When you flash your biggest and brightest smile, your central incisor teeth are front and center. These are the two upper and lower teeth at the very front of your mouth. On either side of your central incisors are the lateral incisors, making eight incisors in total. Due to their position, incisors are the most noticeable teeth in your mouth, and they have various functions beyond playing the leading role
Every parent worries about their child, so it’s natural for some to have concerns around their toddler or infant’s first dental visit. Is it safe to take X-rays of baby teeth? What should I look for in finding a dental professional? We’re here to walk you through why X-rays are safe, how often you should schedule dental visits, and how to pick a good dental professional. When to Visit With
If you slide your tongue around your lower gums or the roof of your mouth, do you feel any alien hard bumps? If so, the bumps are most likely harmless growths of extra bone called tori. Emphasis on the word “harmless.” Dental tori are simply tiny hills of bone covered by normal gum tissue. The two most common types of tori are mandibular and palatal. Mandibular tori – or mandibular
Starting toothbrushing at around the age of 1 may be associated with a lower risk of early childhood caries (ECC) in preschool-age children, according to a systematic review published recently in BMC Oral Health. Additionally, brushing more frequently appears to offer the greatest benefit, the authors wrote. “The overall evidence suggests that commencing tooth brushing by 12 months of age and brushing at least twice daily may be protective against
As your child develops, some issues may arise that need professional treatment, including teeth problems. These oral health conditions are rare but they can be treated by a dental professional. Learn what these rare dental conditions are and how they are treated. Anodontia or Hypodontia Anodontia is a rare, genetic tooth disorder in which some or all teeth never form. Although it can affect baby teeth, it is more common
Becoming a young adult comes with a lot of change, including getting your last four permanent teeth – your third molars, also known as wisdom teeth. Sadly, these do not come with the added benefit of adult wisdom but often come with wisdom teeth issues. If you are experiencing problems with your wisdom teeth, your dentist may recommend removing them. There are a few reasons why this might be the
Every child responds differently to losing their first tooth; your child may feel excited about the tooth fairy’s first visit or nervous about the pain. Most children lose their first baby tooth, also known as a primary tooth, around six years old, and their last primary tooth between nine and thirteen. Are you wondering what to do when your child loses their first baby tooth? Here are some tips on
While your tongue may appear to be a small part of your body, there’s nothing tongue-in-cheek about it playing a starring role for you. Without your tongue, you’d be unable to speak, taste, chew, and swallow properly. It also aids your body from certain germs and bacteria. When certain conditions or abnormalities are affecting your tongue, those everyday things can be extremely burdensome. Fortunately, nearly all of the different types
As teens get older, they have a variety of milestones to look forward to, whether it’s preparing for a driving exam, sending in college applications, or moving on to another exciting adventure. However, you should keep in mind an oral health milestone too: wisdom teeth. A strong, confident smile is an important asset to take with you into adulthood and staying aware of possible risks like pericoronitis while third morals
The removal of wisdom teeth— It’s a right of passage for many dental patients. But is every wisdom teeth story a unique one? Definitely. Including when your wisdom teeth come in and when you need to get them out. Purpose of Wisdom Teeth According to the Smithsonian Institution, hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago, our wisdom teeth were meant to help us chew. They allowed early humans to grind away
You might have heard that fluoride is important for kids while their teeth are developing, but did you know that it’s equally as important for you? The use of fluoride can benefit both children and adults. You can look to credible sources such as the American Dental Association to see the science behind the fact that fluoride applied directly to the teeth helps fight tooth decay. Regardless of their risk
Does your tongue look a little funky? Well, it might be trying to tell you something. Did you know that your tongue can reflect your overall health? It’s true. Often, when there’s something off-balance within your body, your tongue has a lot to say about it. This is especially true when it comes to dehydration. While dehydration isn’t localized to just one area of the body, a dehydrated tongue can