On the one hand, holidays tend to be highly enjoyable because of increased permissiveness. During holidays, we allow ourselves to indulge in the many delectable treats we spend the rest of the year trying to avoid.

Unfortunately, a few nights of overindulging each year can lead to consequences for both our oral and our overall health. Just think of how much time and energy we devote to the most popular New Year’s resolution each year – losing those 5-10 pounds gained thanks to holiday feasting.

When it comes to Halloween, a holiday devoted to costumes and candy, it’s all too easy to get caught up and find yourself scarfing down candy alongside your kids. However, you should spare a moment to consider not only the empty calories you’re consuming, but also the damage all that sugar could mean for your teeth.

Like anything, moderation is generally the key to avoiding serious harm, but you should also know that certain types of candy could do a lot more damage than others. Here are the worst types of Halloween candy for your teeth.

Caramel and Nougat

Oozing caramel and gooey nougat are pretty satisfying for our tongues, but not so much for our teeth. A hard caramel could torque a crown if you’re not careful, but what’s worse is the damage you don’t see.

Caramel and nougat linger long after you’ve finished eating, clinging to teeth and feeding bacteria in your mouth. This, in turn, produces an acidic film that attacks tooth enamel, potentially opening your teeth to infection and decay.

What does this mean for your grab bag of candy? Well, you’re going to want to stay away from popular items like Milky Way, Snickers, and Twix bars, as well as any other candy containing caramel. You should also avoid equally sticky items like gummy candy and taffy, as well as chewy items like Skittles and Starburst.

Hard Candy

Hard candy might not seem quite as bad as caramel, but it could harm your teeth in other ways. For example, sucking on hard candy means you bring teeth in contact with sugar longer. Plus, if you bite down on hard candies, you could chip or crack teeth, creating damage that paves the way for cavities or other dental woes.

Sour Stuff

Many sour candies are chewy or hard, which means you’ll probably want to avoid them anyway, but you should be extra vigilant about these confections because the sour substance can be acidic, eating away at tooth enamel.

Chocolate lovers have long known that their favorite confection is not so great for their health, but over the years, studies emerged showing health benefits of dark chocolate, which is to say, candy with a cacao content of over 70%. For example, dark chocolate contains powerful antioxidants that help to fight harmful free radicals in the body.

Dark chocolate has been linked to reduced risk of heart disease (and related conditions like high cholesterol and hypertension), cancer prevention, and even improvements to cognitive function. You’d be hard pressed to find another sweet treat that offers all these benefits.

It gets even better, though. It turns out that recent studies have also begun to show the oral health benefits of dark chocolate. You probably assumed that all chocolate was bad for your teeth, but dark chocolate may actually help to improve oral health. Here’s what you should know.

It’s Antibacterial

Compounds found in the husks of cocoa beans have been shown to have antibacterial properties. This means that even milk chocolate could be considered “good” to a degree. Unfortunately, milk chocolate also contains a lot of sugar, which counteracts any potential positive effects related to the cacao content.

Dark chocolate, on the other hand, features much higher cacao content and far less sugar. For the greatest benefits, you’ll want to look for 70% or higher cacao paired with 6-8 grams or less sugar per serving. If you’re curious about white chocolate, you should know that it doesn’t have any cacao, only cocoa butter, which means you miss out on any potential oral health benefits offered by darker chocolates.

It Strengthens Enamel

One unique property of dark chocolate is a compound called CBH, and it has a chemical makeup similar to caffeine. This compound has been found to strengthen tooth enamel, in turn helping to keep harmful bacteria from entering teeth and causing tooth decay, cavities, and other serious oral health issues.

It Bolsters Gum Health

Remember those antioxidants we mentioned above? They’re not only great at fighting free radicals in the body, but they also help to protect the health of your gums. When saliva is high in antioxidants, it has greater power to fight gum disease, including extreme oral health issues like gingivitis and periodontitis.

Just remember: everything in moderation. Before you start inhaling dark chocolate like it’s going out of style, you should know that doctors recommend no more than 3-4 ounces per day. For many people, however, this is enough to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Veneers are an ideal way to beautify your smile by repairing discoloration, staining, and crooked appearances with appliances layered over your existing teeth. The result is a brand new smile you can be proud to show off in any situation.

Porcelain is a material that offers a good representation of the natural color and shading of your teeth and many patients choose porcelain for just this reason. But how do veneers work and what makes them such a good choice for repairing your damaged teeth? This brief guide will answer those questions and more.

What is a Veneer?

A veneer is a tooth-shaped shell that is designed to be placed over the surface of your existing tooth to improve its appearance or correct damage. Though veneers can be made of different types of material, porcelain is a popular option because it has a natural appearance that will blend seamlessly with your other teeth.

Why Porcelain?

Porcelain can be adjusted to match any color and shade of your existing teeth so that the veneers don’t stand out from the rest of your mouth. Your dentist will use special software to determine the exact shade of your teeth to ensure that your veneers are identical. Using porcelain will help your dentist create a more natural veneer that won’t look like a false appliance in your mouth. If the veneer is too bright, it will stand out among your other teeth. Porcelain is a good choice to avoid that from happening.

How Do They Fit?

Your dentist will use a mold to take an impression of your teeth and then customize your veneers to match the exact shape of each tooth receiving one. From there, every veneer is crafted from the mold of your teeth so that the veneer fits around the tooth perfectly without gaps or uneven spots. It might require some adjustment upon application but you can rest assured your veneers will have a tight, custom fit when your dentist is finished.

How Effective are Veneers?

Veneers can improve your smile by fixing any number of conditions or imperfections with your teeth. Stains and discoloration that aren’t responding to whitening treatments can be erased with veneers. Teeth that have some damage or excessive wear and tear can also be improved with veneers, so you no longer need to live with that chipped tooth. They can even be a good solution for fixing crooked, misshapen, misaligned teeth and gaps in between teeth.

Invisalign treatments are a dependable and effective method for straightening your smile and are often the preferable choice over braces. With clear plastic molded mouthpieces fit tightly to your teeth, Invisalign is designed to be worn throughout the day and evening and removed only for meals and dental maintenance.

Sounds pretty simple, just stick the Invisalign trays in your mouth and forget about them. But there are plenty of ways to make the process much more complex than it needs to be, as patients don’t follow their dentists’ instructions and fail to take all of the necessary precautions to ensure that the Invisalign treatment is a complete success.

But you don’t need to fall into this trap, as long as you heed these warnings to prevent from sabotaging your Invisalign treatment and prolonging the process far longer than necessary.

Wear the Trays

You can’t get the benefit of your Invisalign treatments if you aren’t placing the trays on your teeth. Furthermore, the longer you keep them on your teeth, the more effective they can be in straightening them. Your dentist will likely recommend you leave them in at all times, except when you eat or drink. Wear them all the time and you’ll be on to the next steps of your treatment before you know it.

Keep in mind, every treatment is different. The time you need to wear the trays may be longer or shorter than someone else, but if you don’t keep them in your mouth throughout the day and the evening, it will definitely be longer. Some patients may only need a few different trays while others could require 10 or 11 by the time their treatments are finished. If your teeth require many sizes, it’s better you wear them so you can receive the next size as fast as possible.

Discomfort and Irritation

Some patients experience mild discomfort when they first wear the Invisalign trays. This is normal and it subsides in time, but only if you continue to wear the trays and give yourself time to get used to having them in your mouth. Too many patients remove the trays or wear them for brief periods of time, rendering them mostly useless for performing their intended purpose.

Be sure to continue wearing the Invisalign trays despite the mild irritation you may be feeling, the only way to overcome that problem is to allow your mouth to acclimate to wearing them for extended periods. If the discomfort turns to pain, consult your dentist.

Brush and Floss After Every Meal

You will be instructed to remove your trays when you eat and drink. Just be sure to brush and floss your teeth before putting them back into your mouth, otherwise bacteria and germs from food particles can build up on your teeth and inside the trays. This can lead to infection, gum disease, and other dental conditions that could put the health of your mouth at risk.

You may have guessed fluorosis is linked to fluoride and you would be correct. It’s a condition of defective tooth enamel where the porosity is elevated due to excessive fluoride in children up to 8 years of age. You can see visible signs of fluorosis in white or cloudy splotches and streaks or dark staining in severe instances. When the enamel of your child’s teeth becomes more porous this can cause them to deteriorate and fall out in extreme cases.

If you notice these visible indications of fluorosis on your child’s teeth, the splotching and staining may be cosmetically repaired but the damage to the enamel is permanent. That cannot be fixed.

Causes of Fluorosis

Although the main reason why it occurs is due to an excessive intake of fluoride, there are a variety of ways in which your child might ingest those high amounts of fluoride. You might have ingested a lot of fluoridated drinking water during pregnancy, your child might be swallowing fluoride toothpaste when he or she brushes, or eating a lot of processed foods manufactured with fluoridated water.

How to Prevent It

While brushing is crucial, young children have difficulty with refraining from swallowing during the process and that can dramatically increase their intake of fluoride intake. Spitting out toothpaste prevents that from happening.

Children ages 2 and up should be using fluoride toothpaste, there is no need for it when they are younger unless recommended by a doctor or dental professional. Although brushing is important and should be done after each meal, avoid brushing your child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste more than twice a day and always apply a minimal amount of the brush. No larger than the size of a pea.

Be sure to supervise your child when he or she brushes their teeth, insisting they spit instead of swallow their toothpaste when it’s time to rinse the mouth.

Research if the region in which you live has fluoridated water and inform your child’s doctor or dentist in the event they prescribe a fluoride or vitamin supplement in your child’s diet. The combination of both could increase the risk of fluorosis and the resulting decay that might occur. This is important to know when you are preparing infant formula for your baby as he or she could be taking in too much fluoride and that can increase the risk of dental fluorosis.

Eating vegan is a lifestyle choice in which all animal products are removed from the diet. This includes meat, eggs, cheese, and any other products that come from animals in any way. If it is part of or made by a living creature, then vegans reject its use.

Many vegans choose this way of life for a wide range of reasons, they elect not to harm animals for their own purposes or they feel that a vegan diet has greater health benefits. But one thing seems to be common among many vegans, they are at a higher risk of developing cavities and other dental issues.

Impacts of Veganism on Teeth

While there are many healthful benefits of a vegan lifestyle, they do not extend to the teeth. Unfortunately, vegans have a greater instance of cavities and gum disease due in equal part to what they are and are not consuming under the parameter of their new diet.

Certain foods offer healthy safeguards for teeth and gums but these are not part of a vegan lifestyle. One element in particular, arginine, is found almost exclusively in meats and it is an amino acid that works to reduce plaque on teeth. If you’re not getting this amino acid, it can lead to an increase in the microorganisms and bacteria that contribute to dental plaque.

Conversely, certain fruits that are included as part of a vegan diet can be just as negatively impactful on teeth as these have elements that might cause the erosion of tooth enamel. This is true of many types of citrus and other fruits and their juices.

Preventing Cavities and Dental Conditions

Focusing your diet on foods that contain beneficial amino acids that are contained in foods without meat is a good start for protecting your teeth. Foods such as beans and sprouts are very helpful for maintaining a healthy smile. Avoid sweet candies and sodas, including sugary sports drinks and even apple cider vinegar Limit your consumption of citrus and other fruits to less than twice a day. When you do eat citrus, be sure to wait to brush your teeth at least a half hour as acids can soften your tooth enamel and brushing after you eat can wear it away.

Taking these necessary steps into consideration is important for avoiding major dental issues that can come about from a vegan diet. Be smart and your smile will always continue to look its best.

It’s only natural to be a little confused when your dentist asks for an in-depth medical history. After all, you’ve already shared this information with your primary physician. Why does your dentist need it when he/she is only attending to the health of your mouth?

There are two reasons. For one thing, studies have shown a linkage between oral health and overall health, although depending on the circumstances, causality could go either way. In addition, your medical history could have an impact on how your dentist diagnoses and treats problems, as well as preventive steps taken to protect your teeth and gums.

Why does your dentist need to have a comprehensive accounting of your family and personal medical history, as well as any illnesses you currently have or medications you’re currently taking? It’s all in the best interest of the patient. Here’s what you need to know.

Importance of Health History

Does it really matter that your family has a history of heart disease, diabetes, or cancer? You could understand the relevance if oral cancer runs in the family, but what does the rest of it have to do with dentistry?

If you have a long history of certain ailments, your risks for developing these conditions increases, and all of the health care professionals in your life should take part in watching for signs and symptoms, as well as enacting preventive measures. Knowing about your and your family’s health history ensures that your dentist has all the necessary information to diagnose and treat you properly while watching for the onset of potential health concerns.

Importance of Current Health and Medication Updates

You might not think your dentist needs to know that you have diabetes or that you’re undergoing treatment for breast cancer. As noted above, however, your overall health affects your oral health. Those with diabetes, for example, could be more prone to periodontal disease. If you’re only seeing your dentist for annual visits and you develop diabetes, he/she might want to increase your visits to twice a year.

Or suppose you’re undergoing chemotherapy. This medication (and others) can cause dry mouth. This is not only uncomfortable, but it can reduce your natural ability to flush away food and bacteria, leading to additional buildup that increases the risks of gum disease and tooth decay. Your dentist needs to know about changes in health history and medications you’re taking so that a proper course of treatment can be set, potentially harmful drug interactions can be avoided, and your oral health can be properly preserved.

The trauma of losing a tooth can last long after the accident or illness that causes your tooth to fall out or precipitates removal. The resulting gap in your teeth can cause difficulty eating, increase risk of tooth decay, lead to misalignment of surrounding teeth, and mess with your confidence and your desire to smile.

Luckily, dental implants offer a great solution for many patients. These false teeth look and act like your natural teeth thanks to a titanium post that bonds with the jaw and stabilizes the crown on top. With dental implants, you can eat, drink, smile, brush, and floss just as you normally would. Dental implants restore your oral function, your brilliant smile, and your self-esteem.

However, losing a tooth could cause some damage to your jaw bone, potentially eroding the bone and causing some concern about its ability to support a dental implant. This is not uncommon and it is often rectified by a bone graft. What is bone grafting and what does the process entail?

What is Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that involves taking bone from one area of the body and transplanting it to another area to help heal and repair damaged bone. In some cases, bone grafting material (harvested from animals like cows and then processed) is used so that your own bone need not be harvested from a healthy part of your body. In the case of a bone graft in preparation for dental implant, your own bone or other grafting material is applied to the area of the jaw where the dental implant will be placed.

What Can I Expect?

The severity of bone loss in the jaw will dictate what type of bone graft is needed, but you can generally expect an outpatient surgery at the office of a dentist or specialist. If bone loss is significant, the bone graft is more likely to require your own bone, which is generally taken from your lower jaw in the region where wisdom teeth were removed. After the procedure, you may have to wait several months for the area to fully heal and for the grafted bone to become stable enough to support your dental implant.

Once the bone has fully healed, you should be ready to receive your implant. The process of bone grafting takes time, but it may be the best way to repair bone damaged during tooth loss so that your jaw can support a dental implant and you can restore your smile.

You know that cold weather is bad for your skin – a day on the slopes equates to chapped lips and pink, windblown cheeks. Cold weather is also the harbinger of countless cold and flu bugs, and this, as you may or may not know, is partially due to the fact that our mucous membranes get dry in winter, reducing natural protection and allowing for easier transmission of airborne pathogens. When paired with closed windows and a lot of time spent indoors, all it takes is a single sneeze to infect a whole household or office.

One of the best ways, then, to stave off cold and flu bugs is to keep your mucous membranes in good working order. Many people combat winter dryness with humidifiers in the home, but you should also engage in proper oral hygiene for the best chance of reducing bacteria, defending against pathogens, and generally maintaining your oral and overall health. Here are just a few ways to protect your teeth and the rest of your mouth during the cold and flu season.

Keep it Clean

Your mouth is already full of bacteria, and when people cough, sneeze, or even talk within close proximity, you’re going to inhale some of the respiratory droplets they emit, not to mention any viruses these droplets contain. Washing your hands frequently during flu season is a good way to eliminate any germs you might pick up from touching communal surfaces, but you also need to keep your mouth extra clean to get rid of any pathogens you inhale. Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing are a must, but you might want to put in some extra effort during cold and flu season.

Combat Dryness

Dry mucous membranes in the nose and mouth are like an expressway for viruses, so make sure to stay hydrated with extra glasses of water daily. If you need extra help due to other illnesses or medications, try adding a mouthwash like Biotene made specifically for dry mouth. This not only protects you from viruses, but it also reduces bacteria in the mouth that can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Back Away Slowly

When someone coughs or sneezes, virus-filled droplets can travel several feet through the air. Even talking could spread these droplets a couple of feet. If you happen to know someone has a cold or flu, you might just want to take a step back while talking to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. If you see a sneeze or coughing fit coming on, back up several paces.

We all know we’re supposed to brush, floss, and rinse at least twice a day, and ideally after every meal, in order to clear away stuck-on food and bacteria that can lead to plaque and tartar buildup, and eventually more serious concerns like gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. So long as you brush a certain number of times daily, however, you might wonder how important it really is to brush at specific times.

Does it really matter if you brush your teeth before you go to bed? What’s the harm if you just forego brushing and hit the hay when you’re extra tired? Can’t you just make it up by brushing in the morning when you’re alert and energized? Is it really so important to attend to your teeth before you get your zees? Here’s what you need to know.

Bacteria Byproducts

Do you know how tartar and plaque are made? It’s probably going to gross you out. When you eat food, the bacteria that live in your mouth get to eat, as well, from the leftover particles stuck on teeth and soft tissue. These bacteria then produce waste products that form a sticky film on your teeth (plaque) that can harden and become tartar.

Plaque and tartar attack tooth enamel and can lead to infections that further compromise oral health. Plus, once tartar forms, your dentist has to work extra hard to scrape it away – you can’t do it on your own. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and brushing before you go to bed clears away plaque and helps to prevent the buildup of tartar.

Slowed Saliva

Saliva is designed to flush away food and bacteria, but when you sleep, saliva production slows. If your teeth, tongue, and other mouth surfaces are clean, this is no big deal, but if food and bacteria remain, they can do some real damage while you sleep.

Easy Remedies

Whether your disinclination to brush before bed has to do with the long hours you work or simple laziness, there are ways to make this task quick, easy, and convenient. If standing in front of the mirror to brush, floss, and rinse takes too long when you’re ready to Rip Van Winkle it at night, keep a toothbrush and/or flossing stick on the nightstand for a quick once-over. Hey, it’s better than nothing. Just don’t make a habit of it, and make sure to rinse your tools in the morning.