Does your morning coffee make you wince in pain, or your sundae make you want to scream?  You may be among the one in eight American adults with sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth are caused when the tooth enamel erodes, exposing the bony tissue beneath it. Known as dentin, this bony tissue is full of microscopic, hollow tubes that connect to the nerve endings in your teeth. When exposed to hot or cold foods, those nerves can cause a sharp, painful reaction.

They’re one of the most coveted signs of beauty today: thick, luscious lips. But getting them isn’t always as easy or affordable as it seems. It used to be if you weren’t born with them, you were out of luck, but a variety of products designed to make your lips look bigger and fuller have popped up in recent years. One trend, lip injections, uses fillers such as collagen or hyaluronic acid to semi-permanently plump up the lips. Unfortunately, these injections can be painful and costly. Lip-enhancing glosses and pencils are painless and far less expensive, but only last as long as the products remain on your lips. Until recently, these were the only options, but a new product has now hit the market – suction-cup lip plumpers.

 It’s a familiar scene at pretty much any medical appointment. No matter if you’re a new patient or have been going to the same practitioner for years, most likely you’re going to be asked to fill out your fair share of forms before your appointment. So, why does your dentist need so much information? Here’s a quick guide to what information your dentist needs, and why.  Patient InformationThis basic information section covers everything from your name, address, phone, email and even your Social Security number (SSN). Why do we need your SSN? Many patients' SSN are tied to their dental insurance. To process insurance claims, your dentist needs to provide that information to your insurer.

Have you ever been brushing your teeth or eating a certain food and suddenly thought of a dental question, only to forget it by the time your next checkup rolled around? Don’t despair! We've got the answers to a few common oral care questions we hear at our dental practice.  Why does spinach make my teeth feel gritty?Believe it or not, the reason your teeth feel dirty or gritty after eating spinach is because of its high calcium content. That’s right, the very thing that helps make spinach so good for us can often drive would-be fans away. When those elevated levels of calcium combine with another ingredient in spinach, oxalic acid, the two form crystals that cause both the slight bitterness in the leaves and that weird (but totally harmless) gritty feeling on your teeth.

According to Stopbullying.gov, an initiative by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, between one in three and one in four American children have experienced some sort of bullying, and over 70 percent have witnessed it among their peers. Bullying can often cause children to become quiet and withdrawn, isolating themselves from their parents and peers. So, how do you know as parents if your child is being bullied – especially if they won’t tell you? According to a new study in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, you might want to ask their dentist.  The study, conducted by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerias in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, revealed that teenagers who experienced verbally abusive bullying at school were four times more likely to experience bruxism, or teeth grinding, than those who were not bullied. According to the study, bullied students were found to grind their teeth at a rate of about 65 percent, compared to about 17 percent for students who are not bullied.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes both the loss of bone and the inability to grow new bone tissue. The condition is most common in women over the age of 60, but it can strike men or women at any age. Researchers at the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) estimate that approximately 54 million Americans have osteoporosis, and that number is only going up. In fact, the NOF believes that by the year 2025, osteoporosis will cause an estimated 3 million fractures a year.   Now, a study from the University at Buffalo has found that in addition to helping to increase bone density and decrease bone breakage, treating osteoporosis has another surprising benefit: preventing periodontitis. In fact, researchers found that patients undergoing estrogen therapy for osteoporosis had a 44 percent lower chance of developing periodontitis than women who did not treat their osteoporosis.

When you think about preventing oral cancer, what comes to mind? Many people believe that living a smoke-free, tobacco-free lifestyle is enough. But did you know there’s more than one way to increase your risk of oral cancer, and reducing your risk may be easier than you think? Here are some key steps you and your family can take to keep your mouth healthy and reduce your risk of developing oral cancer.

The perfect smile. Everyone wants it, but not everyone has the same idea about what exactly "it" is. For some, it’s that wide gleaming toothy Julia Roberts smile. For others, the less obvious and more subtle "Mona Lisa Smile." But believe it or not, there is now such a thing as an ideal perfect smile, and it may not be what you were expecting!

Stress can cause you to lose a lot of things, including hair, weight and even sleep. But until recently, many people didn’t realize it can also cause you to lose your teeth, too.

Summer may not be over just yet, but with many kids heading back to school next month, some parents may already be thinking about the best foods to pack in their children’s lunchboxes. But while it’s easy to see that some foods are healthier than others, a recent study has revealed that one category of healthy foods may not be as good for your teeth as you bargained for.

It’s that time of year again, when many new high school and college graduates begin entering the workforce. Accepting a new job at any age or career level can be an overwhelming and stressful time, especially with all that new hire paperwork. As daunting as it can be to figure out how much tax to withhold, selecting a dental insurance plan can be even more confusing. How do you know if you’re choosing the best plan for yourself and your family? How much coverage is too much coverage, or not enough coverage? If it’s time to select a new dental insurance package but you’re not sure what to choose, here are some tips to help you get the best coverage for your money. Ask your dentist. If you already have a dentist, call the practice and ask which insurance plans they accept, and which plans or insurers they recommend. A practice may accept insurance from some providers but may cringe at the idea of dealing with them. Furthermore,  some dentists within the same practice may accept different insurance plans than others, so make sure that you're getting the right plan for the right provider. Use your age as a factor. If you are young, single, child-free, and have good oral hygiene, you may not need the most comprehensive package available. After all, you probably don’t need deep discounts on dentures if you’re 22. But you still need to meet a minimum of coverage and should look for plans that at a minimum include: Two exams / cleanings per year Annual X-rays Fluoride Sealants Compare plans online. Most employers will give you a few days to mull over your options before deciding which plan you want. Take that opportunity to go home and see what else is out there, and at what cost. You may be able to find a less expensive plan on your own, or one that offers better coverage for roughly the same price. See who’s available in-network. Your insurance company should provide you with a list of in-network dentists. Call around and see if those dentists are accepting new patients, and how far out they’re booking. An insurance plan is not going to help much if nobody who accepts the plan is accepting new patients. Verify that your dentist is in control. With some plans, you may be required to receive preauthorization from your insurer before being treated. This means if you break a tooth or need a root canal, you could be waiting weeks for someone who has never met you or seen your teeth to decide whether your procedure will be covered. Don’t put yourself through the unnecessary pain of delaying emergency dental care. Look for a plan that allows your dentist to treat you without prior approval. Crunch the numbers.  Review your finances and make sure you can afford the copays and the premiums and maximum allowance. If you already have some idea of how much you spend a year in dental costs, make sure your premiums don’t exceed that amount.  Most plans cover up to $1,500, leaving anything above that amount up to you to pay out of pocket. If you think you will require more than your plan’s maximum allowance, look for a plan with a higher max, but keep in mind these plans may come with a higher copay.Ideally, plans should cover appliances such as bridges, crowns and implants at 50 percent, leaving the balance as the patient’s responsibility. Procedures such as fillings, extractions and root canals should be covered at the 80 percent level, leaving you responsible for 20 percent of the cost.

A nice perk to have is a plan that covers orthodontic work. Most insurance plans with this type of coverage have a lifetime maximum, meaning once you’ve met your maximum the plan will not cover more, even if you require additional treatment years later. This is why it’s important to wear your retainer!

Body piercings are not exactly a new trend. In fact, the oldest mummified body found to date, a 5,300-year-old dubbed Ötzi the Iceman, was found impeccably preserved in a glacier, still wearing earrings! Oral piercings, on the other hand, are generally thought to be a much more recent trend, surging in popularity among young people in the early 2000s, but they too have a deep-seated history. Tongue piercings, for example, were used by the ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures to honor the gods, while lip piercings have been used for centuries in African tribes, and have also been seen in art from Pre-Columbian South American cultures.

If you love the taste of coffee or carbonated beverages but have been skipping them because of the way they discolor your teeth, there may be some good news. Several new products hitting store shelves have been designed to give you back the drinks you love without dulling your smile. But are these new drinks too good to be true?

While it is estimated that nearly 60 percent of all adults suffer from some form of dental anxiety, that anxiety usually does not keep them from receiving regular dental care. However, for another five to ten percent of adults, dental anxiety is more than just anxiety, it’s fear. It’s called odontophobia, and while it more than likely will eventually cause harm to your teeth, a recent study has found that it could harm your quality of life, too.

Area 51. The Bermuda Triangle. The missing sock. Everyone loves a good mystery. But when it comes to your health, mysteries aren’t always a good thing, especially if they could be damaging your health. When it comes to your teeth, the more you know, the better.  Here’s a list of some of the most common dental myths and mysteries, solved for you.

 If you’ve ever woken up to frequent or recurring jaw pain or headaches, but don’t know why, you could be suffering from bruxism, or grinding your teeth. But before you stop reading because you’re sure this isn’t about you because you don’t grind your teeth, don’t be so sure. A 2005 study conducted by Children’s Hospital in Boston MA estimated that 8% of adults grind their teeth at night, but this number could be much higher, because most teeth grinders, or ‘bruxers', don’t even realize they’re doing it! So, how can you tell if you grind your teeth- and why is it so bad for you?Teeth grinding can be a difficult problem to self-diagnose- especially if you do it in your sleep. In fact, even if you grind your teeth when you’re awake, it can still be difficult to ‘catch yourself in the act,’ especially if you are grinding your teeth due to stress and aren’t focusing on what your mouth is doing. The best way to tell if you’re grinding your teeth is at your dental exam. You may or may not already suspect something is up if you’re experiencing jaw soreness, headaches, or TMJ disorder, but a dentist can tell quite easily if you’ve been grinding your teeth based on the wear to the teeth themselves. Some chronic bruxers may have excessive wear on their teeth, broken or cracked fillings, and even broken or cracked teeth. These are all things your dentist will be able to see based on a simple exam to your mouth- and by comparing x-rays from your last visit if possible.

Picture this. It’s Saturday night, and you’re sitting down on the couch, chips in hand, watching the latest sci-fi thriller, when suddenly the crunch of your potato chip sounds more like a crack. Just like that, the crown on your tooth has broken in half in your mouth and ruined your relaxing evening. What do you do now? Even dentists with Saturday hours are closed this late, and nobody is open on Sunday. It will be at least a day before you can even call to make an appointment. Before you panic or try a risky DIY repair procedure, follow these steps to protect your teeth, and maybe even save your crown!

A recent study by the University of Buffalo has revealed that postmenopausal women with periodontal disease are at a higher risk of death than their healthier peers. The study was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association and revealed that women who had suffered previous bouts of periodontitis with tooth loss were at a seventeen percent higher risk of death than those who did not fit those criteria. Postmenopausal women who suffered from periodontitis but did not lose teeth were still at a 12 percent higher risk of early death than those who did not develop the disease.

Fans of the Bravo reality show "The Real Housewives of New York" may have noticed something a little different about the show’s breakout star, Bethenny Frankel. Famous for her outspoken opinions and strong jaw, Frankel’s mandibles have been looking a lot smaller in recent years. For her part, Frankel denies getting plastic surgery. Instead, she claims Botox is to thank for her softer new appearance, and the reason why may surprise you. When most people think of Botox, they think of the cosmetic medication’s paralyzing effects on facial wrinkles and fine lines, but more and more, people like Frankel are using Botox to treat something completely different: TMJ disorder.For cosmetic use, Botox works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles of the treated area, and blocking the signal from the nerves to the muscles. This causes the treated muscles to relax, smoothing and softening the wrinkles. When injected into the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, Botox relaxes the TMJ and nearby jaw muscles, causing them to weaken and alleviating the hyperactivity of the TMJ muscles that could be contributing to the TMJ pain the patient experiences. But while patients of this procedure like Frankel have found relief with Botox, Dr. Alexandra George of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania cautions that Botox may not be the miracle TMJ treatment it is purported to be.

If you’ve ever been told by your dentist that you should consider getting a T-Scan bite test, you may be wondering what it is and what it can do for you. The T-Scan bite test is a small diagnostic device that fits in the palm of your hand, and when connected to a computer measures the timing and force of dental occlusion. Dental occlusion is where your teeth meet when you bite. Under ideal conditions, your teeth should all meet together at the same time and with equally applied force. However, if your bite is off- even by just a little bit, you can experience a long list of painful side effects. Thankfully, by measuring for dental occlusion, your dentist can determine where your mouth’s "problem areas" lie, and find the best way to fix whatever problems you may be having.