February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and this year the theme is “Sealants Make Sense!” Sealants are thin coatings that seal off pits or grooves in teeth where plaque can hide. Plaque is a leading cause of tooth decay. If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to pain, infection, cavities, and even tooth loss. […]
There are few things that seem to be as integral a part of good oral hygiene as flossing. Parents usually begin teaching their children at an early age how to floss their teeth, and it’s a task reinforced throughout life by dental professionals who stress the importance of flossing daily. In fact, many people wonder […]
For many people, dental health is not a priority. It’s estimated only 64% of Americans visited the dentist in 2018, and the numbers were probably lowered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The result is that many Americans are at high risk for tooth decay and gum disease, which has been associated with other serious health problems […]
Most oral surgeons will recommend removing wisdom teeth if they are becoming impacted, or if they grow sideways instead of up into the mouth. This is because an oversized third molar can damage neighboring teeth and surrounding structures in your jaw, such as a nerve canal that lies below the roots of the tooth. Even […]
It’s back to school time. As your child gets ready for the new season, don’t forget about their mouth. Fall sports are on the way and it’s important to have a mouth guard at all times when playing rough games of football or soccer, or even just practicing in gym class. A mouth guard will […]
What is TMJ? The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, refers to the joint at which the temporal bone and mandible meet. It is usually a ball and socket connection that has ligaments and muscles that support it. TMJ dysfunctions include pain, clicking, and restricted movement. It can also lead to headaches and neck/shoulder pain. The cause […]
Oral surgery may sound like a niche field, but oral and maxillofacial surgeons make up the largest surgical specialty in dentistry. They specialize in treating oral conditions such as the extraction of wisdom teeth, misaligned jaws, tumors and cysts of the jaw and mouth, and dental implant surgery. Some have a second specialty in either […]
May 31st is World No Tobacco Day Did you know that smoking is a leading cause of tooth decay and tooth loss? And our region has a large number of smokers, with West Virginia having one of the highest rates of smoking among adults in all 50 states (See Report). The negative impact of nicotine […]
