For kids, Halloween means dress-ups and loads of free candy. As dentists, we can’t help but cringe a bit when we see a child’s candy stash. Of course, not all candies are the same. Some have graver health implications. We’ll identify the worst Halloween candy for your teeth and general health.

1. Snickers

Kids and adults alike love Snickers. However, the candy bar has everything that’s bad for your teeth. This includes mounds of sugar, sticky nougat filling, and even stickier caramel. This combination invites tooth decay. Our endodontists especially caution against sticky and sugary treats.

2. Candy Corn

Candy corn is made from gelatin, dextrose, artificial coloring, and sesame oil. The rest of the ingredients? Sugar, honey, and corn syrup. That’s sugar in three different forms! Continue Reading →

The dental industry recognizes two gum tissue types, or periodontal biotypes. While subtypes exist, they more or less all fall back into the two we are about to explain. Knowing which gum type you have and how it affects your dental care will help you take better care of your teeth.

The Two Gum Tissue Types

The two types are thick/flat and thin/scalloped. Each has its respective pros and cons.

Thick/flat

People with thick/flat gums have flatter teeth. The part where the top of the teeth and gums meet create a flat surface, giving teeth a square-shaped appearance.

People with a thick gum type are more susceptible to gum pocket formation, which creates an opening for bacteria. Left untreated, gum pockets can lead to jawbone loss. 

Thin/Scalloped

With thin/scalloped gums, the top of the teeth appears more rounded or arched. This creates a pointy or triangular appearance at the point where the gums come in between each tooth. People with thin gums are more prone to gum recession since the gums are thin to begin with. Continue Reading →

Our family dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months. Over the course of your life, that is a lot of brushes that you temporarily use and throw away. However, you don’t necessarily have to throw them in the trash. Consider these alternative uses for an old toothbrush; give it renewed life.

Old Toothbrush Alternative Uses

1. Clean the Bike Chain: Many people have reported that they use their old brushes for cleaning a bike chain before giving it a lube. The brush is just small enough to reach the small nook and crannies.

2. Keep It in the Bathroom: It may no longer clean your teeth, but you can now use the brush to clean some parts of the bathroom. The brush is effective for cleaning tile corners and the underside of the toilet bowl rim. Continue Reading →

Young kids see brushing as a chore. Parents need to be proactive in getting their kids to brush every day, and to follow the correct brushing methods. With the holidays around the corner, we figured you can use this time of year to your advantage for this purpose.

Getting Your Kids to Brush Doesn’t Have to Be a Challenge

Food intake increases during the holidays. Schools and other venues serve sugary snacks and beverages, including gingerbread cookies, Hershey Kisses, eggnog, and fruitcake. This is why you need to instill good brushing habits as Christmas looms. Continue Reading →

Summer is finally here. This is the time of year to break out the grill and patio furniture for a fun-under-the-sun luau. As family dentists, we frown on the typical summer foods, such as potato chips, lemonade, and popsicles. These are teeth destroyers and a no-no on our list. Instead we recommend the following dental-friendly summer foods for your next outdoor soiree.

Dentist-Approved Summer Foods

Crunchy Vegetables

Serve a veggie/fruit platter that includes crunchy apples, carrots, and pears. Crunchy foods are natural toothbrushes that stimulate saliva and scrubs off build-up. Include a ranch or hummus dip; this will make it more enjoyable for the kids.

Cheese

Burger and hotdogs are common summer foods. We don’t exactly approve of them, but we know most people are going to serve them anyways. If so, then throw in a slice of natural cheddar. Dairy contains calcium and phosphorous, which strengthen enamel. Continue Reading →

Like any other holiday, Easter is an occasion to let your little ones indulge in tasty sweets. You’ll probably even indulge yourself in the process. We’re not discouraging this, but our family dentists do recommend sticking to teeth-friendly Easter candy. By “teeth-friendly,” this doesn’t mean good for your teeth; it just means not as bad.

Avoid These Candies

Cadbury Chocolate Eggs

Cadbury is a famous chocolate brand that produces egg-shaped chocolates. These are filled with caramel coating on the inside. The sugar itself is bad enough, but the sticky coating means the sugar will linger on your teeth even longer. Such treats are partially to blame for the severity of some tooth decay that makes oral surgery a necessity. Continue Reading →

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t particularly a major holiday, but it’s still a day where people like to go out for a night of fun. This entails drinking with friends and pinching anyone not wearing green. The former can be a bit of a problem from a dental standpoint. By all means, have fun, but be sure you engage in responsible drinking this St. Patrick’s Day.

Why be a Responsible Drinker on St. Patrick’s Day?

First of all, too much alcohol can be bad for your teeth. One study showed that frequent drinkers are three times more likely to suffer from permanent tooth loss. Beer is acidic and can erode teeth enamel. It also dries the mouth and strips it of plaque-removing saliva. This eventually leads to tooth rot that requires oral surgery.

Finally, much like coffee, beer stains the teeth. Alcohol contains a compound called chromogens that attaches to enamel and causes discoloration. On top of that, some bars also put green dye in their beer as part of a St. Patrick’s Day tribute. Food dye is another notorious teeth stainer. Continue Reading →

In our opinion, Valentine’s Day is almost as bad as Halloween when it comes to holiday treats. This is the day for showing your romantic interest that you care. This often entails gifts in the form of heart-shaped, chocolatey confections. Of course, anything involving sugar is a no-no for you and your loved one’s oral health. Here are some dental-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts and activities we suggest instead.

Alternative, Dental-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gifts and Activities

1. Spa/Massage Gift Card

Take your partner to a spa or massage and spend the day loosening those sore muscles. You’ll feel great, and you won’t have any of the guilt associated from over indulging in candy.

2. Solid Chocolate Candy

If you insist on sending candy, then we suggest solid dark chocolate. Those Hershey Kisses, and most similar items, are mostly chocolate with no nougat fillings. Our endodontists recommend this as a lesser evil since there is no sticky coating that can cling to the teeth and lead to cavities. Continue Reading →

The holidays often mean lots of yummy treats. Unfortunately, most Christmas desserts are bad for your teeth and overall health. We’re not going to be the Grinch and tell you not to partake, but you should practice moderation. Our family dentists have compiled a short list of snacks to stay away from or only consume in small morsels.

4 Christmas Desserts Bad for Teeth

Candy Canes

Candy canes are bad for the same reason all hard candies are bad for your teeth. Not only are they virtually nothing but sugar, but they can also damage your teeth when you bite on them. Our endodontists have had to treat kids and adults who chipped a tooth because they bit on hard substances like candy or ice.

On the bright side, candy canes do give you minty fresh breath. Nevertheless, the potential damage outweighs the possible benefits here. Continue Reading →

Thanksgiving is right around the corner; this means good food and drinks. Speaking of drinks, red wine will likely be served at the dinner table for the grownups. Health research has established that wine in moderation is good for you. Is red wine good for your teeth, though? Find out what our family dentists have to say on this subject.

Studies Show Red Wine Is Good for the Teeth

Recent research shows that red wine may actually help fight cavities. The grape seed extract in wine is believed to slow the growth of bacteria. Grape contains a phytonutrient known as proanthocyanidins, an antioxidant also found in other foods like apples and dark chocolate.

The studies suggest proanthocyanidins kill the bacteria responsible for the formation of biofilm. Biofilm is responsible for tooth decay and dental caries. Continue Reading →