Quick Reads

Gold teeth are not as common as they used to be, primarily when it comes to the concept of restorative dentistry. People still sport gold teeth, but in many cases, such as Grillz, it's for aesthetic reasons.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral. It is released into the environment from rocks. Phosphorite rock accounts for around 95% of the fluoride added to public water. It aids in the re-mineralization of your teeth, which is necessary to reverse the daily damage that comes from eating.

Lockjaw is a painful condition of restricted mouth opening that makes speaking, eating, or maintaining proper oral hygiene difficult. Lockjaw, also known as trismus, affects one’s ability to open their mouths fully. Spasms in the jaw muscle make the jaws incredibly rigid, preventing movement in the TMJ (temporomandibular joint).

Many adults in the United States (and worldwide) have calculus, also known as dental tartar. Dental tartar is a calcified deposit that forms on the teeth and gums. Proper dental care can reduce the amount of tartar that builds up on the teeth.

Simply put, an underbite is a dental condition in which your lower teeth stick out farther than your top teeth when biting down normally. In a normal bite the upper teeth should be in front and slightly covering the bottom teeth.

Often used to repair decaying or damaged teeth, a dental onlay offers a solid reparative solution. In some cases, dental onlays are a more conservative option to crowns but with the same benefits. A dental onlay comes into play when the damage to a tooth is too large for a filling, but still has a fair amount of healthy tooth structure left.

Halitosis, often referred to as "bad breath," is a chronic, unpleasant exhaled odor, which isn't usually serious but can be a symptom of other issues such as periodontal disease. Mints, mouthwash, and good hygiene rarely take care of halitosis, and unlike morning breath, it's a strong smell that persists.

A dental retainer is an orthodontic apparatus that patients have to wear when their braces come off. Retainers are custom-made for every patient, primarily of materials such as plastic and metal. If you've ever undergone orthodontic treatment, you likely wear a retainer every night to keep your teeth from shifting back to before you were fit for your braces.

From biting to chewing throughout the day, dentures are designed to withstand your usual wear and tear. But dentures are bound to suffer damage as they aren’t as durable as natural teeth. They also aren’t going to last a lifetime, so chances are you’ll need to repair or replace a denture at some point.