It’s been estimated that around 15 percent of Americans suffer from what is known as odontophobia, or dental anxiety. That’s about 40 million people! For many of those people, that fear keeps them from seeing the dentist as often as they should - and for some, it prevents them from seeing the dentist at all. But dental anxiety doesn’t have to rule your life. Sedation dentistry is an easy, safe solution to helping patients with dental anxiety relax enough to complete their dental procedure. Here’s what you should know about sedation dentistry.

With a flu season that’s being called one of the worst in recent history, preventing the flu has become a major focus for many Americans. From flu shots to over-the-counter medicines claiming to prevent the illness, there's no shortage of options, but that doesn’t mean they’ll work, or that they’ll work on their own. But did you know there are things you can do right from home to help safeguard yourself from the flu (and other illnesses)? Here are some tips to help you stay healthy without even trying.

According to the journal Medical News Today, an estimated 88 percent of people over the age of 65 have receding gums. Though the condition can be caused by many things, it is most commonly caused by physical wear and inflammation of the gums. In addition to the high numbers of seniors with receding gums, a growing number of younger Americans are experiencing receding gums at earlier ages as well, thanks to everything from braces to overly vigorous tooth brushing.

With the average dental implant costing upwards of $4,500, it makes sense that you’d want to protect your investment. But between implant failure and the rare instance of implant fracture, it can be difficult to do so. That’s why it helps to know exactly what risks are involved in keeping your dental implants safe from damage.

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s still a very important one - and it has nothing to do with candy hearts and roses! February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a celebration of the importance of teaching kids the proper way to care for their teeth. Sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA), Crest and Oral B, this year’s theme is, "Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth for a healthy smile." Here’s how to teach your children to do just that!

Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is a condition caused by the overactivity of the parathyroid glands, the four small glands that surround the thyroid. Located in the neck, the parathyroid glands produce parathyroid hormone, or PTH, a hormone responsible for balancing the calcium and phosphorous in the body. When the body’s blood calcium levels fall, the parathyroid glands release PTH to help restore the depleted levels. Patients with hyperparathyroidism have exceedingly high levels of blood calcium, which can often cause problems like kidney stones, benign tumors known as adenoma, and even osteoporosis.

Caring for a new baby can be a wonderful but overwhelming experience - especially if your parenting relies more on wisdom than scientific fact. While our mothers and grandmothers may have thought they had all the answers when we were kids, new discoveries are made all the time, and what was thought to be safe 30 years ago may have now been proven dangerous. After all, many people alive today can remember riding around with a baby on their lap in the car!

In the United States, an estimated 27 million people have the metabolic disorder known as Type 2 diabetes, and another 86 million are considered pre-diabetic. Type 2 diabetes causes high blood sugar, insulin resistance and low insulin levels. If left untreated or improperly managed, it can also cause everything from glaucoma and cataracts to nerve damage, infections and even tooth and bone loss. Many people don’t realize they have diabetes until it’s too late, putting them at further risk for serious side effects and even death. But did you know that there are many oral-health warning signs that can act as a red flag for diabetes and pre-diabetes? Get to know these indicators – they may just save your life!

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 17 percent of American children are considered obese, a number that has more than tripled since the 1970s. In fact, not only are more children becoming overweight and obese, but, according to The Obesity Society, they are also becoming heavier than obese children in years past, a fact that puts them at a five-times-higher risk of being overweight or obese as adults. As a result, childhood obesity has now become the nation's most prevalent nutritional disorder among children and teens.

According to a recent article in News Medical Life Sciences, researchers in The Republic of the Union of Myanmar have discovered that every patient currently undergoing treatment for oral cancer in Myanmar has at one time used a smokeless tobacco product called betel quid. A common chewing tobacco product, betel quid is made of betel leaves, areca nut, slaked lime and tobacco. But while chewing tobacco products such as betel quid have been marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, data show they could be just as dangerous.

It’s that time of year again: The snow tires go back on the car, the snow boots come out of storage, and the snow shovel returns to its spot beside the door. But your home, car and clothing aren’t the only things that need winterizing this time of year. Believe it or not, your mouth needs extra protection in the winter, too!

With temperatures starting to drop and holiday invitations popping up on calendars, it’s safe to say the holiday season is upon us once again. But along with the bright lights and joyful reunions with family and friends, the holidays can also mean something else: stress. Before you let the shopping, travel planning, food preparation and need to be in 20 places at once weigh too heavily on your mind, take a moment to slow down and pay attention to your health - especially your oral health.

An estimated 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches each year. A migraine is categorized as a headache that produces an intense, throbbing pain in one or both sides of the head. This pain is often focused behind the eye socket, in the temples or behind the ear. Migraine pain is usually accompanied by other side effects like nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity and dizziness. It can also produce something called an "aura," which is a visual side effect that moves in a wavelike pattern across the visual cortex.

Many of us strive for whiter teeth. In fact, in the United States, we spend an estimated $1.4 billion a year on the pursuit of a brighter smile, with the average cost of in-office dental whitening ringing in at about $600 a pop. But how far would you go to get a whiter smile? For many Britons, that answer is pretty far. That’s because, according to a new study released by Sydney, Australia-based tooth whitening brand White Glo, nearly half of all Britons surveyed admitted to visiting illegal whitening treatment centers to achieve a brighter smile!

As a parent, you work hard to make sure your kids are well taken care of. From healthy food to regular doctor and dentist visits, you want to make sure their growth is on track and there are no medical problems lurking. But what happens when no matter how well you brush your child’s teeth, they never seem to look white - in fact, they seem to be stained or permanently discolored?Whether you suspect an enamel problem or your child has been diagnosed with enamel hypoplasia, here’s everything you need to know to help make the best of this rare dental condition.What Is Enamel Hypoplasia?Enamel hypoplasia is an enamel defect. The word hypoplasia literally means "underdeveloped." This condition occurs when tooth cells called ameloblasts fail to properly form, or become damaged. If the ameloblasts fail, the enamel fails too. As a result, the enamel may be thinner or weaker than it should be.Enamel hypoplasia often appears as pits or holes in the teeth, white spots, or brown and yellow staining of the teeth.So, what causes these ameloblasts to malfunction? Many things, including: Poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy or poor infant nutrition Infection during pregnancy or early childhood Genetic disorders Exposure to certain toxic chemicals Lack of oxygen before birth Infection after birthIf you or your child have been diagnosed with enamel hypoplasia, there are things you can do to protect your teeth and improve their appearance. For young children with an enamel hypoplasia diagnosis, dental sealants can help protect baby teeth until adult teeth have formed. If the child’s enamel hypoplasia is caused by an outside factor, there may be a chance that it will not appear in the adult teeth; however, children who have genetic enamel hypoplasia will frequently have the same condition in their adult teeth.If the enamel hypoplasia does appear in the child’s adult teeth, parents may choose to continue to treat with sealants until the child has developed all their permanent teeth. Following any orthodontic work that may be necessary, there are several options to improve the strength and appearance of the teeth.CrownsCrowns can be used to create a deluxe filling for teeth that are too small, misshapen or fragile due to missing enamel.SealantsIf the teeth are aesthetically normal, sealants may be continued into adulthood to help prevent the teeth from developing cavities. Without that added layer of enamel, teeth with enamel hypoplasia are much more vulnerable to cavities than normal teeth.BondingMuch like veneers, bonding can improve the look and color of the teeth. Often teeth with enamel defects can appear misshapen or uneven in addition to being discolored. Bonding covers each tooth with layers of resin composite that are permanently adhered to the tooth. Bonding may need to be replaced over time due to normal wear and tear, but it can dramatically improve tooth shape and color.Unfortunately, bonding can be expensive, but the good news is that some insurance plans will cover bonding for children born with enamel defects. Check your individual plan for more details. The other main difference between bonding and veneers is that bonding is said to stain more easily than veneers do, so be sure to keep up your excellent brushing and flossing habits once you’ve gotten your teeth bonded. This will ensure they always look their best!For more information about enamel hypoplasia, or for any other or concerns, please call Dr. George’s office at 724-934-3422.

Love your teeth? Of course you do! So why not pay tribute to them this Halloween with a fun, tooth-inspired Halloween costume? Why should witches and ghosts have all the fun?

If you’ve ever had your gum pockets measured at a dental exam, you know how uncomfortable the procedure can be. Commonly done with an old-fashioned pick, the procedure involves your dentist or hygienist probing the tissue between your tooth and gum line to see how deep the pocket is and how far down the pick will go. A healthy pocket depth is no more than 3 millimeters - anything more could signal signs of gum disease, and the deeper the pocket, the more severe the disease.

It’s hard to believe, but just 50 years ago, the idea of a female dentist was almost unheard of. In fact, according to the American Dental Association, in 1968 only 1 percent of dental students were women. Today that number hovers around 48 percent, or nearly half, but the number of practicing female dentists in America has yet to catch up. So, what’s behind these numbers, and what more can be done to encourage young women to enter the dental field?

If you’ve ever seen white spots on your own or your child's tongue, you may have been initially alarmed. Often these white spots are just a sign of a harmless fungal infection called thrush. Though thrush usually clears up on its own, it can be uncomfortable and even painful, depending on the severity. So, what exactly is thrush, and what should you do if you suspect you or your child has it?

For most parents, fall means back to school, and for some, it means back to school sports. But while all that exercise may be great for your children’s muscles, it can often be bad news for their teeth. In fact, it is estimated that children lose about 3 million teeth a year to sports accidents! While many school districts and leagues have begun requiring mouthguards for all players, many still do not, and even if you buy one for your child, if it doesn’t fit right or feel comfortable, chances are your kid's not going to wear it. So, how can you choose the right mouth guard without breaking the bank - or your teeth?