Marijuana and Its Effect on Dental Health
Various studies though the years have shown that marijuana use could affect hormone levels in varying degrees in both males and females. The most significant of which being that it causes a decrease in male fertility. Studies of smoking marijuana have also demonstrated an increase in lung pathology due to the damaging effects of the […]
Manual Versus Electric (Powered) Toothbrushes
I have been asked recently by a few patients whether an electric (powered) toothbrush or manual toothbrush is better. Both can be equally effective if used properly and I will explain some advantages and disadvantages of each. Electric or powered toothbrushes are usually more efficient in removing plaque from the surfaces of teeth and therefore […]
What are Night Guards?
Night Guards are removable appliances that people can wear if they have a habit of grinding or clenching their teeth during sleep. Grinding or clenching of one’s teeth during sleep is called nocturnal bruxism, thus the official term we use for these appliances is a “nocturnal bruxism appliance”. If people clench or grind their teeth […]
Truth About Charcoal Toothpaste
I have been asked many times about charcoal toothpaste so I have decided to give my take on this. Charcoal is a substance that has adsorption qualities in that it pulls substances into it. This is the reason it is used by emergency rooms to treat poisoning or drug overdose victims. In dentistry, companies have […]
What is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is an ancient Indian (not the American Indian) practice that utilizes natural remedies over proven scientific ones. It involves the use of various types of oils such as sesame, coconut, and sunflower by having individuals gargle and swish in their mouth for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and then spitting it […]
I get canker sores in my mouth two or three times a year. You recommended that I get a certain type of toothpaste that might help. Can you tell me which one and why?
Years ago, in the early 1990s a company called Den-Mat came out with a toothpaste called Rembrandt that was specifically used for whitening or bleaching teeth. One of the things that we saw was a decrease in the number of canker sore attacks in patients that were using it. After much research as to why […]
Hyperemia
Why is my tooth sometimes sensitive after a filling is placed or work is done on it? This is a normal response that can occur after any type of treatment is performed on a tooth. We call it a hyperemic response. It is basically when the inside of the live tooth, which we call the […]
What is a Phoenix Abscess/Reaction in Dentistry?
A Phoenix reaction occurs in dentistry when we have a long-term infection in the bone at the end of the root that our body has been keeping under control with minimal symptoms, if any, that suddenly bursts into a rapid pain/swelling situation. How does this happen? Well, sometimes our body loses the battle controlling the […]
What are Canker Sores?
Canker sores are also called aphthous ulcers and are characterized as white or yellowish round sores with a reddish border found inside the cheeks, lips, gums, roof of the mouth, or tongue that are painful. They are not contagious and totally different from fever blisters, which are usually seen on the outside of the mouth […]
Black Hairy Tongue?
Yes, there is a condition that we call black hairy tongue. It is when the top surface of the tongue appears dark and furry. It is the buildup of dead cells on the taste buds of our tongue as they grow too long and do not shed as quickly as they normally do. It may […]
