Today, 40 million Americans have osteoporosis or are at high risk for this condition. Osteoporosis mean there is less density in bones, so they become easier to fracture. Research suggests a link between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw, which supports and anchors the teeth. Tooth loss affects one third of adults 65 and older. Bone density and dental concerns • Women with osteoporosis are three times more likely to experience tooth loss than [...]

Does your mouth always feel like it’s dry? If it does you may be suffering from xerostomia. Xerostomia is defined as dry mouth resulting from reduced or absent saliva flow. There are various medical conditions that can cause this type of dry mouth. Xerostomia can factor into both minor and more serious health problems. It can affect the ability to eat and enjoy food and it can jeopardize one’s dental health. Some of the more [...]

When a child is born, he or she will have 20 primary teeth and 32 permanent teeth. But sometimes kids are born with additional teeth or hyperdontia. Primary teeth are the first set of teeth that erupt in your child’s mouth, typically by the time they are 36 months old, and are shed by the time your child reaches the age of 12. Permanent teeth then take the place of the primary teeth and are [...]

Because most people dislike the idea of having the dreaded “s” word when they come to the dental office, I prefer to call it an injection. When you visit Sonoma County Family Dental you may hear a talking computer that also makes various beeping sounds. These sounds are coming from the Milestone Scientific STA system that I use to give injections to my dental hygiene patients. Many people believe that the needle is the part [...]

There are a lot of changes your body goes through when you are pregnant, and the amount of bacteria in your mouth also changes. Scientists don’t understand all the reasons why, but during pregnancy, your mouth is more susceptible to bacterial complications that could result in increased risk for gingivitis or periodontal disease. What researchers do know is the change in hormones creates a more favorable environment for gum infections and diseases when you are [...]