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

Author page: dental blogger

Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic gets a bad rap, unless you are an Italian mama and use it liberally to give robust flavor to your special pasta sauce.  This funny-looking vegetable with its rotund shape, delicate parchment-like skin and appendages that resemble toes, has long been the brunt of cartoons (i.e. two people – one with a discernible breath of air being emitted, the other beating a hasty retreat.

Health Benefits Beyond Belief

Whether you get your daily dose of garlic in the food you eat, or via supplements, be advised that you are improving your health with every dose you ingest.

Garlic Supplements

The method of consuming garlic for health benefits is really a personal preference.  Of course, it is easier to just buy the supplements to ensure you are getting the recommended dosage for optimal health benefits.  The recommended dosages for garlic use are listed below.  Though they are considered “safe doses”, before embarking on any supplement use, check with your doctor to ensure it does not counteract with existing health conditions or prescription/over-the-counter medications you are currently using.  Ask your health practitioner for the recommended dosage, brand, and, if the supplement contains an odor or not.

Suggested Garlic Regimen

Does Thumb Sucking Damage Teeth?

“Do all kids suck their thumb, or is my kid unusual?” asks a worried mom, but the pediatrician assures her it is normal for most babies and toddlers to suck their thumbs, in fact, they also like to suck on their fingers, hands, or items such as pacifiers, especially while they are teething.  Generally, most children stop sucking their thumb on their own at age 3 to 6 years.

For adults, who are taught at an early age to keep germy hands off the face, especially during cold and flu season, the idea of thumb-sucking and the spread of germs is pretty horrifying, especially if you are a germaphobe.

Why do Babies Suck Their Thumbs?

Babies have a natural urge to suck, and this urge usually decreases after the age of 6 months.  Many babies continue sucking their thumbs as a means to soothe themselves and continue the habit as toddlers, as a means to comfort themselves when they feel hungry, afraid, restless, quiet, sleepy, or are bored.

How Long Is It “Socially Acceptable” For a Child to Suck Their Thumb?

Alternatives to Braces

Braces can be the bane of one’s existence – not only for the teens who wear them, but the parents as well.  For kids, braces come during those awkward teenage years – a time fraught with angst over acne or other physical changes, and slapping on something that makes the teeth look the grille of a 1955 Rambler, sure doesn’t help matters much.  For parents, it is a pain as well … if their workplace sponsors a dental plan, orthodontia regimens may be included, partially or in total, but, if not – the price of braces can take a big bite out of the household budget, not to mention taking time off from work to transport kids to the orthodontist for regular appointments.

Be Proactive

You are probably not the first parent to wonder about alternatives to moving teeth into proper alignment.

Types of Toothaches

If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know what a serious obstacle it can be to your life. Anyone who’s never had a toothache probably would consider it to be not such a big deal, but those who’s experienced toothache pain know better. A toothache can cause severe pain that can stop you from doing the things you need to do, and that’s unacceptable. There are a number of varying causes of toothaches, some that are highly preventable, and others that aren’t so preventable. The source of a toothache can be a dental problem such as a cavity or exposed nerve roots. But what most people probably don’t know is that a toothache can also be caused by outside sources, such as ear infections and even sinus problems. The following information will help answer some questions you may have about the causes of toothaches, as well as offer some preventive measures that can be taken to avoid them altogether.

What Is Laser Dentistry?

No pun intended, lasers are hot. Though chances are they’ve been around longer than most people realize, lasers are only now getting to be a popular treatment in both the medical and dental communities. Laser procedures in dentistry are more favored than many other types of procedures, mainly for their precision and decreased recovery time. And it’s that precision that makes laser dentistry procedures more effective than some other types of dental procedures as well. But that’s not all. Top dentists offer dental procedures using lasers that have the capacity to reduce the pain that may be experienced with procedures that don’t utilize the precision of lasers. So what is laser dentistry? What are its applications? And, if you’re someone who’s considering having a dental procedure performed, should you opt for a laser dentistry procedure over any other?

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Millions of Americans suffer with sleep apnea, and many more are diagnosed with this condition every day. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports that more than 10 million people in our nation have been diagnosed with the disease, and many more don’t even know they have it. Sleep apnea is on the rise in the U.S., for reasons still largely unknown to the medical community. Many people know that sleep apnea complications can be serious, but did you know that your sleep apnea is likely affecting the health of your teeth? So, what exactly is sleep apnea? Is it really that serious? And just how does sleep apnea affect teeth? Dental offices and throughout the country recommend that all Americans educate themselves on this medical condition in order to contain its complications.

What Causes Stained Teeth?

Somebody once said, “Nobody notices old clothes if you wear a smile.” By the same token, if you’re frowning, you could be wearing diamonds and no on would notice. That’s what happens if your teeth are stained, dull, and discolored. You don’t feel like smiling anymore, and it shows in your life. Thank goodness there are things you can do about tooth discolorations. But if you don’t know the causes, you’re not going to know how to solve the problem. Here’s more information about the causes of stained teeth, as well as tips from good dentists on how to get your teeth back to their beautiful, vibrant white.

What Causes Facial Swelling?

Swelling that occurs in the face can be a difficult thing to deal with, especially since the face isn’t an area of the body that can be easily hidden. Facial swelling, also referred to by healthcare providers as facial edema, can occur in any of the areas of the face, including the eyes, cheeks, mouth, nose, jaw, and lips. Facial swelling can cause both physical and psychological pain, and the causes are numerous. Some of the most common causes of swelling of the face include tooth or other mouth infections and traumatic injury. Here’s more information from dental offices regarding more common causes of facial swelling and their symptoms.

How to Care for Baby Teeth

Just like the rest of your baby, caring for your baby’s teeth brings with it loads of questions. And, since babies don’t come with owner’s manuals, as a new parent, it’s vital that you educate yourself on the proper way to care for her teeth from birth. New parents have many questions about baby teeth, but they generally don’t have a lot of answers. Thankfully, family dentists and throughout the country are equipped with answers to your questions that will help you care for your baby’s teeth from the beginning. Following are answers to some of the most common questions new parents have about their baby’s teeth that will help all new parents take a bite out of some of the confusion that comes with a brand new baby.