Fluoride: You Never Outgrow Your Need
You grew up with fluoride. Your teeth show it in the very fact that you still have them. Before 1945, by the time your nest was empty, your mouth was often empty as well. But when cities began adding it [...]
Can Kissing Cause Cavities?
Sorry to say, it can. In fact, anything involving contact with saliva—a kiss, parents tasting their babies' food, sharing of tableware and toothbrushes—can transmit decay-causing bacteria. Soon after birth, infants start to get those bacteria that inhabit the mouth and [...]
Fast Facts About Dry Mouth
Here are some facts about dry mouth, which can be a frustrating condition... We call it xerostomia—and it can be a serious problem. It tends to happen as we age—but it doesn't have to. Besides being uncomfortable, it makes teeth [...]
Crowns: Dental Workhorses
Most dentists will agree that crown restorations are at the heart of general dentistry. We've all studied crowns in dental school, and some of us have done our best work replacing missing teeth and saving the rest. Research has given [...]
Alcohol and Your Teeth
What are the Effects on Teeth? Dentally speaking, is drinking alcohol a good thing or a bad thing for your teeth and gums? As with everything alcohol-related, there are positives and negatives. On the one hand, a mixer-free shot of [...]
Mouthwash FAQs
Common Questions About Mouthwash Whether it's to mask bad breath, fight cavities, or prevent the buildup of plaque, the sticky material that contains germs and can lead to oral diseases, mouthwash serves a variety of purposes. Or so we think. [...]
Tooth Colored Fillings: Now You See ’em…
Can Tooth-Colored Fillings Improve My Smile? Are you looking for tooth-colored fillings? For those of you who feel silver or gold fillings are cosmetically appealing, you need not read any further. However, if you prefer fillings that look like natural [...]
Fluoride & Your Health
What is fluoride, and why is it good for my teeth? Fluoride is a compound of the element fluorine, which is found universally throughout nature in water, soil, air, and in most foods. The mineral is easily absorbed into tooth [...]
Soft Drinks and Your Teeth
Soft Drinks Pack a Hard Punch! Soft drinks are bad for your teeth in more ways than one. There's sugar, and then there's acidity. The sugar provides the necessary food for the harmful bacteria in your mouth—the average American drinks [...]
Tooth Decay: A Preventable Disease
What is tooth decay, and what causes it? Tooth decay is the disease known as caries or cavities. It is not life-threatening and is although it is highly preventable, it will affect most people to some degree during their lifetime. [...]