Cavities can be contagious
Bacteria related to tooth decay can be shared with loved ones
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD, FAGD, Columnist, The Times
I hear it every day, “my mom had bad teeth, I guess I got this from her.” Perhaps that is true, but not in the way we may think. Researchers have found that dental disease causing bacteria can be transmitted from one person to another.
In the case of cavities, the bacteria Streptococcus...
Dental sealants – a simple way to prevent decay
A little prevention can go a long way and save money
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD, FAGD, Columnist, The Times
Dentistry today is full of ways to help children grow up without the dozens of cavities that so many of their parents had. One of the ways we work to prevent decay is by using pit and fissure sealants on the grooves of the back teeth. Over 40 years ago my parents enrolled me in a study...
Treats and tricks for good oral health
Xylitol-sweetened products could help fight tooth decay and satisfy a sweet tooth
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD, FAGD, Columnist, The Times
Halloween is coming, and to be fair my kids are no different than yours. They will go out on Halloween and they will try to visit even more homes in the neighborhood than last year. A very large and heavy sack of candy will be spilled out on the table when they...
Sports drinks hide an acidic secret
Gatorade could be causing tooth damage
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, UnionvilleTimes.com
There has been a lot of research lately into the effects of sports drinks on our teeth. A recent study by the Academy of General Dentistry reported that tooth damage caused by sports drinks is 3-11 times greater than that caused by a carbonated (non-diet) cola beverage. As I was reading this...
