Articles

Wisdom Teeth Wisdom teeth get their name because they are the last teeth to come in, at about the time of young adulthood - the age when a person gains maturity and wisdom. Most of our permanent (adult) teeth come in by age 13. A few years later, between ages 17-21, our wisdom teeth usually push their

Your Child's First Dental Visit Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, are just as important as permanent (adult) teeth. Strong, healthy primary teeth can help your child chew and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When babies are born, they

Tooth Extraction A Few Simple Guidelines Sometimes teeth need to be removed due to decay, disease or trauma. Having a tooth removed or "pulled" is called a tooth extraction. When you have an extraction, it's natural that changes will occur in your mouth afterward. Your dentist may give you instructions

Dental Implants Dental implants are an effective way to replace missing teeth. When teeth are lost because of disease or an accident, dental implants may be a good option. You may want to choose dental implants if you: hide your smile because you have missing teeth wear dentures that are uncomfortable are

Improving Your Smile Smile Checklist Look in the mirror. Do you like the way your teeth look? Do you dislike the color of any of your teeth? Are there spaces between your teeth? Do you have any chips or cracks on your teeth? Are you missing any teeth? Do

Mouth Sores, Spots, Ulcers and Patches Mouth sores can be painful, annoying and unsightly. Some appear inside the mouth — on the gums, tongue, lips, cheeks or palate (roof of the mouth). Others, like cold sores, can appear outside the mouth, such as on and around the lips, under the nose and on

Teeth Grinding Bruxism is a habit of grinding or clenching the teeth. Clenching means you tightly hold your top and bottom teeth together. Grinding is when you slide your teeth back and forth over each other. Bruxism can happen in children and adults of any age. Many people with bruxism wake themselves

TMD - Temporomandibular Disorders Do you have frequent headaches, earaches, tender jaw muscles or a dull, aching facial pain? Does your jaw lock or stray to one side when you open your mouth? These aches and pains may be related to the jaw joint, called the temporomandibular joint or "TMJ," and the