Patient Education

Test Your Toothbrush I.Q.

Did you know the toothbrush was invented by the Chinese in the 15th century? These first toothbrushes were made of hog bristles. Today, most toothbrushes are made from nylon monofilaments which dry quickly and resist breakage. Did you know a worn-out toothbrush is dangerous? Bent bristles can injure soft tissues. Worn, frayed bristles won’t be effective plaque fighters, either. Did you know soft bristles are generally preferred to hard bristles? [...]

Test Your Toothbrush I.Q.2016-05-03T00:00:56-07:00

Tired? Do You Sleep Soundly?

Live your dream of a good night's sleep Good sleepers have a routine that doesn't change, even on weekends: lights out at the same time, alarm buzzing at the same time. They don't use caffeine late in the day or rely on alcohol or sleeping pills at bedtime. They exercise daily, and start relaxing two hours before bedtime. About half of all people over 65 report that they used to [...]

Tired? Do You Sleep Soundly?2016-04-26T00:00:02-07:00

Can You Catch a Cavity?

When you have a cold, we all know to cover your mouth before you sneeze and not to drink out of the same glass. We do this because we know that a cold is contagious. Now we know that, chances are, so is tooth decay. Recent research suggests that the germs responsible for cavities may be "catchy." Likewise, scientists suspect that bacteria associated with gum disease may be transferable from [...]

Can You Catch a Cavity?2016-04-05T00:00:05-07:00

Fear…It’s All in Your Head

Fear is a learned response, and what can be learned can also be unlearned. We still have a lot to learn about fear, but certain things we do know. Dental fear, for example, is often the result of vicarious learning. Take you, for instance. Even though you've never had a tooth removed, you've maybe heard some pretty scary stuff about extractions, and the result is that the whole idea makes [...]

Fear…It’s All in Your Head2016-03-01T18:14:25-08:00

3 Tips to Protect Your Teeth

Tips on teeth you may not know! Think Calcium! You've heard it before: calcium does a body good. You probably didn't know that much of that good goes straight to the mouth. It’s essential for tooth and bone development. A calcium-deficient diet means less jawbone mass—which can lead to painful fractures and permanent tooth loss. Dairy products, tofu, and green, leafy vegetables are great sources of calcium. Tastes great! Less [...]

3 Tips to Protect Your Teeth2016-02-16T00:00:54-08:00

Too Much of a Good Thing

You can overdo anything. Even brushing your teeth. Take a stiff-bristled brush. Scrub back and forth compulsively for five minutes, as though you were trying to get tar off the sidewalk. It’s possible you’ll end up with “toothbrush abrasion.” According to the ADA (American Dental Association), abrasion is associated with factors beyond brushing: a mouth used to lots of acidic foods, citrus fruit drinks, carbonated beverages. We recommend gentle brushing, [...]

Too Much of a Good Thing2016-01-19T00:00:28-08:00

Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation That Could Be Deadly Illness or injury to your body should trigger your immune system to heat up at that location and essentially smoke out the enemy. If your immune system is healthy, when the mission is accomplished, the inflammation subsides and healing begins. But sometimes an immune system doesn't know when to stop. It smolders beneath the surface, destroying the very tissue it's supposed to heal. This potential [...]

Chronic Inflammation2015-12-22T00:00:29-08:00

Psssssssst—Secret Sugar

Lurks in Every Pantry Your sugar bowl sits on the table, and you lift its lid only to sweeten your morning coffee. You deserve a medal for exemplary nutritional behavior! Are you sure? Most folks eat more sugar than they realize—150 pounds per year average. That’s 6 ounces—3/4 of a cup—every day. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight, many of them children. Doctors predict that an epidemic of diabetes will follow [...]

Psssssssst—Secret Sugar2015-12-15T00:00:51-08:00

All About Antibiotics

Because we’re concerned about more than your teeth… If you’re a woman taking oral contraceptives, it’s understandable that you might not wish to mention this prior to a dental procedure. But it’s truly important that we know, and here’s why: Your dental procedure may include an antibiotic prescription to fight bacterial infection. It’s known that some broad-spectrum antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of a birth control pill, increasing the chance [...]

All About Antibiotics2015-12-08T00:00:00-08:00

When Heartburn Comes with the Check

It might be a big Italian meal—meatballs, lasagna, red wine— or a serious encounter with stuffed jalapenos. Whatever your preference, if you suffer heartburn, you’re going to pay for it. Every month, 40% of the population suffer heartburn. An unlucky 10% reach for the antacids or acid blockers daily. Heartburn is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux, the escape of acids from the stomach back into the esophagus. There is a [...]

When Heartburn Comes with the Check2015-12-01T00:00:40-08:00
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