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May 4, 2016
General oral health
This Women's Health Month, Learn How Life Changes Affect Oral Health Everyone needs to practice good oral health habits to guard against tooth decay, periodontal disease and other health concerns. However, due to the changing hormone levels that women experience from certain birth control, pregnancy or menopause, women have some oral health concerns that men... More »
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Apr. 25, 2016
General oral health
We often think of braces and other orthodontic treatments as being for adolescents, but plenty of adults get wired as well. In fact, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, more than 1 million adults in the U.S. have orthodontia. Some adults may seek straightening for aesthetic reasons – though their teeth may not be... More »
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Apr. 11, 2016
General oral health
The month of April and especially April 18th may be more taxing for many Americans as they work to finalize their taxes – talk about a stressful time! Speaking of stress, April was designated National Stress Awareness Month by the Health Resource Network (HRN) in an effort to bring awareness to the dangers associated with... More »
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Mar. 20, 2016
General oral health
Every year on March 20, more than 100 countries unite for World Oral Health Day1 to celebrate the importance of good oral hygiene. The 2016 theme “It all starts here. Healthy mouth. Healthy body,” acknowledges that good oral health affects more than just your smile. In fact, more than 120 diseases, including diabetes, HIV, psoriasis,... More »
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Nov. 5, 2015
General oral health
Diabetics may be at higher risk for oral health issues A record number of Illinois residents are suffering from diabetes, a disease that is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.1 With more than one million reported cases last year, 2014 was the third consecutive year cases of diabetes have increased in... More »
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Jul. 27, 2015
General oral health
You talk about the medications you are taking with your physician – and you should do the same with your dentist. Though it may seem like prescription medications, such as antibiotics, decongestants and antidepressants, have very little to do with your oral health, many of them have side effects you and your dentist may want... More »
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Jul. 18, 2015
General oral health
If you walk down the dental care aisle of your local supermarket or pharmacy, you'll find a dizzying array of mouthwashes, plaque-removing rinses, fluoride treatments, and similar products. Do you need one? Most rinses can effectively freshen your mouth and curb bad breath for up to three hours. However, their success in preventing tooth decay,... More »
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Jun. 19, 2015
General oral health
We've all got a nervous habit or two, whether it's chewing nails, tapping toes or chomping gum. For the most part, nervous habits are harmless – but there are a few that can be bad news for oral health. Here are three to stop. Nail biting. Nibbling on your nails can stress your teeth and... More »
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Jun. 15, 2015
General oral health
Men's Health Month is celebrated in June to remind men to take care of their health and to encourage regular doctor visits. Studies show that men are less likely than women to take care of their health in general – and oral health even less likely. Oral health is linked to overall health so it's... More »
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May 27, 2015
General oral health
When you reach for a snack, you may grab an apple, a cup of yogurt or cheese and crackers – not a stick of chalk. But for people with pica, an eating disorder that causes cravings for nonfood substances, those unorthodox eats are all too real. Pica can be caused by depression, stress, anxiety and... More »
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May 21, 2015
General oral health
Most people who visit the dentist will have X-rays taken at some point. It's natural to be concerned about potential risks from too much exposure to radiation. However, it is important to understand that X-rays are an often necessary and important part of the dental health examination process. “X-rays are an important tool for dentists... More »
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May 12, 2015
General oral health
Even if your teeth are in perfect condition, regular dental exams are a must. In addition to helping catch dental issues while they are easy to treat or even reversible, exams can also help with early detection of serious conditions such as oral cancer and diabetes.1 If it's been awhile since your last exam, here's... More »
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May 6, 2015
General oral health
As you sit in your dentist's office waiting for a cleaning or exam, you probably have a list of things you'd like to discuss – your next appointment, X-rays, whitening, cavities, bad habits. But here's one that probably doesn't make your short list: allergies. Though most common allergies won't affect your visit, some people have... More »
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Apr. 23, 2015
General oral health
Your general dentist is just one of the many professionals who can help you maintain a healthy smile. There are a lot of “odontists” out there – from ones who help with appliances like braces to others who specialize in restorations. Here are a few of the most common specialized dentistry professionals. Endodontists are dentists... More »
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Apr. 15, 2015
General oral health
Every year as April 15 approaches, we can all get a little stressed and frazzled as we work to file our taxes by the deadline. Even though Tax Day can be stressful, it's important to take the time to de-stress and learn how stress can affect your teeth. Stress can impact your oral health and possibly cause... More »
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Apr. 13, 2015
General oral health
Because children love their sweets and tend to be accident-prone, it's always a good idea to be extra mindful of their oral health. This is especially true for parents of children with autism, who may be more susceptible to oral health issues.1 Problems such as bruxism (tooth grinding), enamel erosion, dry mouth and non-nutritive chewing... More »