For children and adults alike, Halloween means great fun, creative costumes, pumpkin carving, spooky decorations -- and lots and lots of candy. In fact, 25% of the U.S.’s entire annual candy sales are made around Halloween. Don’t let this holiday be a scary time for your teeth; follow these tips to keep your fangs healthy, happy and cavity-free! Tip #1: Choose healthier candies Avoid or cut down on sour, sticky, chewy and hard candies. Sour candies are high in acidity, which

Wish you had straighter teeth, but don’t want a mouth full of metal brackets and wires? Invisible aligners could be a great choice for you! Invisible aligners are a custom made series of snug-fitting clear aligners that gently straighten your teeth over the course of several months, and are virtually undetectable when worn. Who Can Use Invisible Aligners? Invisible aligners are an excellent option for older teens and adults. Children and younger teens are usually not good can

Beyond their picture-perfect appearance, an even smile is way more important for mouth health than you might think! Straight teeth provide the ideal conditions for oral health in so many different ways, and can have positive social and psychological impacts, too. Let’s take a deep dive into the many ways straight teeth benefit our health. Decreases the Risk of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease Straight teeth are easier to clean than crooked teeth, and an improperly cleaned mouth le

Gum disease may be very common and have quite serious and permanent consequences if left untreated, but it is also very treatable at nearly every stage! Thanks to modern dentistry, there are many treatment options that can halt the disease’s progress and even reverse it entirely. The treatment type your doctor will recommend depends on the stage of gum disease. Treatment For Early Stages (Gingivitis) Gingivitis is usually very easy to heal and eliminate with good oral hygiene

Did you know that 1 in 2 American adults have some stage of gum disease? Besides causing permanent tissue, bone and tooth loss if left untreated, gum disease is also linked to numerous other health issues throughout the body including heart and lung diseases, diabetes, stroke, dementia, and pregnancy complications. The good news is that gum disease is nearly entirely preventable with good oral hygiene and care, and usually can even be reversed with appropriate care and treat

Does your child have cavity prone teeth - or for that matter, do you? Our back molars are particularly susceptible to tooth decay settling into their many crevices, especially in children with developing teeth. And sometimes, even the most avid brushers and flossers simply have weaker tooth enamel, or higher susceptibility to the type of bacteria that causes cavities, or crooked or crowded teeth that are harder to clean. Fortunately, there is a simple and affordable treatment

Do you frequently have jaw pain, trouble chewing, or experience recurrent jaw clicking or popping? You may be suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) Disorder - a common condition that affects over 35 million people in the U.S. Often abbreviated TMD or TMJD, this disorder affects women more than men - in fact, about 90% of all TMJD sufferers are women in their childbearing years. A number of factors likely contribute to this imbalance, including: stress, hormonal differe

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

denture[ den-cher ] / ˈdɛn tʃər / noun an artificial replacement of one or several of the teeth (partial denture), or all of the teeth (full denture) of either or both jaws; dental prosthesis.1 When one sees the word “denture,” more likely than not what comes to mind is a full set of upper and lower artificial teeth in gum-colored base. But dentures actually come in many different types and forms, and can replace anywhere between one missing tooth and all the teeth on an arch

When a tooth is damaged beyond a simple filling repair, a dental crown can often save it and protect it from further damage, and/or improve its aesthetic appearance! But how exactly is a crown custom made and delivered to suit your smile? Let’s take a look at the dental crown procedure! The Dental Crown Procedure As with any dental treatment, an initial consultation is needed to determine that a crown is the ideal choice for you. We will also confirm that your tooth and surr

Did you know: Dental crowns have been used for thousands of years! There is evidence that ancient Etruscans used rudimentary gold tooth coverings to restore the shape and function of teeth - which is effectively still the purpose of dental crowns today. Crowns have evolved quite a bit since ancient times however, from placement and crafting techniques and technologies, to dental crown materials. How Does a Crown Restore A Tooth? Today, a dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” t

Cavities (aka dental caries or tooth decay) are one of the world’s most common diseases, with only the common cold beating it out. And because cavities attack dental enamel, which is the only part of the human body that cannot heal itself to any degree, the damage that cavities cause to our adult teeth is permanent. Fortunately, cavities are also nearly entirely preventable with good oral hygiene and care. As with any health issue, prevention is key, and the key to prevention

Calcium is essential for strong, healthy teeth and bones! And though we all know that milk and cheese are excellent sources of calcium, what if you are lactose intolerant, vegan, or simply don’t like the taste of dairy? Fortunately, there are plenty of calcium-rich foods that don’t contain a drop of milk, many of which are plant-based. The basic recommended daily intake (RDI) of calcium per day for adults is 1,000mg (1,200mg for women aged 51 years and older). The following f

Coffee, tea, red wine, cola, dark juices, tomato sauce, curry, balsamic vinegar, berries, beets, tobacco use: What do these have in common? They are all great at staining your teeth! Cutting down on your consumption might help curb the development of surface stains, but being proactive is far more effective for preventing teeth staining. Here are some tips! Use a straw to drink your favorite beverages - it greatly limits the amount of liquid that will come in contact with you

Dental anxiety is a common phenomenon, with an estimated 9-15% of American adults avoiding the dentist due to their fear. That is a staggering 30 to 40 million people! Over time, dental anxiety and fear can lead to oral health issues and increased need for treatment, lowering your quality of life. Take a look at these helpful strategies for reducing dental anxiety, and empower yourself to get the dental care you need and deserve! Identify Your Fears The first step to overcomi

It might stain your teeth, but red wine could offer oral health benefits that will give wine lovers something to smile about! A recent study suggests that polyphenols (micronutrients with antioxidant properties) found in red wine are effective in fighting three types of bacteria that are the main culprits for causing dental plaque, tooth decay and gum disease. The researchers involved in the study tested polyphenols from grape seeds, red wine extracts and red wine itself agai

“Baby teeth fall out anyway, so they’re not important.” ─ We hear this often, yet it couldn’t be further from the truth! Baby teeth, or primary teeth, serve as placeholders for adult teeth and play a very important role in a child’s physical, emotional and social development. Baby teeth aid a growing child in their: Health and Nutrition ─ Chewing requires teeth! - and also fosters good nutrition and aids digestion. If a child has dental pain due to cavities and is unable to p

It might sound too good to be true: Candy that’s good for your teeth? It’s true: there are a few types of candy that are actually great for your oral health! Chewing Gum can be great for your teeth - as long as it is sugarless gum. Chewing gum increases the production of saliva, which plays an essential role in neutralizing acids in the mouth and preventing bad breath and tooth decay. Gum with sugar would negate any positive effects, since the sugar would only provide a feast

When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, it sometimes must be removed in order to protect the health of a person’s surrounding teeth and overall oral health. Unfortunately, dental issues will not end simply because the problematic tooth is gone, unless the tooth is also soon replaced! A single missing tooth leads to a multitude of negative consequences throughout the mouth and body. Ability to Speak and Eat Properly Missing a tooth (or several) will affect our ability to

Got a sweet tooth? Keep your teeth (and your dentist!) happy with this simple and delicious “ice cream” recipe that provides plenty of sweet satisfaction with no added sugar. Now that’s something to smile about! 1-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream It doesn’t get any easier than this: all you need are bananas and a food processor, and just freeze and blend bananas for a deliciously cool and creamy treat! No added sugar, no chemical flavorings or additives, no guilt, 100% natural. Fo