Healthy Living
Not all that glitters is good about teeth grillz
North West, the 12-year-old daughter of mega-celebrity Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West, reportedly received a shark-teeth-inspired pair encrusted with what look to be tiny diamonds as a present and later modeled a black set on Instagram. But exercise caution before embracing the fashion trend grillz. Read More
Goodbye, 2025. Welcome, healthy smiles in 2026
As we say goodbye to 2025, here's a roundup of some advice from Texas A&M College of Dentistry's dental professionals to take you into the new year with good oral health habits. Read More
Dangers of vapes and e-cigs to oral health
Vaping is illegal in Dallas’ public and enclosed places, effective Dec. 11, thanks to a city ordinance that expands the city’s no-smoking zones to include the use of all electronic smoking devices. Vapes and e-cigarettes are banned where smoking is already prohibited, such as in all indoor and enclosed spaces and within 15 feet of building entrances and on park property. Read More
Tips for a teeth-friendly holiday season
Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas offers tips to help you survive the holiday season with your healthy smile intact, even if you eat a little treat here and there. Read More
Tips for a teeth-friendly Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving traditions include family, fun and food. However, don’t forget your oral health when indulging in the tempting dishes. Turkey, the centerpiece of most tables, is a smart choice for your plate, said Maureen Brown, interim executive director of the dental hygiene program at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas and assistant clinical professor. It’s a lean protein rich in phosphorus, which works together with calcium and vitamin D to keep teeth strong and gums healthy. Read More
Candy lover’s regret? Save your smile
Admit it. You spent much of the last few days secretly rummaging through your children’s remaining Halloween candy, searching for your favorite chocolate bars, caramels and lollipops. Some of you even stocked up on discounted candy after Halloween and ate an entire bag of mixed candy while watching TV. Read More
Have no fear: Garlic is good for teeth and gums
Garlic is believed to ward off vampires – at least in folklore. But even Dracula would love garlic’s oral health benefits. Allicin, the same sulfur compound that makes breath smell bad after someone eats garlic, helps kill harmful bacteria that cause plaque buildup and gum disease. Dr. Luz Mendoza, program manager of public health sciences at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, said allicin, released when garlic is chopped, crushed or chewed, inactivates essential metabolic enzymes in bacteria and interferes with its ability to form biofilm that leads to oral diseases. Read More
Cancer and children’s teeth: Advice for parents
When a child enters a cancer battle, families rarely consider how treatments will affect teeth. However, life-saving measures, particularly chemotherapy and radiation, have immediate and future consequences on oral health. Dr. Carolyn A. Kerins, associate professor and graduate program director in the pediatric dentistry department at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, said a dental visit should be scheduled before treatment starts. The dentist needs to ensure the child’s teeth and gums are stable and eliminate any potential sources of infection, including cavities. Read More
College of Dentistry shares ways to avoid bad breath
Proper brushing twice a day and thorough flossing at least once daily are known to help keep the mouth clean and prevent bad breath. In recognition of National Dental Hygiene Month in October, Eric Fox, clinical assistant professor in the dental hygiene program at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, offered these additional tips to ward off bad breath: Read More
Some ways to save your teeth on National Coffee Day
Coffee lovers have no fear, celebrating National Coffee Day Sept. 29 doesn’t need to cause permanent damage to your pearly whites. Dental clinicians at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry say indulging in your favorite beverage is OK if you follow these simple tips: Read More