Blog

Good nutrition is essential for good health and that includes the health of your teeth. Learn more about the link between your diet and your oral health. How does my diet affect my oral health? Tooth decay and cavities are caused by acid that is pro- duced by interactions between oral bacteria and food deposits left on your teeth. Certain foods, especially sugary, starchy and sticky snacks, are linked to higher levels of such acid-causing Read more…

More than 5 million teeth are knocked out each year in sports-related injuries but many of them can be prevented by wearing a properly fitted mouthguard. What is a mouthguard? A mouthguard is a flexible appliance that is worn during athletic and recreational activities to prevent injuries to the mouth and face, such as split lips, broken teeth and jaw fractures. When should I wear a mouthguard? You should wear a mouthguard whenever there is Read more…

If you lose or break a tooth, a dental implant may be the best option for restoring your smile. Read on to learn more about dental implants and whether they are right for you. What is a dental implant? A dental implant is a post, usually made of titanium, that serves as a substitute for a natural tooth’s root. The implant is placed in the jawbone so that it may fuse with the natural bone Read more…

Flossing your teeth is an integral part of a good oral health regimen; however, many people don’t spend enough time flossing, or they don’t floss at all. By flossing just once a day, you can decrease your risk of gum disease and increase your chances of maintaining good oral health throughout your lifetime. Children’s teeth should be flossed as soon as they have two teeth that touch each other. Why should I floss? Toothbrushing cleans Read more…

The loss of tooth enamel due to acid erosion and acid wear is a growing epidemic. A 2012 study found that 22 percent of U.S. adults say they experience acid erosion, which can cause tooth sensitivity, transparency, discoloration and more. To help patients better understand the causes, symptoms and effects of acid erosion, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) — in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare — has compiled this fact sheet about the importance Read more…

Xerostomia, more commonly known as dry mouth, is a condition related to the salivary glands, which help keep the mouth moist, thus preventing decay and other oral health problems. When the salivary glands do not work properly, the amount of saliva in the mouth decreases, resulting in xerostomia. Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while, but if you often find that your mouth is dry, it could be a sign of certain diseases Read more…

Diabetes is a chronic, incurable illness and a growing epidemic in the United States and Canada. More than 30 million Americans and about 3 million Canadians have diabetes. Prediabetes is even more common and, while reversible with treatment and management, most people with prediabetes don’t know they have it. Diabetes affects the body’s ability to control the production of insulin, a hormone that enables the body’s cells to use sugar. Type 1 diabetes is when Read more…

About 23 million people are completely edentulous (toothless); 90 percent of people experiencing tooth loss have dentures, and about 15 percent have dentures made each year, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. What are the types of dentures? People who have lost all or most of their teeth are candidates for complete dentures, which replace all of the teeth. The following outlines other types of dentures: Partial dentures are for people who have some Read more…

Your dentist can perform a variety of cosmetic procedures to improve your smile — from subtle changes to major repairs. There are many options for treating teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing. Your dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn teeth or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include teeth whitening, caps, crowns, veneers, bonding and reshaping. What is teeth whitening? Teeth whitening is a common and popular chemical Read more…

Clear aligners are a series of customized, clear plastic orthodontic appliances for individuals who want to correct issues with their bite or teeth spacing. Each aligner is designed to move teeth in small increments to improve alignment or adjust your bite. Not only are clear aligners transparent, but they also are removable, so they don’t trap plaque and debris like wire braces. Clear aligners are usually created by technicians in a production facility using computer-aided Read more…