The strongest muscle in your body, your tongue has a heavy workload in comparison to other parts of your body. Aside from helping you eat, speak, taste, and express emotion, your tongue can also give clues to your health. Our Waco dentist, Dr. Corbet Locke, will explain some of the ways your tongue can show… Read More
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a somewhat mysterious condition. The exact cause is not easy to determine, and it varies from patient to patient. People with BMS often describe their mouth as dry, chronically scalded, or burnt feeling. They may even complain that their mouth feels like it is on fire. Other symptoms include a… Read More
Does anxiety prevent you from going to the dentist? You’re not alone. Up to 20{dcbe0cd52ce35e2f156887e14605e24111ce99c14f01d3853732956d43020bdd} of Americans have less-than-ideal smiles because apprehension prevents them from visiting their dentist’s office. Serious oral health issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, can often go ignored until extreme tissue damage forces the patient into the dentist’s office. Dr…. Read More
A study conducted last spring by the Center for Disease Control indicates a sharp rise in tooth decay among children, especially those without access to regular dental care. Though many people may not consider cavities a disease, it remains the number one chronic disease among children in America. New research now suggests that the phenomena… Read More
Perhaps out of all restorative dental procedures, dental fillings are among the most well-known. Chances are, you may have had one or more fillings performed on your teeth, or at least know someone who has. For the last 150 years, the dental filling material of choice was metal amalgam, a mixture of tin, copper, silver,… Read More
So you’re pretty consistent with brushing your teeth at least twice a day, although you rarely have the time to floss. You never miss a dental checkup, and you’re careful not to consume too many sugary or acidic substances without rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth right after. So why do you still exhibit… Read More
Three out of four Americans are reported to show signs of gingivitis (mild gum disease). About 30{dcbe0cd52ce35e2f156887e14605e24111ce99c14f01d3853732956d43020bdd} show signs of severe gum disease, known as chronic periodontitis. Unfortunately, not as many people understand the connection between the health of your mouth and your physical wellbeing. The oral-systemic connection is becoming more apparent every day, and… Read More
At any given moment, your mouth plays host to 10-15 billion bacteria, divided into approximately 600 different species. The word bacteria may instantly conjure images of malicious microbes attacking your cellular structure or infecting healthy body tissue, but most of the microorganisms that reside in your mouth are neutral, if not helpful, and can assist… Read More
According to a survey conducted in May by the American Dental Association (ADA), Americans know little when it comes to taking care of our teeth. The ADA tested 1,500 nationally representative adults about common oral hygiene subjects, including how long and how often you should brush your teeth, and how often you should replace your… Read More
To get an idea of how strong your bones are, consider that the average adult human being weighs between 100 to 200 pounds. Your bones carry that weight every minute of every day as par for the course. Now, consider your teeth. Although paper-thin, the enamel that covers your teeth is much stronger than your… Read More