Have you ever done the saltine cracker challenge? If you have, you know that it makes your mouth extremely and intensely dry, making it hard for you to swallow, taste, and even speak. Now, imagine living with dry mouth on a daily basis. Chronic dry mouth isn’t just an uncomfortable sensation – if left untreated, dry mouth can cause serious oral health issues. What is Dry Mouth? Dry mouth (xerostomia) is a condition in which a person’s salivary glands do not produce enough saliva, leaving the mouth chronically dry.  Dry mouth can be a very unpleasant sensation which – besides making speaki ..read more

Have you ever had dreams about losing a tooth, or several teeth? They can be quite memorable and even unsettling – and if you’re reading this, you are probably trying to make sense of these dreams. Though interpretations about what your dreams about losing teeth can vary widely, your dreams might symbolically reflect something important going on in your personal life, or signify something literal that you should be paying more attention to physically. What Do Your Dreams About Losing Teeth Mean? Loss or Grief Losing your teeth is undoubtedly an upsetting experience, even in dreams. If you hav ..read more

What are the most important and most effective at-home dental tools you can use? Simply: a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss! There are many other dental products out there that promise professional results, and we wanted to take the time to caution you about several of them.  Using many types of dental tools improperly and without proper training can cause severe and permanent damage to your mouth. In addition, many dentist tools advertised as being of professional grade and quality are actually inferior products, which we would never use or approve of in our dental practice. Please take ..read more

‘Tis the season for merriment, giving, and gatherings with loved ones – which usually means lots of delicious food and drinks! Red wine, mulled wine, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, holiday fruit punches, fruit pies, cranberry sauce, berries, and dishes made with curry spice, balsamic vinegar, tomato or soy sauces – you might find yourself indulging in some of the aforementioned foods and drinks more than usual lately, and you should enjoy them! But be aware that enjoying a lot of these types of richly pigmented foods will stain and discolor your teeth. No need to worry though, you can still enjo ..read more

It can be difficult to eat healthy during the holidays, when holiday get-togethers, rich food, sweet desserts and strong drinks abound. If sweet treats are your weakness, we have a lovely recipe to help you satisfy those cravings while cutting down on empty calories and sugar: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites! These delicious little bites take just minutes to assemble, are ready to eat in just over half an hour (most of which is time spent in the freezer), will last up to 2 weeks frozen, and contain just 3 simple nutrient-packed ingredients: dark chocolate chips, peanut butter, and b ..read more

If you have a dental bridge, braces, fixed retainers or dentures with retainer bars, you might be wondering how you can still clean around them to keep your mouth and gums healthy. Unless your dental treatment appliances are entirely removable, like invisible aligners and removable retainers, cleaning thoroughly between your teeth with fixed dental work sometimes requires just a bit more effort – but is very important for the success of your dental treatment, as well as a healthy, cavity-free smile! Why Is It Important to Clean Around Teeth With Fixed Dental Work? Besides the fact that it is ..read more

Have you ever heard that thumbsucking can make a child’s teeth grow crooked? It’s not an urban myth; it is unfortunately quite true! That’s not to say that babies shouldn’t suck their thumbs at all; in fact, thumbsucking is a common and important self-soothing behavior that many infants engage in. Between 60-80% of people suck their thumbs during the first 6 months of their lives, a habit which helps babies feel comforted and secure in the new world around them. When Should A Child Stop Thumbsucking? Though thumb sucking decreases significantly in most babies after 6 months of age, some young ..read more

With any kind of dental surgery, caring properly for yourself and your mouth helps ensure that your mouth heals quickly and cleanly. With dental implant surgery in particular, the first 7 days post-surgery are especially crucial for laying the foundation for a stable and successful implant. Ahead, we’ll break down all the do’s and don’ts of days 1 through 7 post-surgery, and beyond. As always, follow your dentist’s specific care instructions. Day 1: Rest Up! Take time off for at least 24 hours after your implant surgery, and get plenty of rest and hydration throughout the next several weeks ..read more

Water flossing vs. string floss: Which is better? Though some people swear by one or the other, the truth is that there are pros and cons to both, and studies about each method’s effectiveness at removing plaque are largely inconclusive. If you’ve been considering changing your flossing routine, it’s worth looking into the differences between them to see which one is right for you! Evidence For String Floss vs. Water Flossers? Studies about the efficacy of plaque removal with water flossing vs. using string (or tape) floss vary greatly. One ,small study found that in a single use, single-bli ..read more

Have you ever had a sinus toothache? If you have, you know how uncomfortable, distracting and painful they can be. Fortunately, tooth pain caused by sinus pressure or pain can usually be relieved significantly with proper at-home care. *Note: If you are suffering from extreme tooth pain of any kind, or tooth pain that lasts for more than 12-18 hours, please visit your dentist as soon as possible so that they can determine and treat the root cause before the condition worsens. Sinus Toothaches vs. Standard Toothaches Not sure if you have a sinus toothache, or if your tooth pain is caused by so ..read more