Hello there! Halloween is just upon us and many of you are getting ready to enjoy this spooky holiday. For kids it’s a time to grab their bags and collect a bounty of delicious sweets. For adults it’s a time to finish whatever goodies are left over, if anything! These sweets are fine in moderation, but can increase your risk of cavities. Following these tips below will help keep sugar bugs away. • Try and [...]

The mouth does not exist on its own. It is a part of the body just like any other and when the mouth is unhealthy, it can influence and worsen other medical conditions in patients. There are many studies that show poor oral health can worsen conditions such as diabetes. One study emailed to me recently dealt with periodontitis (bone loss around teeth) and hypertension (high blood pressure). The findings were published in Cardiovascular Research [...]

New studies show that professional athletes have substantial tooth problems despite good oral hygiene. In our practice, I have seen similar issues with our patients who are extremely physically active. Physical activity can cause dry mouth as we struggle to keep our lungs filled with oxygen. Many people who participate in marathon runs or bike centuries use energy gels, bars and sports drinks during training and during competitions. The problem with these products is that [...]

Canker sores can appear in the mouth and usually look white or gray and have a red border. They can appear by themselves or in small clusters but are not contagious. The exact cause of canker sores is still unknown, but most experts agree that bacteria, viruses and the immune system are involved. In addition, there is evidence to believe these types of sores appear during stressful times in our lives. Canker sores usually resolve [...]

I came across an interesting study and wanted to share it with you. We often think about crocodiles as having a major bite. While it is true croc jaws have a lot of power, their teeth might not be as tough as you would expect. Similar to sharks, crocodiles bite down hard, however their enamel (the hardest substance in the body) is not that thick. Researchers think this is because crocodiles replace their teeth like [...]

Some time ago I wrote about charcoal toothpastes that were becoming quite popular as a method to whiten smiles. At the time, I warned there was no scientific evidence to support the claim these products actually whiten teeth, and they could also cause harm to enamel. Another whitening fad which has made news recently is the practice of using table salt to brush teeth. Once again, I would caution against this practice as there is [...]

In my experience it is better for patients of all ages to have wisdom (3rd molar) teeth removed. For young adults these teeth can harm the molars in front of them as they begin to erupt, especially if they erupt at an angle. For my adult patients, I generally see that wisdom teeth are hard to clean, and again can cause problems for the molars in front of them. Since they are hard to clean [...]

Vaping has become very popular. Many people see it as a healthy alternative to cigarette smoke and its use is fairly common among high school age children. Unfortunately, vaping has many of the same risks that traditional cigarette smoking does. Oral health research tells us that vaping can increase the risk of gingivitis (gum disease) and dry mouth. Using vaping products has also been linked to increased cavity risk and oral thrush. Finally, preliminary studies [...]

The best way to prevent a dental emergency is to avoid them from happening in the first place. There are some steps to reduce risk of dental emergencies such as: • Use scissors, never your teeth to cut things. • Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candies • Finally, wear a protective mouthguard when participating in recreational activities or sports. Your dentist can create a mouthguard that is custom to your mouth and can [...]