Seeing blood in or around the teeth and gums, or on the toothbrush, could be pretty scary for some people. Others might think it’s “no big deal.” Which reaction is right? The truth is: bleeding gums is a sign of a problem. The problem could be serious or it could be temporary; the cause of…

For decades we’ve seen TV advertisements about the horrors of “bad breath” and what to do about it. We are now so sensitized to the issue that we are actually scared to tell somebody they have it. That’s too bad, because for many people, bad breath, known technically as “halitosis,” can be reduced or eliminated…

About the age you start taking the reins in your own life, between 17 and 25, you may discover a third set of molars erupting in the back of your jaw. Called “wisdom teeth,” these molars may come in and fit well beside your other teeth. For many people, however, they may remain under the…

Since the early 1900s dentists have routinely urged patients to floss their teeth daily. Starting in 1979, federal health authorities joined in recommending daily flossing. Since then, however, some researchers have published journal articles saying dental flossing is actually not very helpful in reducing plaque or preventing gingivitis. An Associated Press (AP) report in August…

Have you ever looked at the rows and rows of floss and wondered what they’re all made of? What’s the difference between them? Dr. Rick at Dr. Rick Dentistry in Scottsdale explains what that “string” is that we’re supposed to floss our teeth with every day. From the horse hair “floss” of ancient times to…

Many people fear hearing the phrase “root canal treatment” as much as the procedure itself. Yet root canal treatments solve serious problems, with less pain and complication than the alternative treatment – tooth extraction. So, why the disconnect? In centuries past, people suffered tremendously from toothaches. Over time researchers learned that the most serious pain…

Suffered for centuries as burning pains in the throat and middle chest, we call it “heartburn.” Today we know heartburn occurs when acid escapes from the stomach and travels back up the esophagus. The one-way valve (sphincter) designed to keep acid only in the stomach sometimes relaxes open enough to allow the acid out. Powerful…