Bad breath [halitosis] is overwhelmingly the result of problems that develop in the mouth; it can be embarrassing and create psychological barriers to personal relationships. Other reasons for bad breath include kidney failure [fishy odor], infection in the lungs or sinuses, diabetes mellitus [acetone odor] and gastrointestinal disorders. Fasting may result in halitosis from metabolic…

Almost every day we get a call from a patient who has broken a tooth, and generally it means that to save the tooth, we have to place a crown or permanent restoration over it to keep it from breaking further. Sometimes the tooth can’t be saved and that is a real bummer! What causes…

For over a century, dentists have been using mercury/amalgam alloys as fillings for cavities. Amalgam restorations (silver fillings) consist of a combination of the metals silver, tin, copper, and zinc. They also contain mercury (and some of the older amalgam restorations contain considerable amounts of mercury). The fact that amalgam is inexpensive, durable, and easy…

Patients rarely have a chance to clearly observe all areas of their mouths. It’s difficult to see past the front of your teeth into the darker side and back areas. Often the cheeks or tongue block visibility. But intraoral cameras have changed all of that. Now you can sit comfortably back in the chair while…

Anyone who’s had the bad luck to be waylaid by a toothache knows that few experiences are more miserable. You want relief and you want it now. While home remedies may temporarily ease discomfort, the only way to get lasting toothache relief is to see a dentist. Until you get professional help you may get…

Most of us have had at least one. Some of us have quite a few. So what makes cavities so persistent, keeping more children out of school than any other disease? Usually, the answer is simple: not enough brushing your teeth, flossing and visiting the dentist. Snacking on sweets and slurping sodas doesn’t help either.…

Most dentists agree that toothpicks should be used sparingly as a method of teeth cleaning and should never be considered a substitute for brushing teeth and flossing. Fact is they should be used only when a toothbrush or floss is not available, for example, when you are in a restaurant and have food trapped between…

A dental emergency is always a stressful situation, but it can become absolutely nerve-racking when your dentist is out of the office. Whether it’s late Saturday night and your dentist won’t be back in until Monday, or if your dentist is out of the country on 2-week vacation, a dental emergency can be difficult to…

Did you know that many everyday actions, some you may not even think twice about, can negatively impact your oral health? Whether it’s skipping flossing, frequent snacking on sweets, or using your teeth as tools to open packaging, these bad oral habits can do real damage over time. The good news? These habits can be…

When it comes to thumb sucking, babies are naturals — maybe because they practice even before they are born. Children begin sucking on their thumb while in the womb to develop the skills necessary for breastfeeding. Not surprisingly swapping a thumb for a pacifier or baby bottle is an easy transition for many kids. In…