Dentists follow strict state and federal guidelines to ensure their patients' safety. The risk of your health being affected because you skip your dental appointments is far greater than the risk of cross-infection. The best advice is to talk to your dentist so you feel comfortable with receiving the treatment you need. In the meantime, here are some of the ways we protect our patients while providing quality dental care.

The number of children with cavities is on the rise. One out of four toddlers and preschoolers have tooth decay, and half of children in their early teens have at least one cavity. If the decay is allowed to spread, the child may need to have a baby root canal or have the tooth pulled.

Sound painful? It can be. Here are 10 easy and affordable ways to help prevent cavities in your children's teeth.

As part of our "Does Your Mouth Look Like This" blog series, we take a look at a common problem: old amalgam (silver) fillings that are now corroding around the edges. Here are some of the warning signs that a filling needs to be replaced, and what can happen if you wait too long.

You know that you should visit the dentist every six months or even more often if you have gum disease. But did you know it's your daily home care routine that makes the biggest difference in keeping your mouth healthy?

In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day, you may also need to use a mouthwash or mouth rinse. There are a lot of over-the-counter varieties that are used to mask bad breath. However, you may need a prescription-strength mouth rinse to treat the bacteria that's causing the bad breath and other problems.

About one in 10 Americans have yellow, brown or grey teeth caused by a type of medication called tetracyclines that doctors used to prescribe for ear infections, acne and other common conditions. Teeth whitening can't hide the stains. Here's how one patient transformed his smile - with incredible results.

Let the feasting begin! Millions of Americans will gather around the table on Thursday to give thanks and chow down on homemade goodies.

Loading up your plate affects more than just your waistline; it also affects your teeth. Here are five tips from Coast Dental to ensure you're still smiling after the holidays.

Getting braces is a huge milestone. You dream of the day when the braces will come off and you will have a beautiful, straight smile. However, there are five steps you need to take at home to ensure you have a healthy smile at the end of your treatment. Skipping these could lead to ugly white spots and cavities. Here's how to care for braces.

How do you keep your kids from eating too much Halloween candy? Here are six ideas that parents shared on our Coast Dental Facebook page. Plus, check out our Dentist's Guide to Halloween, which contains more ideas on how to keep your teeth cavity-free!

If you have high blood pressure, your medical doctor may prescribe calcium channel blockers to help control it. However, that can have a side effect that can be disturbing if you don't expect it. See the before-and-after pictures.

Are your teeth yellow, grey, or stained? Don't worry. There are many ways you can remove stains and whiten your teeth. Here's a look at the different methods, the benefits and drawbacks of each, and how much teeth whitening costs.