Just like the color of your eyes and hair, the natural tint of your teeth is hereditary. “Some people have very white enamel―the thin coating on the surface of teeth―while other people’s enamel has a more yellow hue,” says Richard Price, a dentist in Newton, Massachusetts, and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Environmental
While your teeth are the hardest substance in your body, they’re not impervious to damage. Your mouth has up to 100 billion bacterial microbes in it every day. Most of them don’t affect your teeth. Some even protect them. But a small percentage of those bacteria combine with sugars to create acid. That acid breaks down the calcium, phosphate
Declines in one seem to mirror declines in the other, but cause-and-effect isn’t clear, study says. There seems to be a link between poor oral health and age-related mental decline, researchers say. However, the researchers emphasized there is not enough evidence to prove a direct link between oral health and thinking (“cognitive”) abilities. In a new report,
KIDS’ HEALTH Set aside all the unappealing things you’ve likely witnessed going into your child’s mouth. The business of brushing and flossing on a regular basis is reason enough to get an early jump on teaching oral health skills and making regular trips to the dentist. Q: At what age should kids start visiting the
1. A lot of patients are worried that dental X-rays can cause cancer, but if you’re outside for an hour, you’re exposed to more radiation than you’d get from a full set of dental X-rays. What I worry about is that if I don’t take an X-ray, I might miss something serious. – Bryan Tervo,
Yvette Brazier In 2011-2012, dental cavities, or caries, affected 91% of adults aged 20-64 years in the US, exacerbated by consumption of sugary foods and drink, lack of oral hygiene and not paying regular visits to the dentist. For the mouth to stay healthy, pH levels must be neutral. Too much acid can cause
by Amy Fontinelle There’s no question that dental work is expensive – especially when you need to have major work done. If you’re not covered through your job, you may have to purchase it on your own. However, purchased privately, dental insurance can be a huge waste of money if your plan doesn’t match your
by Marcene Robinson The best time to identify signs of obstructive sleep apnea may not be at night while snoozing in bed but, instead, while sitting in the dentist’s chair. According to a new study led by University at Buffalo orthodontic researcher Thikriat Al-Jewair, dentists are in the unique position as health care professionals to
by Yolanda Eddis Your dental health is an important part of your overall wellness, and the New Year is a great time to create resolutions for improving your health. Many people have dental health resolutions that range from improving their toothbrushing habits to completing delayed dental treatment. Understanding the benefits of your particular resolutions can be
Regular dental check-ups tend to fall off the to do list of many an adult. But good dental health is not only about the whiteness of your smile, the pink of your gums and the freshness of your breath, but also about your overall health. Crazy? Think again. According to a University of North Carolina
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