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 [...]

Mouth guards aren’t simply for teeth grinders. They are helpful for preventing sport injuries and they can even reduce snoring and help sufferers of sleep apnea. Stock mouth guards are most used for sports. They cover the top teeth and can be purchased at local drug stores or a sporting goods store. If you’re involved in an activity that includes a risk of falling or contact with any part of the face and mouth, the mouth guard is a must. Boil & Bite Mouth Guards Boil and bite mouth guards are also inexpensive and easy to purchase at a [...]

Being the tooth fairy is no small feat. You must be sneaky, snatching teeth from under pillows and replacing the object with treats. Depending on how often kids lose teeth, this could amount to 20 visits from the magical creature. And thanks to inflation, in all areas, according to a recent Delta Dental poll, the average hand out these days is $3.91 per tooth. Recently, Reader’s Digest shared some funny tooth fairy moments with its readers. Here are a couple you may relate to: “I was playing tooth fairy when my daughter suddenly woke up. Spotting the money in [...]

Who’s the glue that holds it altogether in your office? Or your household? The one that works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things going? In a dental office, this person is the dental assistant or hygienist. Their job can involve all sorts of tasks. Their primary responsibility is to make you feel comfortable and to communicate, effectively, with the dentist. But their work goes beyond what you see. They are tasked with the responsibility to disinfect chairs and rooms and implement sterilization procedures to ensure your safety. When you see the neatly organized trays of tools, it is [...]