We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If that’s true, does it really matter what we eat, or does it just matter that we eat? Doctors, dieticians, dentists, and other health experts will tell you that what you eat for breakfast matters. You can’t have donuts and a caramel macchiato for breakfast most mornings and expect it not to affect your oral and overall health! According ...

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On a normal day, you probably don't think about air pollution. You can’t see it, but it’s there, filled with carcinogens, all around us. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Ambient (outdoor) air pollution in both cities and rural areas is causing fine particulate matter (PM) which result in strokes, heart diseases, lung cancer, acute and chronic respiratory diseases.” To expand on this, air pollution can also cause dental health issues ...

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The temporomandibular joint (also called the jaw joint or TMJ) is one of the most frequently used joints in the human body. These all-too-important joints allow us to speak, chew, yawn, and laugh. So, when our jaws fall victim to injury or dysfunction, it can have devastating effects on our physical, mental, and social health. Luckily, calling attention to these overworked (and underappreciated!) joints can help you avoid painful TMJ disorders in the future. And ...

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Enamel is an incredible part of our body. In fact, tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in the human body! How is that fun fact? Despite the powerhouse strength of this mineral, teeth are highly susceptible to damage and decay. We all know that eating healthy is important to our bodies, but it is also vital to our teeth. These eight, innocent products are items we consume every day. Clinical studies show the ...

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There are a lot of things you can blame on your genes – never got that growth spurt you were expecting? Clearly the fault of your 5' mother. Premature balding? Thanks, Dad. However, what about oral health? We know learning good oral hygiene at an early age (and practicing it) is the key to healthy teeth and gums, but could you be predisposed to periodontal disease? The answer might surprise you. What is Gum Disease? Gum ...

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While oral cancer (i.e., oral cavity and oropharynx cancers collectively) accounts for almost 3% of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States, it is responsible for 1.8% of all cancer deaths.  The death rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high because it is generally not discovered until late in its development. Early-stage symptoms of oral cancer are often painless, such as a white or red patches of tissue or a lesion ...

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If you’re one of the estimated 50-80% of adults with dental anxiety, chances are you’ve avoided or delayed dental care at some point in your life. Whether it be a routine cleaning or a more in-depth procedure, such as a root canal or filling, putting off dental visits often results in more significant issues down the road. In the majority of cases, dental anxiety is a result of a prior traumatic dental experience ...

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There’s no shortage of teeth whitening solutions. From in-office lasers to at-home whitening kits and snap-on veneers, there have never been more ways to achieve a white smile! But, before you order a custom kit or hit up the drugstore for whitening strips, there’s more you should know about teeth discoloration. Not all stains are created equal, and the cause of yours needs to be taken into consideration when selecting a whitening solution ...

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The draw of sugar can be hard to resist, especially this time of year! Whether it’s Aunt Clara’s special holiday cookies or advent calendar chocolates, we’re surrounded by tempting treats from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.  We know sugar isn’t “good” for us, but exactly how does it affect our dental health?  Sugar Changes Mouth Acidity – As children, we learn that sugar causes cavities, but the real culprit is acid. Our ...

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