Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating—everything would suddenly be affected. Knowing how to prevent injuries to your mouth and face is especially important if you participate in organized sports or other recreational activities. Mouthguards, also called mouth protectors, help cushion a

  The dental record, also referred to as the patient’s chart, is the official office document that records all of the treatment done and all patient-related communications that occur in the dental office. State and federal laws or regulations determine how it is handled, how long it is kept and who may have access to

Many medications—both those prescribed by your doctor and the ones you buy on your own—affect your oral health. A common side effect of medications is dry mouth. Saliva helps keep food from collecting around your teeth and neutralizes the acids produced by plaque. Those acids can damage the hard surfaces of your teeth. Dry mouth

Baby Teeth   If you think your baby’s toothless smile is cute, just wait until their first few teeth make an appearance. When Do Baby Teeth Come In?   A baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in the jaws at birth and typically begin to appear when a baby is between 6 months and

There are many reasons your gums could bleed. In some cases, bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease. If your gums bleed easily or bleed when you brush, talk to your dentist about your oral health. Gingivitis is reversible and preventable. If you’ve just started a new flossing

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay   Even though they are temporary, your child’s baby teeth are important, and are still susceptible to cavities. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early Childhood Caries. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking

We know we should floss at least once a day, but not everyone knows the right way to do it. Use this step-by-step guide to find out how to properly floss your teeth: Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the

Thumbsucking and Pacifier Use Thumbsucking is a natural reflex for children. Sucking on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects may make babies feel secure and happy and help them learn about their world. Young children may also suck to soothe themselves and help them fall asleep.   How Can Thumbsucking Affect My Child’s Teeth? After permanent

5 Fun Ways to Welcome the Tooth Fairy For generations, the Tooth Fairy has left a small gift for children who tuck fallen baby teeth under their pillows. This charming tradition is the perfect time to help kids learn more about taking care of their teeth. Here are 5 delightful and inexpensive ways for families

Oral cancer is divided into two categories – those occurring in the oral cavity (your lips, the inside of your lips and cheeks, teeth, gums, the front two-thirds of your tongue and the floor and roof of your mouth) and those occurring in the oropharynx (middle region of the throat, including the tonsils and base