Nail biting is one of the most common habits that people of all ages do, including children, teens and young adults. Many people engage in this habit unconsciously, usually from nervousness, stress, or simply out of boredom. Your nails are one of the hardest surfaces of the body, so chomping down on one can apply enough force against your teeth to cause damage by: • Causing cracks and chips in the front teeth • and you may notice Your front teeth appear worn down, and shorter than normal • And if you wear braces, nail biting can compromise your tooth…
Author: Dr. Jacqueline Butler Mitchell, DDS
Dental floss is a tool you should use daily to remove food and bacteria buildup from in between your teeth. Many people don’t like to floss or don’t make it a priority because they don’t see the importance of it, or don’t know how to floss correctly. Brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, but flossing cleans the gaps between your teeth where bacteria often hide. If you don’t floss, you are more likely to have plaque build-up, which can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. How Often Should You Floss? Take your time and floss correctly because…
Cavities and tooth decay are among the most common health problems. Cavities are also called tooth decay and caries. Cavities are caused by a combination of factors such as bacteria left in your mouth from not brushing properly, frequent snacking on candies, and drinking to many sugary drinks. Cavities are common in children, teenagers, and older adults and can be seen in babies. Symptoms Symptoms of a cavity depend on the extent and their location. When a cavity is just beginning, you may not notice any symptoms. As the decay gets larger is usually when you will begin to develop…
High Blood Pressure can be a “silent killer.” Often, patients go years without seeking the care of a primary care physician unless they feel ill. On the other hand, patients typically visit their dentist twice a year for dental checkups and cleanings. During the dental checkup, the dentist is most likely to take the patient’s blood pressure as a part of their complete exam. High blood pressure typically doesn’t present any noticeable symptoms unless dangerously high, which is why monitoring of blood pressure is important. The Direct Effect High Blood Pressure Can have on Dental Treatment: • May have to…
When your baby’s first tooth shows up, you might be taken by surprise. Every baby experiences teething differently: some have virtually no symptoms, while others experience teething pain for months. Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months old, but some will erupt as early as 3 months old, and some as late as their first birthday. The most common first teeth to erupt are called central incisors. The two in the bottom center of the mouth usually erupt first followed by the two in the top center. The total number of teeth a baby will have is 20.…
Chewing gum has been around since the ancient times when it was made from tree saps. Today, the base used for most gum products is a blend of synthetic materials. The average American chews about 1 pound of gum each year. With so much gum going into our mouths it is important to know how chewing gum affects our dental health. You may have heard that gum is both good and bad for your teeth, so let’s find out the real deal. Gum sweetened with sugar is bad news for your teeth. When you choose a sugary chewing gum, you’re…
Most parents and children understand the need for wearing a protective helmet when playing a contact sport, but there is another very important piece of equipment for safety when playing sports, Mouth Guards. Everyone should wear a mouth guard when playing contact sports. It has been reported that an athlete is 50 times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth when not wearing a mouth guard. Often times these injuries can result in permanent damage to your teeth and other oral structures. Most Common Types of Dental Injuries • Fracture- can be classified as a root fracture, broken and or…
Your toothbrush looks innocent sitting on your bathroom sink waiting to be used by you. But before you put it in your mouth, consider this: the average toothbrush contains over a million germs because your mouth is also home to millions of germs. So what can we do to help reduce some of the germs in our Toothbrush? • Store your toothbrush in an upright position, in the open air in order for it to dry fully and not in a drawer nor in a covered container. • Don’t store your toothbrush on the counter close to the…
It is common knowledge that smoking is bad for your health. It is often overlooked the effects smoking has on the health of your teeth. Here are some of the ways smoking affects your teeth and your oral tissues. Ways Smoking Affects Your Teeth are: • Your teeth will stain and may become gray in color • You will have bad breath from the smell that smoke leaves behind. • You have an increased risk of gum disease. If this infection is not treated it can progress to Periodontal Disease which can lead to tooth loss and painful, swollen, and…
Canker sores are sometimes called Aphthous Ulcers are painful white ulcers that develop on the soft tissues of the mouth. These lesions appear most often on the side of your tongue, inside the cheeks, and inside the lip. They do cause pain and may make it difficult to speak and eat at times. Canker sores are not contagious like cold sores, but they often recur in some people. What Causes Canker Sores No one is certain what cause canker sores, but there are several factors in combination that can contribute to outbreaks multiple times. • Mouth injury from dental work, sports,…