If your child grinds their teeth during the night, you might be concerned about how the problem affects their dental health in the future. Your concern may increase if you can’t figure out why your loved one grinds their teeth in the first place. One of the possible reasons for your child’s teeth grinding is stress. Here’s how stress may potentially lead to bruxism and what you can do to address both.…
Read More »If you have stained teeth, then you can speak with a dental professional about options to whiten your smile. When you talk with a cosmetic dentist, you may learn about traditional and laser whitening options. During the explanation, you may learn that it is wise to go through the treatment only about once every three to six months. If you drink a lot of coffee, tea, or wine, then you may notice that your teeth become stained soon after the treatment is over.…
Read More »Whether you have a fear of going to the dentist, spent a few years without dental insurance, or simply procrastinated, when you haven’t been to the dentist in years it can be scary to make that initial appointment. It’s important to keep in mind that no matter how long you’ve gone in between cleanings, your dentist has probably seen much worse and will simply be happy you’ve finally come in. The sooner you make that appointment, the sooner you can have any potential issues diagnosed.…
Read More »Receding gums can affect the appearance of your smile and sensitivity of your teeth. When your gums recede, the root of the tooth – which is not protected by hard enamel – becomes exposed. If you have noticed increased tooth sensitivity near your gum line, it’s important to talk to your dentist. They can help discover the cause of your receding gums and hopefully help you stop the recession before it gets worse.…
Read More »If you grew up in the 1980s, you may remember the public service announcement about dental care featuring the animated character “Yuck Mouth” scampering around with horrible-looking teeth. Maybe the ad scared you into taking care of your teeth. On the other hand, it may have had the opposite effect and compounded negative associations you already had about dental care. For many people, childhood dental phobias spill over into adulthood. In fact, up to 15 percent of adults in the United States fear going to the dentist.…
Read More »If you have a connective tissue disease (or suspect that you might), such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or osteogenesis imperfecta, you likely have dental problems. Without collagen—the glue that holds our cells together—gums can be fragile and teeth can be malformed or missing. Due to these types of dental problems, some people with connective tissue disorders seek out cosmetic dental treatments. Unfortunately, connective tissue disorders can cause problems when getting dental treatment, or any surgery for that matter.…
Read More »For many Americans dealing with periodontal disease or other dental conditions that can cause tooth loss, dental implants provide a path back to health. Unlike removable bridges and dentures, these implants quickly integrate into your bone to become a part of your dental structure, and with a 98 percent success rate, they’re generally a good investment in your health. However, the success of these implants largely depends on the strength of the jaw bone anchoring them into place.…
Read More »If you’re a diabetic, you already know that the condition affects your body from head to toe. You’re at risk for things like blindness, foot problems, heart disease, and nerve damage. However, you may not realize that you’re also at risk for dental problems like endodontal disease (inflammation or infection of the pulp inside your teeth). Not only are these infections a problem for your mouth, they can also adversely affect your condition.…
Read More »Do you brush and floss your teeth daily, but still find that your breath smells notably foul? Persistent bad breath is not just an annoying problem that makes you feel self-conscious. Oftentimes, it is a sign of a more serious issue. If your bad breath is not abated with thorough brushing and a rinse with mouthwash, make an appointment with your dentist to see which of these possible explanations apply:…
Read More »Tooth avulsions aren’t common in youth sports, but children who play a contact sport could lose a tooth during a game, match, or meet. Whether a lost tooth can be saved depends on what’s done in the moments after it’s dislodged—before it can be taken to an emergency dentist and even before an ambulance has time to arrive. If you coach a youth sports team, here’s what you should immediately do if one of your players ever loses a permanent tooth.…
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