Even though cavities allow dental professionals like me to stay in business, I do wish that scientists can soon find a solution to this million-year-old problem.

We are living in a time in which we may not have to endure other people’s bad breath because of COVID-19. HOWEVER, we are now required to wear masks at most public places and must endure our own breath behind the mask. How awful!

Waterpik’s Water Flosser has become popular in recent years because of the ease of use. I think that the company makes great products. They have expertise in irrigation technology and specialize in making home dental care products and shower heads.

I have been seeing a lot of broken teeth and worn teeth as of late. The COVID-19 shutdown has elevated people’s stress level, and all the teeth clenching and grinding caused by the stress is contributing to the damage.

When I was a dentist in the Air Force, my military patients were required to have a dental exam at least once a year, or else they would end up on the Commander’s “naughty list” of people overdue for important health check-ups. So, in order to avoid being highlighted to The Boss as dentally delinquent, my patients in the military faithfully came to the base’s dental clinic to receive their dental exams and cleanings on a regular basis.

This is a fantastic question to kick-off the tastiest time of year! ‘Tis the season for leftover Halloween candy, apple cider, and pumpkin spiced everything. So let’s talk about candy, our favorite sugary beverages, and the dynamic between how we take care of our teeth and how we nourish ourselves.

Sealants are a great non-invasive way to help prevent cavities. They can even stop the early stages of some cavities. Sealants do so by sealing off the nooks and crannies of teeth, where food and bacteria can get trapped and form cavities.

Missing a tooth or more can cause both psychological and physical issues. If you were to liken your mouth to a building, every tooth would be a building block. Every tooth gone destabilizes the “building”; the more teeth are gone, the more unstable your bite becomes.

My personal trick is to drink dark-colored beverages with a reusable straw as much as possible. This helps me to reduce the frequency that stain-forming beverages come in contact with my front teeth. Although this trick might look weird to my friends (“why are you drinking hot coffee with a straw?!”) and doesn’t avoid stains on all tooth surfaces, I find it helpful for minimizing stain formation on the fronts of my front teeth- the areas that are most easily visible.