Why do I have bad breath?

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and affect a person’s social life. There are different causes that can be...
Bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and affect a person’s social life. There are different causes that can be considered. In 80-90% of cases, bad breath originates form the oral cavity. Your mouth is an ideal location for bacterial growth, with the most common places being your tongue and your gums between your teeth. What causes bad breath? Cavities Gum disease Bacteria on the tongue Infections in the mouth Medications that cause dry mouth Disorders that cause dry mouth...
Read more

The mouth and body are connected

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...
Read more

November is American Diabetes Month

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 prediabetes 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...
Read more

Do I have to brush my dental implants?

You must maintain your dental implants with proper oral hygiene at home. Implants can develop disease, just like a natural...
You must maintain your dental implants with proper oral hygiene at home. Implants can develop disease, just like a natural tooth. Bacterial plaque is a sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth and implants. If you do not clean your implant(s) properly, the plaque builds up and can cause gum inflammation called peri-implant mucositis. Your gums may look red, swollen, feel sensitive or bleed easily. This can be reversed, but if plaque is not removed, the bone around the...
Read more

Diet Impacts Tooth Health

Diet Impacts Tooth Health Your mouth is essential for chewing and swallowing your food. The mouth is the first point...
Diet Impacts Tooth Health Your mouth is essential for chewing and swallowing your food. The mouth is the first point of contact with all the nutrients your body needs. What you put in your mouth impacts both your oral and general health. What is a cavity? Cavities form when the bacteria in the mouth eat the available sugars and produce acid, which breaks down the outer layer, the enamel, of the tooth. Cavities often develop between the teeth and in...
Read more

Helping the Aging Population Achieve Healthy Mouths

May is Older Americans Month, established in 1963 to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons. The theme...
May is Older Americans Month, established in 1963 to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons. The theme for 2022 is ‘Age My Way’, an opportunity to explore the many ways older adults can remain in and be involved with their communities. It focuses on living independently within a community for as long as possible. The ability to access routine professional oral health services, have proper oral health education, and daily oral hygiene are all essential factors related...
Read more

Healthy Snacks for a Healthy Mouth

Healthy Snacks for a Healthy Mouth Sometimes eating between meals must happen. It is recommended to limit eating and drinking...
Healthy Snacks for a Healthy Mouth Sometimes eating between meals must happen. It is recommended to limit eating and drinking sugary drinks between meals. Most people choose foods like sweets and chips for snacks. These choices can weaken the teeth and cause cavities. Also, nutritious, acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits can have acidic effects on tooth enamel. Try to eat them as part of a meal, and not as a stand-alone snack. Here are some nutritious snack choices:...
Read more

Foods & Drinks to Avoid for a Healthy Mouth

Foods & Drinks to Avoid for a Healthy Mouth While some food may seem harmless, if you eat too many...
Foods & Drinks to Avoid for a Healthy Mouth While some food may seem harmless, if you eat too many and the constant exposure to sugar can be harmful to your teeth. Here are 6 different foods and drinks that should be cautiously consumed. Hard Candies: Constant exposure to sugar and the hardness of the candy could cause a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth. Alternative is sugarless gum Ice: Chewing on ice can also leave you...
Read more

Healthy Drinks

Energy drinks, shakes, smoothies, and fruit juices – sounds healthy, right? Such beverages are often considered part of a healthy...
Energy drinks, shakes, smoothies, and fruit juices – sounds healthy, right? Such beverages are often considered part of a healthy lifestyle, and some of them do contain a lot of nutritious ingredients. But they also tend to have a low pH, meaning that they are acidic, and may cause erosion of the teeth – simply put, it wears them down.    Since these beverages often come in big containers, consuming these types of drinks may include a longer period of...
Read more

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

When we hear the word cancer it might seem like a distance term, or you may have a very personal...
When we hear the word cancer it might seem like a distance term, or you may have a very personal experience. “1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime” (cancer.org). Cancer impacts many people.    April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which raises awareness about oral cancer and the importance of completing self-exams. Oral Cancer starts in the oral cavity (mouth) and the oropharynx (neck and throat). The oral cavity consists of your lips, the inside...
Read more

Common Oral Concerns

When visiting your dental professional, you may have questions related to the appearance of your teeth, how your mouth feels,...
When visiting your dental professional, you may have questions related to the appearance of your teeth, how your mouth feels, or you may be experiencing pain. Regardless of age, oral health is essential for quality of life. Here are a few common oral concerns. Bad breath Dry mouth Tooth sensitivity Bad Breath Bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and affect a person’s social life. There are different causes that can be considered. In 80-90% of cases, bad breath originates...
Read more

Oral and General Health Connection

Oral and General Health Connection Your mouth is a window into your body. The mouth can show signs of general...
Oral and General Health Connection 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! What is gum disease? Have you ever noticed bleeding when brushing or cleaning between your teeth? Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are inflamed...
Read more