Can brushing and flossing actually save your life? Researchers are asking that question as they learn more about the link between periodontal (gum) disease and heart disease. Periodontal disease is caused by poor oral hygiene. By brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day, you remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that […]
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When your dentist suggests you have an oral cancer screening test, it can be a shock. You might think, “But I don’t smoke,” or “No one in my family has ever had oral cancer. I don’t need that.” Oral cancer is on the rise. It’s no longer mostly smokers or tobacco-users; it’s sexually-active people between
Think Oral Cancer Can’t Happen To You? Two Survivor Stories Read More »
If you have dental insurance, you may think you’re covered when you go to the dentist. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. It depends on the type of insurance plan your employer has designed with the insurance company. Here is a list of questions you should ask your dental insurance provider so you know exactly
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You hope it won’t happen to you, but millions of people accidentally knock out a tooth each year. More than five million teeth are lost each year just from sports-related injuries. Other causes of accidental tooth loss include falling, fighting, car accidents and biting something hard. Lakeland dentist Dr. Shelly Prakash outlines the steps you should
Root canal therapy is used to repair and save a tooth that has been damaged either from an injury or from decay. If a cavity has spread to the tooth’s nerve tissue within the pulp chamber, then the bacteriacan cause a painful infection or an abscessed tooth. An abscess occurs when the infection spreads past
What is a Root Canal and Crown? Read More »
It took a long time and a lot of pain before Nancy Williams finally went to the dentist. It has been 35 years since her last visit. There was always a reason to justify putting it off: She had three kids to raise, she had a job and it was tough to take time off,
What Happens When You Wait 35 Years to Visit the Dentist Read More »
Diabetes affects almost 26 million Americans, which is more than 8 percent of the U.S. population. The condition often requires them to make lifestyle changes, including what they eat, how they exercise and the medications they take. It also requires them to change the way they take care of their teeth and gums. About one-third
How Diabetes Can Affect Your Teeth and Gums Read More »
Dental x-rays have gotten a bad rap this year and a lot of people are asking, “Are x-rays really necessary?” The answer is yes. Dental x-rays are used for diagnosing and treating problems that can’t be seen with the naked eye. X-rays reveal cavities between the teeth or hidden by fillings, infections in the bone,
Dental X-rays Are Safe – and Necessary Read More »
Lydia Valdez thought she had a canker sore. The 70-year-old California woman never dreamed the spot on her tongue could be oral cancer. She didn’t smoke. She had no history of cancer in her family. She didn’t have any of the known risk factors. When she felt a sore spot on her tongue, she thought
Don’t Smoke? You Could Still Get Oral Cancer Read More »
If your gums are puffy, tender or bleed when you floss, then you may be among the 75% of American adults who have some form of gum disease. Gum disease, which is also called periodontal disease, starts as gingivitis. Many people are shocked to realize gingivitis is an infection caused by bacteria. Untreated gum disease
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A woman just diagnosed with Chronic Periodontitis was not thinking of her own health as she sat in the dental office. Instead, she wanted to know if her children were at risk too. It’s a common question, said Dr. Michael Quinn, a Periodontist with 14 years of experience who practices at several Coast Dental locations
Can Kids Get Periodontal Disease? Read More »
Have you ever had a sudden, sharp pain in your mouth when you chew? It may be from a cracked tooth. When you bite down, you’re putting pressure on the tooth, causing the crack to open. When you stop biting, the pressure is released and you feel a sharp pain as the crack closes again.
Ouch! Toothaches Caused by a Cracked Tooth Read More »