The mouth is so much more than just the “gateway to the body.” You eat and talk with it, but it’s also a very important source of nonverbal communication. Often, the first thing you notice about someone when you meet them is their smile. The levator anguli oris (also known as the caninus) is one…
Category: General Health
National Nutrition Month
Apparently March is National Nutrition Month! I know- it seems like there’s a month, week or day for almost everything! But it does give me the opportunity to discuss some dentally relevant nutritional information, namely added sugars and sugary drinks. Obviously I’m not qualified to offer nutritional advice, but being a lifelong sugar addict, I…
6 Ways to Make Your Mouth Extra Kissable for Valentine’s Day
I am happy to share this post from the ADA’s Mouth Healthy website which explains why bad breath may not be your only concern when kissing this Valentine’s Day. From the “Kiss Me” messages on tiny candy hearts to romantic songs on the radio, a kiss is probably on your list this Valentine’s Day. Before…
The Great American Smoke-Out!
Smoking is one of the worst habits for a person’s health. According to the American Cancer Society, “36.5 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the world.” Each year November 16th is set aside as the “Great America Smoke-out” in an attempt…
How to Eat Candy This Halloween
With Halloween fast approaching many of us are starting to think about all that candy! And yes, those dentists among us will again be considering all of the potential dental harm that could result from all that candy. But not to worry! If you have been doing your homework throughout the year – brushing twice…
The Dangers of Do It Yourself Dentistry!
Recently there have been several reports in the news and posts on social media about how to perform “do it yourself” dental procedures. These are, at a minimum, problematic trends which can lead to serious consequences. Among these are: Charcoal Teeth WhiteningI don’t know where this came from, but using charcoal or anything other than…
Six Causes of Bad Breath
There are many reasons for having bad breath and while most are innocuous, bad breath can be a sign of something more serious! According to the American Dental Association, 50% of adults have had bad breath. Here are six causes of bad breath of which you should be aware. Bacteria – There are hundreds of…
Ten Tips To Treat Dry Mouth
Dry mouth (Xerostomia) is a problem faced by many folks which can be difficult to diagnose and treat. The most common cause among adults is various prescription medications. Sometimes our well meaning physicians prescribe medications independently of each other, the result being a multitude of dry mouth causing medications that potentiate each other, making the…
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…
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…
