News and Features Related to Oral Care
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Getting Your Teeth Cleaned May Help Your Heart
Nov. 16, 2011 (Orlando, Fla.) -- Getting your teeth cleaned may give you more than a sparkling white smile -- it may give you something to smile about, like your health. In a large study, people who had their teeth professionally scaled at least once every two years were 24% less likely to have a he
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What Your Dentist Knows About Your Health
During your routine dental check-up, your dentist can uncover important clues about your overall health. If your tooth enamel is worn down, for example, that's a sign that you may be suffering from stress and grinding your teeth at night. Swollen and receding gums can be an early sign of diabetes, a
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Adele Cancels U.S. Tour Due to Vocal Cord Hemorrhage
Oct. 5, 2011 -- Once again, British singer Adele has been forced to cancel a number of sold-out U.S. shows because of throat problems. The award-winning singer-songwriter of such hits as "Rolling in the Deep" says on her blog that for the second time this year, she has a vocal cord hemorrhage. She'
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The Importance of Early Dental Visits
At the sight of my son's first tooth, it dawned on me: I had been so focused on every other detail of his development that I knew almost nothing about dental care for little choppers. According to Clarice Law, DMD, MS, assistant professor in the Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics sections at the U
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Study: MRSA Common Among Some Dental Students
Sept. 29, 2011 -- Dental students in a Seattle study had very high rates of colonization with MRSA, the drug-resistant strain of staph, raising new questions about the prevalence of the bacteria outside of hospitals in community health care settings. People who are colonized with MRSA carry the bact
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When to See an Orthodontist
Even when happy, some people resist smiling. Or they cover their mouth with their hand. Their crooked teeth embarrass them. That’s when you need to see an orthodontist. Orthodontists are dentists with advanced training in making teeth move. They can realign crooked teeth into a straight, healthy smi
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Oral Health: Insights Into Your Overall Health
If your eyes are the window to your soul, then your mouth is a mirror of your health. Although that idea may seem farfetched, health experts believe that good oral health care does more than prevent tooth decay and gum disease. "Any disease related to the mouth has an impact elsewhere in the body,"
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Millions in U.S. Lack Access to Dentists
July 13, 2011 -- Fewer than half of Americans see a dentist each year and millions live in areas where access to dental care is severely limited, a new analysis from the health policy group Institute of Medicine (IOM) finds. A severe shortage of dentists, especially those serving rural and minority
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15 Ways to Wreck Your Teeth
Teeth are tough -- their enamel is the hardest part of the body -- but they're no match for neglect, misuse, or abuse. Here are some surefire ways to find out how vulnerable your teeth are -- trust us, you don't want to do this: The ideal is to brush your teeth three times a day: after breakfast, lu
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Dealing with TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular disorders are a group of problems that cause pain and poor function in the jaw joint and the muscles responsible for jaw movement. They're also called TMD, or TMJ (short for temporomandibular joint) disorders. TMD can be just a nuisance -- or it can be a life-altering problem. When
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How Do I Measure Up? Get the Facts Fast!
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Only 18.5% of Americans never floss. You are missing out on a simple way to make a big difference in the health of your mouth. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Floss removes food trapped between the teeth and removes the film of bacteria that forms there before it turns to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Try flossing just one tooth to get started.
You are one of 31% of Americans who don't floss daily. You are missing out on a simple way to make a big difference in the health of your mouth. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Aim for 3 more days!
You are one of 31% of Americans who don't floss daily, but you're well on your way to making a positive impact on your teeth and gums. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Aim for all 7 days!
Only 50.5% of Americans floss daily, and good for you that you are one of them! Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Congratulations on your good oral health habit!
SOURCES:
American Dental Association, Healthy People 2010
This tool is intended only for adults 18 and older.
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