Patient Resources

Smile Checklist Look in the mirror. Do you like the way your teeth look? Do you dislike the color of any of your teeth? Are

Do you sip soft drinks or other sugary drinks all day at your desk? Do you use breath mints or eat candy often? Instead of

Mouth sores can be painful, annoying and unsightly. Some appear inside the mouth – on the gums, tongue, lips, cheeks or palate (roof of the

Dental implants replace natural missing teeth Dental implants are posts surgically placed into the upper or lower jawbone. They replace one or more teeth that

Your child’s baby teeth are important! Baby teeth, also called primary or deciduous (de-SID-joo-us) teeth, help your child chew and speak normally. They hold space in the jaws for

Between the ages of 6 and 12, children go through a lot of changes. These include changes to their faces, teeth and jaws. Over time,

What’s the best way to fight tooth decay and gum disease? Pick up that toothbrush twice a day! Brush your teeth for two minutes twice

Clean between your teeth once a day to help remove food and plaque from under the gum line. Flossing is one way to do this.

Periodic periodontal cleanings help you stay on top of gum disease If you have periodontal (perry-o-DON-tal) disease (also called gum disease), you may already have had a

Having dental coverage can make it easier to get the dental care you need. But, it’s important to understand that most dental benefit plans do

¡Los dientes de leche pueden tener caries! La caries es una enfermedad ocasionada por bacterias La caries daña y deteriora los dientes. Las bacterias en

Tooth decay often occurs on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The good news is that sealants can help protect these surfaces from tooth decay

The complaint of dry mouth — also called xerostomia (zero-STOW-me-uh) — is often caused by a low flow of saliva. Saliva coats and moistens oral tissues. It

A healthy start is smart Baby teeth are just as important as adult teeth. Baby teeth (also called primary teeth) help your child chew and

If your teeth are discolored, tooth whitening may help. “Whitening” is any process that can make teeth look whiter. It may be safely done at

Improve your smile with veneers Veneers are thin shells of dental material that are custom-made to fit your teeth. They look like natural teeth, but

A message for parents Why regular dental visits are important Regular dental checkups and dental care—such as cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants—provide your child with

Dental Sealants Are an Easy Way to Help Keep Teeth Healthy A dental sealant is a thin plastic coating that is put on the chewing surfaces of

This owner’s manual will cover what you need to know so you can keep your mouth healthy and your smile looking great. It will also

A crow-fluidn is a cover or “cap” your dentist can put over a tooth. A crow-fluidn restores a damaged or missing tooth to its normal

A bridge is a custom-made replacement tooth or teeth that fill the space where one or more teeth are missing. The bridge permanently restores your bite and

Periodontal Disease Is Gum Disease Periodontal (perry-o-DON-tal) disease is an infection that affects the tissues and bone that support your teeth. It is also called

What is a root canal? Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. If your tooth becomes diseased or injured, it can often be saved

First visit by first birthday Tips for your child’s first dental visit If possible, schedule an appointment for a time when your child tends to

If you lost some or all of your natural teeth, dentures can replace your missing teeth. Dentures can be made to look like your natural

It’s important to visit the dentist It’s Safe to Visit the Dentist When You Are Pregnant Dental treatment is safe for pregnant women, according to

A Treatment for Gum Disease Periodontal Disease Is Also Known as Gum Disease Periodontal (perry-o-DON-tal) disease is a bacterial infection leading to inflammation of the

Diabetes can affect your teeth, gums and the overall health of your mouth. This brochure reviews the oral health problems that are related to diabetes

Answers to common questions Dental x-rays provide important information about your dental health. They are used to create images called radiographs. Your dentist uses the

When your teeth are healthy, your gum tissue tightly hugs each of your teeth. But, when the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth wears away,

Dental Emergencies That Result From a Sport Injury Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving or losing your tooth.

Most dental patients should not take preventive antibiotics before treatment Antibiotic prophylaxis (pro-fuh-LAX-is) is when patients take antibiotics before dental treatment to prevent infection. This

What is a cavity? A cavity is a hole in your tooth that forms from tooth decay. When you eat and drink, bacteria in your mouth

Tooth decay is a disease that damages and breaks down teeth Your teeth have a hard, outer layer, called enamel (e-NAM-uhl); a middle layer, called

The harmful effects of acid What is tooth erosion? Enamel (e-NAM-ul) is the hardest outside layer of your tooth that protects a softer inner layer. Tooth erosion

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may be all too aware of their importance to your looks and overall health. Your teeth are

Are you drinking soda or sweetened coffee or tea all day? Do you dip into the candy dish often as a pick-me-up? Do you skip

Why do children suck on things? Sucking is a natural infant reflex and necessary for feeding. Many babies begin to suck on their fingers or

A healthy mouth is an important part of your child’s overall health. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak, and smile. Your

Your mouth is a window into the health of your body Did you know that your oral health is tied to your overall health? For

Good oral health habits not only help prevent problems during pregnancy, but they can also benefit the health of your baby. Before Your Baby Arrives

Do you have frequent headaches, earaches, tender jaw muscles or a dull, aching facial pain? Does your jaw lock or stray to one side when

A dental sealant is a thin covering that is applied onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. It acts as a barrier to “seal out” plaque

Tobacco in any form is bad for your health Do You Use Tobacco? You are probably aware that tobacco may cause cancer, stroke and heart

Helpful tips for parents and caregivers Take Care of Yourself Before Your Baby Arrives Keep your own teeth and gums healthy While you are pregnant,

If you are missing a tooth, there are many reasons to replace it: Missing teeth may affect the way you speak and chew. If a

Talk to your dentist about snoring Why snoring happens Snoring happens when the muscles in your mouth and/or throat relax and cause your tongue or

Baby teeth can get cavities! Tooth decay is a disease that is caused by bacteria Tooth decay damages and breaks down teeth. When your child eats

The habit of grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw is called bruxism (BRUCKS-is-im). Grinding is when you slide your teeth back and forth over each other.

Oropharyngeal cancer can be hard to spot because it develops in places that are hard to see. Signs and symptoms to look out for include:

Did you know that your dentist can check for signs of cancer at every visit? Mouth and throat cancers can be deadly diseases. As recently

Save this information Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can make the difference between saving and losing your child’s tooth. Read this page and

If you skip cleaning between your teeth because you have trouble flossing or you simply don’t like to do it, then you are putting your

This article explains how fluoride helps keep teeth strong and healthy. Cavities that are not treated can cause pain, loss of teeth, and spread of

What Is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal (perry-o-DON-tal) disease is an infection in your gums that may cause them to bleed or become swollen and sore. It can

Brush your teeth twice a day and for two minutes each time. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride (FLOOR-eyed), a natural mineral that helps make your

What Is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal (perry-o-DON-tal) disease is an infection that affects the tissues and bone that support your teeth. It is also called gum disease.

A tooth that is cracked can be painful. It also can lead to disease of the tooth. How do you know if you have a

Flossing is an important part of your oral care routine. It is one of the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy. However,

Tooth decay and gum disease can be prevented! Usually, tooth decay and gum disease occur because teeth and gums are not properly cleaned. Your teeth

What Are Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are the four permanent (adult) teeth at the very back of your mouth on the top and bottom. They

Sometimes, teeth need to be removed due to decay, disease, or trauma. When you get a tooth “pulled,” it’s called an extraction. It’s natural that

If you have missing teeth, a removable partial denture is one way to replace them. These are a few of the advantages of a removable

What is the focus of your child’s beautiful SMILE? Strong, healthy teeth!Baby teeth-also called primary teeth-are important in the grow-fluidth and development of a child.