Secondhand Smoke Doubles Cavity Risk in Children

If you’re looking for a reason to quit smoking, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one. I can probably come up with a hundred reasons why smoking is a bad idea, but here’s another one for you that involves your children. Last month a research team from Japan published their findings from an observational study […]

Composite Fillings and How They Work

With the need for fillings on the increase, more and more people are turning to their dentists for advice on the right type of filling for their teeth. You’d be forgiven for thinking that amalgam fillings are the only option, but the fact is that there are several alternatives outside of this traditional silver material. […]

Ahhhh! Is Pumpkin Spice Making Its Way Into Dentistry?

Disclaimer: the following images just may curdle your blood and leave you speechless for days. It’s the season for terror and haunting and I don’t know that I could come up with anything scarier than the following pictures. Is the worst part of the autumn season making its way into dentistry? If you’re shaking in […]

An Introduction to Anesthetics

If there’s one thing that modern dentists rely on more than anything else, it’s the use of anesthetic. This chemical medication is typically applied before surgery, and depending on the dose; the patient can either expect to remain awake (as is the case with local anesthetic), or be put in to a comfortable sleep. There […]

Maternal Stress Increases Risk for Cavities

Chronic stress during pregnancy is known to raise the risk for a number of factors in unborn children, such asthma, allergies, and low birthweight, among others. A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health suggests that it is also a major factor that can lead to increased childhood cavities. Maternal Allostatic Load, […]

What is a Dental Amalgam?

In this day and age, getting a filling from a dentist is a common event – especially for individuals over the age of 16. A dental amalgam is a type of filling, and it comprises a combination of copper, tin, silver and even mercury. The composition forms a silver color when liquidized, and this has […]

The Power of Media and Your Child’s Teeth

The appeal of advertisements is something that most parents can understand, but have you ever considered just how much of an impact a healthy ad could have on your child? You may have heard about the Ad Council’s 2012 healthy promo – and this one was actually aimed at children’s teeth! What better way to […]

Everything You Want to Know About the Toothpaste Warning

If you’ve ever read the small wording on the back of the toothpaste tube, you’ll see the following warning: “Keep out of the reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control right away.” As a parent, I have […]