To determine if dental exams are necessary, it is important to know what they are, and what they entail. Dental exams can be referred to as dental checkups, comprehensive oral exams or complete oral exams. While these terms sound quite similar, there is a difference between a dental checkup and a complete oral exam. Regular dental exams are a critical part of preventive health care. During a dental exam, the dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth and check for cavities an

Periodontal disease refers to inflammatory processes in tissues surrounding the teeth, in response to bacterial accumulations, aka dental plaque, on the teeth. Anaerobic bacteria found in invasive microbial plaque can penetrate gingival tissues in the gums. When this happens, it can induce tissue destruction as well as inflammatory responses from cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages, leukocytes, and other cells with crazy names that are associated with the immune system. Th

Studies have revealed possible link between periodontitis and different systemic diseases. Not too long ago, literature evidence began to suggest a possible link between chronic inflammatory periodontitis and a number of systemic diseases. A chronic oral infection such as periodontitis is a constant potential source of infection and has been considered as a separate risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, peripheral arterial disease, respiratory dis

Water is one of the most basic needs of humans. Without it, not only will we become dehydrated, but we will also be unable to perform many of our regular activities such as bathing and oral hygiene, cooking, and washing. However, despite the accessibility to water, different regions have different water supplies, and not all of these have potable and fluoridated water. Water quality has been seen to directly affect oral health based on various studies. Eating habits not only

As people get older, it’s not uncommon for certain aspects of daily life to fall by the wayside. Unfortunately, proper dental care is one of the major elements of personal hygiene and health that is sometimes avoided or ignored by many older adults. Dental health is ultimately linked to whole-body wellness. Even simple dental issues, such as dry mouth and gum disease, can directly impact the health of the rest of the body and need to be taken seriously. Ultimately, it’s just

Both inlays and onlays are considered “indirect” fillings, meaning that they are fabricated outside the mouth (generally at a dental laboratory), and then bonded to the tooth by the dentist. This is in contrast to a “direct” filling, which is applied directly to the cavity by the dentist in one office visit. An indirect filling is considered an “inlay” when it fits within the little points or “cusps” of a back (premolar or molar) tooth. It is an “onlay” if it covers one or mo