Periodontal disease, (aka gum disease) is painless in its early stages. So how can you tell if it's in your future? Take a good look at your gums. Then call us. Do your gums bleed—at all—when you brush? Are your gums swollen, red or tender? Have any permanent teeth loosened? Are you distressed by persistent bad breath? Are your gums pulling away from your teeth? Do your teeth or partial dentures fit together differently when you bite down?
Is putting baby to bed with a pacifier the way to Sleep Heaven? Or the start of a dangerous habit? Moms, doctors, even dentists have passionate opinions on both sides. As usual, the truth lies pretty much in between. A study published in a recent issue of General Dentistry indicates that babies sleeping with pacifiers are less likely to suffer from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than those who don't. It's believed the pacifier allows baby to awaken from the kind of extremely deep [...]
Here's our Cast List: Vitamin A; the "B's" (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12); Vitamins C, D, E, K, and P. Some, like Vitamin C, are old friends; others, like Vitamin P (bioflavonoids) are more mysterious. What they have in common: all can be found in one or another food source. And all can be taken as "Vitamin Supplements." Here's where the ABC's of vitamins begin to get fuzzy. Not everyone agrees on the merits of vitamin supplements. And vitamins appear to have a role [...]
Traditionally, doctors and dentists have depended on the tongue to help them diagnose various diseases. And tongues do have a lot to say. For example, scarlet fever is accompanied by a spotted "strawberry" tongue. Burning tongue, a very painful condition, affects primarily post-menopausal women and can reflect systemic problems. Hairy leukoplakia is a common AIDS-related oral lesion. And candidiasis, a fungus infection which coats the tongue white, also says something is wrong. Now you know why, when you're asked to stick out your tongue [...]
A sudden, sharp pain when you bite—that's seemingly out of nowhere? Most likely, it's a cracked tooth. Even a hairline fracture in a cavity-free molar can make the most hardy of us sit up and take notice. When you're visited by this kind of bite-down pain, get to the dentist quick. Most cracks are superficial, affecting only part of the crown, but others are more significant and traverse the tooth deeply enough to expose root structure. The simpler "and more common" fractures that affect [...]
With people living longer, we, as dentists, recognize that the dental profession must shoulder a new responsibility for enduring dental care. We all hope we'll live to a ripe old age. At the same time, we want to enjoy the rest of our years and live a quality life. As people age, they become more prone to certain chronic conditions. Old adults may encounter root decay, erosion of the root surfaces, fracturing of fillings and brittle teeth, or gum infection. People with dentures or [...]
Risk-taking is a normal part of teenage development—and often a growth opportunity for parents, too! Heads up to handling some common dental risks of adolescence so you both stay smiling. Wisdom Comes With Age The wisdom teeth, the third molars, are the last to emerge. They appear in the teen years sometimes two, sometimes three or four, or sometimes none at all. In a too-small jaw, the risk is they'll not be able to erupt, and cause pain and swelling from impaction. Or they'll [...]
Choosing the right toothpaste for yourself—or your family—goes beyond the coupon you may have in hand, or bright displays in the marketplace. For your health, you have to think like a dentist. At different times in our lives, dental strategies change, toothpaste requirements change. And product name isn't half as important as the basic components of the paste. Key word: ingredients. Besides fluoride, which every adult should use in one form or another (less for children), consider the options: Say you have sensitive teeth. [...]
Some prescribed drugs and dental surgery may not be a good mix. You might not think that what your MD prescribes—and what your dentist does for your mouth's well-being—are closely related. But both are significant. If you are contemplating upcoming dentistry like a tooth extraction or an implant, it may be helpful to review which prescribed drugs you are taking for other problems. Two red flags, here: prescription drugs for osteoporosis and certain drugs used in association with chemotherapy against cancers. The big word [...]
Being mammals, we sport two sets of teeth, the primaries and the permanent. Assuming Mom has already lent strength to her baby's teeth during pregnancy—beginning from week seven of prenatal life—teeth grow through two stages. In the first permutation, teeth take shape; in the second, the cells are actually transformed to perform different functions. All this is percolating as you enjoy pickles and ice cream. When your baby is born, you won't see teeth, but they're there. Enamel and dentin are still forming in [...]
