Circumvallate Papillae: Tastebuds, Function, and Complications

It might impress you to know that your mouth has over 6,000 taste buds, according to the American Psychological Association. What are circumvallate papillae, and what do they have to do with your taste buds? Where can you find yours? After reading this article, you’ll have answers to everything you wanted to know about your circumvallate papillae (and probably more!). Circumvallate Papillae: What You Should Know Your tongue is a vital

What Parents Should Know About Mouthwash For Children

If you’ve walked down the oral care aisle at the store, odds are you’ve seen brightly-colored mouthwashes created specifically for children. But, as a parent, you might be wondering: is it safe to let my child use mouthwash in addition to brushing and flossing? What’s the right age to start? Here, we’ll look at when it’s safe for children to use mouthwashes, the risks and benefits, and how to use

Fillings in Baby Teeth: Are They Really Necessary?

As a parent, it’s common to have a million (or more!) questions about your child’s health. Do baby teeth need fillings? What happens to untreated cavities in baby teeth? These are excellent questions to ask, we’ve laid out the answers to these and more so you understand how to treat and prevent cavities for children. Facts About Childhood Cavities Primary teeth (also called baby teeth) start coming into your child’s mouth

Can Wisdom Teeth Grow Back After Extraction?

If you’ve had your wisdom teeth pulled, do you wonder, “Can my wisdom teeth grow back?” The simple answer: No. The more complicated answer: No, but you might already have an extra set of wisdom teeth lying in wait. How is that possible? It seems a small percentage of the population have extra – or supernumerary — teeth hiding in their mouths. Researchers attribute this condition primarily to genetic disorders. We’ll

Diagnosing An Odontogenic Cyst And Getting Treatment

When teeth are developing, sometimes benign lesions develop in the jaw’s cells and tissues called odontogenic cysts. While these growths are typically non-cancerous and treatable, it’s worth being aware of the background, symptoms, and what you can do if you think you might have one. What Causes an Odontogenic Cyst? Odontogenic cysts appear in the areas of the jaw involved in tooth formation. Different types of cysts fall into three

Glycerin in Dental Care

If you’ve ever investigated the ingredients in your toothpaste, you might have seen glycerin on the list. Also known as glycerol, this natural ingredient is not only found in toothpaste; it’s also a sweetener in foods and found in other cosmetic products as well. Here, we’ll take a deeper dive into glycerin and oral care, as well as the many uses for this versatile ingredient. What is Glycerin? Glycerin is

Tonsils And Adenoids: What’s The Difference?

How often do you think about tonsils and adenoids? Not very much, I’ll bet! For many people, the first time they learn anything about these organs is when they or their children experience issues with them. When they’re functioning normally, tonsils and adenoids are hardly ever a topic of conversation. But from both an oral care and immune health perspective, the tonsils and adenoids play a crucial role in keeping

What Causes A Tingling Tongue?

Nearly everyone has experienced that uncomfortable feeling of “pins and needles” at some point. Perhaps you were kneeling on the floor for longer than you’d planned, and when you stood up, you realize your legs were asleep! Or perhaps you’ve woken up with a numb hand after spending the night asleep with your arm in an awkward position. This tingling feeling, known as paresthesia, often occurs in the hands and

What Is Centric Relation in Dentistry?

If you ever hear your dentist talking about centric relation, you might wonder what that term means. Centric relation (CR) has been a controversial and highly debated concept in dentistry for almost a century. Read on to find out what it means, how it’s determined, and why it can be important for your oral health. What Is Centric Relation? Multiple definitions of centric relation have evolved. That’s why members of

When To Take Your Child To The Dentist For The First Time

As a new parent, your baby isn’t the only one experiencing the world for the first time. You’re experiencing a lot of new things, too! Like going to regular dental visits… for someone else. Even if you feel comfortable and confident about your own oral health, a lot of questions may start to arise surrounding dental visits for your little one. If you’re unsure of when to take your child to

What Is Oligodontia?

If you have missing teeth from a condition or trait you were born with, you may have what’s known as oligodontia. What exactly is oligodontia? What is it caused by? Does it increase your risk for any other health problems? We’re here to help you understand what qualifies as oligodontia, the associated genetics, and what you can do to treat it. Oligodontia: What Is It? Dental agenesis is a term

Dry Mouth and Diabetes: Four Tips for Prevention

According to the American Diabetes Association, over 10% of Americans have some form of diabetes. If this describes you, you may be wondering, “how do I get rid of diabetes dry mouth?” We’re here to cover what causes dry mouth, how it’s connected to diabetes, and cover some top tips to provide relief. Diabetes and Dry Mouth Maintaining proper oral care is a vital part of your dental and overall health. This