You've just left the dentist's office, and the news isn't what you hoped for – your child has cavities. As a caregiver, this news can make you feel a tidal wave of emotions, and it's not uncommon to wonder, "is it my fault my kids have cavities?"

Although your child's baby teeth will eventually fall out, making way for their permanent teeth, it's important to remember that proper dental care and oral hygiene are no less imperative. Understand the 8 most common oral health problems children face and how to prevent them.

If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain in your bottom teeth it can be a bothersome and alarming issue, affecting your daily life and even your overall oral health.

As a parent, you want the best for your child's health and well-being. The problem is that many parents often believe that dental care is unnecessary until their child's permanent teeth develop. However, this is a misconception that can lead to serious dental problems down the road. 

You might brush every day. Maybe you floss every day, too. Your oral health is likely very important to you. But can you develop gum disease—also called periodontal disease—even if you’re paying attention to your oral hygiene?

When persistent or severe tooth pain doesn’t go away, it’s definitely time to check in with your dentist or endodontist; this kind of pain may indicate the need for root canal therapy.

Chipped teeth are at best a nuisance and at worst a major source of pain. The bad news? There are no DIY treatments to fix a chipped tooth. The good news? Your dentist can fix it.

If you've ever had your wisdom teeth pulled, you've probably heard about the risk of dry socket (also known as alveolar osteitis). Namely that it's something you want to avoid at all costs. Here are some thoughts to help you understand what dry socket is, how to avoid it, how to tell if you have it, and what to do if that's the case.

It's a well-established fact that good overall healthcare begins with good oral hygiene, the foundation of which is brushing with toothpaste at least twice a day, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash.    Another critical factor in dental health, however, is tooth enamel, an often overlooked facet of dental hygiene. Enamel, which is the thin, tough outer shell that covers a tooth, is the hardest tissue in the human body. Enamel covers the crown, the part of the tooth that's visible above the gum line.

Dental pain and dental problems can be unsettling experiences that can threaten your overall health. When these events occur, your dentist should be your first call.  However, if you encounter problems such as severe pain, a lost filling, an abscessed tooth, a bacterial infection, or any other issues that take place over a weekend, on a holiday, or in the middle of the night, you may well need to see an emergency dentist. It's possible you may even need to make a trip to the emergency room to receive immediate attention.