Abfraction is a dental term for wedge shaped areas that sometimes form along the gumline of teeth over time, not related to cavities. It’s an extremely common occurence, especially in older patients, although I have seen it in young adults as well. Abfractions range from very minimal loss of tooth structure to very significant wedges […]
There are a lot of different things than can stain your tongue or change it’s color. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons and what you can do to help. Smoking Smoking is the most common reason for a stained tongue. The heat and chemicals in tobacco cause the papilla (little projections) on […]
There are a lot of different reasons for tooth discoloration. Let’s take a look at the major ones… Fluorosis (Brown) When children are exposed to higher level of fluoride than recommended, the developing permanent teeth tend to take on a mottled brown appearance. This can range from very mild staining to very heavy depending on […]
One of the most confusing topics for dentist’s over the last 10 or so years has been the practice of premedication with antibiotics prior to dental visits. For a while there it seemed like the guidelines changed every year or two. The basic idea behind premedication with antibiotics is that when certain dental procedures are […]
Most dentists recommend that you automatically schedule an appointment to see them every 6 months. They do this for a couple of main reasons. Your dental insurance usually covers a visit at this frequency and the majority of people today should be seen every 6 months. What they generally don’t tell you is that some […]
Burning mouth syndrome literally causes a burning sensation or scalded feeling in your mouth, usually on the tongue, but can also be anywhere else. Oftentimes this is accompanied with a metallic taste or sometimes a loss of taste. This sensation varies from a constant problem to one that comes and goes. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) has […]
Getting your kids to brush their teeth can be a very challenging process! Here are some tips on making it easier on you. Ages 0-2 From the time they get their first teeth in until they turn three, you will have to do all the brushing. They just don’t have the coordination at these ages […]
Acid reflux (also known as GERD or heartburn) occurs when acid from your stomach moves upward through your esophagus. This causes a burning pain in your chest that can spread all the way up into your throat. Some of this acid can make its way all the way up in your mouth where over time […]
As a follow up to my last post on foods with a surprising amount of added sugar, we’re now going to look at foods and drinks that have a lot of acid in them. Sugar isn’t the only cause of cavities today. There are so many products that are highly acidic which provide the exact type […]
This is a patient of mine. He’s about 30 years old and as you can see has severely receded gums. This is probably one of the worst cases I’ve seen in several years. His receded gums are a result of brushing too hard. The root surfaces of all of his teeth have some level of […]