It’s an all too common human experience to roll out from under the covers and realize that your throat is dry. This annoying symptom can make it difficult to speak, swallow, or even eat. We’re here to help you understand the most likely causes of a dry throat and what to do about it. Dehydration Did you know that you have hundreds of salivary glands that supply saliva to your
Cavities and tooth decay are kids’ stuff, right? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 18.6% of American children aged 5 to 19 have untreated cavities. But your risk for developing cavities doesn’t end once you become an adult. In fact, 31.6% of American adults aged 20 to 44 have untreated cavities — indicating more adults than children have tooth decay in need of treatment. Adults — particularly
If you’re hoping to treat a cavity at home, a homemade tooth filling may seem like a viable option. However, this improvised solution will not treat your dental decay. Learn more about how cavities are properly filled by trained dentists. Signs of a Dental Cavity A cavity is a hole in a tooth caused by ongoing dental decay, as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains. After eating a meal,
Do you ever wake up after a night out drinking with your mouth feeling exceptionally dry? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that a little more than a quarter of the adult US population has had at least one heavy drinking day in the past year. Even moderate drinking can affect your oral health. Read on to find out why drinking alcohol can cause dry mouth and
There is more to your smile than you think! Your teeth help you bite, chew, and digest food – they also assist with word pronunciation. Each tooth consists of various parts with unique properties and functions. Learn about the types of teeth that make up your smile and the different parts of a tooth. What Are The Different Types of Teeth? Adults have 32 permanent teeth, 16 in the upper
Pacifiers have been calming little ones and helping them fall asleep in peace since the 1600s. And they’re still used widely today because they work. But when is your child too old to be sucking on a nipple substitute to fall asleep? We’ll let you know best practices for pacifier use and how you can help them kick the habit without too much kicking and screaming so you can both
Watching your baby’s first teeth develop is an exciting milestone! Those first little buds that come in are so cute! But we understand that tooth eruption can also feel overwhelming for a first-time parent. Throughout this process, you could have a lot of questions running through your head. Are my child’s teeth developing on schedule? How can I keep them comfortable during teething? Are their primary (baby) teeth as essential
Dry mouth is a frustrating problem that can be all too common for people with certain lifestyles, medications, and health conditions. But what exactly causes dry mouth? What are its symptoms? What is Dry Mouth? Your mouth is full of hundreds of minor salivary glands and three sets of major salivary glands that provide saliva to your mouth. Dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) occurs when your salivary glands underproduce.
Over the last century, dentistry has evolved significantly. And over the last decade or two, our dental knowledge and capability are lightyears from what it used to be. Many centuries ago, our ancestors didn’t have access to the technology, research, or knowledge of our teeth that we do today. Join us as we combine Modern Dentistry 101 with your history and philosophy curriculum. Cavities Are Not Caused by Tooth Worms
Wounds can occur in the mouth for many reasons — from accidents to surgical procedures. Whatever the cause, your body has everything it needs to heal the wound. Granulation tissue plays an important role in this healing process. Learn more about how oral wounds heal and why you might notice white tissue around the injury site. What Is the Wound Healing Process? Wounds inside the mouth heal essentially the
Your teeth are divided into four types: incisors, cuspids, premolars and molars. At most, you have 32 permanent teeth, but you start with 20 baby teeth, which include only incisors, canines and molars, per the American Dental Association (ADA). Getting a little brush up—pun intended—on all the human teeth names, each type’s location and their function can help you better understand why your oral care is so important. Incisors Slice Food Your smile
You can probably think of a few things you’d rather do than get your wisdom teeth removed, but sometimes it’s necessary for a healthy mouth! On the bright side, you’ll finally have an excuse for a temporary diet consisting of macaroni & cheese and chocolate pudding. As delicious as these soft recovery foods are, food can sometimes get stuck in empty wisdom teeth sockets after the procedure—no matter how careful you are.