Do cavities cause pain?

A common fallacy is that cavities always cause pain, but this is not always true. Cavities or tooth decay forms...
A common fallacy is that cavities always cause pain, but this is not always true. Cavities or tooth decay forms when the bacteria in the mouth eat the available sugars and produce acid, which breaks down the outer layer, the enamel, of the tooth. The cavity can then progress to the inner layers until it reaches the nerve and blood supply of the tooth. Cavities often develop between the teeth and in the presence of deep grooves. Cavities can develop...
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Does smoking hurt my teeth?

Smoking has a serious effect on your teeth, gums, and mouth. “Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and other forms of tobacco cause...
Smoking has a serious effect on your teeth, gums, and mouth. “Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and other forms of tobacco cause oral cancer, gum disease, and other oral health problems.” (CDC, 2020). Here are some fast facts about tobacco use from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2020): Over 40% of adults aged 20 to 64 who currently smoke cigarettes have untreated tooth decay. Adults aged 65 or older who smoke cigarettes are twice as likely to have untreated...
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Does my child need dental sealants to prevent cavities?

It is important to have daily oral hygiene routines, but it’s not always easy to clean every surface of the...
It is important to have daily oral hygiene routines, but it’s not always easy to clean every surface of the tooth. When children first get their molars they are rough with uneven surfaces. This is a prime spot for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria to hide. Sealants offer an additional preventive measure to keep teeth healthy. Dental sealants are a thin coating painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) that can prevent cavities for many years. In...
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Tooth Injuries for Kids & How to Manage Them

Children often get tooth injuries from falling, during play, or sporting activities. Depending on the age of the child, it...
Children often get tooth injuries from falling, during play, or sporting activities. Depending on the age of the child, it could be a baby tooth (primary) or an adult (permanent) tooth. Children greater than 13 years of age, typically, have lost all of their baby teeth. Symptoms of Tooth Injuries Your child may experience bleeding, pain, or sensitivity when a tooth is injured. The tooth may also change to a darker color if the inner part of the tooth is...
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On-The-Go Oral Care Products

During the holidays we often travel for days, or we find ourselves busy throughout each day. This can make our...
During the holidays we often travel for days, or we find ourselves busy throughout each day. This can make our oral hygiene routines challenging with varying schedules. Here are some basic tips you can use for daily oral care on-the-go! Use oral care products designed for on-the-go. This is a convenient way to have products readily available outside of your normal living situation. TePe offers an interdental travel case for interdental brushes and the TePe EasyPick™ comes with a pocket...
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What does Bleeding Gums mean for my Oral Health?

Have you noticed bleeding when brushing or cleaning between your teeth? Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your...
Have you noticed bleeding when brushing or cleaning between your teeth? Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are inflamed and there is an infection. A healthy mouth has gums that are light pink in color and fit firmly around each tooth. There is no bleeding when you brush or clean between your teeth. A healthy mouth has no bleeding. Bleeding is not normal. Bleeding is a sign of infection. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. Inflamed...
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Why it is Important to Limit Sugar During the Holidays

During the winter holidays there are numerous sweet treats. Many people indulge in sweet beverages, pies, treats, and candies, but...
During the winter holidays there are numerous sweet treats. Many people indulge in sweet beverages, pies, treats, and candies, but it is important to know how to prevent dental cavities with an increased consumption of sugar. How do sweet foods and beverages cause cavities? When you eat sugary foods and drinks, bacteria in the mouth feed on the available sugars and produce acid, which breaks down the outer layer, the enamel, of the tooth. Cavities often develop between the teeth...
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Your Mouth and Body are Connected Studies Show

Your mouth is a window into your body. The mouth can show signs of general infection, side effects to medications,...
Your mouth is a window into your body. The mouth can show signs of general infection, side effects to medications, nutritional deficiencies, signs of systemic diseases, and more. By having good oral hygiene and visiting your dental professional regularly you are taking care of your entire body! Here are some examples of where research has identified a correlation between oral and general health. Heart Disease Diabetes Pneumonia Arthritis Preterm birth / low birth weight Cancer Neurodegenerative diseases Obesity Osteoporosis Periodontitis...
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Is there a Correlation Between Diabetes and Gum Dise...

Let’s look at an example of how the mouth and body are related. There is a direct correlation between periodontitis...
Let’s look at an example of how the mouth and body are related. There is a direct correlation between periodontitis and diabetes. Among the US population 11.3% (37.3 million people) have diabetes, with approximately 1 in 4 not aware of having the disease. The total US population with pre-diabetes is 38% (96 million people aged 18 years or older). Did you know November is American Diabetes Month to raise awareness of diabetes symptoms, promote healthy living, and ensure people are...
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The Basics of Wisdom Teeth & How to Clean Them

During your late teens to early 20s your third molars may start to appear. Due to coming in at a...
During your late teens to early 20s your third molars may start to appear. Due to coming in at a more mature age, these teeth are often called wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the molars that are the furthest back in your mouth.   Every person is different. Some people have all 4—two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw—but some people have more, fewer, or none. If there is room for all of them to come...
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Wisdom Teeth & What Products Are Recommended for Cle...

Wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars, will start to make an appearance between the ages of 17 and...
Wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars, will start to make an appearance between the ages of 17 and 21. These are commonly known as wisdom teeth, because they come through at a later age. Some people get all four, others only a couple, and yet others never get any of their wisdom teeth. When there is enough room and they come into the mouth correctly, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chew. It is important to have a...
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Common oral conditions for older adults

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by 2060 the number of US adults aged 65 years...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by 2060 the number of US adults aged 65 years or older is expected to reach 98 million, 24% of the overall population. This is a growing demographic in the United States. Being disabled, homebound, or institutionalized (e.g., seniors who live in nursing homes) increases the risk of poor oral health. The ability to access routine professional oral health services, have proper oral health education, and daily oral hygiene are...
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