Cold sores and fever blisters have these names because people once believed they were the result of colds and fevers. They are not caused by colds or fevers, but colds and fevers can put you at risk for them. What is a Cold Sore/Fever Blister? A cold sore and a fever blister are the same […]
What is xylitol? Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous parts of plants, and it a healthy substitute for sugar. Xylitol is not an artificial substance, but a normal part of everyday metabolism. It is widely distributed throughout nature in small amounts. It does not break down like sugar (which turns into acid […]
We are often asked by our patients about the safety of dental x-rays. Many people are concerned about the levels of radiation they are exposed to when diagnostic x-rays are taken. Since exact measurements are difficult to obtain, this article will use averages and comparisons to help you understand what levels of radiation you are […]
There are two reasons aging is important to oral health: 1) the population of elderly people in America is growing rapidly, and 2) more and more of those people are keeping their natural teeth! Research projects that by the year 2030, twenty percent of the U.S. population will be over the age of 65. This […]
What is the TMJ? The TMJ is arguably the most complicated joint in the body. It is a ball-in-socket joint, just like your shoulder and hip joints. The complicated part is that during normal function, the ball comes out of the socket! The “ball” of the joint is the condyle of the mandible (lower jaw). […]
We are not supposed to breathe through our mouths. Our bodies function best on air that is warm and humid after passing through our noses and sinus passages. Constant mouth breathing is like always using a back-up plan. It gets oxygen to our brains, and it keeps us alive, but it is not the best […]
Also known as bottle rot or early childhood caries, baby bottle tooth decay is a condition in which very young children experience moderate to severe cavities in their baby teeth. As the name implies, this condition is caused by an improper use of baby bottles. How Does a Baby Get Cavities? Cavities are caused by […]
Why do they always take my blood pressure at the dental office? If you have visited our practice, you know that the first thing we do when you sit down in the dental chair is take your blood pressure. Sometimes we are questioned about this, and we always want to be able to adequately answer […]
What is TMD? TMD stands for TemporoMandibular Disorder or Dysfunction. People commonly refer to this as “TMJ”. TMJ actually means TemporoMandibular Joint, and we all have two TMJ’s. TMD is what dentists refer to when the joint has a problem. There are many different types of problems and different levels of severity of these problems. […]
Be Thankful for Your Teeth It is easy to take things, like good health, for granted. Here are a few reasons you should be thankful for your teeth this holiday season. Chewing – Teeth are absolutely essential for chewing food. Many people do not realize that chewing is the first step in the digestive process. […]
