To help ease your fear of going to the dentist, you will want to do your research to ensure that you have found a dentist who will make you feel safe during every appointment.
It’s normal for babies to suck their thumbs, their fingers, or a pacifier. However, if your child doesn’t give up this habit by age 4, extended usage can cause problems with the alignment of their teeth.
We recognize that few people want to deal with a soft tissue issue in their mouths at the expense of their teeth. Let’s talk about how laser procedures allow us to operate on soft tissue without damaging your teeth in the process.
When were mass-produced toothbrushes first created? Not until the late 1700s. Until that time, most toothbrushes were imported into Europe from China. Many other regions and cultures also continued to chew on sticks before mass-produced toothbrushes became common.
Advancements in dental technology have led to new ways to prepare teeth for fillings. For example, microair abrasion can replace drilling. This process uses forced air and tiny particles to remove material.
The first types of toothbrushes were created in different cultures, thousands of years ago, from tree sticks. Many of the popular “chew sticks” came from trees known to have medicinal antiseptic properties including the Neem and Arak tree.
Ever wonder why bony structures like teeth have nerves inside? Apparently, this is to keep you from destroying them. By having a feedback mechanism, your brain stops you from chewing on things that are too hard for the teeth to manage.
John Baker was the first dentist in America to receive medical training. Born in England, he was trained as a medical surgeon and dentist. He immigrated to Boston in 1763, where he set up practice as an “operator for the teeth.”
When you apply too much pressure while brushing your teeth, you run the risk of causing damage to tooth enamel or the gums that are around your teeth.
While teething biscuits can help to reduce teething pain, it is important to stick with biscuits which are sugar free and to wipe the baby’s mouth out after a biscuit has been consumed to avoid bacteria growth on the gums or new teeth.
While you may know that poor oral hygiene can cause health problems, the reverse is also true: several diseases (like diabetes) can cause problems with your teeth and gums.
Despite advancements in dental technology, sometimes, there is just no way to save a badly damaged tooth. In these cases, a dentist will have no choice but to extract it to eliminate pain and prevent infections that will end up making things worse.
Did you know that the cranial nerves in your head make up around 80 percent of your brain's total sensory function? The trigeminal nerve is a major player in your cranial membrane, is the largest of your 12 cranial nerve centers, and passes directly through your jaw. No wonder TMJ can be so painful!
Despite all of your precautions and efforts, sometimes a tooth may just crack or break. If this happens, we can make a crown to repair and cover the damage. It's better to save as much of the tooth as possible rather than remove it.
How should you brush your teeth? Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, apply a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Holding the brush at a 45-degree angle, brush using circular strokes while ensuring that the bristles reach into the spaces between the teeth.
Experts believe the Chinese may have created the first metal tooth filings. Early medical texts reference a silver-based paste which appears to have been compounded as an amalgam to repair cavities in teeth.
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the sliding hinge that connects the jawbone to the skull. TMJ disorders can be caused by a variety of things including injury, arthritis, habitually clenching your teeth or grinding them at night.
When searching for a dental school to pursue a career as a dentist, it is recommended that you search for a dental school accredited with the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
"I just love canker sores" said no one, ever. If you are plagued with them, rinse your mouth with a solution of baking soda and saltwater, or try a mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide with one part water.
In dental terms, what is a bridge? This a prosthetic installed by prosthodontists to replace one or more missing teeth. Unlike dentures, bridges are fixed in place and are anchored on teeth and/or implants on either side of the gap.
Why can extensive damage occur to a tooth without causing pain? Because the nerve fibers which signal pain are only located under the tooth enamel. We often see severe tooth enamel decay which has gone unnoticed because there was no pain.
Pregnancy is no time to skip dental appointments. In fact, because of the changes the mother's body is undergoing, it is important to work more closely with the dentist to create an oral healthcare plan that addresses them.
Many dentists handle different types of procedures, such as braces and tooth extraction. We are happy to explain the range of dental services available without being referred to a specialist.
Are you skeptical of the use of lasers in dentistry because they aren’t more widely used? Since dental drills are only a fraction of the cost, it’s usually a matter of finance, not efficacy.
