Why Chewing Gum Is Good For You

Bring enough gum for everybody — because chewing gum can be good for you! Chewing a sugar-free gum after meals can help neutralize acids that turn into plaque on your teeth. This reduces your risk of developing cavities! Cinnamon is a natural germ killer. Cinnamon gum can help bust bad breath. Minty gums can help too, but the sweet scent may just cover up the problem, not neutralize the germs in your mouth. Chewing gum can help you lose weight — studies have shown that people who chew gum between meals tend to snack less. Whether the chewing motion keeps … Continue reading →

The Dentist & The Horror Story

Thank you to Aimee who invited me to share my personal ‘horror’ story here. I’ve been fortunate over the years to not have experienced any great dental emergencies. There was one when I was 19, I’d cracked a tooth due to a car accident, that tooth was cracked so badly that the dentist was unable to rebuild it and so we decided to just extract it – it would be easier. There was the time that I had gone to the dentist for a simple fix and ended up having 4 root canals done on the same day. My daughter … Continue reading →

All About Your Choppers

What’s your Tooth IQ? Let’s see if you know the basics. Every tooth has three parts: the crown, the neck, and the root. The crown is the visible part of the tooth — what you see above the gum line. This is where the enamel is; enamel protects your crown. The neck is the part of the tooth between the crown and the root. The root is the part of the tooth that goes through the gums and down into the jawbone. A child has twenty baby teeth, also known as temporary teeth, primary teeth, or deciduous teeth. Four first … Continue reading →

Natural Mouth Care

If you think you’re a little crazy about dental health, you aren’t alone. Americans spent nearly four million dollars on natural oral hygiene products in 2002 according to Nutrition Business Magazine — and that was a fifteen percent increase from 2001 spending. So why the increase in natural dental care products? People are more label-conscious these days. Not only do they read the labels, they worry about what’s on the label. Some people are choosing natural ingredients in their toothpaste and mouthwash because it’s tried and true. Herbal concoctions and essential oils have been used in health and beauty for … Continue reading →

Cavities on the Rise For Young Children

A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control is noting an increase in cavities in children between the ages of two and five. This report follows up on an earlier study of more than twenty-six thousand Americans conducted between 1988 and 1994. Study participants had their oral health monitored through interviews and regular checkups. A repeat of the study took place between 1999 and 2004 — approximately twenty-five thousand Americans were involved the second time around. Again, participants were monitored through interviews and regular checkups. The CDC compared the two studies to take a look at dental health … Continue reading →

Oral Piercings and Oral Health

A piercing in your lip, tongue, or check can come with some health risks. An oral piercing can take as long as two months to heal, so be sure you care for it properly. Here are a few basic care tips: Avoid alcohol while healing. Avoid spicy foods while healing. Avoid hard and/or sticky foods while healing. Don’t smoke or use tobacco products while healing. Brush your teeth after every meal. Rinse with a mouthwash after every meal. Rinse your mouth frequently with warm salt water. Talk to your body piercer and/or dentist if you have any problems. Caring for … Continue reading →

Do Children Grind Their Teeth?

Teeth grinding isn’t just an adult problem! As much as a third of all children grind their teeth at certain points in their lives. When do children grind their teeth? Most grinding happens at two points in development: when the baby teeth first emerge and when the permanent (adult) teeth come in. The majority of children will stop grinding their teeth once the baby teeth and adult teeth have come in more fully. Just like adults, children tend to grind their teeth during sleep, rather than when awake. And just like adults, children can experience jaw pain, headaches, wear on … Continue reading →

Do You Grind Your Teeth?

Many people grind and/or clench their teeth from time to time. When I’m stressed, I often catch myself clenching my teeth (and my shoulders take up residence somewhere around my ears). Occasional teeth grinding — known as bruxism — does not usually do any lasting damage. However, teeth grinding on a regular basis can lead to damage and other complications. Why do people grind their teeth? Bruxism is most often caused by an abnormal bite, missing teeth, or crooked teeth — and most teeth grinding happens during sleep. Sometimes, stress and/or anxiety can be a cause of teeth grinding, too. … Continue reading →

How To Prevent Mouth Injuries

Mouth (and tooth) injuries are all too common. The majority of all dental injuries — around eighty percent — involve the front teeth and soft tissues, like the tongue, lips, and the insides of the cheeks. For adults and older adolescents, sports are the usual cause of dental injury. In young children, tooth and mouth injuries often come when learning to walk. Though you can’t protect your children at all times, vigilance when your toddler is taking her first steps can help. Even bigger kids can learn to play safe and protect their mouths. Here are some tips for preventing … Continue reading →

All About Tooth Whitening

A recent survey found that nearly half of consumers would feel better if their teeth were whiter. Check your choppers in the mirror — are you thinking about tooth whitening? Bleaching won’t harm your teeth, as long as there’s no sort of acid in the ingredients. Hydrogen or carbomide peroxide are whitening agents that help maintain the protective enamel on your teeth; acids like citric acid can strip the enamel away and leave your teeth sensitive. Be sure to read the label if you’re using an over the counter product. A home whitening kit can save you the big bucks … Continue reading →