Canker sores are small, painful ulcers in the insides of the cheeks, gums and on the tongue. These are typically small, flat and whitish in color, with red around the outside edge. They typically heal themselves in 7 to 10 days, but are very painful during this time. The sores can occur as a result […]
Alcohol in Mouthwash
Alcohol is an ingredient in some commercial mouth rinses. It is included as a solvent for inactive ingredients. Typically only 10% to 30% are used in mouth rinses and this amount does not provide the antibacterial benefits that full-strength alcohol can provide. Studies have shown that use of alcohol-containing mouthwash may cause color and hardness […]
Gingivitis and Periodontitis
Gingivitis is the presence of gingival inflammation without the loss of connective tissue attachment. If you experience redness, swelling and bleeding gums, these are signs of gingivitis. If dental plaque is left undisturbed on teeth, meaning, a professional dental hygienist does not clean your teeth regularly, it causes a response by the body’s immune system. The […]
Plaque, Cavities and Strep Bacteria
Saliva leaves deposits on your teeth, called a pellicle layer. Certain bacteria in the mouth will stick to the pellicle and form colonies. This is how dental plaque forms, and plaque is the most widely recognized precursor to oral disease. 80% of bacteria that colonize dental plaque are cocci, such as Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus […]
The life of fillings and crowns
How long does a filling last? What about a crown? These are great questions our patients often ask, but they can be difficult to answer. There are various factors that affect the lifespan of dental restorations. We have to start by asking the patient what they want. Do you want a short term fix? Is […]
Invest in your Health
Investing your money in the stock markets can be a little frightening recently. But there is one investment you can make now that may be the best place to put your money – in yourself! The year end is drawing near and it’s time to think about money left in medical savings accounts (MSA) and […]
