Not the Dentist!

My son is three and a half and terrified of his first dentist trip. He loves to brush his teeth, but if you even mention the dentist he comes unglued. This isn’t uncommon, most kids aren’t thrilled about having to go to the dentist. Unfortunately, this is one of the necessary evils of childhood. Seeing the dentist is crucial to the health of your child’s teeth. It may help ease some of the anxiety if you have a pretend visit first. All you need is a toothbrush and a mirror. Count your child’s teeth with them and let them look … Continue reading

Are You Afraid of the Big, Bad Dentist?

If you get a little anxious thinking about going to the dentist, you’re not alone. Dental phobia keeps a lot of people from getting the care they need for their pearly whites. There are a lot of different facets to dental phobia. Some of the most common fears involving the dentist’s office include: Embarassment — “I haven’t been to the dentist’s office in years, and my teeth are going to be horrible. The dentist is going to lecture me about what a failure I am.” Pain — “It’s going to hurt when they clean my teeth. I’ll have cavities that … Continue reading

Health Screening Checklist for Women

Most of us hate to think about it, but screenings are a way to keep us healthy. You are probably afraid that something bad may be found, but if you think about it, early detection is a good thing. So what are the 10 health screenings every woman should ask her doctor for? First of all, have your blood pressure checked. I think every time I go to the doctor, no matter what it is for, I get my blood pressure checked. You can have it checked at local pharmacies if nothing else. It may be harder to get your … Continue reading

Poor Oral Hygiene Could Lead to Heart Disease

I had always heard that oral hygiene played a part in the health of your heart. However recently it has been reported in the news that adults who have poor oral hygiene are at a 70% greater risk of developing heart disease. Those are very high chances. A lack of good oral hygiene can lead to gum disease. The inflammation of gum disease can spread throughout your body, including to the arteries of your heart. If your arteries become inflamed then they can also become clogged. It’s amazing how taking care of one part of your body can make all … Continue reading

Tooth Sensitivity

There are different culprits for that little zing of pain in a tooth… and different types of pain can mean different things! Here’s a look at some common types of tooth sensitivity, and what they may mean for the health of your mouth. Sensitivity to cold — this is a common complaint and often indicates tooth decay or root exposure. Both these things can make cold a real pain in the mouth! After a dental treatment, teeth may temporarily be sensitive to cold, but the sensation should subside within a week. If it doesn’t go away (or gets worse), call … Continue reading