Cavities (aka dental caries or tooth decay) are one of the world’s most common diseases, with only the common cold beating it out. And because cavities attack dental enamel, which is the only part of the human body that cannot heal itself to any degree, the damage that cavities cause to our adult teeth is permanent. Fortunately, cavities are also nearly entirely preventable with good oral hygiene and care. As with any health issue, prevention is key, and the key to prevention

Coffee, tea, red wine, cola, dark juices, tomato sauce, curry, balsamic vinegar, berries, beets, tobacco use: What do these have in common? They are all great at staining your teeth! Cutting down on your consumption might help curb the development of surface stains, but being proactive is far more effective for preventing teeth staining. Here are some tips! Use a straw to drink your favorite beverages - it greatly limits the amount of liquid that will come in contact with you

Dental anxiety is a common phenomenon, with an estimated 9-15% of American adults avoiding the dentist due to their fear. That is a staggering 30 to 40 million people! Over time, dental anxiety and fear can lead to oral health issues and increased need for treatment, lowering your quality of life. Take a look at these helpful strategies for reducing dental anxiety, and empower yourself to get the dental care you need and deserve! Identify Your Fears The first step to overcomi

It might stain your teeth, but red wine could offer oral health benefits that will give wine lovers something to smile about! A recent study suggests that polyphenols (micronutrients with antioxidant properties) found in red wine are effective in fighting three types of bacteria that are the main culprits for causing dental plaque, tooth decay and gum disease. The researchers involved in the study tested polyphenols from grape seeds, red wine extracts and red wine itself agai

“Baby teeth fall out anyway, so they’re not important.” ─ We hear this often, yet it couldn’t be further from the truth! Baby teeth, or primary teeth, serve as placeholders for adult teeth and play a very important role in a child’s physical, emotional and social development. Baby teeth aid a growing child in their: Health and Nutrition ─ Chewing requires teeth! - and also fosters good nutrition and aids digestion. If a child has dental pain due to cavities and is unable to p

When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, it sometimes must be removed in order to protect the health of a person’s surrounding teeth and overall oral health. Unfortunately, dental issues will not end simply because the problematic tooth is gone, unless the tooth is also soon replaced! A single missing tooth leads to a multitude of negative consequences throughout the mouth and body. Ability to Speak and Eat Properly Missing a tooth (or several) will affect our ability to

Got a sweet tooth? Keep your teeth (and your dentist!) happy with this simple and delicious “ice cream” recipe that provides plenty of sweet satisfaction with no added sugar. Now that’s something to smile about! 1-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream It doesn’t get any easier than this: all you need are bananas and a food processor, and just freeze and blend bananas for a deliciously cool and creamy treat! No added sugar, no chemical flavorings or additives, no guilt, 100% natural. Fo

For many parents, getting their children to brush their teeth is a twice-daily battle - but they are battles well worth having! Good oral hygiene is important at all ages, and aids young children in speech, educational and social development. Children suffering from oral pain tend to perform worse in school; a recent study revealed that children with tooth pain were 4 times more likely to have a low grade point average (below 2.8 GPA) compared to children without oral pain. O

It can be easy to put off your regular dental exams, even when you notice a nagging symptom in your mouth. But ignoring warning signs can easily allow seemingly minor issues to become more serious and require further treatment down the road. Catching and treating oral health issues early on saves you precious time and money, so be sure to visit the dentist if you notice any of these signs! Pain in Your Jaw or Teeth Probably the most obvious sign to see the dentist, pain in yo