Charcoal toothpaste is all the rage for people looking to get an Instagram-worthy, dazzlingly white smile. Its proponents swear by it, claiming the charcoal delivers big results with little harm — after all, it’s all natural and costs a fraction of the price of traditional teeth-whitening treatments. But like other DIY teeth-whitening methods, charcoal toothpaste has its hazards.
What could go wrong with trying to get a whiter, brighter smile? A lot of things, especially if you’re trying to do it yourself without treatment from a dental professional. Your teeth already go through a lot, between handling the work of chewing and being exposed to the acids in your food. They stand up to the bacteria that occur naturally in your mouth and tolerate a fair amount of wear and tear. Teeth are hard and durable but surprisingly easy to damage. Teeth whitening, particularly with DIY methods, can cause major harm.
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Your teeth contain a myriad of secrets, many of which your dentist can tell just by glancing in your mouth. Being honest with your doctor is a prerequisite for receiving safe, adequate care — whether you’re a pack-a-day smoker who’s concerned about tooth discoloration or you have a sweet tooth that’s contributing to decay, your dentist knows what you get up to in your free time, even if you claim the contrary. Rather than trying to pull a fast one on your dental professional to spare yourself a lecture, be upfront about habits and concerns that could impact your treatment. Your dentist already knows these five things just by looking at your teeth. (more…)
Medical marijuana can be a godsend for those with certain health conditions. You might feel like you’ve got a new lease on life and feel better than you have in years. Giving a thought to the effects of cannabis on your oral health is just as important as considering what it does for your physical and mental health. Cannabis use can have some gnarly drawbacks in regard to your oral health, but most of them can be mitigated with extra care and attention in the dentist’s chair and at home.
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Feeling more than a little down? You’re not alone. According to CDC data, nearly 8% of adults in the United States — about 1 in 12 — are struggling with depression at any given moment. Depression can steal your joy and zest for life, making you feel like you have no reason to smile. But the simple act of smiling alone can help you beat depression — and you’re much more likely to do so if you have a good smile to show off.
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Dental History | Teeth Whitening
As long as recorded human history has been around, people have been trying to improve their smiles. Today you have your pick of safe, healthy and tested teeth-whitening treatments available from your dentist, but your ancestors and those before couldn’t just make an appointment with a licensed professional. Instead, people have relied on some pretty bizarre (and downright disgusting!) methods to whiten and brighten their teeth.
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Whether you’re going down the shore for the holidays or jet-setting to Europe now that the kids are free from school routines, travel is no reason to let your dental hygiene lapse. In fact, paying extra attention to the health of your teeth and gums while you’re on the go can help you prevent a dental emergency when you’re far from home — an event that would certainly put a damper on your adventures. (more…)
When you’re planning your teen’s summer vacation, consider including some not-so-fun but necessary things, like making an all-important trip to the dentist. Without rigorous academic schedules to contend with, summer is the perfect time to book your teen’s appointment, especially for more intensive orthodontic care. Summer vacation is ideal for getting your teen started with Invisalign, as they’ll be free as a bird for their initial consultation and the first few follow-ups. Summer vacation will also give your child a chance to get used to the care of their new aligners without having to worry about the watching eyes of their peers.
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Over 100 million Americans are now living with diabetes or prediabetes, a condition that tends to progress to full-blown diabetes given time. It can take a lot of effort to juggle the demands of this disease and other parts of a normal American life, so it’s not surprising that many diabetics have no idea that their smile can be severely impacted by their metabolic disease.
Summer cookouts and barbecues are full of family memories just waiting to be made, but don’t make this summer’s most notable BBQ recollection an emergency trip to the dentist. Chipped teeth, unsightly stains that undo your most recent teeth whitening and foods that are delicious but contribute to decay and bad breath are just some of the perils that await at the picnic table. Skip the pain and embarrassment by avoiding these top five offenders at the next family cookout.
