Author: Eileen McGovern

Medical professionals are finding more links between oral health and overall health. Believe it or not, lactose intolerance and dairy allergies can affect your teeth and your dental visits. What Is Lactose Sensitivity? The word “sensitivity” means different things to different people. Some people use “allergy” and “sensitivity” interchangeably. Technically, an allergy is an immune…Read More »

Are you considering purchasing an electric toothbrush? If you’ve always used a manual brush, you may wonder what benefits a power toothbrush offers. Our tips can help you make that buying decision and get the tool that works best for you. Conventional Toothbrushes The standard toothbrush works with the movement of your hand and forearm…Read More »

Gum tissue bleeds when it is inflamed. Such is the case in patients who have gum disease—either gingivitis (early-stage) or periodontitis (advanced). When plaque builds up, the bacteria can cause redness, swelling, bleeding, and eventually tooth loss. Mild bleeding that occasionally results from flossing is usually nothing to be concerned about. But if your gums…Read More »

There is no history as to when wisdom teeth began to be known by that term. Linguists, who study word origins, believe that because these are the last teeth to appear and so much later than our adult teeth, that we are considered mature or “wiser.” Most people develop one or more of their four…Read More »

Appearances are more important in business and in personal attraction than ever before. There have been numerous studies about job applicants with similar resumes. The applicant that is perceived to be more attractive usually gets the job offer. Perceptions of attractiveness include straight teeth and a perfect smile. For this and many other reasons, it…Read More »

Your mouth hurts. You have a toothache. But there is no inflammation or discharge at the base of the tooth, just pain so insistent you cannot think about anything else. Chances are you do not have a tooth infection, but a sinus infection causing tooth pain. How Can a Sinus Infection Be Causing Tooth Pain?…Read More »

Fifty years ago when you visited your dentist for a filling, there were only two choices available: a gold or silver amalgam. While not particularly cosmetic, metal tooth fillings were durable and the amalgam relatively inexpensive. Concerns over the possibility of toxins leaching from the amalgam over time, however, prompted further development of substances to…Read More »

How Silver Foil Improved America’s Dental Health Early 20th century scientists were trying to discover the cause of extensive tooth staining in residents who lived near a bauxite factory (today known as Alcoa Aluminum). They discovered that their water supply contained high amounts of fluoride (a byproduct that occurred while processing bauxite). While unsightly, those…Read More »

70 is the new 50. We are living longer and appearing more youthful and vibrant than our grandparents at the same age. Therefore it is especially important to continue sound oral health practices into our senior years. Dental care for seniors is essential to maintain or to regain one’s vitality. Now more than ever it…Read More »

Flossing is an integral part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Flossing regularly in addition to brushing twice a day is effective at keeping plaque and tartar buildups to a minimum. But what about those back teeth that you just can’t seem to reach? Do you have problems reaching into the back of your…Read More »

It is understood that regular care is required to ensure tooth and mouth health. But for some individuals with certain health problems, an extra attentive regimen is needed to prevent possible damage. One medical condition that requires such special attention is diabetes. It is possible to prevent diabetic dental damage but first one must understand…Read More »

Brushing your tongue is an underutilized dental practice that will likely alleviate any bad breath issues and lead to even better dental checkups. The importance of brushing one’s tongue is overlooked by most of us for one reason or another: either it triggers a gag reflex, or we are unaware of it, or we think…Read More »

Bad breath is an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. We often worry about our bad breath offending others, and certainly never want to be its recipient! Yet our primary cause for concern, however, should be about the causes of bad breath and what it means to maintain our oral health. Everyone has bad breath from time…Read More »

Loss of tooth structure or enamel is called tooth erosion. It is a serious dental condition as tooth erosion is permanent; however, it is also avoidable. We know to brush after meals, but did you know that food containing vinegar, such as salad dressing and pickles, are corrosive to your enamel? Highly acidic foods such…Read More »

You bite into or sip a favorite treat and cause extreme nerve pain which makes enjoying these food items impossible. There are several reasons for this pain: receding gums, cracked or worn teeth or a broken filling. Our teeth become very sensitive when a nerve is exposed.  When experiencing this type of pain, be sure…Read More »

Here are some facts about teeth you may not know about; some are entertaining however, most will help you keep your pearly whites in top shape.  Too much fluoride can be bad for your teeth. In the 1950s fluoride was believed to make our teeth harder and more decay resistant. Problem is it is now…Read More »

Do you ever feel as though your mouth is not making enough saliva to swallow or speak easily?  Nearly everyone has experienced this unusual sensation. However for those who experience dry mouth frequently, the condition may be a symptom of other health issues. Dry Mouth Causes and What to Do About It Occasional dry mouth…Read More »

You should know that oral health is closely linked to the health of your entire body. Tooth and mouth decay not only lead to oral health problems but are also a symptom of deeper nutritional problems. Simply put: good teeth = sound health. Most Americans think we eat a healthy diet; however, this may not…Read More »

Sometimes the first time someone learns they have Bruxism (nocturnal teeth grinding) is from their mate as it occurs during sleep. Sufferers may have experienced this nighttime habit throughout their lives, however. Teeth grinding has many causes: an abnormal bite, crooked teeth, even anxiety or sleep apnea may be behind this malady. Grinding your teeth…Read More »

Fact:  If you want to keep your teeth, you must pay attention to the health of your gums. Healthy gums snug up to our teeth, helping to keep them in place. A receding gum line occurs when gums start to pull away from the teeth.  If you notice this is happening in your mouth, don’t…Read More »

Professional athletes would not leave the locker room without them, even race car drivers consider them an important part of their uniform.  What protective gear is this?  Mouth guards. Mouth guards should be worn by everyone at every age who participates in contact sports.  These include wrestling, boxing, lacrosse, basketball, field and ice hockey, football,…Read More »

Having a healthy mouth is important at all stages in life. In addition to brushing and flossing daily and eating right, taking supplements can give your teeth and gums a boost toward supporting oral health. You didn’t know that there are vitamins you can take for your teeth? Some may already be part of your…Read More »

It is a common question for dentists: How often should one brush their teeth? Actually, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) it is not the number of times you brush, but how you brush that matters to maintain your dental health. So gentle brushing more than twice a day may not cause dental problems,…Read More »

Strong healthy teeth are a sign of youth and vitality. Once lost, it is beyond the financial reach of most of us to have a cosmetic dentist give us something to smile about again. As children we learn the importance of developing sound dental hygiene practices. These are meant to be carried out for the…Read More »

There is a reason that Show and Tell is a popular game with very young children. Children are superb mimics. When you want your child to learn a good behavior or sound habit, be sure to practice what you are preaching. When they are very young, let them watch you brush your teeth. They will…Read More »

If your dentist has recommended dental crowns, it’s important to understand what they are and how they will benefit your teeth before proceeding with treatment. Crowns are tooth-shaped synthetic caps placed on top of a tooth that conceals visible area of a tooth above the gums. They serve many functions, helping to secure weak, broken…Read More »

If you are unhappy with your teeth, it can affect both your personal and professional life. To greatly improve your smile, dental bonding may be the best corrective option. Bonding is a relatively inexpensive cosmetic technique which is often completed in just one single treatment with little to no preparation. Bonding helps correct or mask…Read More »

Imagine that you’re having your routine dental cleaning and your dentist mentions that your wisdom teeth are growing in. Don’t panic. Erupting wisdom teeth is typical for teenagers and adults ages seventeen to twenty-five, and is considered somewhat of a rite of passage. And believe it or not, removing wisdom teeth is not always necessary….Read More »

When it comes to your child’s well-being, oral health matters. Early childhood dental visits are essential in preventing cavities, tooth decay and other dental problems. In fact, parents are advised to bring their children to the dentist within six months of their first grown tooth or as early as their first birthday. Why see a…Read More »