Knowledge for a Healthier Smile

November is National Diabetes Month, and we want to do our part in raising awareness of the effects of diabetes on oral health! An unfortunate truth about living with diabetes is that the disease increases the risk of developing a number of oral health issues, like gum disease, tooth decay (aka cavities), thrush, and more. But fortunately, it is also true that with a bit of extra TLC, you can take control of your oral health, and have a happy, healthy mouth! Diabetes and Your

Do you use an electric toothbrush or a regular one? Does one type seem like it cleans your teeth better than the other? The truth is that both manual and electric toothbrushes are great at cleaning your teeth effectively, as long as they are used properly! That said, there are several pros and cons that may make one type a better choice for you over the other. Let’s take a look! Manual Toothbrush Pros: Affordable and easy to replace - Standard toothbrushes are widely availabl

Do you ever feel self conscious about your breath? Bad breath happens to everyone at some point or another, but chronic bad breath (aka halitosis, or oral malodor) is a glaring warning sign that you need to make some changes to your oral health routine! Common Causes of Bad Breath The first step to getting rid of chronic bad breath is to figure out what is causing it. Sometimes the cause is obvious, such as not brushing or flossing daily. But sometimes the cause of chronic ba

Quick answer: Tonsil stones (tonsilloliths) form when food, mucus and bacteria get trapped in the pockets of the tonsils and harden. They often cause bad breath and throat irritation. Salt-water gargles, drinking plenty of water, and cleaning your teeth and tongue well can help. See a doctor if they keep coming back or are painful. Have you ever seen white-ish or yellow-ish lumps that look like they are embedded in the back of your throat? These are likely tonsil stones (also

Are you trying to cut down on sugar? As dentists and health professionals, we definitely support that choice! But be aware: though many drinks and foods claim that they are “diet” and sugar-free, not all artificial sweeteners are created equal. But how do artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes affect the health of our mouth and teeth? Scientists are still learning about the health effects that various sugar substitutes have on the human body, but we do know that artifici