually emerges around 4 and 6 months of age. However, some infants don’t have their first tooth until 14 or 15 months old. It’s fascinating that baby’s teeth are already present in their jaws at birth. Typically, the first teeth to appear are the lower front teeth. By age 3, children should have a full set of 20 primary teeth. It’s also important to adequately care for your baby’s teeth.

Teething in Babies

The milestone of the first tooth erupting from the gums can be very uncomfortable for babies. This event…

Taking excellent care of your teeth at home does not eliminate the regular need to visit your dentist. But how often should you schedule a visit with your dentist? There is not one-defined timeframe that you should visit your dentist. On average, many people visit a dentist twice a year. Even if you have perfect oral health, during your dental visit you can get a cleaning and check up to ensure you’re on track. Your dentist can check for oral problems that you may not see or feel in the beginning stages. Many…

You would not think that using a toothpick would be bad for your teeth and gums. After all, it’s called a toothpick for a reason. Toothpicks work great as an old-fashioned cleaning tool to dislodge food stuck between your teeth. It’s probably one of the oldest dental cleaning instruments, dating back to pre-historic times. Toothpicks are a small thin stick that can be made of wood, plastic, bamboo, or even metal. However, frequent and forceful use of a toothpick can irritate and damage your teeth and gums.

What a Toothpick Is Not

Cleaning between the teeth is important for oral…

While dentures are an adequate replacement to your natural teeth, proper denture care is important for the health of your mouth and longevity of your dentures.

Your dentures are expensive prosthesis designed to fit properly inside your mouth. Dentures are common removable dental prosthesis that most people choose to replace their missing teeth. Since dentures can break easily, you want to be careful with them. Handle your denture over a soft towel to prevent denture from falling on hard surfaces when handling them. If you drop your dentures, they can be rinsed with water and clean with a soft…

The Anatomy Inside Your Mouth

While most people give little thought about their mouth, the mouth is a complex structure with many working parts to help you speak and eat. The mouth is more than just teeth and gums. The teeth are the most notable parts of your mouth, while the gums anchor the teeth to the jaw. The tongue is a complex muscle structure helping you chew, swallow, taste, and verbalize. Salivary glands on the floor of your mouth produce saliva to help chew and digest foods. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to keep every part of your mouth healthy for…

Many people have an issue with dry mouth. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition in which the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. There are different causes of dry mouth, ranging from side effects of certain medications and disease, nerve damage to the head and neck area, dehydration, smoking or chewing tobacco, or issues with aging to radiation type of therapies for cancer patients. Saliva serves an important factor in preventing tooth decay. Saliva can neutralize acids produced by bacteria, limiting bacterial growth and washing away food particles. Saliva…