There Is No Need For An Incomplete Smile

There are several reasons people lose their teeth. The major reason for tooth loss is periodontal disease which is usually caused by poor oral hygiene. Illness, medications, and aging can all lead to eventual tooth loss. You may get teeth knocked out while playing sports or in a car accident, a bike accident, or due to other trauma.  Missing teeth cannot only be an embarrassment, but they can affect your speech, chewing, and your self-confidence. But remember…there is no need for an incomplete smile.

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Do You Have Questions About Mouthwash?

qmarkDo you use mouthwash or are you one of those individuals that refuse to use it for any number of reasons? Mouthwash can be controversial. Some claim it even causes cancer. To others mouthwash is a convenient and easy fix and they won’t leave the house without using it. Which are you? Different mouthwashes claim to do different things. Some claim to fight plaque and gum disease, others claim to whiten teeth. Some mouthwashes have alcohol. Others do not.  Do you have questions about mouthwash?

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Do You Really Know What Causes Cavities?

twinkiesEverybody knows what causes cavities right? Not so fast. Tooth decay seems pretty straight forward, but actually several factors lead to the actually decay of a tooth. If you understand exactly what causes cavities then you can better protect your teeth.  Nobody likes having cavities, not only because they can be painful, but because you have to have your tooth drilled to fix them. Just the sound of the drill can be disconcerting. Find out if you really know what causes cavities by taking our true or false quiz below.

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Bad Habits That Can Wreck Your Teeth

penDeveloping good habits is a good thing. Developing bad habits, not so much. Some good habits include practicing proper oral health, exercising, and eating healthy. Some bad habits include smoking, picking your teeth or nose in public, burping out loud, not covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and the list goes on. There are also bad habits that can wreck your teeth such as biting your nails, chewing ice, chewing pencils or pens, and grinding. Being mindful of your bad habits can help protect your teeth.

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What Is An Orthodontic Dentist?

ortho1Most people go to a general dentist for professional cleanings, yearly exams, extractions, or fillings. There are actually nine fields of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) including orthodontics. Each field specializes in a different aspect of oral or oral-facial treatment. Endodontics, for instance, focuses on diseases of the tooth pulp and surrounding areas. Periodontics focuses on diseased gingival tissue. Today we discuss the field of orthodontic dentistry. What is an orthodontic dentist?

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Are Tooth Whitening Ingredients Safe?

whiteningteethHave you ever heard of bleachorexia? It is when someone bleaches their teeth chronically and it causes damage. That, however, is an extreme. If you get your teeth whitened only occasionally then the whitening ingredients in tooth whitening products are generally safe. Tooth whitening is very popular because it is a simple way to brighten your smile and increase your self-esteem. The flash of an attractive smile can go a long way. Read on to find out more about the ingredients in tooth whitening products.

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Is Your TMJ Talking Too Much?

blabbermouthTMJ stands for temporomanibular joints. Your temporomandibular joints are the jaw joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. Because of these joints you can open your mouth to talk, chew, yawn, eat, and drink.  Put your fingers in front of each ear and open your mouth. Can you feel your jaw joint? Temporomanibular joint disorders can cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. An estimated 10 million Americans suffer with the condition, and according to studies the condition is more common in women. Read on to find out if your TMJ is talking too much.

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Exercising For Your Oral Health

exThe benefits of exercise are all over the news, internet, and other media. Exercise is important. The truth is exercise takes energy and determination and not all of us have in equal amounts. Some of us don’t have it at all. Let’s talk about some of the benefits of exercise. Physical activity helps your body run better. It helps keep a host of diseases either under control or at bay including diabetes, heart disease, and depression. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight. But did you know that exercise is also helpful for your oral health?

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How Genetics Affect Your Teeth

genesYour body is made up of genes which affect every aspect of your life. They determine the color of your hair, eyes, your height, the shape of your face, your body type, your personality, what diseases you might develop, and they even affect your teeth. That’s right, your genes can affect whether or not you develop tooth decay, and to what extent. Research shows that the strength of your tooth enamel may be based on your genes. Tooth enamel is one of the hardest, strongest substances in your body, but according to research all tooth enamel is not equal. Read on to find out how genetics affect your teeth.

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Is There Something Better Than Toothpaste?

toothpasteToothpaste has a long history. It is not a modern development as you might think. Although we brush our teeth with more modern ingredients, toothpaste has been around since ancient times. Some cultures used crushed shells, sand, or other abrasives to brush their teeth. The Asian cultures used more aromatic and palatable ingredients. The Romans used urine to brush and whiten their teeth. So as you can see there are other options besides what we know as toothpaste. In fact, brushing with a dry toothbrush is said to be just as effective in cleaning your teeth, but dry brushing won’t whiten or fortify your teeth with fluoride. But, is there something better than toothpaste?

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