When you think about your least favorite chores, flossing your teeth might be right up there with scrubbing the toilet. It’s a bothersome task that could easily be forgotten — but is forgoing flossing bad for your health? According to the American Dental Association (ADA), cleaning between our teeth with […]
There are two main camps when it comes to morning brushing: Those who wake up thinking, “Ew, I gotta get this sticky stuff off my teeth right now,” and those who figure they might as well wait until after breakfast to brush away the crumbs. Whichever camp you’re in, you may […]
Not all oral hygiene products are created equal You could spend a small fortune on home dental care if you believed the ads, but research from the American Dental Association (ADA) shows, for the average patient, following your dentist’s and hygienist’s advice is all you need: Brush your teeth twice a […]
There are two kinds of people: flossers and those who should be flossing. That’s because using floss is an important part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy, along with brushing with fluoride toothpaste. “A toothbrush removes plaque, but it mainly targets the front and back of teeth,” says Dr. Amr Moursi, American Academy […]
If you wish your teeth were less yellow and had fewer stains, you’re not alone — teeth whitening is a common topic patients ask dentists about, says Dr. Samantha Rawdin, DMD, a prosthodontist at Gallery 57 Dental in New York City. Out of the numerous at-home teeth whitening products you can choose from, whitening toothpaste is […]
While not a replacement for daily brushing and flossing, use of mouthrinse (also called mouthwash) may be a helpful addition to the daily oral hygiene routine for some people. Like interdental cleaners, mouthrinse offers the benefit of reaching areas not easily accessed by a toothbrush. The question of whether to […]
ADA home oral care recommendations are based on data from clinical studies and systematic reviews. While general recommendations may adequately address the needs for many patients, a dentist may tailor home oral care recommendations to fit the individual patient’s needs and wants, focusing on a personalized approach to treatment and […]
Cannabis is a genus of annual flowering plants found in temperate zones around the world, with a long history of use for industrial, recreational and medicinal purposes. The use of cannabis, particularly marijuana smoking, has been associated with poor quality of oral health. Leukoedema is more common among cannabis users […]
Gum disease can sneak up on you if you don’t know what to look for. It starts out in a mild form called gingivitis, which rarely causes pain, so you’ll probably see the signs before you feel anything unusual. You might notice red, swollen gums or bleeding after you brush […]
Breastfeeding is one of the first (and most personal) decisions a mother makes for her baby. It can help your baby’s body fight infections and reduce health risks like asthma, ear infections, SIDS and obesity in children. Nursing moms may lower their chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer. But […]