Exploring possible links of a healthy mouth and healthy body researchers suspect that bacteria and inflammation due to periodontal disease may play a role in some systemic diseases or conditions.  Periodontal disease is a chronic infection caused by bacteria which is present in plaque.  The bacteria produce toxins and enzymes which irritate the gums and cause inflammation if not removed.... read more »

Be aware trendy diets may have a negative impact on your oral health. Liquid cleanses low-carb diets like Atkins or Paleo, vegan or raw diets may be considered healthy but may not be so healthy for your teeth and gums. A liquid cleanse swaps meals for smoothies and juices which can cause insulin levels to peak and plummet, overtime, this... read more »

When certain bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film which is constantly forming on teeth and tissue) produce toxins and enzymes, an irritation will occur to the gums causing inflammation. This will occur if the plaque is not removed daily. The gums become red, tender and bleed from the irritation. This condition is called gingivitis. If allowed to persist, the... read more »

Deciduous teeth, also known as baby teeth, have a very important role in your child’s oral health. Most children have 20 primary teeth by the age of three. The primary teeth are as important as permanent teeth. The baby teeth are essential for holding space in the jaws for the adult teeth. When a primary tooth is lost too soon... read more »

Is putting your baby to sleep with a bottle harmful? Absolutely! When you put your baby to bed with a bottle of formula, milk (including breast milk) or juice, the sugars stay in the mouth, providing “food” for the bacteria which cause decay. If your baby insists on using a bottle to calm down, fill the bottle with water instead... read more »

Did you know tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease—five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever?  The good news is that tooth decay is preventable! The cause of tooth decay is bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria use the sugars found in liquids and foods to produce acids that attack the... read more »

We’d like to introduce you to Xylitol, a five-carbon sugar that kills bacteria in your mouth by starving it. Scientists have found that the best way to use this ingredient is to put it in chewing gum, where it’s steadily delivered to your teeth. Xylitol helps children and adults who are cavity-prone because it attracts calcium and other minerals which... read more »

Everyone loves Valentine’s Day candy, cookies, cakes and pie. As a nation, we’re hooked on sweet stuff in general. In fact, the average person consumes 156 pounds of sugar per year -- and only a fraction of it comes out of the sugar bowl. The first association between sugar and tooth decay was during the reign of Elizabeth the First... read more »

I love having children as patients. They come into our office and bring such fun and energy. But, I am starting to see an increase in cavities among the smallest of my patients. However, with the right care, the costly and often painful dental problems are very preventable. I suggest you start brushing even before your little one has any... read more »

How important are your baby’s ‘baby’ teeth? A lot more important than you might realize, actually. Primary teeth do more for your child than allow them to eat hard or chewy foods. They also act as placeholders for adult teeth and are essential for learning to talk – and mastering more difficult words. If you’ve been reluctant to care for... read more »

Everyone likes a nice white smile but did you know excessive home tooth whitening can cause damage to your teeth?  Over-the-counter whitening kits can cause serious and permanent damage to tooth enamel because the hydrogen peroxide starts to break down proteins in the teeth after initial discoloration has been removed.  If you want to bleach your teeth at home, we... read more »

People who are infected with herpes simplex virus tend to be able to feel a cold sore coming on.  Symptoms like tingling, soreness, and redness serve as warning signs and are a good indicator to begin treatment. Although a cold sore will heal eventually on its own, antiviral medications taken by mouth as well as topical creams may shorten the... read more »

To reduce the onset of cold cores: Try to maintain a moderate to low stress level. Take extra precautions during cold and flu season not to get sick. Diligently use lip balm and sunscreen on your face daily. Avoid sharing things like razors, eating utensils, and lip balm with a person with a cold sore. Prescription pills can be effective in... read more »

Do you or someone in your immediate family occasionally suffer from cold sores? By age 50, an estimated 80-90% of adults are infected with the virus that causes cold sores. Often called fever blisters, this common ailment is nothing serious, but it is sometimes painful and embarrassing. What are these unsightly blisters? How are they spread? And how can you... read more »

You may find this surprising, but most people are unaware of cavities because cavities are completely painless. The outer layer of the tooth, the enamel, has no nerves. People are caught off-guard when diagnosed because they have not had any symptoms. When the cavity enters the underlying dentin the tooth may begin to feel sensitive. The most common symptoms are... read more »

Children living with smokers are more likely to develop cavities. Researchers at Kyoto University in Japan found young children living in homes with smokers are more likely to develop cavities. The American Dental Association states the study adds to the evidence, there is a correlation between secondhand smoke and cavities in children. ADA reports “infants exposed to secondhand smoke at... read more »

No one wants to think about a dental emergency during this festive season, but we want you to be prepared if an emergency should arise. If a tooth is knocked out: First, locate the tooth. Hold it by the crown (not by the roots) and rinse it if it’s dirty. Do not scrub it. Place it in a glass of... read more »

First of all, at-home dental care is just a start! Even if you are particular with the care of your teeth and always brush and floss daily, your teeth need a professional cleaning. If you are like most people and your dental care occasionally lapses, you have an even greater need. Brushing and flossing do remove plaque, a soft sticky... read more »

Did you know when a person quits using tobacco products the body begins to change almost immediately? Twenty minutes after the last cigarette: Blood pressure and pulse rate drop, and body temperature of hands and feet increases. Eight hours after the last cigarette: Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal, and oxygen level in blood increases to normal.... read more »

Using tobacco products can cause significant health problems, including coughing, shortness of breath, production of phlegm, respiratory illnesses, reduced physical fitness, poor lung function, and an increase in the risk of cancer. Cigarettes not only stain your teeth but your fingers as well. Tobacco products can make your breath, clothes, hair, car, and home smell like smoke. Quitting is the... read more »