Dental health
Braces aren't just for kids anymore. Lasers are no longer "future" dental tools. And cavities can be contagious. Orthodontics and dentistry are evolving, but some people, mostly children, fail to benefit from such advances. Learn about these topics and more, including tips for children and even infants' oral health.
10:51 AM CST, February 9, 2012
Don't blame whitening agents in toothpaste for those breakouts
A dab of toothpaste has long been a favorite home remedy for clearing up pimples. But could it also cause them?
February 6, 2012
The Healthy Skeptic: Keeping the cavities away with fluoride-free toothpaste
Fluoride is a natural mineral with an unnatural ability to stir controversy. On the Internet, the cavity fighter is often portrayed as a grave threat to health. Various sites call it "a deadly poison" and "an invisible killer" — the sort of thing you'd want to avoid if you had any choice.
2:01 PM CST, December 28, 2011
How to pick an orthodontist
Getting braces or other orthodontic work can require frequent appointments and hefty payments, so choosing the right doctor is a must. "You are entering a relationship that could last years," says Dr. Alan Bagden, an orthodontist in Springfield, Va. Some tips:
1:36 PM CST, December 7, 2011
Forming a habit is a marathon, not a sprint
I tried for years to do two simple things: brush my teeth for two minutes every night and floss.
3:32 PM CST, November 30, 2011
Mercury fillings 'filled' with controversy
Silver amalgam fillings, which have plugged American cavities for more than 150 years, have lost their luster over the last couple of decades thanks to the rise of more attractive tooth-colored fillings and concerns about the environmental and health impact of their chief ingredient: mercury.
Video: Diabetes and your teeth
Tina Bailey with Delta Dental shares some relevant dental health information for people who have diabetes.
Video: Dentists turning to low annual fees
WGHP reports on fewer people getting checkups due to economy and what dentist did to make sure patients get regular dental exams.
10:42 AM CDT, October 13, 2011
Startup helps extract financial pain of dental visits
Jake Winebaum is betting on a Web-based solution to take the hassle and price worry out of a health obligation many of us fear and some can't even afford — going to the dentist.
2:43 PM CDT, October 5, 2011
How often do you really need dental X-rays?
Every six months like clockwork, Melissa O'Brien takes her two children, Alexandra and Evan, to the dentist for a cleaning. They're nearly perfect patients — Alexandra, 13, has no cavities, and Evan, 10, has had only one — but O'Brien suspects she may not be the dentist's favorite mom, because when the dentist suggests X-rays, O'Brien sometimes says no, and she can tell that doesn't sit well.
July 4, 2011
The Healthy Skeptic
Are whitening toothpastes a bright idea?
It's hard to believe, but there was a time not long ago when everyone walked around (in public!) with naturally colored teeth. Today, with so many whitening gels, strips and trays out there, yellowish grins aren't as common — nor the natural look as appealing — as they used to be.
July 4, 2011
More homeless veterans getting dental care in Maryland
Kenneth Mumford smiled into the mirror and saw a full set of pearly white teeth for the first time in years.
3:29 PM CST, February 23, 2011
How to get the most out of your toothbrush
Brushing (and flossing) is the best way to protect your teeth and gums — but not if your toothbrush is in bad shape. "Toothbrush bristles that are worn or frayed from use cannot effectively remove plaque, which is critical to maintaining healthy teeth and gums," says Sebastiana Springmann, a dentist in Williamsburg, Va. Some advice:
July 1, 2011
Oral health affects risk for heart disease, stroke
It's not just the desire for a picture-perfect smile that's driving people to the dentist and orthodontist these days. Dr. Heather Stamm, a Denver dentist, says that more of her patients are coming in for checkups because of health concerns.
July 1, 2011
The quest for the perfect smile
The job of an orthodontist has morphed over the years, says Dr. Mark Yanosky, an orthodontist in Birmingham, Ala., and an adjunct assistant professor of orthodontics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. It used to be that people just wanted well-aligned teeth, he says.
July 1, 2011
How to keep kids' teeth healthy
Dr. Rhea Haugseth has been a pediatric dentist for 30 years and is the newly elected president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. In this edited interview conducted June 3, Haugseth, who practices in Marietta, Ga., discusses the importance of oral health in infants and young children and some of the common factors that can lead to serious dental problems.
July 4, 2011
Braces are for grown-ups too
Roger Grunwald's acting career has taken him to off-Broadway stages and the set of the soap opera "One Life to Live." He certainly has reason to smile. But in all seven of his professional headshots, his lips are sealed shut.
July 1, 2011
Some dentists swear by lasers
Dental lasers are either an indispensable tool in a dentist's toolkit or an emerging-but-unproven technology. It depends on whom you ask.
July 1, 2011
You have to get braces? Cool
Gone are the days when braces regularly provoked taunts of "tin grin" and "metal mouth." Nowadays, braces are not only more accepted than ever — for children and adults alike — they're often downright desirable.
July 1, 2011
Tooth decay is contagious from parents to children
Cavities are more complex than we thought. Sugar is still the leading culprit — and genetics, diet, immunity, susceptibility, oral hygiene and fluoride exposure play roles — but a large and growing body of research suggests that oral decay is also an infectious disease.
July 1, 2011
Dental health tips for kids
Good oral health in children translates to healthy adult teeth. Here's how to help care for your child's pearly whites:
July 1, 2011
Schedule first trip to the dentist by first birthday
Note to parents — and some dentists: Children should see a dentist by their first birthday or when their first teeth arrive, whichever comes sooner.
July 1, 2011
Tooth decay is prevalent among poor children
One-fourth of the nation's children have 80% of the nation's tooth decay, and most of them are underprivileged.
3:34 PM CDT, June 29, 2011
Mouthwash claims don't all stand up to scrutiny
Freshens breath! Gives your mouth a tingling sensation! But what do mouthwashes really accomplish?
February 28, 2011
The Healthy Skeptic
Over-the-counter devices probably won't help sleep apnea
Cheap, do-it-yourself mouthpieces are no substitute for a doctor's treatment.
3:26 PM CST, February 9, 2011
Clearing up confusion on wisdom teeth removal
It seems just about everyone has to have his wisdom teeth extracted. For most, it's an easy procedure and an easy recovery. But many people don't understand why we have those third molars to begin with — or if there are alternatives to removal. We asked Dr. Robert E. Williams, a clinical associate professor at the University of Maryland Dental School who also practices in Baltimore and Bel Air.
September 30, 2010
Time for teeth whitening?
The American Dental Association recommends consulting your dentist before using any teeth bleaching product.
September 29, 2010
FDA warns companies to stop mouthwash claims
The Food and Drug Administration has warned three companies that market mouth-rinse products to stop making unsupported claims that they remove plaque and promote healthy gums.
Dentists, doctors experimenting with social media
Teeth-cleaning and whitening treatments offered by Groupon, other discount sites.
September 10, 2010
Poor dental health may lead to Alzheimer's
We really show off our teeth only when we first get them.
Calming dental patients
It keeps 60 million people from going to the dentist each year. Fear. Anxiety. A local dentist believes he has the antidote ... and it's not a drug.
July 22, 2010
Braces go three-dimensional
Looking at a 3-D model of her teeth, Sara McClure didn't recognize her smile. The image her orthodontist had pulled up on a laptop didn't show her upper-row gaps—rather, it showed the perfect alignment that would be hers in 13 months.
Foods that improve your dental health
Shittake mushrooms? Onions? Find out how they affect your dental health.
June 14, 2010
How to stop teeth grinding
Roughly 20 percent of adults grind or clench their teeth to the point that they're at risk for permanent tooth and jaw damage, dentists say.
Help your heart. Brush your teeth twice a day
Good oral hygiene includes, at a minimum, brushing your teeth twice a day and visiting the dentist every six months. People who do that will not only be rewarded with better dental health, they are also less likely to develop heart disease, a study finds.
February 15, 2010
Bruxism makes life a grind
You can practically track Steve Barkley's stress by the level of activity in his temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull and helps people chew, talk and yawn.
October 19, 2009
THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC
Teeth grinders get some help
Sure, snorers can be loud. But for really cringe-worthy nighttime noise, it's hard to beat a dedicated grinder. With jaw muscles clenched tight -- perhaps because of stress or misaligned teeth -- a grinder can create a crunching sound reminiscent of two icebergs passing in the night. Some people grind with a force of nearly 1,000 pounds per square inch, enough to crack teeth and obliterate fillings.
Vegetables for healthy teeth and gums
Do you cringe when you get that postcard in the mail about your next dental cleaning? Are you confident that your teeth are healthy? If not, try these vegetables that have Vitamin C to help keep your gums and teeth healthy.
YOUR MONEY / YOUR HEALTH
Dental care on a budget
Dodging the dentist over cost can be pound-foolish. There are ways to save.