Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are a common viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). These small, fluid-filled blisters usually appear on or around the lips, although they can also occur in other areas of the face, such as the nose or cheeks. Cold sores can be painful and unsightly, and they can also be contagious, which is why many people seek treatment to alleviate their symptoms and prevent the spread of the virus.
Originally developed for neurosurgery, computer-guided surgery provides periodontal surgeons with several advantages, helping them achieve predictable and safe implant placements. Despite the advantages, the number of implant dentists choosing to use this technology remains low. Figures for the dental implant market in the United States show that in 2012…
From twice-a-day brushing to using mouthwash, we do a lot to keep our teeth squeaky clean and sparkling. Another dental habit you don’t want to skimp on is flossing—it’s so important to our long-term dental health. If you are not quite sure why it’s necessary (or even how to do it, exactly), we have you covered. This is how your periodontist say you should floss—plus, we share a few floss alternatives you can use to best suit your dental needs.
From twice-a-day brushing to using mouthwash, we do a lot to keep our teeth squeaky clean and sparkling. Another dental habit you don’t want to skimp on is flossing—it’s so important to our long-term dental health. If you are not quite sure why it’s necessary (or even how to do it, exactly), we have you covered. This is how your periodontist say you should floss—plus, we share a few floss alternatives you can use to best suit your dental needs.
There are actually several negative consequences of missing some or all of your teeth. First, missing teeth will affect the esthetics of your face. Not only will your smile be affected by the gaps from missing teeth, but if you’re missing too many teeth, the skin around your mouth won’t be supported properly and will start to sag, making your appear older than you are.
Full mouth dental implants come in handy in many situations. A person who suffers from gum disease is likely to have loose and missing teeth. So is a person with severe and extensive tooth decay. The same goes for a person whose teeth are worn out because of chronic teeth grinding/bruxism. When you are missing most or all of your teeth, you will need a full set of artificial teeth to replace them.
Oral piercings or tongue splitting may look cool, but they can be dangerous to your health. That’s because your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection and swelling often occur with mouth piercings. For instance, your mouth and tongue could swell so much that you close off your airway or you could possibly choke if part of the jewelry breaks off in your mouth. In some cases, you could crack a tooth or …
Sedation dentistry helps you feel calm, relaxed and at ease during dental procedures. It’s a moderate level of sedation, so you’re still technically awake but feeling very carefree. It’s sometimes called conscious sedation dentistry or “twilight sleep” because it creates a state of short-term amnesia (forgetfulness) where you experience insensitivity to pain without the loss of consciousness.
While your teeth are a huge factor in how healthy your smile looks, your gums are just as important. This soft tissue supporting your teeth is the foundation of your smile and serves the crucial functions of securing your teeth in position and guarding their sensitive roots. This is why a receding gumline is not simply an aesthetic concern; it is a serious oral health condition. To keep your gums healthy, you need to know the top contributing factors of gum recession. From there, you can change your lifestyle and oral health practices to defend against receding gums.
Having gum disease increases your risk for many health problems other than tooth loss, such as heart disease. To add to the list, a study from Harvard summarized in a letter published online July 20, 2020, by the journal Gut suggests that the microbes camping out between your teeth and gums may affect your risk for cancers of the stomach and esophagus. Harvard scientists analyzed health data from two large studies that included almost 150,000 men and women.
