Have you ever experienced a jolt of pain when you ate ice cream or sipped hot tea? If so, you may have some level of enamel erosion. A tooth's outermost covering is called enamel. This translucent layer is thin but extremely strong. In fact, it's the hardest tissue in the human body. Enamel acts as a [...]
How can I take care of my toothbrush? To keep your toothbrush and yourself healthy, make sure you let it dry out between uses. Toothbrushes can be breeding grounds for germs, fungus and bacteria, which after a while can build up to significant levels. After using your toothbrush, shake it vigorously under tap water and [...]
Mouthrinses are used for a variety of reasons: to freshen breath, to help prevent or control tooth decay, to reduce plaque (a thin film of bacteria that forms on teeth), to prevent or reduce gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease), to reduce the speed that tartar (hardened plaque) forms on the teeth, or to [...]
Introducing your children to good oral health is very important. Some kids need help and encouragement, while others require you to be more creative with your oral hygiene care ideas. Here are some different tips and tricks that you can try to help your little one keep their smile happy and healthy. Make tooth brushing [...]
If you have been told you have periodontal (gum) disease, you’re not alone. Many adults in the U.S. currently have some form of the disease. Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. In the worst cases, teeth [...]
Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay. The chewing of sugarless gum increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth. Increased saliva flow also carries [...]
Dr. Dan Massie and Amy visited Unity Point in Carbondale Illinois to meet Pre-K students. They informed the students on the benefits and importance of brushing, flossing, oral hygiene, and visiting the dentist! They had a great time and the kids were fascinated with the giant tooth brush and oversized teeth! Hopefully their visit answered some [...]
Good nutrition is important for your baby or child’s growth and development. If your child's teeth or gums hurt when he's chewing, he might not eat enough food, or he might eat only certain types of food. Not being able or willing to chew food may limit the selection of food. A limited selection of [...]
Roughly 81 percent of women and 66 percent of men between the ages of 18 to 65 years believe a smile is very important to a person's appearance, according to the American Dental Association/Oral B Lifetime of Healthy Oral Care Survey. About 47 percent of women and 27 percent of men said a smile was [...]
CARBONDALE - After 18 years and what would be $3.5 million in medical bills, Mark Beams of Carbondale is grinning. Beams, 41, almost died in a car accident in Maine nearly 18 years ago. He was 23 at the time. Beams' last piece of medical treatment has been getting fillings, crowns and new retainer for [...]
