Causes and Treatment of Tooth Sensitivity

Ask a Dentist, Tooth Decay - causes, sensitivity, tooth, treatment - 14 September 2017

For most of us, enjoying a cold ice cream on a hot day — or slurping a hot spoonful of soup in the winter — is a pleasurable experience. For others, it’s torture. Many people suffer from some degree of tooth sensitivity, but the condition is relatively easy to prevent and treat in most cases. What is tooth sensitivity? People with sensitive teeth can feel a sharp pain when their teeth come into contact with foods that are particularly hot or cold; acidic foods can also trigger this reaction. Tooth sensitivity to cold foods is the most common, and is […]

How to Stop Grinding Your Teeth

Ask a Dentist, Tooth Decay - grinding, stop, teeth, your - 16 August 2017

Do you grind your teeth? Even if you don’t think so, there’s a chance that you are among the estimated ten percent of people who grind their teeth subconsciously — a condition with the clinical name of bruxism. Many bruxism sufferers grind their teeth without even realizing that it’s happening. The grinding most commonly happens at night, when the person is deeply asleep. Some people grind their teeth for years without being aware of this nightly habit (which can also happen while awake as a subconscious behavior). Usually it’s the development of one of bruxism’s negative side effects that triggers […]

Soft Drink Taxes and Dental Health: Should Australia Tax Soft Drinks

Ask a Dentist, Holistic Dentistry, Tooth Decay - dental, drink, health, should, soft, taxes - 3 April 2017

Could Internationally Popular Soft Drink Taxes Come to Australia? Taxes on soda and other sugary drinks are increasing in popularity as a public health measure. Could these taxes have an impact on global dental health? As Australia weighs the pros and cons of implementing a soda tax, it’s important to look at how similar taxes are designed — and how effective they are — around the world. We all know that soda is not the best beverage for our allover health. A liter of Pepsi packs in 65.7 grams of sugar, while a liter of Mountain Dew tops the charts […]

Do You Floss? 3 Easy Tips to Get in the Flossing Habit

Ask a Dentist, Healthy Living Tips, Holistic Dentistry, Tooth Decay - easy, floss, flossing, habit, tips - 1 February 2017

Anyone who’s been to the dentist before has heard all about the benefits of flossing. A daily flossing habit is crucial for removing tartar buildup, preventing gum disease and protecting teeth from decay. But understanding the importance of flossing and actually getting into the habit of doing it regularly are two different things. Even though getting in the habit of flossing only adds an extra few minutes to your nighttime routine, when you’re tired and you just want to go to bed, it can still feel like a lot of work to do in addition to brushing your teeth. To […]

Five Secrets You Can’t Keep from Your Dentist

Ask a Dentist - , five, from, keep, secrets, your - 4 January 2017

A dentist visit is all about your teeth and gums, right? Most people think of routine dental cleanings as a fairly cut-and-dry experience. But you may be surprised to learn about the many things your dentist can tell about you — including your best-kept secrets — simply by administering a routine oral exam. How much you really floss Sorry, but your dentist can see right through all your flossing fibs. Some may think it’s good enough to break out the dental floss once or twice just before their exam, but that’s not enough to fool a professional. If you flossed […]

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 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 […]