Our gums anchor and hold our teeth in place. They also protect the roots of our teeth from damage, infection, and disease. So it is a concern if our gums shrink back from our teeth. Exposed teeth tend to be sensitive to heat and cold and are more likely to decay. Keep reading to learn more about what causes receding gums and how you can prevent this condition. The Top Causes of Receding Gums – 4 Known Causes Plaque, Tartar, and Gum Disease The main reason why our gums recede is a condition called periodontal disease or gum disease. This is a bacterial infection caused by plaque and tartar buil ..read more

Many people think that daily brushing and flossing of teeth is enough to maintain oral health. Unfortunately, this is not always true. While poor dental hygiene is a leading cause of periodontal disease, there are other risk factors such as diet, smoking, hormone changes, stress, and genetic disposition. Some of the foods we eat can have a detrimental effect on our teeth and gums. There are foods that prevent tooth decay and foods to avoid with receding gums. If you already have advanced gum disease, dentists even have a list of periodontal disease foods to avoid. Knowing what to eat and what ..read more

Many people think tooth decay and cavities are the same things. Well, the two conditions are related as cavities are a result of tooth decay. But they are not the same thing, so we shouldn’t use the words interchangeably. So what exactly is tooth decay and what is a cavity? How can you recognize, prevent, and treat the conditions? Keep reading to learn more about teeth decay vs cavity. What is Tooth Decay? Tooth decay is the progressive corrosion of the layers of a tooth. It occurs when harmful bacteria in the mouth produce corrosive acids while digesting sugary or starchy foods. The acids, fo ..read more

Dental Hygienists are the cornerstone of a dental office’s day-to-day operation. Every role in a dental office is important, but the dental hygienist is the person who provides the care and maintenance services for a patient’s mouth for the largest percentage of daily appointments. What Does A Dental Hygienist Do? Every dental office has its own set of duties and responsibilities for staff roles. However, The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics defines a common set of duties that are typical for the Dental Hygienist role, including: “Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hy ..read more

Dry mouth or xerostomia is a dental condition signified by an insufficient amount of saliva in the mouth. Producing a small amount of saliva may not sound problematic, but saliva has many functions. First, it keeps your mouth moist so that you can talk comfortably as well as taste, chew, and swallow food. Saliva also has proteins and minerals that protect our teeth enamels from tooth decay. Saliva has an alkaline pH which neutralizes the harmful acids emitted by plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth. So, a lack of saliva makes it hard to chew or swallow food. Other dry mouth effects include bad ..read more

Working as a dental hygienist can be a rewarding experience, but what if you’re not sure that experience is right for you? The best way to get a feel for working as a dental hygienist, without leaping to obtain your certification, is to see what a dental hygienist does on a typical day. Before Work Begins Before you pull on a pair of dental gloves to begin your first cleaning of the day, you’ll first need to follow the office policies in place to track your work. Time Tracking Every dental practice has its own set of rules around tracking your attendance. Some offices require you to log on to ..read more

October is Caries Disease Awareness Month! Caries Disease Awareness Month started as a movement dedicated to changing public perception about mouth health. We seek to educate the public about the actual cause of cavities. Decay is a disease process that can affect anyone regardless of good dental hygiene and low sugar intake. Fortunately, this process can be interrupted with the help of a dental professional that focuses on risk assessment. October has been defined as the month to bring awareness to the way we talk about cavities, the disease process and the prevention of caries.  Please ..read more

Can You Brush Away a Cavity? Cavities are one of the most common conditions Americans have. Unfortunately, many people avoid getting treatment for their cavities, perhaps due to financial constraints or other reasons. The CDC estimates that about 25 percent of American adults have at least one untreated cavity. They try to treat the condition using home remedies or by brushing it to prevent its progression. But can you brush away a cavity? Keep reading to learn the answer to the question as well as the proper way to treat cavities. What Is A Cavity? Cavities are an early stage of progressive t ..read more

Dry mouth is a common condition where the salivary glands inside your mouth don’t produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. In minor cases, dry mouth causes mild discomfort and can be easily ignored. In severe cases, it can affect your ability to taste, chew, and swallow food or increases your risk of tooth decay. Causes of Dry Mouth Dry mouth is typically not a condition that starts in a mouth but is caused by an underlying health condition such as a reaction to a medication, autoimmune disease, excess alcohol intake, smoking, or even diabetes. If you’re experiencing dry mouth and don’t ..read more

Dental caries, commonly referred to as tooth decay or cavities, are the most common form of dental disease we encounter. In addition to being the most common, it’s also the most preventable and treatable. If you suspect you may have dental caries, this article will help you know for sure, how to prevent them, and what treatment options are available. How To Spot Dental Caries There are two locations you can develop caries: On the top of the teeth in between the hard ridges. These types are known as occlusal caries. You can spot them by looking for dark brown spots along the creases of the noo ..read more