Your Child’s First Dental Visit

What is the focus of your child’s beautiful SMILE? Strong, healthy teeth! Baby teeth-also called primary teeth-are important in the growth and development of a child. Baby teeth can help your child chew foods and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for adult teeth that are growing under the gums. Babies are born without teeth. Usually baby teeth
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Removable Partial Dentures

If you have missing teeth, a removable partial denture is one way to replace them. These are a few of the advantages of a removable partial denture: Other reasons to replace missing teeth When you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth may tilt or drift into the empty space. The teeth in your other jaw may also shift into the
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Tooth Extraction: Post-operative Instructions

Sometimes, teeth need to be removed due to decay, disease, or trauma. When you get a tooth “pulled,” it’s called an extraction. It’s natural that changes will occur in your mouth after the procedure. Here are some general guidelines to help promote healing, prevent complications, and make you more comfortable while you recover. Follow all instructions from your dental team. This
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Your Wisdom Teeth

What Are Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are the four permanent (adult) teeth at the very back of your mouth on the top and bottom. They are the last permanent teeth to appear. Wisdom teeth get their name because they usually come in between the ages of 17–21, around the age when a person gains maturity and wisdom. Most other permanent
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Taking Care Of Your Teeth And Gums

Tooth decay and gum disease can be prevented! Usually, tooth decay and gum disease occur because teeth and gums are not properly cleaned. Your teeth are covered with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Plaque builds up after you eat and when you sleep. The bacteria in plaque turn the sugar in foods and drinks into acids. These acids
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Basic Flossing

Flossing is an important part of your oral care routine. It is one of the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy. However, it takes a little practice to floss well. Here are some tips to help. There are many kinds of between-the-teeth cleaners to choose from. Talk to your dentist or hygienist about which type will work
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Do You Have A Cracked Tooth?

A tooth that is cracked can be painful. It also can lead to disease of the tooth. How do you know if you have a cracked tooth? Look for these signs: How Can You Tell if Your Tooth is Cracked? It can be hard for you to tell if a tooth is cracked. If you have pain, you may not
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Periodontal Disease: Your Complete Guide

What Is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal (perry-o-DON-tal) disease is an infection that affects the tissues and bone that support your teeth. It is also called gum disease. Periodontal disease can become a very serious problem if it’s not treated early. This booklet is your complete guide to gum disease and can help you learn about: What Causes Periodontal Disease? A surprisingly wide
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Basic Brushing

Brush your teeth twice a day and for two minutes each time. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride (FLOOR-eyed), a natural mineral that helps make your teeth stronger. It’s also important to clean your teeth with floss or another between-the-teeth cleaner every day. This helps remove bits of food and plaque from between the teeth and under the gum line thata
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Periodontal Disease: Keep Your Gums Healthy

What Is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal (perry-o-DON-tal) disease is an infection in your gums that may cause them to bleed or become swollen and sore. It can lead to the loss of the bone that supports your teeth, which can cause tooth loss. Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is common and can affect people at any age. The mildest form of periodontal
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Fluoride: Nature’s Cavity Fighter

This article explains how fluoride helps keep teeth strong and healthy. Cavities that are not treated can cause pain, loss of teeth, and spread of infection. The good news is you can prevent most cavities with good dental care and fluoride. What Is Fluoride? Why Is It Important? Fluoride (FLOOR-eyed) is a natural mineral in all water sources — even
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Hate To Floss? 3 Other Ways To Clean Between Your Teeth

If you skip cleaning between your teeth because you have trouble flossing or you simply don’t like to do it, then you are putting your mouth at risk for problems like cavities or gum disease. Traditional string floss may not be the right method for you — and that’s okay! The best way to clean between your teeth is whichever
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Handling Your Child’s Dental Emergency

Save this information Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can make the difference between saving and losing your child’s tooth. Read this page and then bookmark it so you can quickly and calmly handle a dental emergency. Knocked-out tooth Go to the dentist right away. It’s best to see a dentist within 30 minutes. Bring the tooth and any
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Get The Facts About Mouth And Throat Cancer

Did you know that your dentist can check for signs of cancer at every visit? Mouth and throat cancers can be deadly diseases. As recently as 2019, there were 53,000 new cases of mouth and throat cancer diagnosed and about 10,000 deaths from these cancers. Men are more than twice as likely to develop mouth and throat cancers as women.
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Oral Health And The Hpv Vaccine

Oropharyngeal cancer can be hard to spot because it develops in places that are hard to see. Signs and symptoms to look out for include: If any of these symptoms last for more than two weeks, let your dentist know. It is estimated that HPV causes approximately 70 percent of oropharyngeal cancer. The number of cases of oropharyngeal cancers caused
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