General Information

Maintaining a proper diet is essential for good oral health. When and how often you consume certain foods and beverages affects your general health and the health of your teeth and gums. Eating patterns and food choices, particularly among children and teens, are important factors that affect how quickly tooth decay develops.

An estimated 60 million Americans have periodontal disease. Over the past decade, an increasing amount of scientific evidence has shown an association between periodontal disease – along with the bacteria that cause it – and systemic diseases affecting other areas of the body, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and preterm low birth weight babies.

Flossing in between your teeth is an essential oral hygiene practice for avoiding gum disease and preventing tooth decay. Many people don’t realize the importance of flossing and often forego the hygienic practice, believing that tooth brushing is adequate for the removal of plaque, the sticky substance that forms on the surface of and in between the teeth.

An oral rinse (mouth rinse or mouthwash) is a liquid solution that you swish around your entire mouth – teeth, gums and tongue – to help promote oral hygiene, reduce oral discomfort, provide moisture to oral tissues or help with bad breath. Oral rinses may be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) or via prescription, and can be categorized as cosmetic.

Canker sores also known as aphthous ulcers, are one of the most common oral conditions affecting people everywhere. Up to 25 percent of the population has these small, painful, persistent sores, with recurrence rates of up to 50 percent.Simply stated, their cause is unknown; however, there are a number of common canker sore triggers.

In the past, grinding clenching (clamping the uppers and lowers together) were believed to be caused by malocclusion. However, the latest research sees lifestyle reflexes – our ways of dealing with anxiety and stress – as the primary cause, with sleep disturbances and malocclusion serving as secondary and tertiary causes.

Bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, is a very common oral health issue.

Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless film that continually forms in between and on the surface of the teeth.It can harden and turn into calculus or tartar. Continued plaque accumulation can contribute to structural damage to your teeth and the bone supporting the teeth and gums, as well as other health complications.

It is the process by which preventative dental care is provided to avoid dental emergencies. At the core of dental hygiene is the in-home dental care regimen you perform. Your at-home regimen is supplemented with professional preventative dental care provided by dentists and licensed dental hygienists.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), widespread availability of various sources of fluoride has greatly diminished tooth decay rates in America and abroad. Fluoride makes teeth stronger to help prevent initiation of dental caries and tooth decay resulting from acid contained in sugars and the breakdown of carbohydrates.

If you are a smoker, your dental care needs are considerably more demanding than those of a non-smoker. In fact, cigarette smoking is a leading cause of tooth loss. Smoking also increases your risk for periodontal disease (gum disease), loss of bone structure, inflammation of the salivary gland, leukoplakia and development of lung, throat or oral cancer

Dry mouth syndrome, also known as xerostomia, is a dry, uncomfortable feeling in your mouth that results from a decrease in the amount of your saliva. Dry mouth syndrome can be temporary or a chronic problem. If you experience any of the following symptoms on an ongoing basis, you should talk to your dentist about xerostomia

Tooth or dental trauma is injury to the mouth, teeth, soft oral tissues or jaw bones. Tooth trauma can be caused by sports, car accidents, fights, falls, biting on hard foods/objects and drinking hot liquids. Injuries affecting the mouth and teeth are often quite painful, resulting in bleeding, lacerations and/or punctures.

Gingivitis is a chronic inflammation of the gum tissue (gingiva). Typically associated with poor oral hygiene, gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease.