The Power of Smiling

Smiling is often thought of as the result of a positive outlook or happy situation. While you are certainly more likely to smile when things are looking up, the power of your pearly whites can work in both directions. Sometimes, smiling will give you a boost of chemicals that can help produce positive emotions even when you’re not initially feeling them. A forced smile may seem counter-intuitive when you’re facing an unpleasant situation, but this could be just what you need to get through the hard times. Reduced Stress You may not think of a smile as the correct response to a stressful situation, but this may be just what you need. A study performed by Tara Kraft and Sarah Pressman and published in Psychological Science revealed that smiling reduces the body’s heart rate during stressful situations. Participants were instructed to hold chopsticks in their mouths while performing difficult activities. Some were told to hold the chopsticks in a way that would produce a neutral expression, while others were instructed to hold them so they were smiling. Some of the smilers simply formed the right shape with their mouths, while others were further instructed to create a Duchenne smile, which...

Facts and Myths

The Canadian Dental Association encourages us to floss every day for a clean and healthy mouth. However, many Canadians are still confused about this oral health practice. Read on to learn the facts about flossing and the truth behind some common flossing myths. Myth: I Only Need to Floss When I Have Food Caught in My Teeth While flossing is an effective way to remove trapped food particles from between your teeth, this isn’t the only reason to floss. Floss also removes dental plaque from between your teeth. If this plaque is left to sit between your teeth, it can make your gums inflamed and lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Floss every day, not just when food gets stuck. Myth: Flossing Is Difficult Flossing is easier than ever before. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you the basic technique , but if you struggle to floss the traditional way, try a floss holder. This Y-shaped device has a small piece of floss between two prongs. Many people find floss holders easier to manage, as they can be used with just one hand. They can also make flossing those difficult-to-reach back teeth much easier. Myth:...
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Changes in the Mouth

Like other parts of your body, your mouth naturally changes as you age. However, some changes to your gums, tongue, and throat may point to a problem. Be alert to the following mouth changes that could require a dentist visit. Lumps on Gums Lumps on your gums may indicate an oral infection, like a local abscess. Plaque, tooth decay, and food particles can all cause these infections, which are more likely to occur when your immune system is low. Trauma and canker sores are two more common causes of lumpy gums. Trauma can occur when you take a knock to the mouth, when you ingest very hot food or beverages, or when your mouth is getting used to new braces or dentures. Dental cysts are bubble-like lumps that form on your gums. Most dental cysts form near the roots of buried or dead teeth. While they can become painful, especially if they get infected, many are asymptomatic. While small dental cysts often don’t need removal, large cysts can make your jaw weak and put pressure on your teeth. Dental surgery can remove the cyst and treat dead root tissue to prevent its return. Pregnant women may also notice small lumps...