Never underestimate the power of a smile.  Smiling can turn someone’s day around, boost the mood, lighten stress, and extend a life span. Dr. Isha Gupta, a neurologist from IGEA Brain and Spine, explains how, scientifically, a smile has a chemical reaction, releasing “happy hormones”.  “Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness. Serotonin release is associated with reduced stress. “ If that’s not enough, smiling can keep the immune system from being attacked, allowing you to avoid unwanted illnesses. It lowers the heart rate and keeps blood pressure down, helping to fight off infections and boosting resilience. Receiving a warm [...]

Christmas and New Years can bring fun, excitement and joy, but often, there’s also additional stress put on the body during celebrations and indulgences. Experiencing severe mouth pain can be distracting, frustrating and debilitating, causing missed experiences and discomfort. But because we are human, and these things can pop up unexpectedly, it’s important to know how to handle dental emergencies: Some simple steps to follow: 1. Stay calm. Full blown panic will only make things worse. Assess the situation and identify the problem, if you can. 2. Contact your dentist’s office and leave a message, stating the problem. They [...]

We all have that person in our lives that has everything, and finding a Christmas gift for them seems impossible. Well, why not consider a gift that may wow them and benefit their dental health!? Here are some ideas that are trending in the dental realm: A waterpik flosser tool—these are game changers for people with braces, bridges, or retainers Electric toothbrushes with app and additional features—built in timers, blue light technology, real time analysis, and ultrasonic vibrations are all recent improvements offered Tartar removal equipment—the investment could save you thousands in future medical costs Ultrasonic calculus remover—for those [...]

November is Mouth Cancer Awareness month, a national dental holiday dedicated to education involving oral cancer. According to the Mouth Cancer Foundation, over 650,000 people (about half the population of Hawaii) are affected each year by the disease. Men are twice as likely to suffer from this cancer, and the tongue and tonsils are the most common places the cancer grows. Because awareness about mouth cancers is often low, most patients don’t know what signs and symptoms to look for when assessing their oral health. That’s why it’s critical to have good access to competent dental care, regularly, so [...]

Like it or not, Halloween has arrived, once again!  Why not get in the holiday spirit with some good (okay, that might be a stretch) dental jokes. ENJOY. Q: Why did the vampire go to the orthodontist? A: He needed a new bite! Q: What kind of toothpaste do vampires buy? A: Ultra-Bite Q: How are vampires like false teeth? A: They both come out at night! Q: What does a vampire fear most? A: Tooth decay Q: What did the ghost say when he found out he had cavities? A: Boo Hoo Don’t forget that while these jokes [...]

Don’t get spooked this Halloween with an emergency visit to the dentist! Now listen. We don’t expect ya’ll to skip the Halloween treats altogether, but there are some reasonable ways to avoid an unwanted dental bill and the extra pain associated with a cracked tooth or filling. Although dental fillings, sealants and crowns are tough enough to withstand cavities, they aren’t indestructible. They can become loose if taffy, caramel, jawbreakers, or popcorn kernels get stuck in unwanted places. All it takes is one misaligned bite down on peanut brittle or toffee to dislodge something installed to protect your teeth. [...]

What does oral health have to do with the rest of my body? Aren’t they totally unrelated? Oddly, no. Poor oral health can greatly increase the risk of all sorts of ailments: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, digestive issues and even a shortened life span. The most current research even shows connections between oral health and brain activity, such as dementia. According to the World Health Organization report done in 2022, “Severe periodontal disease—chronic inflammation of and damage to the gums and bone that support the teeth---affects about 19% of people older than 15 or more than 1 billion people [...]

If you are disgusted by the thought of germs or bacteria filled mouths, going to the dentist might be a trip to dread. It’s a fair concern, so let’s address those lingering fears. Rest assured, instruments and equipment must undergo rigorous sterilization procedures. In fact, some dental tools are for single use only and get tossed after one procedure. For the non-disposable items like mouth mirrors, drills, forceps and scalers, special machines called auto claves(steam under pressure) or dry ovens are required for use by the CDC to ensure the utmost standards be met for cleanliness. Thorough sterilization is [...]

Most of us have never been more grateful for dental floss than after a family BBQ that involves corn on the cob. Who was the genius that thought it was a good idea to stick a piece of wax between teeth to dislodge trapped food? Believably, humans have been using tools and strings and fingernails, surely, to get rid of unwanted food in their teeth for hundreds of years. But thank goodness for Levi Parmly, who determined, around 1819, that people needed a more effective way to eliminate left over food from their mouths. Floss first began as a [...]

Many adolescents rely on the energy and caffeine boost they receive when drinking sports drinks. Kids walk into schools each morning chugging Celsius, Monster, Red Bull, Bang and Rockstar in an effort to stay attentive in class; interns sip on 5 Hour Energy cans to meet deadlines, and athletes guzzle energy fuel to help enhance their performance. But are they really a “healthier” option, as they are advertised? Not exactly. The two major ingredients found in energy and sports drinks are caffeine and sugar. These pop replacement drinks often contain 4-8 teaspoons of sugar or sugar-like substances. What’s left [...]