What Causes Gum Disease?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over half of adults 35 and older suffer from some form of periodontal disease. Without treatment, this disease can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, as well as a greater risk of adult tooth loss. What causes gum disease and what steps can you take to stay free of this serious oral health concern?

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What Are the Most Common Reasons for Tooth Extraction?

Extracting a tooth isn’t something that everyone will need to do. Yet, when your dentist suggests it, it’s for a good reason, and hesitating could lead to a heightened risk of even more serious oral health complications. Today, we examine a few of the most common reasons for tooth extraction and how the procedure helps save your smile. In many cases, your dentist might also include an appropriate tooth replacement option, such as dental implants, to complete your smile restoration procedure. (more…)

Why Your Dentist Suggests Fluoride for Stronger Teeth

For several decades, dentists have recommended fluoride as part of an excellent hygiene and preventive dental care routine. The reason is because of how fluoride interacts with your teeth’s natural defenses—namely, it’s protective layer of enamel. The best way to keep your teeth healthy is to keep their enamel strong enough to repel harmful oral bacteria. Made almost entirely of minerals, enamel is highly resilient. But, sometimes, it needs a boost from fluoride to remain strong in the midst of attacks from acidic foods and harmful oral bacteria. (more…)

Does a Toothache Mean You Have a Cavity?

There could be several possible reasons why your tooth hurts. You may have something stuck between it and another tooth, or you may have accidentally hurt it due to accidental trauma. In most cases, however, a sensitive or aching tooth means that your tooth enamel is growing weak, which is a precursor to cavity development. If so, then the pain in your tooth will only grow worse as the cavity develops further, which is why diagnosing and treating your toothache should be a top priority. (more…)

Why Hygiene Isn’t Enough to Stop Gum Disease

Preventing gum disease is one of the most important focuses of preventive dentistry. That’s because it’s one of the most frequent chronic dental health issues, as well as the most frequent cause of adult tooth loss. However, preventing gum disease requires more than just brushing and flossing your teeth twice every day. While important, a consistently good hygiene routine can only do so much to prevent the formation of gum disease. The rest requires the professional care and attention that only your dentist and hygienist can provide. (more…)