While brushing your teeth thoroughly is an essential component of a robust oral hygiene routine, it is possible to overdo it. In fact, when you brush your teeth too hard, you may actually end up damaging your teeth and your gums. In some cases, the...
During checkups and cleanings, your dentist likely cautions you against the long-term effects of plaque buildup and the importance of controlling plaque with meticulous oral hygiene. When patients do not practice proper oral hygiene, plaque forms and ultimately builds up along the teeth and gum...
In an effort to improve public health, many medical professionals are striving to dispel common misconceptions about dental and oral conditions. Even though information is literally at our fingertips through Internet searches, myths and misconceptions still exist. Some folks simply overlook the importance of visiting...
While bleeding gums will certainly make your smile more unattractive, this symptom actually can suggest that more serious oral health problems are present. If you notice that your gums bleed – even if it’s only while you brush or floss – you should be sure...
Many people engage in seemingly benign habits that are actually harmful to teeth and gums. Others neglect their oral health simply because they do not know how destructive oral conditions can be. For example, your dentist has probably warned you about gum disease and the...
Our body has ways of letting us know when something is wrong. A fever tells us we are fighting an infection. Yellowing of the skin can point to a problem with organ function. The same goes for dental problems as well. When a patient experiences...
While it is common knowledge that smoking has disastrous effects on overall health, including an increased risk for heart disease and cancer, smoking also profoundly affects dental health. Did you know that those who smoke have a higher risk for developing gum disease and oral...
In some circumstances, a dentist may need to use imaging to get a view of the facial structures that are obscured by the skin and soft tissues of the mouth. The earliest imaging technology provided only two-dimensional depictions of the jaw and other facial bones,...
Many patients may dismiss a toothache, pop a few aspirin or ibuprofen and wait for some relief. However, this may be a mistake in some cases, when a toothache is really a symptom of a more serious dental problem. A toothache should never be ignored. If...
Chronic bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a perplexing condition that affects millions of adults. It happens so easily (usually during sleep) and occurs so frequently that it is often mistaken for an annoying, but normal, habit. Even when patients wake up with a headache and...