While brushing your teeth twice a day is a great start to good oral health, there are hard-to-reach areas in the mouth that you may not get to by simply brushing. Interdental cleaning, which helps remove food particles and plaque stuck between your teeth, is an essential part of your dental health. Did you know that traditional string flossing is not the only way you can clean between your teeth? Learn more
Losing a tooth is a fun rite of passage parents get to celebrate with their children. But when the keepsake goes missing, you might try to solve the mystery by searching for it. It can be scary to think your child may have accidentally swallowed it. Swallowing a tooth or a tooth fragment is not unusual. It can happen when your child’s tooth is loose, during a sporting event or
Body modification trends come and go, even though the modifications themselves tend to be permanent. One year, armband tattoos are in style, and the next year multiple piercings are trending. Lately, lip tattoos have been getting plenty of attention as celebrities have revealed tattoos on their inner lips and the demand for permanent lipstick and makeup has increased. A lip tattoo is different from other forms of tattooing. If you
Toothpaste has been sold in tubes for several decades, and toothpaste dominates the oral care section in stores. However, it isn’t the only product option for brushing your teeth. Tooth powder is becoming more popular because it’s usually packed in glass jars instead of plastic tubes. But how does powder compare to toothpaste? Find out the similarities and differences and see if you want to try a new product. Tooth
You may have heard about shingles and how common it is. One out of every three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. Shingles is a viral outbreak triggered by herpes family called herpes zoster, which causes chickenpox. If you had chickenpox as a child, that same virus remains in your system and can reactivate later as shingles, a rash of blisters on parts of your body.
Your teeth are complex structures made up of many different components. The tooth’s enamel is the visible outer layer that protects the inner parts of the teeth and gives your smile its white appearance. But did you know that sometimes, children develop teeth that don’t have this protective layer? Learn more about this dental condition and available treatment options for teeth without enamel. What Is Amelogenesis Imperfecta? Healthy enamel acts
After your dentist or dental hygienist cleans and polishes your teeth, you may want to enjoy that clean, smooth-teeth feeling more than just twice a year. Discover how coronal polishing differs from a routine dental cleaning, and learn why your dentist may recommend it. Routine Cleaning vs. Coronal Polishing An oral prophylaxis is a routine cleaning done in the dental office, consisting of two parts. First, your dentist or dental hygienist removes
Chewing gum has been around for thousands of years. Both the ancient Mayans and Aztecs chewed a substance called chicle to clean teeth, get rid of bad breathe, fight hunger, and quench thirst. But can modern-day chewing gum be good for your health? Actually, sugar-free gum can offer certain advantages for oral health and beyond. Keep reading to learn more about the five benefits of chewing gum — including one or two
Cold sores are no fun. Besides being painful, they can make the most confident person self-conscious. Ideally, you want them to go away as quickly as they happen. And you don’t want them to leave a scar. Here’s what to do and not do if you suffer from cold sores. Cold Sore Causes Cold sores (also known as fever blisters) are a common viral infection caused mainly by herpes simplex
Going to the dentist has a reputation for being uncomfortable at times. That’s because dental procedures have the potential to cause pain, anxiety, and discomfort. Luckily, anesthesia is available as an option to ease your experience in the most comfortable way possible. And we’ve got you covered on the 411 of everything about dentist anesthesia. Here’s a look into what anesthesia is all about, dental anesthesia side effects, and when
Let’s take inventory. A crisp, dry-cleaned shirt. Good. An energy-efficient washer and dryer. Great. A dry January. Good luck. But what about a dry socket? Is that good? Mmm, not-so-much. A dry socket is what happens when a tooth extraction goes awry. But if you heed your dentist’s advice and note the tips below, there should be no reason you can’t prevent a dry socket from occurring to you. What Causes a Dry Socket?
If you’ve ever had a sore on or near your mouth, you’ve likely thought to yourself: Is this a canker sore or a cold sore, and what’s the difference? Here are three significant differences of a canker sore vs. cold sore to help you determine your next steps for treatment. 1. Appearance The first way to differentiate a canker sore vs. cold sore is by appearance. As the Mayo Clinic explains, canker sores —