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 […]
One of our Coast Dental Facebook fans posed this question: Should you floss before or after you brush your teeth? We took an informal poll and it turned out about half of our friends and family members did it one way, and the other half did it the other way. Does it make a difference? The
Flossing 101: The Right Way to Floss Read More »
The number of children with cavities is on the rise. Tooth decay now affects more than one-fourth of American children aged 2-5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The problem is even worse for older kids. Half of children between the ages of 12 and 15 will have at least once cavity. Dr.
Top 10 Ways to Keep Kids’ Teeth Healthy 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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It can happen suddenly: One minute you feel fine and the next minute you suffer from a toothache that is causing you agony. Your tooth may be sensitive to hot or cold foods, the area around the tooth may be swollen, and the pain could range from a dull throbbing to sharp, unbearable pain. There
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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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There are some things that are just common sense. If you’re going to play football, you need shoulder pads, a helmet and a mouth guard. But did you know the majority of oral injuries happen in sports other than football? Check out these statistics. More than 3 million teeth will be knocked out during youth sporting
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Your life has suddenly turned upside down. You just learned you have cancer and you’re struggling to understand the diagnosis, the prognosis and how your life is about to change. One of the first recommendations by your doctor may surprise you. Many oncologists recommend cancer patients see a dentist to correct any problems with your
Have Cancer? Why Your Doctor Wants You to See Your Dentist 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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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 »
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 »
If your smile is less-than-perfect, you don’t need to undergo a ton of drilling to get it fixed. Whether your teeth are yellowed or stained, chipped or crooked, your dentist may recommend veneers to give you the smile you always wanted. Veneers are thin, custom-made coverings that are bonded to your teeth to change their
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