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Are you ready to start your New Year off right? Whether or not you make a list of New Year resolutions, January is a great time to focus on your goals for the upcoming year, and what better goal could you have than improved oral health! We’ve assembled this list of tips to help set you on the path to healthy teeth and gums in the New Year.

• Tip #1: Call your dentist. If you haven’t already scheduled your next professional exam and cleaning appointment, the start of the New Year is a great time to do so. Remember how important regular trips to the dentist are for your oral health. No matter how diligent you may be with your own daily oral hygiene routine at home, you still need to have a dental professional clean your teeth twice a year. And your dentist will need to perform periodic oral exams to identify any problems as early on as possible.
• Tip #2: Stick with your own hygiene routine – no matter what. When it comes to good oral health, consistency is absolutely vital. You need to keep up with your oral hygiene routine each and every day, regardless of anything else that may be happening in your life. Brush at least twice a day, and floss at least once a day. Consider adding additional steps to your routine that will benefit your oral health, such as using an anti-bacterial mouthwash and/or a water flosser.
• Tip #3: Watch your diet. The foods you eat and the beverages you drink have a tremendous impact on your teeth and gums. Reduce the amount of sugar in your diet over the coming year. Replace soda with water or another sugar-free beverage. Enjoy more fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots and celery are especially beneficial for your teeth), and indulge in dairy products that are not only delicious but loaded with tooth-healthy calcium.
• Tip #4: Quit using tobacco products. Whether you smoke it or chew it, tobacco wreaks havoc on your oral health. Not only will it stain your teeth, it also significantly increases your risk of forming oral cancer. So do whatever is necessary to kick the tobacco habit once and for all. If you have problems doing it on your own, talk to your doctor or dentist about ways to quit. Saying goodbye to tobacco in the New Year will not only benefit your oral health, but your overall health as well.

The New Year is a great time to leave behind bad habits and establish new positive habits in their place. So follow these tips to make this year the healthiest year ever for your teeth and gums!

If you’re the parent of a toddler, finding the right toothpaste for those tiny new baby teeth can be a daunting task, which is why we’ve compiled this information to help walk you through the process. First, you should know that it’s never too early to start your baby on the road to good oral health. In fact, the American Dental Association recommends that you begin to wipe your baby’s gums with either a warm, clean washcloth or moist gauze when they’re just a few days old. Later, as your toddler begins to develop baby teeth, you should schedule your little one for his or her first dental visit. And when your child is ready for tooth brushing, use a soft-bristled brush designed for toddlers, and use this guide to choose the right toothpaste.

• Check the label. Make sure the toothpaste you choose has been developed for toddlers and babies. Other toothpastes – those intended for older children and adults – contain chemicals and whitening agents that can actually harm your child’s tooth enamel.
• Pick one with fluoride. According to the American Dental Association, using fluoride on your toddler’s teeth will not only help protect their teeth now, but as they grow as well.
• Choose an appealing flavor. You want tooth brushing to be a pleasant experience for your child, so find a flavor that he or she will like. If you’re not sure, try different flavors until you find their favorite.
• Consider a natural alternative. All-natural toothpastes are becoming more and more popular, and can be a great choice for your toddler – especially since most of these types don’t contain chemicals. Just be sure to choose a brand that has the ADA acceptance seal on the label.

Once you’ve found the right toothpaste, along with a baby toothbrush, you’ll be ready to introduce your child to tooth brushing. Use only a tiny amount of paste on the brush and be gentle as you clean those new baby teeth. If you can, make this a special and enjoyable time with your child. The more positive experiences they have with dental hygiene, the more likely they will be to continue those practices as they grow into adults. And remember to schedule your baby’s first dental visit as soon as their first baby teeth erupt. Your dentist should be one that offers kid’s dentistry or family dentistry services, so you can be sure that your child will be in the hands of dental professionals who are accustomed to making young children feel at ease at the dentist’s office.

Many dentists would agree that adding a mouthwash to your daily oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing can be a great benefit to your oral health. Mouthwashes can be an effective means of helping to fight cavities, gum disease, bad breath and even dry mouth. Of course, choosing the right mouthwash is key. There are a variety of types and brands available over the counter, as well as by prescription. If your dentist prescribes a mouthwash, you can rest assured that you’ll be using one that’s best for you. But if you’re in the market for the right over-the-counter mouthwash, it may help to know that many of these products contain alcohol and may not be appropriate if you have any of the following conditions:

• Dry mouth – People who are suffering from chronic dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) should avoid using mouthwashes with alcohol because it exacerbates the condition.
• History of alcohol abuse – For obvious reasons, people who have a history of alcohol abuse should also choose mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol.
• People with irritated gums – Rinses containing alcohol can produce a slight burning sensation, but if you have irritated gums, mouthwashes with alcohol can actually be painful to use.
• Children – As a parent, you probably don’t want your children to use any product that contains alcohol, including mouthwash. This is particularly true since children sometimes swallow mouth rinses.
• Composite restorations – Recent studies suggest that alcohol-free mouthwashes work better on dental composite material used in restorations, such as fillings and crowns.

Fortunately, there are several over-the-counter mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol and are just as effective as those that do. There are also some natural and herbal alternatives that people find to be quite effective. Check the label on these products to identify those that accomplish your goals – whether it’s to freshen breath, prevent cavities, reduce the risk of gum disease, or offer relief from dry mouth. If you suffer from any type of oral irritation, look for ingredients that are anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory.

If you have difficulty deciding which mouthwash is best for you, talk to your dentist. He or she can provide more information on over-the-counter products available and can recommend which would be right for you. And, of course, don’t try to substitute mouthwash for any other part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Rinses should only be used to supplement those efforts, and should never replace regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits and exams.

Over the past few years, e-cigarettes or “vaping” has become increasingly popular. And while the companies that market and sell vaping devices claim that their products are a much healthier way to “smoke,” the jury is out with regard to the health effects of electronic cigarettes. While it’s true that they are obviously different than smoking or chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes are still a nicotine delivery system, and nicotine is one of the most highly addictive substances available.

There is very little research available on the effects of vaping products, primarily because e-cigarettes are such a new phenomenon. The fact is that we know very little about how these devices may impact your health, but we do know that they contain a battery-powered heating element that vaporizes a mixture of nicotine, chemicals and other additives, and delivers that mixture directly into the person’s mouth.

The NIDCR (The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) recently proposed conducting research on vaping devices and how they may affect the health of the user. The proposed study, which includes the theme “Effects of E-cigarette Aerosol Mixtures on Oral and Periodontal Epithelia,” would provide dental and health care professionals with valuable information on what the aerosol mixture delivered by e-cigarettes is doing to gum tissue and teeth. Professionals at the research agency believe that vaping could, in fact, increase the user’s risk for developing gum disease and oral cancer, and because of that this research is urgently needed.

Although we may not fully understand the possible dangers of vaping, we do know all too well the negative effects of smoking and chewing tobacco. These more traditional nicotine delivery systems not only stain your teeth and leave you with bad breath; they also increase your risk for developing tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer. E-cigarettes also deliver nicotine, in addition to other chemicals, directly into a person’s mouth. So it’s not too far of a stretch to assume that vaping is not exactly a healthy habit. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, and it is the nicotine that smokers and tobacco chewers crave. Since vaping is simply another form of nicotine delivery, if you’re trying to end your addiction to nicotine, e-cigarettes would not be the answer.

Until we know more about vaping, it might be a good idea to approach this recent craze with some caution. While there’s no doubt that vaping is different from smoking or chewing tobacco in the traditional way, the end results may very well be similar.

Most of us are aware that smoking is bad for your health. The frightening diseases linked to smoking include everything from lung cancer to heart disease and many more. But what you may not realize is that smoking is also bad for your oral health. Smoking tobacco not only stains your teeth and leaves you with bad breath; it also has other negative effects on your teeth and gums.

The American Dental Association reports that in addition to stained teeth and bad breath, smoking also diminishes your sense of taste after a period of time. Smoking also greatly increases your risk of tooth decay and developing gum disease. And as bad for your oral health as smoking tobacco is, chewing tobacco is even worse. Whether you smoke it or chew it, using tobacco increases your likelihood of developing oral cancer. Left untreated, oral cancer can easily spread and become deadly.

Now that we’ve given you the bad news about tobacco, it’s time for some good news: you can quit! The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists five steps in the process of quitting tobacco. These include the following:

1. Set a date to quit. Rather than just thinking in vague terms, setting a date and marking it on your calendar makes the notion of quitting more concrete. It’s almost like making a contract with yourself.
2. Tell your dentist and/or your family doctor, as well as your family and friends, that you plan to quit. Getting the support of other people will make the process much easier.
3. Whenever you get the urge to smoke or chew tobacco, distract yourself with some other behavior until the urge passes. Some people find chewing gum to be helpful, but if you choose this distraction, be sure to choose sugarless gum.
4. Don’t be afraid to use one of the variety of medications available to help you quit tobacco. There are plenty of choices – both over-the-counter meds as well as prescriptions.
5. Mentally prepare yourself for possible relapses. The nicotine contained in smoking and chewing tobacco is highly addictive, so quitting may not be easy. If you falter and relapse briefly, simply vow to quit again right afterward. Accept that setback and obstacles are part of the quitting process.

Kicking the tobacco habit may be challenging, but the rewards are huge! Not only will you enjoy better oral and overall health, you’ll also enjoy the feeling of accomplishment in overcoming addiction. Not being controlled by an addictive substance will give you a feeling of freedom that will make every minute of the quitting process well worth the effort!

We all experience some form of mouth sore periodically throughout our lives. Most of these go away on their own in a relatively short period of time, but others should be evaluated and treated by your dentist. Understanding what type of mouth sore you have can help you decide whether to simply let it heal on its own, or call your dentist. To help you make that decision, we have compiled the following list of some of the most common – and some not-so-common – mouth sores.

• Cold sores or fever blisters: One of the most common forms of mouth sore is the cold sore or fever blister. They usually appear on or near the lips on the outside of the mouth, and look like small clusters of pink or red raised blisters. Cold sores are infected and extremely contagious. Although they usually form around the lips, they may also appear under the chin or the nose.
• Canker sores: Another fairly common type of mouth ailment is the canker sore. Most of the time they form inside the mouth on the inside of the cheek, on the tongue, around the gum line, or in the lip or throat area. Canker sores sometimes appear in clusters and are not contagious.
• Candidiasis or thrush: Candidiasis is a fungal infection that develops inside the mouth or throat and is caused by an overabundance of yeast. Thrush typically appears as white spots on the tongue or inside the mouth. Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing, a sore throat, and cracking of the skin tissue at the corners of the patient’s mouth (also referred to as “cheilosis”).
• Abscessed tooth: A bacterial infection that spreads to the nerve of a tooth can result in an abscess. An abscessed tooth can lead to symptoms that extend far beyond an extremely sore tooth and surrounding gum tissue, including sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks, a fever and swollen lymph nodes.
• Burning mouth: People with burning mouth syndrome often endure it for months or years on end. Symptoms include a painful burning sensation that affects the tongue, gums, palate, and inside of the cheeks and throat.
• Leukoplakia: If you notice a white or gray area on your tongue, on the floor of your mouth, or inside your cheek, you may be experiencing leukoplakia. Although somewhat unsightly and alarming looking, leukoplakia is usually not painful or contagious.
• Sialadenitis: This bacterial infection typically occurs inside the mouth and prevents the normal flow of saliva. Sialadenitis creates symptoms that include a tender and swollen salivary gland, as well as fever and chills if the infection spreads.

If you experience any type of mouth sore that doesn’t heal on its own within a few days, or one that is accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever, it’s important to contact your dentist right away. Most of the time, these conditions can be resolved relatively quickly with the proper medication.

If you routinely clench your teeth or grind your teeth at night, you may suffer from a condition called bruxism. If you do, you’re not alone. Teeth grinding is very common in people throughout the US. In fact, it is estimated that between 30 and 40 million people in our country suffer from bruxism. Some people may grind their teeth at night, while others may clench or grind their teeth when they’re under stress. Whichever category you fall into, one thing is certain: it’s important to stop grinding your teeth. If you don’t, you may end up with a variety of other problems. Here are some of the issues that can be caused by bruxism:

• You can damage your teeth. Putting excess pressure on your teeth can result in small cracks forming or dental fillings breaking.
• You can make your teeth more sensitive. Grinding your teeth together can wear away the enamel on your teeth, and that can lead to increased sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks.
• You can develop headaches. This is especially true of people who grind their teeth at night, many of whom regularly wake up with a headache.
• You can experience general facial pain. People who grind their teeth are putting excessive strain on their facial muscles, and that can lead to soreness and tenderness in the face.
• You can develop jaw problems – namely, temporomandibular disorder (TMD). TMD causes pain in the jaw, particularly when you open and close your mouth. The pain endured by TMD sufferers can be significant, and often interferes with their quality of life overall.

Many people suffer from bruxism and don’t even realize it. If you’re not sure whether or not you routinely clench or grind your teeth, here are a few indications that you might:

• You experience headaches in the morning.
• Family members hear you grinding your teeth at night (often the grinding is loud enough to disrupt the sleep of other people).
• Your jaw muscles are painful when you open or close your mouth. This discomfort is usually more painful in the morning.
• Your teeth and gums are damaged. This damage can include cracked teeth, broken fillings, and/or injured gums.
• You are experiencing unexplained facial pain.
• You routinely contract your jaw muscles.
• You have swelling in one or both sides of your lower jaw.

Fortunately, there are several effective treatment methods for bruxism. If you believe that you suffer from this condition, talk to your dentist to find out more about how to stop grinding your teeth.

Chances are that your dentist has the training, education, and experience to deal with a wide variety of oral health conditions. But there are times when your dentist might refer you to an oral surgeon. That thought might be frightening for some patients, but most oral surgery procedures are completed on an outpatient basis and patients can usually return to their normal routine in just a few days. What follows are some situations that might require the services of an oral surgeon.

• Wisdom tooth removal: Wisdom teeth are a third set of molars that erupt in the very back of a person’s mouth. If you have enough room to accommodate this third set of molars, you won’t have any problem with them. However, for patients who don’t have enough room in their mouths for wisdom teeth, the teeth can either not erupt fully or come in misaligned. These are called “impacted” wisdom teeth, and they typically need to be removed by an oral surgeon.
• Sleep apnea: Loud snoring can be troublesome for the snorer and other family members. But sleep apnea is much more serious than loud snoring. People who experience sleep apnea actually stop breathing for several seconds while they are sleeping. This is a serious condition that requires some form of treatment to alleviate it. One of those treatments is for an oral surgeon to remove excess soft tissue from the back of the patient’s throat, which clears the airway and decreases the sleep apnea symptoms.
• Dental implants: Implants are often an excellent choice to replace missing teeth or to provide anchors for dentures. An implant consists of a metal post that is inserted into the patient’s jawbone. After a few months, the post fuses to the bone tissue, and an artificial tooth is affixed to the top of the post. It is quite common for an oral surgeon to perform the implant procedure.
• Jaw surgery: An oral surgeon is sometimes called upon to perform jaw surgery, whether it is to correct a jaw alignment issue or to reconstruct the jaw.

If your dentist refers you to an oral surgeon, there’s no need to be overly concerned. Oral surgeons are trained medical professionals who typically have completed a four-year residency in all types of oral surgery. These professionals can provide you with exceptional care and can resolve issues that your dentist might not be able to. Fortunately, most of these procedures are quite common with relatively short recovery times.

Overdentures are dental prosthetics that are held firmly in place by dental implants. Implants are metal rods (usually titanium) that are inserted into a patient’s jawbone. Over the course of a few months, the implants fuse to the bone tissue. Once that happens, a custom-made set of overdentures literally snaps onto the implanted metal posts. The result is a set of dentures that remains firmly in place in the patient’s mouth, without the needy for messy gels. There are several benefits that overdentures offer the dental patient, including the following.

• Overdentures looks quite natural, and that helps patients to feel more self-confident and generally better about themselves. Because overdentures are so stable, the wearer can always speak clearly. The combination of the aesthetics and the ability to speak normally has a very positive impact on an individual’s self-esteem. And that can have a very positive affect on the patient’s overall health.
• One of the challenges faced by patients with no teeth is the loss of bone in the jaw due to lack of stimulation that would normally be provided by the patient’s natural teeth. Overdentures are much more stable in the patient’s mouth. That stability actually stimulates the jaw bone, which slows down resorption of bone matter after tooth loss.
• Overdentures make it easier to eat a variety of foods. With regular dentures, patients often have to stay away from certain foods because they’re just too hard to eat due to the dentures slipping. That is not a concern with overdentures since they’re secured by dental implants.
• Since overdentures don’t slip the way some regular dentures do, they allow the wearer to chew food more thoroughly, and that leads to fewer digestive issues.
• Because overdentures are anchored in place by dental implants and are remarkably stable, the wearer doesn’t need to use messy gels. This is a huge convenience for the patient.

Overdentures are, in many ways, quite similar to regular dentures. The primary difference is that overdentures snap onto the wearer’s dental implants, which means they are much more firmly anchored into the patient’s mouth. The wearer is still able to remove the dentures and care for them in much the same way as normal dentures.

Of course, overdentures might not be the best choice for everyone. Talk to your dentist to find out more information about overdentures. He or she can assess the state of your current oral health to help determine whether you’re a good candidate for these innovative dental appliances.

It’s safe to say that all of us suffer from bad breath on occasion. But if you experience bad breath on a regular basis, it could be a sign of either poor oral hygiene habits, undesirable habits, or some other health problem. What follows is a list of reasons why you could dealing with bad breath.

Personal Habits

Bad breath could stem from something very simple, like the kind of foods you eat, for example. If you regularly enjoy foods that are very strong smelling – such as onions and garlic – you will undoubtedly experience bad breath. In these instances, even mouthwash won’t work until the foods have finished going through your system.

Smoking is another personal habit that can result in bad breath. When it comes to smoking, bad breath is probably the least of your concerns. Smoking is a bad habit that compromises your overall health and your oral health, not to mention your breath.

It’s not just smoking tobacco that’s bad – chewing tobacco also has dire consequences. Not only does it cause bad breath, it also stains your teeth and is one of the leading causes of oral cancer and gum irritation. If you do it over a period of time, both smoking and chewing tobacco will also reduce your ability to taste foods and drinks.

Poor Oral Hygiene

If you don’t brush and floss often enough, you’ll experience bad breath. When food particles stay inside your mouth, bacteria grows. That bacteria causes bad breath. The remedy is simple: brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. You might also consider using an anti-gingivitis mouthwash to kill the bacteria.

And you’re not immune from bad breath if you wear dentures! Be sure to properly clean your dentures every day to prevent bacteria from forming.

Other Health Problems

If you can’t attribute your persistent bad breath to personal habits or poor oral hygiene, it could be due to some other health issue. Bad breath is one of the first signs of gum disease. This is often indicated by other symptoms as well, such as gums that are irritated, swollen, bleeding, or reddish-pink in color. Untreated cavities can also cause bad breath.

If you have dry mouth (xerostomia), you may also experience bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by different medications, sinus problems that necessitate breathing through the mouth, or problems with the salivary glands.

Other infrequent causes of bad breath include more serious health conditions, such as sinus infections, liver or kidney problems, diabetes, or chronic acid reflux issues. If you suffer from persistent bad breath, try changing your habits and improving your oral hygiene routine. If that doesn’t work, talk to your dentist and/or doctor to find out what might be causing it.