Tooth decay is the most widespread diseases among children today – and it’s almost entirely preventable. Tooth decay is called early childhood carries (cavities) when it occurs in children ages 6 and younger. Tooth decay is 5 times more common than asthma, 4 times more common than childhood obesity and 20 times more common childhood diabetes. All of this means …
Are Oral Piercings Safe for my Teenager?
Piercings are a trendy way for teenagers to fit in with their friends and express themselves. Teens can pierce just about any part of their body, but it can be particularly concerning when your child gets an oral piercing. Tongue, lip and cheek piercings can damage teeth, gums and cause infections that can lead to more serious illnesses. The bottom …
Horse Hair? The Strange History of Dental Floss
Humans have used tools since before the birth of modern, written history. From fire to arrowheads, we’ve always looked for ways to improve our lives and advance ourselves. Did you know that this ingenuity extends into our oral health care? Before modern toothbrushes were invented, ancient humans would use “chewsticks” to clean their teeth. But what about dental floss? Have …
Taking Care of a Mouth after a Pulled Tooth
Baby teeth are meant to be lost so that the incoming adult teeth can erupt without issue. Most of the time, baby teeth are lost naturally, or due to an impactful force common in childhood. However, sometimes a baby tooth must be pulled to make room for the incoming adult tooth to avoid crowding and misalignment. If your child has …
How did Native Americans and Pilgrims Care for Their Teeth?
As Thanksgiving approaches, we look back to the discovery of the new world and observe how two cultures came together to share in their humanity and celebrate the harvest over a great feast. We know about the meal – but what about the clean up? Did the Native Americans or pilgrims take care of their teeth? They did, and here’s …
The Best and Worst Drinks for Your Teeth
The average American consumes 22 grams of sugar per day, which is double the recommended daily amount. All of that sugar does considerable damage to tooth enamel and can lead to cavities and other oral issues. Some of the beverages we consume are surprisingly high in sugar. Below are some of the best – and worst – drinks for your …
Foods That Clean Teeth as You Eat
There are foods that are bad for teeth, and foods that are good for teeth, but did you know that there are foods that clean your teeth as you eat them? Here are a few foods that clean your teeth as you eat them. Apples Eating apples can help cleanse and clean teeth, and fight bad breath. The fibrous content …
The Sweet History of Halloween Candy
Did you know that Halloween hasn’t always involved trick-or-treating for candy? Actually, Halloween used to be undertaken as The Festival of Samhain, which celebrated the harvest and the Celtic New Year – which started on November 1st. So, how did Halloween turn into an all out candy grab? Well, it started right here in America, believe it or not. Going …
5 Instances When You Must Visit the Dentist
Taking your child to the dentist every six months is a great way to prevent common dental issues from occurring. The regularly scheduled check up lets your dentist identify and treat cavities, perform a deep cleaning of plaque and tartar buildup, and provides you with a road map to better oral care for your child. But, when should you bring …
The Crazy (and Disgusting) History of Mouthwash
For as long as humans have been using tools, we’ve been cleaning our teeth! From toothbrushes made out of sticks, to dental floss made out of horse hair, we have always been mindful of our oral health. But what about mouthwash? When did we start swishing liquid around hoping for cleaner mouths? Ancient Roman Mouthwash There are references to mouthwash …