DENTAL BLOGS

Do you know how much bacteria is in the human mouth? Estimates vary between 500 to 700 different species of bacteria, and between 6 million and 20 million microbes of bacteria in the mouth at any given time! Those billions of bacteria adhere to each other and to surfaces within the mouth – teeth, gums, inner cheeks, tongue, and form a complex, slimy, sticky substance called biofilm. Dental biofilm can actually aid oral health. Besides containing hundreds of varieties of both

Are you a daily coffee drinker? 64% of American adults are! In fact, Americans drink about 400 million cups of coffee every single day. All of that daily coffee consumption begs the question: What does drinking coffee do to our mouths? And, is coffee good or bad for oral health? The answer depends largely on how you drink your coffee. Are you a fan of americanos, frappuccinos, lattes, cappuccinos, or do you take your coffee black? Do you drink one or two cups of coffee in the

Got sensitive teeth? You’re not alone – an estimated 1 in 8 American adults have sensitive teeth that can make eating, drinking, and even brushing their teeth a painful experience. The causes of sensitive teeth can vary widely – from worn enamel, diseased or receding gums, exposed tooth roots, or damaged teeth (such as a dental cavity, or cracked or chipped teeth). The first step to finding relief for your sensitive teeth should always be to visit your dentist to determine th

February is American Heart Month! We all know that a healthy diet and regular exercise are great for a healthy heart, but here’s a lesser known fact: your oral health has a big impact on your heart health, too! People with periodontal (gum) disease may be two times more likely to develop heart disease compared with people with healthy gums. How are oral health and heart health linked? Two interconnected factors: inflammation and the spread of oral bacteria through the bloodst

Baby teeth may be temporary, but they are incredibly important! They play a big role in a growing child’s speech, digestion, and social development, and also serve as placeholders that help guide adult teeth into their correct positions. And because they’re so important to a young child’s health and development, it is very important to prevent cavities in baby teeth. WHAT IS BABY BOTTLE TOOTH DECAY? Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is called baby bottle tooth decay (also c

Do you use an electric toothbrush or a regular one? Does one type seem like it cleans your teeth better than the other? The truth is that both manual and electric toothbrushes are great at cleaning your teeth effectively, as long as they are used properly! That said, there are several pros and cons that may make one type a better choice for you over the other. Let’s take a look! Manual Toothbrush Pros: Affordable and easy to replace - Standard toothbrushes are widely availabl

Do you ever feel self conscious about your breath? Bad breath happens to everyone at some point or another, but chronic bad breath (aka halitosis, or oral malodor) is a glaring warning sign that you need to make some changes to your oral health routine! Common Causes of Bad Breath The first step to getting rid of chronic bad breath is to figure out what is causing it. Sometimes the cause is obvious, such as not brushing or flossing daily. But sometimes the cause of chronic ba

Have you ever seen white-ish or yellow-ish lumps that look like they are embedded in the back of your throat? These are likely tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths), which are hardened deposits of debris and bacteria buildup in the craggy crevices of the tonsils. Tonsil stones are fairly common, and often treatable at home. Causes of Tonsil Stones Tonsil stones form when bacteria and material like dead cells, food debris, mucus and saliva get trapped in the tonsil crypts

How has life changed for you in the past 18 months? Have there been any changes to your daily routines and habits? From lockdowns and temporary closures to working from home and stay-at-home orders, we have all felt the far reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has changed many aspects of our daily lives -- including our oral health routines. Let’s take a look at some statistics. It goes without saying that people’s daily routines changed during the pandemic. B

Do you floss before or after brushing? Which one should you do first? This was actually a topic of much good-natured debate among dentists for a long time. But one thing all dentists always agreed on was that it wasn’t the order that mattered so much as doing both every day! Recently, a small 2018 study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that flossing first had better results! So, why exactly is flossing-then-brushing better than the opposite order? From the stu

You’ve just received your new set of custom-made dentures, and are eager to have back your old (or improved!) smile -- congratulations! Like getting a new pair of stiff leather boots, dentures take a bit of adjustment, or “breaking in” time. It’s normal to experience some discomfort as one gets used to new dentures, but it won’t last forever. With a bit of practice, patience and care, soon enough you will be smiling, eating, and speaking with ease and confidence again! Feel a

We live in a world of choices, with a glut of options in everything from restaurants to streaming subscriptions and even to toothbrushes! Here are a few simple factors that will help you choose the right toothbrush for you: 1) Always Choose a Soft Bristled Toothbrush. Though toothbrushes also come with medium and hard bristles, most dentists agree that a soft bristled toothbrush is the way to go. Soft bristles offer less risk of damage to gums, gum recession, and worn tooth e