Gingivitis is the term dentists use to describe gum inflammation caused by bacterial infection. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious condition known as periodontitis. According to the American Dental Association, both conditions are major causes of tooth loss. How Does Gingivitis Develop? When you look in the mirror at your [...]
When you your salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva, it leads to a condition known as xerostomia. More commonly called dry mouth, this is a temporary and treatable condition. Conditions Commonly Associated with Dry Mouth Dry mouth is often a symptom of another health condition and not a condition itself. For example, people with diabetes [...]
Most people don’t give a lot of thought to picking out their next toothbrush. They may just buy what’s on sale or something in a style or color they like. The American Dental Association encourages everyone to consider this purchasing decision a bit more carefully to achieve the best possible oral health. Below are [...]
Your jaw contains temporomandibular joints just below the front of each ear that helps to connect the lower jaw and skull together. The temporomandibular joints allow you to complete important everyday functions such as chewing your food, speaking, swallowing, and opening and closing your mouth for multiple purposes. These joints can sometimes become painful and [...]
If you’re missing a tooth that isn’t in a spot visible to others, you might decide to forgo getting a replacement. At Southbridge Dental, we highly discourage this for several reasons. Regardless of the location of your missing tooth, it can cause your remaining teeth to shift and affect your alignment. The name of [...]
Tooth enamel is a hard mineral designed to protect the teeth and the rest of the body. Even so, it’s all too easy to break the enamel and chip part or all of a tooth. Common reasons that people chip a tooth include biting into a food too hard or at an unnatural angle or [...]