http://www.knowyourteeth.com Latest Hot Topics en-us Copyright 1996-2012 Academy of General Dentistry http://backend.userland.com/rss Fri, 3 Feb 2012 05:50:09 CST http://www.knowyourteeth.com 129 100 Why is Oral Health Important for Men?   Men are less likely than women to take care of their physical health and, according to surveys and studies, their oral health is equally ignored. Good oral health recently has been linked with longevity. Yet, one of the most common factors associated with infrequent dental checkups is just being male. Men are less likely than women to seek preventive ... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=m&iid=312&aid=1266 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Monitor Infant's Fluoride Intake   If you add fluoridated water to your infant's baby formula, you may be putting your child at risk of developing dental fluorosis, a harmless cosmetic condition manifested by brown, mottled or discolored enamel.   Although fluoride – found naturally in all water and foods – is necessary to prevent tooth decay, in infants and children regular fluoride... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=c&iid=296&aid=1187 Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Men: Looking for a Better Job? Start by Visiting the Dentist   An online poll of 289 general dentists and consumers confirms the traditional stereotype that men are less likely to visit the dentist than their female counterparts, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.   Why? Nearly 45 percent... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=m&iid=312&aid=1265 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Dentist Should Advise Vegetarians on Good Oral Health   Health concerns about fat and cholesterol have prompted many people to become vegetarians, and the nutritional deficiencies that can sometimes result may reveal themselves during dental exams.   Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Ludwig Leibsohn, DDS says he usually asks patients if they adhere to vegetarian or other spec... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=n&iid=315&aid=1273 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Why Does My Dentist Prescribe Medication?   Your dentist prescribes medications for many reasons. While some drugs are formulated to fight oral diseases, others are used to prevent infections after surgical procedures such as tooth extractions and gum surgery. Certain drugs are used prior to dental treatment. These medications are used to help fight infections and also to control existing c... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=m&iid=310&aid=1262 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Tips on Finding Preventive Care for Children's Oral Health   More than 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illnesses. Despite these numbers, many children still do not visit the dentist. In addition, almost 50 percent of tooth decay remains untreated in low-income children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   "The need fo... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=c&iid=297&aid=1194 Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Why is Oral Health Important for Women?   Women's oral health depends on their different stages of life. For many women, these changes are directly related to surges in sex-hormone levels, such as in puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation and menopause. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with TMJ, myofascial pain, eating disorders and Sjögren's syndrome (which causes dry mouth)... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=w&iid=341&aid=1369 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Do I Really Need to Floss?   Yes. Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth, including places where toothbrushes can't reach. This can lead to gum disease. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chance o... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=f&iid=302&aid=1244 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Radiographic, or X-ray, examinations provide your dentist with an important tool that shows the condition of your teeth, its roots, jaw placement and the overall composition of your facial bones. X-rays can help your dentist determine the presence or degree of periodontal (gum) disease, abscesses and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumors. X-rays also can show the exact location of impact... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=x&iid=342&aid=1373 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST How Can My Dentist Improve My Smile?   From subtle changes to major repairs, your dentist can perform a variety of procedures to improve your smile. There are many techniques and options to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing. Your dentist can reshape your teeth, close spaces, restore worn or short teeth or alter the length of your teeth. Common procedures include... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=c&iid=300&aid=1196 Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic (porcelain) or a composite resin material, which are bonded to the front of teeth. This procedure requires little or no anesthesia and can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth. Veneers are placed to mask discolorations, to brighten teeth and to improve a smile.     Veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns i... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=v&iid=339&aid=1363 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST In the eighties, artificial sweeteners in blue and pink packets, diet soda and sugar-free gum set the standard as "healthy" alternatives to their sugar-laden parent products. Today, there's another sweetener called xylitol touting sweet-as-sugar taste that is low in calories, and studies show it may help reduce and prevent cavities.   A natural sweetener found in plants and fruits, xylitol ... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=c&iid=295&aid=1153 Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST If you experience frequent headaches and pain in your lower jaw, check your posture and consult your dentist about temporomandibular disorder (TMD), recommends the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.   Poor posture places the spine in a position that causes stress to the jaw joint. When people slouch or hunch over... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=t&iid=334&aid=1347 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Orofacial pain includes a number of clinical problems involving the chewing (masticatory) muscles or temporomandibular joint. Problems can include temporomandibular joint discomfort; muscle spasms in the head, neck and jaw; migraines, cluster or frequent headaches; or pain with the teeth, face or jaw.   You swallow approximately 2,000 times per day, which causes the upper and lower teeth t... http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=t&iid=334&aid=1352 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST Dry socket, the most common postoperative complication from tooth extractions, delays the normal healing process and results when the newly formed blood clot in the extraction site does not form correctly or is prematurely lost. This blood clot lays the foundation for new tissue and bone to develop over a two-month healing process.   Updated: October 2008     http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=w&iid=340&aid=1365 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 CST