Nursing bottle decay is a pattern of cavities that appear in infants or very young children, often despite a parents best efforts to take care of the teeth.  The most common cause is the night-time or naptime bottle containing milk or juice.  The liquid itself or the sugary saliva rests in the mouth while the child is sleeping and works away at the enamel of the teeth.  If your child needs a bottle at bedtime it should contain only water.

We all know the symptoms of a headache. That pulsing pain behind your eyes… the stiff, throbbing neck – and of course the vise-like tightening around your head. But people often don’t know that many headaches are really symptoms of dental health problems.

Some of the most common culprits are:
•    Muscle spasms caused by clenching or grinding the jaws and teeth
•    Gum Disease
•    Infected or abscessed teeth
•    Incorrect alignment of the jaw (also known as TMJ Syndrome)

Treatment of dental related headaches is usually fairly simple. Your dentist can diagnose gum disease  or identify dental infections that may be triggering headaches. Custom-fitted nightguards will help to protect teeth from the destructive effects of grinding and clenching and will reduce painful muscle tension in the jaw.

Not all headaches start in the mouth. But a visit to our office and a thorough examination of your teeth and mouth may help you to discover the mysterious cause of the pounding, pulsing pain in your head.

People who have been on medication for a long time often have a much higher rate of tooth decay. Have you ever wondered why?

Well, it’s because medications such as cough syrup, cough drops, throat lozenges, vitamins and antibiotic syrups can contain anywhere from 10% – 75% sugar, especially children’s formulas! If that sugar is allowed to stay on your teeth, it could do a lot of cavity damage.

So check the label, and try to avoid buying sugary medicine when possible. It might not taste as nice, but your teeth will thank you!