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General Topics


Breastfeeding, Bottles, Pacifiers and Your Baby's Teeth

How you feed your baby affects not only overall health but also your child's risk of tooth decay. Some babies continue to suck -- on a bottle, pacifier or other object -- long after it's

Cardiovascular Diseases

Some cardiovascular (heart and artery) diseases may require changes in your dental treatment and how you receive dental care. Recent research has linked periodontal disease with the risk of coronary

Dental Amalgam: A Health Risk?

Dental amalgam is a common material used to fill cavities. Fillings made with amalgam also are known as silver fillings. Over the years, concerns have been raised about the use of amalgam because it contains mercury.

Living with Your Dentures

Adjusting to Your Dentures Denture Adhesives When people get dentures for the first time, they sometimes find it difficult to get used to them. They are often concerned that the denture will slip or fall out. Using a

Managing Anxiety in Children

Pediatric dentists focus on the care of the child, not just the child's teeth. Pediatric dentists can help to ease a child's anxiety about dental treatment. Managing fears is extremely important because it can shape

Parts of Teeth and Your Gums

Teeth Illustration created by Aetna designer Lynda Richard A tooth is a bit like a tree — only part of it is visible, and the roots lie beneath the surface. The roots of your teeth extend into your gums and beyond

Repairing Children's Teeth

Fillings in Children's Teeth When dentists talk about restoring a tooth, they are referring to any procedure that returns the tooth to its original shape and function. Fillings and crowns are the most common ways to do

Smoking: A Danger to Healthy Gums

You've probably seen the warning on cigarette packages: "Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health." What smoking-related diseases come to mind? Lung cancer, probably. Emphysema, maybe. But

The Mouth-Body Connection

You may have heard of the mind-body connection, but what about ? To many people, a dental visit is about getting their teeth cleaned or getting a filling. However, a dental visit is not just about

Tongue Piercing Not That Risky, but Things Can Go Wrong

It's hard to believe that certain things ever became popular. Pet rocks, for example. Shag carpeting. Sticking a needle through your tongue. But oral piercing, if not now mainstream, has at

What Does 'Sugar-Free' Really Mean?

Know what you're eating. A survey done in the mid-1990s found that the average American consumes 20 teaspoons of sugar a day. That's nearly half a cup! You may think you can protect your teeth by eating more

What Is Dental Anxiety and Phobia?

Some people don't look forward to dental appointments any more than they look forward to visits to a physician. Most dental procedures aren't painful. However, just being examined can make people feel stressed.

Your Child's Mouth

The Primary Teeth When infants are born, almost all of their primary (baby) teeth already have formed. These teeth are still hidden in the gums.

Your Dental Visit: What to Expect

Types of Dental Visits Most people are familiar with the typical dental checkup visit. If the office has a dental hygienist, he or she will clean your teeth, do an evaluation and sometimes take X-rays. Then the