Dentists suggest that patients have their teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist twice a year to remove plaque that can cause cavities. Deep cleaning also removes plaque, but is a more extensive procedure. It is only recommended only for people experiencing symptoms of gum disease, also known as periodontitis. Gum disease is an infection of...
Jaw pain, difficulty chewing, or a clicking or locking of the jaw joint are all signs that there might be a problem with the temporomandibular (tem-per-oh-man-DI-byoo-ler) joint, or TMJ. This is the joint that connects the lower jaw, or mandible, to the skull; it can be found in front of the ears on both sides...
Nearly half of adults age 30 and over have gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Problems with gums may include seeing blood when brushing or flossing teeth. Puffy or dark red gums may also signal the beginnings of gum disease in adults. Gum disease starts with a buildup of...
The National Institute of Health’s Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) says that oral cancer makes up about three percent of all cancers diagnosed each year in the United States, with roughly 53,000 new cases annually. In fact, research has shown that an average of one person dies every hour of every day from oral cancer. ...
Teeth grinding at night, known as sleep bruxism, affects roughly 13% of adults. While it is not serious, continuous clenching of the jaw while grinding can cause headaches, disruption of sleep, jaw pain, and dental health issues. Once a patient identifies the cause of their teeth grinding, they can take the proper steps to stop...
Stressful situations—like public speaking, a job interview, or a first date—can make almost anyone’s mouth go dry. But for some it’s more than just an occasional nuisance. Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is a condition that can have complications for both oral and overall health. There are solutions for dry mouth. Relief can come in...
Just as brushing and flossing protect teeth from tooth decay, bite guards and mouthguards protect them from other outside forces that can harm them. They are devices that cover teeth to form a protective barrier, shielding them from cracking and chipping. Bite guards and mouthguards are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably. They might also...
A few years ago, the National Association of Dental Plans reported that about 74 million Americans had no dental insurance coverage. Anyone in that group understands the struggle of finding and paying for affordable dental care. Good oral care is important in many ways, and goes beyond just having a clean mouth and nice teeth....
One CDC report estimates that one in five children between the ages of 5 and 11 have at least one untreated cavity. In fact, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease for children in that age group. Unfortunately, that means that most kids will get a cavity sooner or later. The good news is...
“Are dentists open now?” “Is it safe to go to the dentist?” “Can I catch COVID if I go to the dentist?” A lot of people are asking these questions nowadays. Thinking about having dental work done can cause anxiety all by itself. COVID-19 should not be another worry on top of that. Here at...