Did you know that up to 20% of college students have smoked a water pipe, also known as a hookah? While cigarette smoking has been reducing in the past few years, hookah smoking has been increasing in popularity, possibly because some people believe it is better for your mouth than cigarettes. Unfortunately, this is a myth, and hookah smoking is associated with many oral and overall health conditions. Read on
Did you know that every year billions of toothpaste tubes are made and sold globally? And — unfortunately — most of those tubes end up in landfills and oceans. While oral care brands look to make recyclable toothpaste tubes the norm, others search for alternatives to traditional toothpaste. Toothpaste tablets provide one solution to plastic packaging woes. Should you consider making the switch? What Are Toothpaste Tablets? Toothpaste tablets — or “tooth tabs” to
Now that all of your little one’s baby or primary teeth have come in, they should ideally exfoliate in time so that the permanent teeth can erupt through the gumline. When can you expect this to happen? And what does it mean if some of your baby’s primary teeth just aren’t shedding? If baby teeth stay in position for more than a year after they’re supposed to shed, they’re considered over-retained. Read
If your dentist has recently told you that they want to refer you to a specialist, you most likely have questions about what this specialist does! Your general dentist and dental hygienist are the primary care providers for your basic dental needs. These include bi-annual checkups and routine cleanings. But, sometimes, you need specific dental treatments that require the attention of a specialist. So you may be wondering, what is
Many of us find bedside manner, a clean and welcoming environment, and an organized appointment system important when considering the medical doctors we go to. But have you ever considered what makes a good dentist and if your dentist lives up to these standards? With so many dentists to choose from, how do you know you’ve chosen the right one? It’s helpful to outline what makes a quality dentist when
Toothaches can be surprisingly painful and can make it hard for you to concentrate on anything else. Your teeth are packed with nerves, which is why although your teeth are small, a toothache can pack a punch. They’re usually caused by a tooth infection, resulting in soreness or pain in your mouth. Read on to learn what causes an infection, what its symptoms are, and how to treat it with
Yeast is a tiny, microscopic fungus that’s all around you, on you, and even in you. For the most part, it does more good than bad. It’s an important ingredient in bread and beer, for example. And in low amounts, it exists harmoniously with other microorganisms in your body, mouth, and throat. Infections only occur when something causes the yeast somewhere in your body to multiply. If you think you
Body piercing trends come and go. In the early 2000s, belly button rings were all the rage. Then came tongue piercings, followed by septum piercings. These days, it seems like a gum piercing, sometimes called a “smiley piercing,” is the latest trend. Are you considering a smiley piercing to boost your style? If so, are you wondering if smiley piercings are bad for your teeth? As you read on, we’ll
While most of us don’t regularly inspect the inside of our mouth besides casually peering in when we’re brushing our teeth, we know that a healthy mouth ranges from pink to brown in color. So if you notice an unfamiliar red patch in your mouth, it’s time to visit your dental professional. It’s essential to get a diagnosis for this abnormally discolored patch, as it could be a condition called
Bumps, growths, and sores form in the mouth all of the time. These lesions can vary in size, symptoms, and severity, so you should have a dentist examine any new growths you find. Mucoceles are a common type of oral lesion, affecting 2.4 of every 1000 people, according to the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Learn what causes oral mucoceles, if you can prevent them, and what treatments are available. What Are
The role of anesthesia in surgery has come a long way, and it is a safe and effective means to experience pain-free treatment. A dental anesthesiologist is a specialist who is an expert at administering and monitoring anesthesia during a dental procedure. Dental Anesthesiology Education Requirements Dental anesthesiologists are, first and foremost, dentists. In order to become certified, dentists must complete four years of undergraduate education in a related field
As a parent, you may wonder about the relationship between childhood stress and oral health and if there’s anything you can do reduce your child’s stress levels. Luckily, we’re here to help you answer your top questions. Stick around, and we’ll cover the relationship between stress and oral health and – and how you can best help your child. Triggers and Symptoms All too common in adults and children, stress