Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking Around Age 3
One of the biggest concerns we hear from parents is about their child’s thumb sucking habit. Our advice: if they’re under age 4, there’s no need for concern — yet. If they’re older, though, you should be concerned about the possible effect on their bite. Thumb sucking is a universal habit among infants and toddlers
Periodontal Probing Increases Accuracy in Diagnosing Gum Disease
If you’re over age 30 there’s a fifty percent chance you have periodontal (gum) disease—and you may not even know it. Without treatment this often “silent” bacterial infection could cause you to lose gum coverage, supporting bone volume or eventually your teeth. That’s not to say there can’t be noticeable symptoms like swollen, red, bleeding
Root Decay in Your Later Years Could Endanger Your Teeth
As we age we become more susceptible to dental diseases. A common but often initially unnoticed problem for seniors is root decay. We’re all familiar with tooth decay in the crown, the visible tooth above the gum line. Bacteria feeding on leftover sugar in the mouth produce acid, which at high levels erodes the teeth’s
Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
When they’re introducing a new movie, actors often take a moment to pay tribute to the people who helped make it happen — like, you know, their dentists. At least that’s what Charlize Theron did at the premiere of her new spy thriller, Atomic Blonde. “I just want to take a quick moment to thank my
3 Reasons Why Smoking Doesn’t Mix with Dental Implants
If you smoke, you know better than anyone how a hard a habit it is to kick. If you want to quit, it helps to have a motivating reason—like lowering your risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease or similar conditions. Here’s another reason for quitting tobacco: it could be making your teeth and gums less healthy.
Don’t Let Your Loose Tooth Become a Lost Tooth
Discovering a loose tooth can be exciting — if you’re six, that is, and anticipating a windfall from the tooth fairy. If you’re an adult, a loose tooth is a different story. You’re in real danger of it becoming a lost tooth, and there won’t be another one coming in to replace it. Fortunately, that result isn’t
Living with HIV includes Keeping a Close Watch on Your Oral Health
We’ve come a long way since the early 1980s when we first identified the HIV virus. Although approximately 35 million people worldwide (including a million Americans) now have the virus, many are living relatively long and normal lives thanks to advanced antiretroviral drugs. Still, HIV patients must remain vigilant about their health, especially their oral
Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
Repairing or restoring your smile can help boost your confidence, make everyday, face-to-face situations less anxiety-inducing, and help you feel great about the way you look. Cosmetic dentistry, which focuses on the aesthetic aspect of your smile, can help you renew your smile and get the look you want. Find out more about some common
Actor David Ramsey Says: Don’t Forget to Floss!
Can you have healthy teeth and still have gum disease? Absolutely! And if you don’t believe us, just ask actor David Ramsey. The cast member of TV hits such as Dexter and Arrow said in a recent interview that up to the present day, he has never had a single cavity. Yet at a routine dental visit during his
Your Age Won’t Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
It’s something you think about often—especially when you look in a mirror or at a photo of yourself. You wish something could have been done about it a long time ago. But now you think you’re too old to correct your misaligned teeth—your “crooked” smile. Actually, you can transform your smile through orthodontics, whatever your