Untreated dental caries is the most prevalent condition worldwide, affecting 2.4 billion people and 32 percent of the population. Why?  It’s because we just love those sweet, sticky eats and drinks. It would not be so bad if we immediately rinsed with water to help neutralize the resulting acids, but of course we never do…

Dental emergencies cover a wide spectrum of events. Some situations are more urgent than others, and it doesn’t help that it is difficult to see inside the mouth to localize the site of any problem. In an out-of-hours situation, and if one does not have one’s own dentist, particularly if there is pain and increasing…

Activated charcoal continues to pop up in more over-the-counter personal products such as toothpaste, deodorant, and skin cleaners. That leaves many consumers curious about what it is, how it works, and if it lives up to all the hype. Medically, the carbon-rich material has been used to treat overdoses and poisonings. People have long known…

It’s a bit hot now, would you like some iced tea? Oh, no! I can’t drink things that cold. My teeth are too sensitive! This is not an uncommon scenario. Why are teeth sensitive? We have already talked about shrinking gums and exposed root surfaces of the teeth. These surfaces are meant to be covered…

In addition to brushing our teeth, we should also floss every day. However, there have always been controversies about whether or not flossing is good for our teeth. And some studies have found that some dental floss contains carcinogens. Then, should we still floss or not? Many studies have proven that oral diseases are highly…

A lingering glance in the bathroom mirror may bring you the unsettling realization that your gums are shrinking or red, or that your teeth are longer. What’s going on? Truth be told, it didn’t happen overnight. The condition may have been quietly developing for years, but now it’s clearly visible. Someone may have said something…

Ok, so how should I brush my teeth? Well, you need to pay particular attention to all the red and swollen areas of the gums. But when I brush them they start to bleed! That’s why you need to brush them! I know it sounds counter intuitive, but there is plaque on and around your…

Inflammation in the gums can increase susceptibility to other forms of inflammation, such as arthritis, through changes to immune cell precursors in the bone marrow, according to new research. The immune system remembers. Often this memory, primed by past encounters with threats like bacteria or viruses, is an asset. But when that memory is sparked by internal…

When she was in her mid-50s, my mother had a dentist who told her that if she didn’t floss her teeth, they would fall out of her mouth and she would have to get dentures. After his warning, flossing became something of an obsession. “Don’t forget to floss” is a reminder you’ve heard a thousand…

Higher intake of sugary and high glycemic load foods may influence poor oral health and, perhaps, systemic health outcomes in postmenopausal women, according to new research. High glycemic foods include things like doughnuts and other baked goods, regular soft drinks, breads, and non-fat yogurts. The foods we eat on a regular basis influence the makeup of the…