Do your gums bleed easily while brushing? This may be a sign of gingivitis! Gingivitis is one of the earliest stages of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, which is an infection of the tissues surrounding your teeth. Symptoms other than bleeding include gums are red, swollen or tender gums and bad breath! Some people are at a higher…
Do you remember the saying, “Sip all day, get decay?” It’s not only a catchy saying; it’s the truth! Heavy soda consumption can contribute to tooth decay along with other health complications like diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. Sugar in soda combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid, which attacks your teeth and eventually weakens the tooth’s enamel. To…
From the moment teeth start growing, they are exposed to many things that can damage them over time! The chewing surfaces of the molar and premolar teeth have grooves in them; these small spaces make teeth more susceptible to decay as plaque can easily accumulate in these areas. While fluoride toothpaste is recommended to help prevent the decay, dental sealants…
We all want to have a strong set of teeth that will last us a lifetime, but sometimes… that’s easier said than done! Cavities and tooth decay rank as the second most common health disorder in the U.S. To avoid tooth decay, you need to know how it starts, how to detect it, and how to protect yourself. It all…
By Dr. Nicole Fulp Understandably, a visit to the dentist’s office might not be the most beloved task on your to-do list. Who wants a stranger prodding and poking and forcing you to say “ah” in a place as ultrasensitive as your mouth? However, the long-term side effects of not seeing a dental care practitioner are far worse than the…
World Oral Health Day is March 20th, and we’re raising awareness of oral cancer! Each year, more than 30,000 new cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx are diagnosed and over 8,000 deaths due to oral cancer occur. The five-year survival rate for these cancers is only about 50 percent. Oral cancer is part of a group called…
Keeping teeth healthy is extremely important, and actually not that hard! Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum disease (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. The…