Although an estimated 75% of American adults have some level of dental anxiety, approximately 10% of the adult population are categorized as dental phobics. These are people who have such severe fears that the mere thoughts of going to the dentist is unnerving. Many dental phobics can’t even bring themselves… Read More…

I was recently reminded of when Jessica Simpson announced on an Ellen episode that she brushes her teeth “maybe three times a week.” Simpson said she uses Listerine and flosses everyday and uses “a shirt or something” to wipe her teeth. Claiming her breath is fresh, she feels her mouth… Read More…

A recent study has found that elderly patients who wear dentures while they sleep have a higher risk of developing pneumonia. The study included over 450 denture wearers and tracked their oral health and hygiene as well as medical status. Nearly 41% of the participants reported that they slept in… Read More…

Dental floss has been around for almost 200 years. With nearly two centuries of pleading dentists to excuse-laden patients, no wonder water flossers were invented. The goal, whether using dental floss or a water flosser, is to remove food debris caught between teeth and scrape away the bacterial film formed… Read More…

Like most diseases that form in our bodies, periodontal (gum) disease begins silently. People who develop cancer or heart disease typically have no warning signs in the earliest stages of formation. The same is true for gum disease. By the time symptoms are obvious, such as gums that bleed when… Read More…

Occasionally, a patient with old ‘silver’ fillings expresses concern about their safety, namely due to the mercury content. While the American Dental Association has not actually advised removal based on risk, some people feel better having them replaced with composite fillings. Composites have a number of advantages, in addition to… Read More…

The U.S. Surgeon General has said, “Smoking cessation [stopping smoking] represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives.” If you smoke, you already know your risk for heart and lung disease is much greater than for adults who don’t… Read More…

If you’re not familiar with the signs of early periodontal (gum) disease, they include persistent bad breath, gums that bleed while brushing or flossing, gum tissue that has pulled away from teeth (receded gums) and gums that are tender and sore. Gum disease begins when oral bacteria is not removed… Read More…

If you think ‘diet’ sodas are better for you, we have some bad news. Sugar substitutes have been studied far more than most drugs and findings show they cause interferences with how you react to food. Research has even linked drinking diet soda to bigger waists — 70% bigger than… Read More…

To some, dentures seem like such a simple solution to oral problems. They’re not. Research has shown that adults who are totally edentulous (missing all of their natural teeth) die at an age that is ten years earlier, on average, than those who have their natural teeth. Research also indicates… Read More…