Have you ever noticed that just about every toothpaste you find at the store is mint flavored? From peppermint and spearmint to Mint Chocolate Trek, Vanilla Mint Spark, and Lime Spearmint Zest; the thing that nearly all toothpaste has in common is mint. Humans can distinguish hundreds of different flavors, so what is it about mint that has made it... read more »

Your braces moved your teeth into their ideal alignment through the course of multiple adjustment sessions. This will provide you with a functional mouth and appealing smile for many years to come. If your braces are about to be removed, you will most likely need to wear a retainer. Your teeth are held in place by a series of periodontal... read more »

Chronic night grinding of your teeth, in adults, is often caused by stress. This can result in a series of problems including chips and fractures in tooth enamel alignment issues and TMJ disorder. If stress management techniques have been unsuccessful, you might want to talk to your dentist about being fitted for a custom night guard. Retail level night guards... read more »

A lot of people might think having teeth removed is the end to the journey of their oral hygiene worries. However, this is not the case. Many people do not know that in the first year after tooth loss there is a 25 percent decrease in the width of bone and an overall decrease in height over the next few... read more »

A dental bridge is an appliance that bridges the gap in your mouth that was created by one or more missing teeth. A normal or typical bridge consists of: two replacement teeth (one on each side of the gap) and false teeth. The teeth on the ends of the bridge are the supporting teeth called the abutments. These can be... read more »

The metal wire or wires of your fixed retainer represents a serious investment in holding your teeth in their alignment for several years to come. Your fixed retainer is cemented in place behind your teeth and cannot be removed by anyone other than your orthodontist. Cleaning the back of your teeth and around the wire is essential for good oral... read more »

Your retainer is an important step in maintaining the new alignment of your teeth after your braces have been removed. If you don’t wear your retainer for the prescribed amount of time, the residual tension in your periodontal ligaments will pull your teeth out of the new alignment. A clear plastic retainer is a popular option for people who only... read more »