Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common complaints I encounter in the office, especially at this time of year when the weather gets frigid outdoors. Sensitivity results from exposure of the nerve endings that connect to the pulp tissue inside the tooth, commonly referred to as “the nerve”. This typically occurs when the protective…
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7 Good Tooth Brushing Techniques for a Healthy 2017
Start the new year off right with these tips from the American Dental Association. Change your brush as soon as the bristles start fraying, about every 3 months, or sooner if needed. Also change your brush after recovering from an illness. Brush for 2 minutes at least twice a day. Most people only brush for…
How to avoid dentai issues due to holiday stress
The holiday season can be stressful and even difficult for some, me included. I also see a lot of folks at this time of year with dental manifestations of stress. So, here are some suggestions on how to hopefully stay on an even keel and perhaps enjoy this time of year a little more and…
6 Ways to Keep Your Smile Bright for the Holidays
It’s that time of year again! Hermey, Santa’s Elf, who aspires to become a dentist, has offered a few suggestions along with the ADA for keeping that smile bright for the holidays: For those of us with unused dental benefits for the year, it’s still not too late to take advantage. If you need treatment,…
Procrastination and Fear! What running and dentistry have in common.
I just read a very enjoyable article by Mark Remy in the August issue of Runner’s World (“Drill, Baby, Drill,” pp.26-28). In the article Mark likens “speed training” to a dental visit. Not exactly flattering, but both can be equally anxiety producing and both necessary for improvement, whether it be for your performance as a…
Coffee Anyone?
I’ve been a coffee drinker for years and really haven’t given it too much thought. Just like you, I’ve read the articles for and against this practice every few years. However, a recent article in the publication General Dentistry (Gen Dent 2016; 64 July/August): 20-23), published by the Academy of General Dentistry, finds that moderate…
Defining Oral Health - I Couldn’t Have Said It Better Myself!
For decades it seems, I’ve been trying to convey to people the importance of oral health. I’ve tried to personalize it, sensationalize it, communicate it in any meaningful way I could, perhaps not giving enough importance to the reality that “oral health” may mean different things to different people. And now, finally, the FDI World…
The Staggering Cost of Undiagnosed Obstructed Sleep Apnea
According to a recent article posted by News Medical, a report reveals the staggering cost of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea in the U.S. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) released a new analysis, titled “Hidden health crisis costing America billions,” that reveals the staggering cost of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. A companion report was…
To Floss or Not to Floss? That is the Question!
Recently the Associated Press (AP) published an article entitled “Medical Benefits of Dental Floss Unproven“. This was a very interesting and well researched piece of journalism. It seems that the research in favor of flossing is not as solid as one would have hoped. This may in part be due to the fact that dental…
What To Do About Dry Mouth – 10 Recommendations
“Dry mouth”, or xerostomia, is an annoying condition that I am seeing almost daily in the office. Dry mouth is actually a symptom of an underlying problem and not a disease in itself. It is usually caused by medications but can also be related to various systemic diseases, chemotherapy, radiation to the head and neck,…
