If you’ve moved recently, you’ll want to find a dentist for your family as soon as possible. But where to start looking? The American Dental Association suggests asking people you know for recommendations, which can certainly be helpful, but how can you narrow the field from there? How do you know you’ve found a dentist you can trust? Here are 4 important general questions to ask when looking for a new dental practice.

It should go without saying that what you put in your mouth has a direct impact on your dental health. Some foods are great for your health and good for your teeth—other foods, not so much.

Let’s take a few minutes to take a look at foods that are damaging to your teeth according to the ADA and how to practice moderation.

Candy. In moderation, candy makes a tasty treat. But when you eat a lot of it, your teeth are being constantly exposed to sugar in your saliva.
Biting down on hard candies brings an additional risk of tooth fracture and additional sugar exposure from sticky hard candy on the chewing surface of your tooth! If you’re craving a sweet treat, try reaching for some sugar-free gum instead.

Everyone who takes good care of their teeth has probably heard of fluoride. But what is it, and how does it work? Let’s take a look at some of the questions surrounding fluoride and the benefits that it can provide.

What is fluoride? Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical that is added to toothpaste, mouthwash, and municipal water supply to discourage tooth decay. It is recommended by health authorities in small amounts to strengthen and protect teeth!
Like most chemicals used for medicinal purposes, fluoride is healthy in moderation, but excess exposure can carry risk. Check out this article to learn facts about fluoride, including the risks associated with too much fluoride. And talk to your dentist for guidelines about the correct use of toothpaste and other fluoridated products!