Non-Prescription Doesn't Mean Non-Hazardous Most patients know that doctor-prescribed medication is pretty serious stuff. But if you can buy it at the drug store, how much of a problem could it be? More than you'd think. Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol) routinely risks acute liver disease–more so than alcohol or hepatitis. Long-term use of pain relievers [...]
Common Problems of the Oral Cavity Most people associate dentistry with teeth. But the fact is, our focus is on the continued good health of your entire mouth–the oral cavity, as we dentists call it. The Tongue It's a highly helpful indicator of what may be going right–or wrong–inside the mouth. A smooth, or red [...]
Have Confidence and Smile Wide! Several aspects of the teeth, lips, and mouth combine to create the overall aesthetic of a smile. The smile line should have a slight curve to the upper teeth, following the curve of the lower lip. The teeth themselves should not be crowded or have gaps, and men's teeth are [...]
Who's at Risk for Tooth Trauma? Accidents can happen at any time, but being aware of especially high-risk activities can encourage us to take the proper precautions and help avoid tooth trauma. The greatest number of injuries to teeth occur in children between ages 1 to 2 and 7 to 10. The first age group [...]
How Bad is it? Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. The diabetes epidemic affects more than 29 million Americans, and 7 million of those don't know they have it. It is marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defective insulin production, function, or both. The symptoms of [...]
Brushing Your Tongue Helps Freshen Breath With all the mints, mouthwash, chewing gum and other cover-ups available, there are many ways to freshen your breath. But, if you consistently suffer from halitosis, you might be forgetting an easy way to combat odor-causing bacteria... cleaning your tongue! It makes perfect sense if you think about it, [...]
Is TMJ causing my pain? TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. Located just in front of the ear, it is the joint that connects your lower jaw to the rest of your head, allowing the jaw to move freely while biting, chewing, and speaking. Problems related to the TMJ can affect jaw muscles, teeth, and nerves [...]
Seemingly Temporary and Dispensable, Baby Teeth Play an Important Role Why do we have two sets of teeth? Initially, the jaw is too small for a full set of adult teeth. Baby teeth serve their purpose just till the jaw develops enough room for adult teeth to form and push them out. This usually begins [...]
Are You Trying to Give up Nicotine? Nicotine continues to be popular with teens and young adults, and there are more ways to become addicted than ever before. Cigarettes and chewing tobacco remain, while e-cigarettes and vaporizers are now available in tempting flavors. We all know about the numerous side effects tobacco and/or nicotine can [...]
Women Encounter More Challenges to Their Oral Health A woman's oral health is often directly related to her stage of life. Changes in hormone levels during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause all impact the chemistry of what's going on in her mouth. It is important for everyone to practice good habits of brushing, flossing, [...]
