Needing to have your “Wisdom Teeth” removed has become somewhat of a rite of passage for many in the United States. Wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common oral surgical procedure that occurs in the dental office, and is one that most everyone will need to endure. A “wisdom tooth” is a particular […]
Since the beginning of modern dental practice, the only way in which dentists have been able to treat cavities has been with the use of dental fillings. In this conventional approach, the decayed tooth structure must be removed with the use of a dental drill and replaced with using a dental filling. There are some […]
The human tongue is often referred to as the most powerful muscle in the body. But your tongue is actually comprised of eight muscles working together as a multi-use tool. Washington Irving once said, “The tongue is the only instrument that gets sharper with use.” Both wars and romances have begun with words rolling off […]
Even if you don’t suffer from headaches, you’ve probably experienced “brain freeze” after a scoop of your favorite ice cream. While experts don’t really know why it happens, it’s believed that the cold against your warm palate causes blood vessels to constrict and relax suddenly. This vessel spasm results in a burst of pain, leaving […]
You feel it coming on: A spot in your mouth starts to burn or tingle, and you know what’s about to happen. By tomorrow you’ll have a nagging sore cratered into the lining of your cheek. Aphthous ulcers afflict 20% of the population, recurring intermittently and often without a distinct pattern. After a week or […]
Kids reach many milestones as they grow, including frequent visits from the tooth fairy. A series of developmental steps cause baby teeth to fall out and adult teeth to replace them. But sometimes adults lose permanent teeth from disease or trauma. Modern dentistry presents options for every unfortunate scenario, restoring full function and appearance. We […]
Do you ever wake up and feel like you’ve been sucking on a cotton ball? Or that you just crossed the Sahara Desert without taking enough water? Everyone deals with a dry mouth occasionally. At night, your saliva glands reduce their output and little moisture flows into your mouth. Plus, mouth-breathing often dries you out […]
An eye-catching smile reflects warmth, trust, and friendliness unlike any other human characteristic. Actors discover that a smile aids their careers, and mothers instinctively know their smile calms a fussy baby. This universal asset crosses every border and brightens faded photos from bygone eras. That’s probably why teeth whitening tops the list of the most […]
In 1992, author John Gray wrote a book declaring Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. Selling 50 million copies, the publication spent 121 weeks on the bestseller list and became a key theme in American pop culture. Researchers have since shown that the catchy metaphor applies to smiles, too. When women see a […]
We often know what we need to do, but it’s easier said than done. Shortages of time, money, or motivation frequently set up roadblocks on our journey to better health. Or anxiety may hold us back when nothing else really stands in the way. Fear is a critical protective mechanism, but it can also paralyze […]