Archive for 2018

What Does Smoking Do to Your Oral Health?

We all know smoking is bad for our health. In fact, smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in the United States and is linked to 480,000 deaths each year. Despite these stark statistics, about 17% of adults in the United States smoke. One thing smokers may not realize is that […]

The History of the Tooth Fairy

As a dentist, the tooth fairy is particularly close to my heart. She makes the potentially scary event of losing a baby tooth something to look forward to and she encourages good dental hygiene because, after all, no fairy wants to dirty tooth. Recently, I started wondering about the origins of this fairy. How did […]

How to Detect a Cavity

It is important to have your cavities treated as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration. During your regular checkups, your dentist will alert you to any cavities that he or she sees. Between checkups, however, it is important for you to pay attention to signs of cavities. Below, we’ve outlined a few key symptoms […]

Foods That Cause Tooth Decay

When it comes to tooth decay, it’s important to know the main culprit – acid. Acid is what eats away at our enamel and causes cavities. Acid can enter our mouths in one of two ways: either directly through what we eat (citrus fruits, for example), or as a byproduct when oral bacteria consume the […]

Should Your Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?

Between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five, many individuals grow a third set of molars. These molars are known as wisdom teeth. These teeth once served an important role in helping humans to eat raw meats, vegetables, and roots. Today, however, these teeth often cause more negative outcomes than positive ones. In order to prevent […]

St. Patrick’s Day Means 64% More Dental Emergencies

St. Patrick’s Day Means 64% More Dental Emergencies According to a study from CNBC, there is a massive spike in emergency dental treatments on the day following St. Patrick’s Day. Nationwide, this spike is 64%, but there are states where the spike can be as dramatic as 150%. The reasons for this spike aren’t terribly […]

Is the Future of Dentistry Silver?

A recent scientific discovery could have big implications for dental practices around the world. This discovery was made by Dr. Carla Meledandri of the University of Otago’s Chemistry department. In fact, the discovery was so significant that Dr. Meledandri received the 2017 Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize. Dr. Meledandri’s discovery was that silver nanoparticles […]

How to Brush your Teeth

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been brushing your teeth for many years. The question is, have you been brushing them the right way? Below, you’ll find some of the most important pointers for keeping your pearly whites healthy and looking good for the long term. 1. Take your time Brushing your teeth should take […]

Prevent Enamel Loss

Enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth that protects them from wear and tear and prevents them from feeling the temperature extremes of the foods and beverages you eat and drink. If you lose your enamel, your teeth will grow more sensitive and more prone to cavities. There is no way to replace […]

Avoid These Foods for a Healthier Smile

A healthy smile starts with a healthy diet. In addition to making sure your diet contains plenty of nutritious and vitamin-heavy foods, there are a few foods and beverages you ought to avoid as much as possible. Below, you’ll find a list of some cavity-causing culprits and an explanation of why they cause so much […]