It’s easy to understand why babies and young children suck their thumbs. Thumb sucking is a common habit that springs from a baby’s natural rooting and sucking reflexes. Sucking the thumb makes an infant feel secure and helps to soothe them and put them to sleep. Most children stop sucking their thumbs on their own, […]
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Ouch! My Tooth Hurts! What Can I Do?
Let’s face it – toothaches are not fun. Some tooth pain is sharp and shooting, others can be dull and throbbing. The pain can be constant or intermittent, or may be a direct response to cold or hot drinks, sweets or pressure from chewing. Tooth decay causes tooth pain when the pulp of the tooth […]
Can Oral Bacteria Cause Colon Cancer?
A bacteria called Fusobacterium Nucleatum is one of the most plentiful species found in the mouth. This bacteria is associated with the plaque that causes gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Recently, scientists have found this damaging bacteria in up to 50% of all colon cancer tumors! In fact, colon cancer cells have concentrations […]
Your Tongue Speaks: What Your Tongue Can Tell You About Your Health
Did you know that your tongue can give you important clues about your health? Aging, stress, infections and medication issues can all exhibit signs on your tongue. Read on for some changes to pay attention to if they appear on your tongue: Creamy white spots may be a fungal infection called thrush. Other lacy or […]
An Oral Exam Can Reveal Warning Signs of Important Health Problems
Do you know that your oral health is connected in a big way to your overall health? As dentists, we can tell a lot about the status of your general health just by examining your mouth. This is because signs and symptoms of many health conditions can appear in the oral cavity. It’s just one […]
3 Myths About Bad Breath
If you have bad breath, you know that it’s an embarrassing problem. Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be caused by poor oral health habits but may also be an indicator of other health problems. Halitosis can be worsened by the food choices you make as well as by other unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking. […]
5 Tips To Keep Teeth White After Whitening
Whether you have had your teeth whitened in-office or with an over-the-counter product, the last thing you want to see is discoloration creeping back. No teeth whitening procedure is permanent. If you expose your teeth to foods and beverages that cause staining like coffee and red wine, the whiteness may begin to fade in […]
To Chew or Not To Chew
Chewing gum has been around for a long time. In fact, our ancestors used natural materials like tree resin, sweet grasses and waxes for their chewing pleasure and to freshen the breath. New England Native Americans taught early colonists to chew the gummy resin that seeps from cuts in spruce trees. 200 years ago, lumps […]
Migraines May Be Linked to Mouth Bacteria
Individuals who suffer from migraine headaches are often counseled to avoid certain trigger foods – for example, chocolate, wine and foods containing nitrates. A recent study, however, shows that it may not be the food causing the headaches but rather the bacteria from the food that is left in the mouth. The research from the […]
Some Unusual Causes of Bad Breath
It’s fairly common knowledge that bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by bacteria that builds up in your mouth because of poor oral health habits, as well as by eating strong foods like garlic and onion. But here’s a list of things that can make your breath less-than-pleasant that may really surprise you: Cocktail […]