Q. How important is my bite to my health?

A. Very! If you bite is out of alignment it can cause several of the following health concerns; TMJ, headache, jaw and joint pain/clicking, ringing and congestion of the ears, dizziness, loose teeth, clenching and grinding of the teeth, neck pain, postural problems, facial pain and sensitivity, insomnia, etc.    

Q. Is diet soda good for me?

A. Watch that Diet Soda! - Drinking diet soda can be nearly as bad for your teeth as sugary drinks. Many diet sodas contain larger amounts of phosphoric and citric acids than their naturally sweet counterparts... they can make the acid content in the drinks high enough to damage your tooth enamel. Ask for our reference sheet on the acidity levels of different drinks, free of charge.

Keep a Toothbrush in Your Briefcase - In a recent study, about 40% of respondents said that a co-worker's smile was more noticeable than his or her hair or clothes. Yet less than 45% of us brush while we're at work. It's a long day for teeth that are brushed after breakfast and ignored until bedtime. After each snack or meal, bacteria are hard at work producing acids, which stick to tooth enamel, resulting in decay and gum disease. Take your toothbrush to work. But, if it's impossible to brush, rinse your mouth with water for at least 30 seconds at some time during the day.

Q. What if I can't brush after a meal?

After You Eat, Have a Stick of Gum - If you don't have a toothbrush handy or an appropriate place to brush, chew a stick of sugarless gum instead. There's now more evidence than ever pointing to the possibility that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after you eat could lower your chance of developing new cavities. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which then washes away food particles and plaque that cling to your teeth after you eat.

Children and Gum Disease - It's sad to report that gingivitis may be found in 38% of children under 13; half of all kids 6 to 12; and 90% of children in adolescence. Children's gum disease comes from plaque, which accumulates because of poor dental hygiene, misaligned teeth, and improper care of orthodontics. So, make sure you stress proper brushing and flossing with your kids, especially if they wear braces.