Below is an excerpt from an article found on mouthhealthy.org What does ringing in the new year have to do with being mouth healthy?  More than you may think. Did you know that you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months? Bristles that become frayed and worn are less effective at cleaning your teeth. That means, celebrating the new year with a brand new toothbrush is actually smart dental hygiene. Here are MouthHealthy resolutions: Start brushing 2min2x . Always brush twice a day for two minutes for healthier teeth, good breath, fewer cavities, and to avoid painful dental problems.  Floss daily . Flossing is part of being mouth healthy. Chew sugarless gum . Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay. Eat a healthy diet . Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. Drink fluoridated water . Fluoride helps prevent cavities by making teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities. See ...

Below is an excerpt from an article found on colgate.com How Do I Look for a Dentist?  A good place to start is by asking for a referral from people you trust — your friends, family, acquaintances, work associates, pharmacist or family doctor. Ask them how long they've gone to their dentist, how comfortable they feel asking questions, what type of dentist they go to (general or specialist). It is important that you find a dentist with whom you feel comfortable. Other ways to find a dentist include: Calling your local dental society for a list of recommended dentists in your area. Your local dental society can be found in the Yellow Pages under "dentist." Searching online for dentists in your area. More and more dentists have websites explaining their approach and treatment methods. What Kind of Dentist Should I Look for? General dentists are trained to do all types of treatment. If you have difficult or unusual problems, your dentist may refer you to one ...

Below is an excerpt from an article found on crest.com What Causes Brown Teeth Stains? Brown teeth stains are not uncommon, and they have many causes, including diet and medications. But smoking is one of the top causes of brown teeth stains. Constant exposure to the nicotine in cigarettes over time creates brown teeth stains that can get in the way of an attractive smile. There are many other causes of tooth discoloration and the appearance of brown teeth—heredity, trauma or illness, certain medications, food and drink stains, poor oral hygiene ... the list goes on. While you can't control all of these causes of brown teeth, it’s important to focus on the ones you can since oral health has a significant impact on your overall health. How to Remove Brown Stains from Teeth Brown teeth stains often respond well to teeth whitening systems. If you have brown teeth stains due to smoking, a combination of products including those from the Crest 3D White collection , may help ...

Have you ever wondered what makes up a tooth? Each part of a tooth has unique functions and properties. Aetna's Simple Steps to Better Dental Health lists major parts of tooth anatomy, including enamel, dentin, cementum, root(s) and the root canal chamber(s) inside the tooth. Damaged teeth, especially teeth with cracked or eroded enamel, are very susceptible to cavities. Advanced gum disease, another oral health condition that threatens tooth health, attacks the bone of the teeth and may cause tooth loss. Understanding the function of each part of a tooth and the steps required to keep teeth healthy with home care and regular checkups are important components of oral health education for you and your family. Tooth Enamel Tooth enamel is a protective barrier that surrounds the visible part of the tooth. It is composed of strong minerals, including calcium phosphate. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and healthy enamel is resistant to cavity-causing ba...

The process of filling cavities is a fairly simple and straightforward one that can be done right at your dentist's office. Filling Cavities: What to Expect You should expect to be at your dentist's office for around an hour. This gives him or her enough time to take x-rays if needed, talk to you about the procedure and complete the dental work. Before filling cavities, your dentist will numb your teeth, gums and surrounding skin to avoid and lessen discomfort during the procedure. Next, he or she will drill out the decay in the tooth and replace it with a filling. This process only takes a few minutes. Once you're done, your mouth will probably remain numb for a few more hours. There aren’t any significant risks associated with filling cavities, but be sure to keep your dentist’s contact information on hand in case you have any questions or complications. The most common use of tooth fillings is to fill a cavity in the tooth. But tooth fillings also can be used...

Did you know your digestive health can affect your teeth? Frequent stomach upset can cause a gradual wearing away of the protective enamel on your teeth, a process known as tooth erosion. This can affect the appearance of your teeth and open the door for harmful bacteria that cause cavities. How Do Stomach Problems Affect My Teeth? Your stomach produces natural acids that help your body digest food. Sometimes, these acids travel up the throat and into the mouth, especially after a large meal. Ordinarily, our saliva rebalances the acid levels in our mouth and everything’s fine.  But for those who suffer from   gastroesophageal reflux , also known as acid reflux or GERD, gastric acids reach the mouth throughout the day. This process is especially damaging when you’re asleep, since you are swallowing less often and your mouth is producing less saliva. Another concern is the  dry mouth   caused by many acid reflux medicines. Saliva not only helps neutralize ...

Being pregnant comes with many responsibilities—and the way you care for your teeth is no exception. For most women, routine dental visits are safe during pregnancy, but let your dental office know what month you are in when you make your appointment. If yours is a high-risk pregnancy or you have some other medical condition, your dentist and your physician may recommend that treatment be postponed. Be sure to let your dentist know if there is any change in the medications you take or if you have received any special advice from your physician. The benefits of receiving dental care during pregnancy far outweigh potential risks. Be sure to keep your dentist informed of any changes in your mouth such as swelling, redness or bleeding.  7 tips for maintaining a healthy mouth during pregnancy:  Brush thoroughly with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste twice a day.  Floss between your teeth daily.  Purchase products that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance ....