You know that sugary snacks can lead to cavities, but did you know kids' favorites like pizza can also affect their smiles? Dr. Cindy Roark explains what you need to know - and how you can change your family's eating habits.

Athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer an injury to the mouth when they are not wearing a mouthguard, according to the American Dental Association. Here's the story of one basketball player who never thought she'd be a fan of custom mouthguards - until this happened.

Do you know somebody who hates going to the dentist? The answer is probably yes. More than 80 percent of American adults have some fear of the dentist, a study by the American Association of Endodontists discovered in 1999. Nearly 25 percent of Americans are so fearful, they avoid their dental check-ups unless they’re in pain, a Wall Street Journal article reports.

Here are 10 ways to deal with dental anxiety so you can get the care that you need.

Ever wonder just what is a root canal? These pictures and simple explanations explain the procedure, why it's needed, and how it helps alleviate tooth pain.

When you think of big milestones in your child’s life, you may think of the day your baby got his first tooth, or years later when he lost a tooth and would carefully place it under the pillow for the Tooth Fairy.

But there is another milestone many parents don’t realize. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children visit an orthodontist by age 7 to see whether early orthodontic treatment could correct or prevent problems.

The face of oral cancer is changing. Meet one woman who doesn't fit the profile: a non-smoker who has no history of cancer in her family and none of the known risk factors. Now she's sharing her story to inspire others to get an oral cancer screening - even if you don't think you need it.

In some cases, minor surgical therapy can change a patient's life forever.

The Gummy Smile procedure is one such treatment. It helps patients smile more, adds self-confidence and promotes better health for the rest of their lives. When patients return for their follow-up visits, they usually say they never knew their teeth could look so good and cannot understand why they waited so long to have the procedure done. They love their new smiles and they usually want to share stories about family, friends and co-workers taking notice immediately.

Do you have cotton mouth?  This dry mouth condition, which doctors refer to as Xerostomia, is found in people who do not produce enough saliva. It can have harmful effects because saliva helps protect your teeth and gums by washing away the bacteria that causes cavities and periodontal disease.

Our Chief Clinical Director, Dr. Cindy Roark, explains in this ehow.com video.

For most people, having a tooth pulled may not be the most pleasant experience in the entire world, but at least the pain is bearable. However, some people develop a condition called dry socket that can be extremely painful.

After you have a tooth extracted, a blood clot forms in the extraction socket. The blood clot helps protect the bone and nerves beneath the socket. If the clot is dislodged prematurely, the bone and nerves are exposed to anything that enters the mouth. This condition is called "dry socket" and can lead to infection and painful inflammation.

It can feel like you’re learning to speak a different language when you’re talking to any kind of medical or dental specialist. Here is a quick primer on some of the terms commonly used by orthodontists.