Smile with Confidence: A Comprehensive Guide to Dental Health and Care

oral care

Common Dental Questions, dental care questions and answers, dental health tips, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental technology, ask a dentist about oral and hygiene care

Dental Care for College Students

College can be one of the most fun and most rewarding times of your life. You are finally out of the house and on your own, there are plenty of social activities and you are probably going to make some life long memories and friendships. It’s also a very defining time of your life and you get to discover many things about yourself that you perhaps didn’t know before. With this hurried and busy campus lifestyle filled with social events and studies it can be far too easy to get out of some of your routines. Not only might you gain the infamous “Freshman 15” but you can also develop a variety of other health conditions. One thing you can do to ensure your health is to maintain your daily oral regimen. It will ensure your teeth remain healthy despite the craziness of college and it can protect your overall health as well. Here are some tips recommended by your dentist. Prior to heading off to college you should visit the dentist for your routine check up and you should continue to see your dentist regularly when you come home for breaks. Maintaining a good oral hygiene regime with the help of your top dentist can ensure that your teeth stay healthy when you are older.

Is Fruit Juice Healthy?

Everybody knows fruits and vegetables are good for you. Whether you eat them in their most natural state, or you drink them as juices, getting five servings of fruits and vegetables daily is recommended by healthcare providers to ensure your body is getting the vitamins and minerals it needs to remain healthy. In fact, many health experts suggest drinking fruit and vegetable juices, or even purchasing a juicer, as an effective means of getting all the nutrients you require every day. But what does all that juice do to your teeth? Is juice healthy for teeth? Are some juices better for teeth than others? And what about the sugars in juices? Are natural juice sugars as bad for teeth as added sugars? You may be surprised at the answers to these and other dental questions.

Types of Toothbrushes

If you’ve stood in the toothpaste aisle recently searching for a new toothbrush, you know that there are so many styles, brands, and bristle densities that it’s tough to choose just one. In fact, you may have even thrown up your hands in surrender and grabbed one just to get out of that dang toothpaste aisle! So just how many different kinds of toothbrushes are there? If you’re the person looking to purchase a new one, it may seem like there are thousands, but the truth is that there are just a few different types of toothbrushes from which all styles on the market have emerged. Following is information from family dentists about the various types of toothbrushes available and how to choose the one that’s best for you.

Causes of Overbites and Underbites

Overbites and underbites can cause people to feel self conscious about their appearances, but that’s not the only effect an overbite or underbite can have on a patient. Overbites and underbites both can cause medical conditions such as migraines and temporomandibular disorders, as well as neck pain and mouth pain. If you or someone you love has an overbite or underbite, it’s important to know there are things that can be done about it.  Many people have overbites or underbites that are slight and unnoticeable. They don’t cause them any difficulty, so they live with them, never giving them another thought. However, others may decide to have this condition corrected, especially if they are experiencing pain from them. Top dentists want you to know that there are dental remedies to overbites and underbites, and the positive effects of having these dental conditions corrected are many. Following is more information on the causes, effects, and treatments of overbite and underbites.

What Is Oral Thrush?

If you notice a white coating inside your mouth, you may have oral thrush. Oral thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by yeast. It’s estimated that upwards of 35 percent of newborns develop oral thrush in the first few months of life. Additionally, oral thrush is fairly common among children in their toddler years, as well as elderly patients who wear dentures. But oral thrush doesn’t just occur in children and the elderly. People who smoke are at particular risk for developing this mouth infection, as smoking can weaken the immune system. Pregnant women and patients who have compromised immune systems from medical conditions such as HIV, diabetes, and cancer also are at greater risk of developing oral thrush. Following is information from top dentists about oral thrush, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

Routine Dental Care

Walt Disney once said, “A kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” Needless to say, this was a metaphor. No one wants to experience an actual kick in the teeth … not just because it’s painful, but also because, well, everyone likes having nice teeth! Right about now you may be thinking, “Well, duh!” However, have you ever thought about how likely it is that someday you may lose teeth due to improper dental care? A healthy dental care routine often is all that’s necessary to ensure that your teeth remain with you for the rest of your life. But keeping your teeth may be only half the story. Recent studies have shown a potential link between poor oral hygiene and risk factors for developing certain medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The fact is that poor dental hygiene is the main reason that people throughout the country can experience tooth decay, tooth loss, and even loss of the bone structures surrounding the teeth. Here are some tips on optimal dental care routines for everyone in your family.

How to Prevent Throat Cancer

A diagnosis of throat cancer can be a devastating event. And, although modern medical science has yet to discover the causes of this disease, researchers have discovered that certain behaviors can put individuals at greater risk for developing throat cancer. If you’re someone who falls into any of the categories for being at a higher risk for developing this disease, it’s important to know that making just a few lifestyle adjustments can lower your risk. Though the overall cancer rate in the U.S. is declining, some types of cancers, including mouth and throat cancers, are on the rise throughout the country. Here are some steps you can take to help prevent experiencing this disease firsthand.

How to Prevent Oral Cancer

In a recent 30-year study done by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the American Cancer Society, it was reported that overall cancer deaths in the U.S. were on the decline. However, this is not true for all types of cancer. While instances of some types of canworse than ever, with many oral cancer sufferers surviving less than 5 years post diagnosis. Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital recently reported that cancers affecting the tongue, tonsils, soft palate, and back of the throat have increased nearly 60 percent in the past 40 years for those 44 and younger. This distressing prognosis is proof that everyone throughout the country needs to get serious about taking steps necessary to prevent this disease. Following are the symptoms of oral cancer to watch out for, as well as vital proactive preventions that can be taken.

Types of Oral Cancer

Some types of cancer are on the decline throughout the entire United States. However, the number of cases involving other types of cancers is increasing. Oral cancer is one of these, and more Americans are in the high-risk groups for developing this disease than ever. There are several types of cancers that are considered oral, and the type typically depends upon the location of the disease. As with many types of cancer, the exact causes of the different forms of oral cancer are unknown to modern medicine. However, medical researchers have identified risk factors and behaviors that can put some individuals in greater danger of developing oral cancer, especially if they exhibit more than one of these components. Following is information on the different types of oral cancer, risk factors, and how to cope with a cancer diagnosis.