The idea of having a dead tooth in your mouth may seem rather macabre. But instead of being the premise for a horror movie, it’s a relatively common condition affecting more than 15 million people every year. If you nevertheless find the description somewhat unsettling, it’s also known as a non-vital tooth. Although we usually…
Since 1981, the American Dental Association (ADA) has proclaimed February as National Children’s Dental Health Month. This annual observance brings together dentists, other healthcare providers and teachers to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their parents and caregivers. Why is this month-long campaign necessary? According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…
When it comes to treating cavities, most people immediately think of a dental filling. However, there are some situations that need more than a traditional filling. Depending upon the extent of decay in a tooth, your dentist may recommend a dental inlay or onlay as the optimum restoration. Understanding the differences between the two —…
The introduction of Invisalign® clear aligners in 1999 gave many teenagers and adults wanting to straighten their teeth a highly desirable alternative to traditional metal braces. Since that time, some companies – most prominently SmileDirectClub —developed a business model in which those wanting fast results at a discounted cost could bypass being treated by an…
You may have heard the terms “tooth abscess” or “abscessed tooth,” without quite understanding the condition itself. Although not discussed as frequently as tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease, a tooth abscess can lead to serious — even life-threatening — complications if not treated in a timely manner. Here’s what you need to know about…
The holiday season is busy for many reasons. But amid the bustle, some important tasks may have not made it onto your “to-do” list. If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through your employer’s health plan and you haven’t yet used the remaining balance of your funds for this year, time is running out…
Fluoride is an essential mineral in the battle against tooth decay. In its natural form, fluoride is found throughout the earth’s crust, and released from rocks into the soil, water and air. Fortunately, its ability to be synthesized in a laboratory allows fluoride to be used as an important ingredient in most toothpastes and some…
While brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing them at least once is accepted as common basic oral hygiene practice, is it also necessary to direct your toothbrush to your tongue? After all, it’s right there, and you’re in the neighborhood! At the very least, it will help freshen your breath even…
Avoiding sweets and sugary beverages to prevent tooth decay is considered one of the basic rules of good oral health practices. Although solid advice, it isn’t quite as simple as that. As our blog post — “Common Dental Health Myths” — reveals, sugar itself doesn’t promote cavities. The amount of time the sugar remains in…
Your regular tooth brushing routine could reveal an unpleasant surprise if you notice that your gums look somewhat puffy and more red than usual. As most people don’t want to consider a serious condition as the cause, you may be inclined to wait and see what happens, hoping your gums will return to normal within…
