When you visit a modern dental surgery, its hard to imagine the challenges of dental treatment without all the latest technology. Yet specialists have been taking care of peoples teeth for thousands of years. Here are some of the key developments over the last 300 years. 1723: French surgeon Pierre Richard – credited as being […]
Some people get a bit nervous about the idea of going to the dentist. As a result of the major progress that has been made in diagnosis and treatment, the process gets more comfortable all the time. So you may be worrying unnecessarily. But, if you’re in any way tense or anxious, tell your dentist […]
Maintaining proper nutrition is important for everyone, young or old but many older adults find it difficult to eat a balanced diet. They may avoid meats, raw vegetables and fresh fruits because they have trouble chewing or swallowing. These problems can be caused by painful teeth, ill-fitting dentures, dry mouth or changes in facial muscles. […]
Gum disease – also known as periodontal disease – is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth and it’s a major cause of tooth loss in adults. But it’s usually painless so you may not even know you have it. It’s caused by plaque – a sticky film of bacteria that constantly […]
It would be easy to get overwhelmed by the huge range of dental care products now available. Even looking just at toothbrushes present a wide range of choices. There are hundreds of manual and powered toothbrushes to choose from. Start by looking for products that carry the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance – this […]
If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You’ll also find it harder to […]
Research has shown strong links between periodontitis (advanced form of gum disease) and other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. And pregnant women with periodontitis may be at increased risk of delivering pre-term and/or having babies with low birth weight. However, just because two conditions occur at the same time, doesn’t […]
Tooth decay or cavities result from destruction of the tooth enamel and can lead to a range of problems from toothache to bad breath. Cavities occur when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) such as milk, sugared drinks, cakes or candy are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on […]
Dental plaque is a film that builds up on your teeth and, if it is not removed through good oral hygiene, it can lead to tooth decay and gum problems. Over time it can ultimately form a hard, rough sediment known as dental tartar or calculus, which attracts further plaque buildup. Calculus has to be […]
You probably don’t give too much thought to the saliva in your mouth but, if you think of it like a bloodstream you’ll realize how important it is. Like blood, saliva helps build and maintain the health of the soft and hard tissues. It removes waste products from the mouth and offers first-line protection against […]