Is Oral Rinse the Same as Mouthwash, & Should You Use Either?

Young black male in a white fitted t-shirt uses an oral rinse as part of his daily morning dental care routine

Blog Summary: Oral rinse, mouthwash, and mouth rinse—are they all the same? Not exactly. More importantly, should you be using one? It depends! Most commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol and antiseptic ingredients, which can disrupt the oral microbiome and even pose long-term health risks. Meanwhile, oral rinses can vary widely, with some offering benefits like enamel […]

Is Buying a Smart Toothbrush Really Worth It?: A Dentist’s View

Smart toothbrush set against a light blue background

Blog Summary: Thinking about upgrading your toothbrush? A smart toothbrush might be worth it! This blog explores the benefits of smart toothbrushes and how they improve oral hygiene with advanced technology. When it comes to brushing your teeth, won’t any old toothbrush do the job just fine? Maybe not as well as you’d think. The […]

The 10 Most Overlooked Dental Hygiene Tools to Start Using at Home

Top-down photo of various dental hygiene tools for at-home dental care.

Brushing and flossing are essential foundations for improving the health of your teeth, but did you know that they may not be enough for many people? While these two habits are critical, overlooked dental hygiene tools could take your at-home dental care to a new, even healthier level. From gadgets that can help remove stubborn […]

What Should I Look for in Natural Toothpaste?

Cropped portrait of young shirtless blonde man brushing his teeth with all-natural toothpaste in the morning after waking up

Blog Summary: All-natural has become a buzzword in recent years, but does it really mean a product is safer, better, or more effective? Not always. When it comes to toothpaste, choosing an all-natural option doesn’t automatically guarantee it’s free of harmful ingredients or that it will clean your teeth effectively. So, how do you find […]

Are You Making These 5 Mistakes Brushing Your Teeth?

Bleeding gums during tooth brushing

Brushing your teeth twice daily is important. You knew that already. But when it comes to technique, are you sure that you are brushing correctly? Could you be unknowingly making mistakes when brushing your teeth? To find out, let’s uncover five of the top mistakes I see people making commonly in my work as dentist […]

How to Clean Your Tongue & Why it Matters

Young woman uses a tongue scraper to clean her tongue

Did you know that anaerobic bacteria in your mouth contribute to bad breath and gingivitis? One of the places they thrive is on the tongue, where they burrow into its fuzzy filaments. Unfortunately, conventional advice is to brush your tongue. While that is certainly helpful, it may not be enough to keep these bad bacteria […]

Is Teeth Whitening Safe & Effective?

Professional teeth whitening performed by dentist

Are any types of teeth whitening treatment safe or effective? The answer is that while risks of teeth whitening do exist, there is a such thing as safe and effective teeth whitening, whether you are doing it yourself at home or trusting a professional, such as a dentist, to whiten your teeth for you. The […]

What Dentists Can Tell About You Just By Looking In Your Mouth

The mouth is often called the “gateway” to the body. When you go to the dentist, you’re likely focused on matters like cavities and gum health. But dental experts can detect a lot more from your exam. “A lot about someone’s overall health can be observed just by looking in their mouth,” Dr. Kami Hoss, […]

Could Your Mouthwash Be a Silent Killer? Uncovering the Alarming Health Risks

Woman uses mouthwash

Just like we can’t simply say if food is good or bad for you without considering the type of food, the same applies to mouthwash. The key lies in its ingredients and whether it contains alcohol, antimicrobial agents, or whether it’s acidic or alkaline. To be sure, there are many things we ingest that are […]

Your Kids’ Diet Could Be Affecting Their Oral Health

Healthy foods for teeth and gums for children

…But not in the way you think! Most people think that sugar is the main reason behind cavities. That’s only a partial truth. While consuming too much sugar can certainly contribute to the development of cavities, there’s a lot more that goes into a healthy (or unhealthy) mouth. So when it comes to keeping your […]