Highline Dental Blog

You’ve heard the saying, “You are what you eat,” but this is true for your dental health, too. 92% of adults will experience cavities and 50% of Americans have a form of gum disease. Both are leading causes of tooth loss, but they can also affect your general wellness negatively. In addition to good oral hygiene and regular dental care, your diet can support a healthy smile. Here are a few nutritious foods that will help keep your mouth healthy.

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As a child, were you ever so confused that you didn’t even know what questions to ask? Your dental implant consultation might be giving you some flashbacks. Fortunately, there won’t be a thirty-question test by the end of your visit.

Whether or not you think a conversation about replacing your teeth is more frightening than a pop quiz, it’s important to make sure you’re well-informed. Knowing what to expect from dental implant placement will not only ease anxiety, but also ensure that you leave happy with your treatment. Here are some questions that will help you evaluate the dental implant process.

Many patients experience anxiety when they visit the dentist’s office. Dental procedures, including routine checkups, can seem scary to the average patient. Yet, dentists have many ways to help patients manage their fears.

Teeth are one of the key parts of your body, and any damage or infection to the teeth negatively affects your general health. Poor dental health can cause excessive pain and lead to tooth loss. Many factors contribute to poor dental health, but some common habits are usually the main culprits. Here are some of those habits.

Many parents are unsure when or how to start brushing their young children’s teeth. It is an important and legitimate concern: we want our children to have happy and healthy mouths. Failing to maintain their oral health can lead to frequent and costly dental treatment, so what can you do to get your little ones on the right track?

You wouldn’t think tooth decay share anything in common with exercise. In fact, both seem to be on opposite sides of the spectrum. However, they do have one link that is surprising, to say the least. No, exercising does not directly cause cavities in your mouth. You can stop worrying now! However, a chemical called lactic acid does play a role in both. So why is this worth mentioning? Well, many of my patients have often expressed the idea that the direct contact of sugar on teeth is what creates cavities. Sugar hits the tooth and BOOM… cavities. While sugar can eventually lead to decay, it does not do it through direct exposure. So how does tooth decay develop? Read on to find out.

How many teeth do children have vs. adults? 

Children have 20 baby teeth, and will get a total of 32 when they become adults. The 12 additional adult teeth come from the adult molars and wisdom teeth, with the first of these coming in at 6 years of age. Children DO have “baby molars,” but they’re actually replaced by premolars later on. Baby teeth are also known as “milk teeth” or “primary teeth.” They mimic the appearance of adult teeth, but are smaller sized and often lighter in color.