Fighting periodontal (gum) disease through meticulous daily hygiene and regular dental appointments is brilliant. You preserve your beautiful smile and sweet breath, maintain the health of your teeth and gums, and protect your overall health in the bargain! Periodontal disease—a chronic inflammatory disease that can destroy gum tissue, ligaments, even the bone supporting the teeth—is […]
Archive | Preventative Dentistry RSS feed for this section
On Guard Against Oral Cancer
Oral Cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world, it kills about one-third of those diagnosed with it, and 28,000 new cases occur each year. And over 25% of oral cancers occur in people who don’t smoke or have other lifestyle risk factors. Now that we’ve got your attention—there’s hope. Trouble Spots—Oral Lesions […]
Bruxism – Grinding and Clenching
What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the technical term for grinding and clenching that wears down teeth and may cause facial pain. People who grind and clench, called bruxers, unintentionally bite down too hard at inappropriate times, such as in their sleep. In addition to grinding teeth, they also may bite their fingernails, pencils and chew […]
Sunshine For Healthy Teeth and Bones
We don’t hear a lot about vitamin D. It’s crucial for healthy teeth and bones because it helps you absorb calcium. And the easiest way to get your minimum daily requirement is—take a walk in the sun! Vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin” because natural sunlight converts a chemical in your skin into a […]
Medicine & Your Mouth
The medicine you take for one physical disorder may literally rot your teeth. This is one of many reasons we need to know your medical history and current treatment. For instance… Chewable vitamin C supplements are a good idea for a lot of people, but check your brand for sugar content. For children especially, a […]
Osteoporosis: The Calcium Connection
Osteoporosis—porous bones—is a fragile, frightening reality for at least 15 million North Americans. What begins as a slow and initially painless decrease in bone mass eventually leaves bones weakened and susceptible to fracture. It turns strong backs into weak; healthy strides into shuffles. From a dental viewpoint, the disease is evident in loss of tooth […]
Treating Halitosis
Whether you call it dragon breath, morning breath, or halitosis, persistent bad breath is not only socially embarrassing, it can also be a sign of poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, digestive problems, and even sinus trouble. And all the mouthwashes and breath fresheners in the world won’t solve the problem. A simple visit to our […]
Dental Resolutions for the New Year
Stop smoking. Lose 30 pounds. Exercise at the gym three times a week. No wonder most “New Years’ Resolutions” barely make it to January 31. Lighten up on yourself. And make some dental New Years’ Resolutions you know you can keep: A hygiene visit every six months. It’s the simplest way to prevent developing dental […]
Winter Stress Can Be A Grind
Dentists and researchers aren’t in complete agreement about the cause of nightly tooth grinding (bruxism). But they do agree that it’s partly stress-related. Since the year-end holidays can be some of the most stressful months of the year, we may be at risk for high stress more than at any other time. The Holiday Season […]
Bulimia, the “Private Problem”
Not So Private Anymore If you recognize yourself or someone in your family in this piece, you share a problem with over 500,000 other people. Bulimia. Do you worry about how much you eat—all the time? Do you start a new diet almost every day? Do you perceive everyone else as thinner than you are? […]