You need food, particularly sweet and sticky food, for the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids that will attack the tooth enamel (outer surface of the tooth). Sugars, especially sucrose, react with bacteria to produce acid. The acid from the bacteria can decay your teeth. It’s not just candy and ice cream we’re talking [...]

To understand what happens when your teeth decay, it’s helpful to know what’s in your mouth naturally. Here are a few of the elements: - Saliva: Your mouth and teeth are constantly bathed in saliva. Although we never give much thought to our spit, this simple fluid is remarkable for what it does to help protect [...]

Expected Duration Once the abscess is drained, most symptoms go away immediately or within a few days, but the abscess will not be cured unless the cause is eliminated. Prevention Good oral hygiene can help prevent abscesses by keeping teeth and gums free of food and debris. Regular dental checkups are also important. If you [...]

Content by OraPharma, Inc. 5/09 If you have been to a dentist recently, you’ve probably noticed something has changed. Your hygiene appointment is not just a cleaning. Today’s dental hygienists are as instrumental in diagnosing oral problems as a dentist. Recently, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association formally recognized the importance of a hygienist’s diagnosis with [...]

Study Shows Link Between Periodontitis and Risk of Head and Neck Cancer Taking care of your teeth and gums may not only save your smile, it could save your life. A new study suggests a common form of gum disease may significantly raise the risk of head and neck cancer. Researchers found that people diagnosed [...]

By Mayo Clinic You can’t reach the tight spaces between your teeth or under your gumline with a toothbrush. That’s why daily flossing is important. When you floss: Don’t skimp. Break off about 18 inches of dental floss. Wind most of the floss around the middle finger on one hand, and the rest around the [...]

Oral Health: Brushing Up on Dental Care Basics By Mayo Clinic Brushing for oral health Oral health begins with clean teeth.  Consider these brushing basics from the American Dental Association: Brush your teeth at least twice a day.  When you brush, don’t rush.  Take enough time to do a thorough job. Use the proper equipment.  [...]

Oral Health: A Window to Your Overall Health – Part Two By MayoClinic.com Oral health and other health conditions Here’s a look at some of the diseases and conditions that may be linked to oral health: Cardiovascular disease.  Research shows that several types of cardiovascular disease may be linked to oral health.  These include heart [...]

It has long been noted that sugar causes decay in the teeth. So it is a natural assumption that if one drinks diet soda, it will reduce the amount of sugar intake thus reducing the amount of decay on the teeth. Unfortunately, that is not true. Soft drinks, that is any drink with carbonation, has [...]

Good oral hygiene is important, not only for looks, but for general health as well. A routine dental examination can detect symptoms of more than 125 diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, anemia, stomach ulcers, osteoporosis and kidney disease. Regular check ups and cleanings can save you the pain and expense of future problems. Dental insurance [...]