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Why treat baby teeth? Can't my dentist just pull them?Since they never had my baby teeth treated, my parents think I'm crazy because I want to get my child's baby teeth treated.Why is my child the only one in her class who hasn't lost...
Bad breath can be caused by tooth decay, gum disease, lack of saliva (xerostomia), certain foods and drinks, tobacco, medications or illness. Treatment Schedule a dental appointment to find out if your bad breath is being caused by tooth decay, gum dise...
Will I be in pain after I get my bridge?After I get my bridge, how long will the numbness last?How long will I have to wear a temporary bridge? How soon can I eat after I get a crown? My temporary crown came off. What should I do?Will I have to get a roo...
I can't get my children to brush their teeth. What can I do? Let your kids see you regularly brushing your teeth. That's the best way to get them to start their own daily brushing routine. Once a daily routine is established, a child is more likely to ma...
When you have braces, it's tougher to keep your teeth plaque-free and avoid cavities....
A dental bridge depends on the health of the adjacent teeth and gums for support. To care for your bridge, brush and floss normally after each meal....
Dentures, like natural teeth, must be kept free of plaque and tartar. This prevents permanent staining and bad breath. Use a denture brush and one of the many commercial cleaning products to thoroughly clean all the surfaces of your dentures at least onc...
It's not a pleasant thought. Your toothbrush—an item that you put in your mouth at least a couple of times a day—is like a convention center for thousands of microorganisms. Over 300 types of microbes thrive in your mouth, and consequently, on y...
"Once you've read Chicken Soup for the Dental Soul, you'll never think of the dental office—and the professionals who work there—in the same way again. It will make you smile, make you cry, and make you view every member of your own dental team...
Why should I floss every day? How often should I have my teeth cleaned? Which is the best toothbrush? Does tartar-control toothpaste really work?...
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The early weeks of denture wearing can present some challenges as you adjust to them. One problem that often arises, and that may not be apparent to the uninitiated denture-wearer, is the difficulty some experience in getting their dentures out at night b...
Does it hurt when you bite into a Popsicle or ice cream? If so, you're not alone. Over 40 million Americans suffer from dentin hypersensitivity, also known as sensitive teeth. And the sensitivity isn't limited to cold; heat, sweet or sour tastes, air, or...
Dental hygiene isn't just for people with teeth. You can start your child on his way to a great smile for a lifetime by cleaning his mouth when he's an infant. Begin by gently wiping his gums with a clean, wet washcloth or gauze after he has a feeding....
A recent study says it's likely they do. It's been said that people who live together for a long time start to resemble one another. Now, according to a study by the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry and the University of North...
The two most important aspects of an effective at-home dental hygiene program are frequency and technique. In other words, it's important that you brush at least twice a day, floss once a day—and do both correctly. Below are eight tips to make the m...
Most cavities and periodontal disease begin between the teeth. While brushing is important, the bristles of your brush simply don't reach between teeth. To keep your gums and teeth healthy, you must remove the plaque between your teeth at least once a day...
It's no secret that you're supposed to floss every day. But sadly, two-thirds of American adults choose not to floss, despite the fact that their dental hygienists have been actively encouraging the flossing habit for over 80 years. Here's the bottom lin...
No one wants bad breath, but everyone gets it—or at least worries about it—at one time or another. Here are some things you can do to keep bad breath to a minimum: Eliminate the bacteria and food particles that can cause bad breath. Floss, then...
Get your child's dental health off to a great start! Your child's first visit to our office will likely influence how she will feel about dentists and dental care for the rest of her life. A positive first visit can be the first step toward a lifetime of...
Home whitening is an easy way to create a dazzling white smile! Let's take a look at how it works....
Two out of three American adults don't floss regularly, despite the fact that it's the only way to prevent gum disease. If you're the one of the trio who does, congratulations! You're going a long way to improve not only your oral health, but your overall...
As soon as your child gets his first tooth, you should begin cleaning his teeth and gums after feedings with a moist gauze pad or washcloth....
Is a pacifier safer for my child's teeth than thumb sucking? Both habits will often have an effect on the position of the front teeth. Pacifiers can actually have a greater effect than the thumb because it is a pliable object that will deform upon pressu...
Root canal therapy often takes two or more appointments to complete. A temporary filling or crown is placed to protect the tooth between appointments. After each appointment when anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for sever...
After an extraction, it's important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That's why your dentist will ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after an extraction. If bleeding or oozing continues after yo...
Congratulations on your new smile! Your investment in your smile will give you many years of enjoyment and satisfaction. Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is chan...
After your periodontal surgery appointment, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. Don't eat anything for two hours following surgery.It's normal to experience som...
Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. On the first appointment, the teeth are prepared. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restorations are being made. After each appointment whe...
When anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. It's normal to experience some sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure after your...
Two minutes. It's really not that long, but when you're brushing your teeth, it can seem like an eternity. So what do you do? You finish up brushing before the two minutes are up, and you don't clean your teeth as thoroughly as you should. In fact, in a...
Proper tooth brushing involves four things: a soft toothbrush toothpaste with fluoride the correct brushing angle brushing in a pattern It's important to brush at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush. A soft toothbrush also makes it much easier...
Maybe you have financial constraints. Or transportation can be a problem. Or maybe it's just not as easy to get around as it used to be. But it's very likely that you just don't get to the dentist as often as you should. And that can cause problems with y...
We've all come to expect bumps, bruises and cuts when we're out and about, especially when kids are part of the deal. Consequently, many people tote along bandages, ice packs and antiseptics. Some even carry bee sting kits and accidental poisoning remedie...
Superfloss and floss threaders are good ways to remove plaque under bridges and braces....
Start with a visit to your dentist. A dental professional will teach your child the proper way to brush, using kid-friendly words. Let your child pick out her own toothbrush and toothpaste. There are many colorful child-sized toothbrushes on the market,...
Most cavities and periodontal disease begin between the teeth. While brushing is important, the bristles of your brush simply can't reach between the teeth....
by Oscar Goren, D.M.D., from Chicken Soup for the Dental Soul When Susan called to say she needed help with a broken tooth, I was confused since she managed the office of another dentist. She told me that her boss, Dr. Benjamin Karp, had been ill and was...
My daughter continually sucks her thumb. Is this going to cause a problem? It all depends on the age of your child. If she is still under the age of four and her teeth are still straight and not crowded, her thumb-sucking may not create a dental problem....
Okay, so you know you're supposed to change your toothbrush at the first sign of wear. What can you do to keep your toothbrush as clean as possible between fresh ones? First, pay attention to where you store your toothbrush. Your bathroom's medicine cab...
If you suffer from symtoms of TMD—limited jaw movement, radiating pain in the face, neck or shoulders, a painful grinding or clicking sound in your jaw joint when you chew or open and close your mouth, or a significant, sudden change in the way your...
Bottle syndrome is a "dental disaster" for babies, said pediatric dentist Greg Psaltis. The condition is caused by repeated, prolonged exposure of a baby's teeth to liquids that contain sugars. What most parents don't realize is that all liquids other tha...
Buying toothpaste should be one of the least stressful things you do in your daily life. But the choices nowadays can make this simple task overwhelming, like you need a degree in biochemistry to make a good choice. Tartar-control or whitening? Gingivitis...