We’ve all struggled to swallow our food at one time or another – typically because we ate too fast, gulped down too much food at once, or didn’t thoroughly chew our food. It’s usually not a big deal. But if you feel food gets stuck in your throat when you swallow more than usual, it’s possibly a cause for concern. You could be experiencing dysphagia, a condition in itself, or
The phrase “smiling through the pain” takes on new meaning for patients of angular Cheilitis. Also known as perlèche, angular stomatitis, or cheilosis, angular Cheilitis describes the inflammation and dry, cracked skin at one or both corners of the mouth. Suppose the patient opens their mouth too wide. In that case, the skin can split and bleed, making eating, talking, and even smiling uncomfortable. But what causes this painful condition,
As an adult, you’ve probably experienced the pain and annoyance of having canker sores. So when your child has one or more, you totally get it. Helping them deal with it is hard. Getting them to keep up with an oral care routine and eat a good diet to improve their situation can be even more difficult. Here are some ideas to help your little ones deal with canker sore
Pus is a natural sign of your body fighting infection. Sometimes it’s no cause for concern (like the pus in your average pimple, for instance.) However, infections that create pus can also be dangerous and even life-threatening. So on the scale of “pimple” to “rush to the hospital immediately,” how dangerous is the pus in an abscessed tooth? We’ll break down the causes, risks, and treatment, so you know what
Swish, swish! Whether you need to freshen your breath between appointments quickly or you want more cavity protection, mouthwash can boost your oral care routine. Choosing the right mouthwash for your needs brings up an excellent question: Do you need a non-alcoholic mouthwash? Explore the benefits of an alcohol-free mouthwash and determine which ingredients will best help you achieve your oral health goals. Why Use Alcohol-Free Mouthwash? Many marketed mouth
Have you ever felt confused by the technical jargon used by dental professionals? Luckily, you’re not alone. What exactly is a dental fistula? How is it different than an abscess? We’ve done the hard work for you and organized the answers to your top questions and concerns. Dental Fistula vs. Abscess Before we dive into a dental fistula definition, it’s important to understand what an abscess is. Bacteria can infect
Uh-oh – your kid has a wobbly tooth! Back in the day, you might have taken care of this with a doorknob and a piece of string. But today, we know that pulling your child’s tooth out before it’s ready can do more harm than good. So what can you do to help your little one with that annoying wiggly tooth? Let’s look at the options… Why Is Your Child’s
Perhaps you’ve heard that stem cells have the ability to treat diabetes or help regrow nerve tissue in people with spinal cord injuries. Researchers have also made amazing discoveries involving stem cells and oral health—so growing teeth with stem cells may become a reality in the future. What Are Stem Cells? Stem cells are masters of regeneration. In your own body, they can divide and renew themselves, even after long
Zap! Can giving yourself a series of small shocks actually help reduce pain? That’s the science behind transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, also known as TENS therapy. This therapy uses a low-voltage electrical current to help reduce pain in targeted areas throughout your body. Though commonly used to treat issues like arthritis or strained muscles, the dental community has adopted this technology for oral pain management, too. Find out how TENS
As the mother of a young baby, we know you’re focused on your family’s health. You may have even become an oral hygiene aficionado already, wiping your baby’s gums after every feeding and making sure they don’t take a bottle of anything but water to bed. But even with the most rigorous oral care routine, there are still millions of naturally occurring organisms living in our mouths. For most of us, a
If you have a permanent tooth that’s coming in and a clear sack of fluid has formed around it, you may have what’s called a dentigerous cyst. You may not even be able to tell it’s there, and your dentist found it during a routine checkup. You’re probably wondering what caused this growth or if it poses any risks to your health that you should be concerned about, and what
The smoke from barbeque and burning leaves — fantastic. The smoke from cigarettes — not so much. Everyone is now well aware of how smoking can significantly harm your overall health. And while the number of people that smoke is declining, there are still too many smoke-related deaths each year. What most people don’t think of, though, is how smoking negatively affects your oral health. And it’s not just stained
