Why Are Mouth Cancer Rates on the Rise in the UK?

Ask a Dentist, Oral Cancer - cancer, mouth, rates, rise - 28 December 2016

The group Cancer Research UK released some troubling news recently. Oral cancer rates have increased over the last two decades, according to their analysis. And the rate of increase isn’t small — oral cancers are now 68 percent more common than they were just 20 years ago. Researchers are now devoting their resources to figuring out what’s to blame for this drastic uptick in mouth cancer occurrences, what can be done to reign these numbers in, and how to improve oral cancer survival rates. What is Oral Cancer? The terms oral cancer and mouth cancer refer to any cancer that […]

How Dental Sealants Improve Kids’ Dental Health

Ask a Dentist, Dental Hygiene for Kids - , dental, health, improve, kids - 14 December 2016

It’s long been understood that whenever possible, preventative measures are far better and cheaper than treating a problem that’s already developed. Basic preventative measures like brushing and flossing are already a part of most people’s daily oral care routine. But others, such as getting dental sealants, are a great way of taking extra measures to keep teeth healthy. To address this issue and help increase children’s access to preventative oral care, school districts across the US in low socioeconomic areas have begun offering programs that provide subsidized dental sealants to kids while they’re at school. According to an October 2016 study […]

What Are Dental Sealants and How are They Helping Kids Smile

Dental Hygiene for Kids, Holistic Dentistry, Tooth Decay - dental, helping, kids, sealants, they, what - 16 November 2016

It’s long been understood that whenever possible, preventative measures are far better and cheaper than treating a problem that’s already developed. Basic preventative measures like brushing and flossing are already a part of most people’s daily oral care routine. But others, such as getting dental sealants, are too costly for some people to afford despite their well-documented positive effect on cavity prevention. To address this issue and help increase children’s access to preventative oral care, school districts across the US in low socioeconomic areas have begun offering programs that provide subsidized dental sealants to kids while they’re at school. According […]

What You Need to Know About How to Floss Properly

Ask a Dentist, Dental Hygiene for Kids, Healthy Living Tips - about, floss, know, need, properly, what - 29 October 2016

The Lowdown On Flossing Although there has been some recent scientific controversy concerning the benefits of flossing versus not flossing, most of the nation’s dentists still tout flossing importance to healthy teeth. Most American Dental Association (ADA) members—and even WebMD.com—continue to praise flossing benefits as an important method of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Should You Floss Before or After Brushing? Some ADA dentists recommend flossing before brushing, since flossing is not a “fun” process. They believe some people will forego flossing if they wait until after brushing. Some dentists believe you’re better off using floss after brushing to […]

What You Need to Know About Gum Disease

Ask a Dentist, Holistic Dentistry - about, disease, know, need, what - 28 October 2016

Get The Facts On Gum Disease Gum disease is more appropriately called “periodontal disease.” It is a key cause of tooth loss and it is linked to other dangerous diseases, like diabetes and heart (cardio) issues. Symptoms of gum disease include swollen, red, and bleeding gums. These also are the early signs of gum disease. According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) this unfortunate “link” to other diseases has been confirmed by multiple studies. AAP also states there are different types of gum disease. What Is Gum Disease and Its Forms? Gum disease typically involves plaque that has spread […]

How to Brush Your Teeth Properly

Ask a Dentist, Dental Hygiene for Kids - brush, properly, teeth, your - 25 October 2016

The recommended proper brushing method has changed somewhat over the past two or three decades. Adopting the correct tooth-brushing technique will help you promote healthy teeth. Regular brushing should be an important component of your daily dental care regimen. How to Brush Your Teeth Correctly According to the American Dental Association (ADA), these recommendations help you have a healthy mouth and a winning smile. Brush twice a day using a soft-bristled brush. Get a new toothbrush three or four times a year; even sooner if you have frayed bristles. Always use an ADA-accepted toothpaste (with the ADA seal), ensuring that […]

What Causes Sensitive Teeth and 4 Tips for Dealing With It

Ask a Dentist, Tooth Decay - causes, dealing, sensitive, teeth, tips, what - 24 October 2016

Have Sensitive Teeth? Here’s What You Need to Know: Sensitive teeth typically react badly to hot or cold food and beverages. They can send severe pain signals that flows throughout your body. In some cases, your teeth become sensitive to cold substances only. In other cases, your teeth become sensitive to heat, but not to cold. In other cases, you feel teeth sensitivity to hot and cold. What Causes Sensitive Teeth If you have sensitive teeth you could blame one of multiple causes. Among the common causes of sensitive teeth are the following items. Lack of sufficient tooth enamel, lost […]

Study Shows Possible Connection Between Gum Disease and Alzheimer’s

Ask a Dentist, Healthy Living Tips, Holistic Dentistry - between, connection, disease, possible, shows, study - 20 October 2016

There’s a New Reason to Protect Yourself Against Plaque Gum diseases caused by the damaging effects of tartar and plaque have long been a concern for many people. Periodontal disease, if allowed to progress, can result in bone loss and loosening of the teeth. It becomes more and more painful to treat as it worsens; skin grafts or even tooth removal can be necessary if gum disease is not addressed early on. But scientists have also identified other consequences of poor gum health that extend beyond the mouth. A link has been identified between gum disease and heart disease, for […]

What You Need to Know About Geriatric Dental Care

Ask a Dentist, Healthy Living Tips, Holistic Dentistry - about, dental, geriatric, know, need, what - 19 October 2016

What You Need to Know About Geriatric Dental Care On the surface, when it comes to geriatric dental care the news is good: aging Americans are keeping their teeth longer into their lives, and maintaining more of them, too. It’s definitely a victory for the dental health field that tooth removal and reliance on dentures is becoming less and less common. But the state of elderly dental care still has problems, and these are actually becoming more pronounced now that more elderly people are keeping their natural teeth. Dentistry professionals are speaking out about the specific concerns relating to the […]

Oral Piercings and Dental Hygiene

Ask a Dentist, Healthy Living Tips, Holistic Dentistry - dental, hygiene, oral, piercings - 12 October 2016

Though fads and styles come and go, oral piercings remain a popular alternative style choice. Lip piercings, tongue piercings and cheek piercings are the most common, but it’s safe to say that any spot that can be pierced has been by someone — including under the tongue, inside the lips, and even the uvula! When deciding whether or not to get a piercing, most people consider the appearance, pain level, maintenance and price. However, dentists are speaking out and urging oral piercing enthusiasts to also take their dental health into consideration. When thinking about oral piercings, dental hygiene might not […]