Ouch! Why am I Wincing?
A sudden, sharp pain when you bite—that's seemingly out of nowhere? Most likely, it's a cracked tooth. Even a hairline fracture in a cavity-free molar can make the most hardy of us sit up and take notice. When [...]
Dentistry and the Older Adult
With people living longer, we, as dentists, recognize that the dental profession must shoulder a new responsibility for enduring dental care. We all hope we'll live to a ripe old age. At the same time, we want to [...]
What Causes a Toothache, Besides Cavities
"My tooth hurts. It must have a cavity." Well, maybe it does. However, other conditions can cause a tooth to be sensitive to hot or cold foods, to the pressure of chewing... or to just plain ache. A [...]
The Deal with Dentures
Dentures are one of those subjects where so much information is passed around and so little is really understood. Popular wisdom has it that only the first set of dentures fit properly. That's only partially true. They tend [...]
Caring for a Dental Bridge
If you have had one or more missing teeth replaced with a dental bridge restoration (also sometimes called a fixed partial denture), then be sure to keep up the good work by properly caring for it. Just following [...]
Wisdom Teeth Removal
And what exactly does 'impacted' mean? Any tooth has the potential to become impacted—that is, emerge in some oddball direction that crowds other teeth. But the most famous culprits are third molars, the last-to-emerge wisdom teeth. Not many [...]
Is Your Mouth Older Than…
A mouth at age 50 enters a whole new world marked by a set of problems you never dreamed of when your mouth was filled with bubble gum and the latest slang. Celebrate Great Taste! Expect taste buds [...]
Listen to Your Teeth
An aching tooth's a warning. Often it's a cavity, but not always. Other Toothache Causes... After a filling, a tooth can sometimes be a bit sensitive. It's a normal reaction that should soon correct it-self. In the morning, [...]
MMMMMM! It’s Mouth-Watering
You stand to speak to a crowd of thousands–and your mouth is desert-dry. That's normal. But under less stressful circumstances, a dry mouth is not normal. In fact, it's cause for concern. Saliva has a critical role in [...]
How Old Is Your Smile?
The concept of dental age is surprising to people when they first hear it. Dental age is independent of chronological age. From a biological stand point, we are youthful until we reach maturity around thirty, we are adults [...]