You have a special event coming up. A date. A wedding. A job interview. Then, you feel that tingling sensation on your lip. Great. You’re getting a cold sore. What can you do? You’ve heard that putting toothpaste on it may help. Is that true? Let’s find out. Cold Sore 101 Sun exposure, temperature changes, and stress can trigger cold sores (also referred to as fever blisters), which are caused
Have you ever left a dental appointment feeling like you didn’t understand everything that was said? That all your questions weren’t answered? This experience is much more common than you might think. Luckily, being your own health advocate is the perfect solution to these concerns. We’ve got some top tips on how to speak up for yourself and have a positive dental experience. Why Advocate for Yourself? Learning to advocate
In some cases, changes in your mouth can be an early sign that something is going on elsewhere in your body. Take your gums, for instance. Healthy gums are firm and pink to brown in color depending on your ethnic background. If the color of your gums change or if you develop pale gums, it can be a sign that something’s up. Several conditions can affect the color of your gums. If
When raising a child, there’s a wealth of questions that can come up on a daily basis. If your child has congenital syphilis, they may have a condition known as Hutchinson’s teeth that affects their teeth’s shape and appearance. We’re here to walk you through how syphilis is connected to this condition, what other symptoms are associated, and who can help. Hutchinson’s Teeth Causes Syphilis is a bacterial infection (caused
It’s estimated that 3.5 billion people globally experience oral diseases, reports the World Health Organization (WHO). That’s a little less than half of the world’s population. The good news is that you can prevent most common oral diseases in your own household. These diseases include dental cavities, gum disease, oral infectious diseases, and oral cancer. Although not a disease, per se, oral injuries are preventable since they mostly result from unsafe conditions,
You feel debilitating anxiety about your dental appointment. Your child needs to sit still for a long operation. You can’t stop gagging when the dentist puts instruments in your mouth. All of these situations may call for the use of laughing gas to ensure a successful dental visit. But what exactly is laughing gas? What is it used for? And are there any risks associated with it? What Does Laughing
Babies love having pacifiers, but unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that pacifiers are always good, especially for their teeth. Excessive use of pacifiers can cause abnormal tooth development as well as other health problems. But the good news is that this is avoidable! Find out how to ensure that pacifiers are a comfort and not a complication for you and your little one. What Do Pacifiers Do? Pacifiers can be very
No one wants to experience trauma to the jaw. Not only can a broken jaw be painful, but it impacts so many essential activities like talking, eating, and even breathing. If you’ve experienced an injury to the face, seek out treatment immediately — you might have a fractured jaw. Understand what can cause a fractured jaw, the symptoms associated with it, what you can expect for treatment, and how it
Did you know enamel is the hardest substance in your body? The shiny, white surface of your teeth is mostly made of minerals, making it stronger than bone. Still, tooth enamel becomes vulnerable when exposed to a diet full of sugary foods and beverages. If the enamel erodes, is there any way to repair it? What Causes Enamel Erosion? Enamel erosion occurs when acids wear away the hard, outer layer
There’s a reason the saying “like pulling teeth” refers to a problematic situation. However, with modern-day dental advancement, tooth extraction is a quite standard and simple procedure. But when kids are involved, it can make things a little trickier. They’re most likely getting a pearly white pulled because it’s a baby tooth, and the adult tooth is coming up behind it. Which often leads to a tender and painful socket,
If you’ve ever walked down the toothbrush aisle, then you know choosing a toothbrush for your child can be a daunting task. Kids toothbrushes come in a variety of sizes and shapes depending on need and ability — both of which change as they grow. But with these simple guidelines, you can choose a toothbrush that effectively cleans your child’s teeth and gets them excited about establishing dental care habits.
When you hear the word “tumor,” there’s a good chance you think of cancer. Fortunately, with an odontoma, that’s not the case. While an odontoma is a tumor, it’s a benign one and not uncommon. That alone is great news! However, odontomas usually require surgical removal. They’re made up of dental tissue that resembles abnormal teeth or calcified mass that invade the jaw around your teeth and could affect how
