It may seem like the most interesting thing about teeth is waiting for the tooth fairy to arrive, but there are actually quite a few curious facts about them. If you type the word “tooth” in the Guinness World Records website, nearly 300 tooth-related entries appear! From the longest teeth to most teeth in a mouth (37), and the largest collection of human teeth to the person who could hang from their teeth for over 7 minutes, teeth are the source of all kinds of strange and f

Orthodontic treatments improve the teeth of 4 million people a year. Chances are that you may be trying to decide if braces are right for you or your family. While it’s always best to be aware of the pros and cons of any matter, some areas seem to end up with more than their fair share of false claims and myths attached to them. One of these subjects is orthodontics, onto which the myths have attached far and wide. Some myths are hilarious, but others can be frightening – whi

Cooking Ratios Have you ever tried cooking from scratch? It can be quite intimidating - until you learn a few of the basic tricks! For example, experienced cooks and bakers know that cooking from scratch usually requires following a set of ratios. These ratios give the right amount of each ingredient to make the dish just right. According to Shirley Corriher, of Fine Cooking, “In cakes, the protein ingredients, which are the flour and eggs, are the major structure-builders. T

It is common knowledge that flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth, but there are so many options on the market, how can you know what is best? We are going to explain the different types of flossing products and help you understand which options work, which can be harmful, and what Dr. Culp recommends. Types of Flossing Tools Floss vs. Floss Picks Researchers have found that floss and floss picks seem to have similar results if you use good flossing technique.

If you can remember braces in the 1980s, you might recall visions of large, bulky, metal braces. For those of us lucky enough to wear braces in the 80s, you had to have a large single band placed on each tooth. And are you ready for this? The braces were placed with a “thumper”. The process to adhere the braces to teeth was not only long but quite uncomfortable. In addition, having braces was perceived as something only wealthy people could afford. It’s a bonus then, that ove

There are thousands of wonderful crafts available online. With a bit of searching, you can find activities to interest any child. However, it can take some time and effort to weed out the websites that just send you from link to link, ask you to download something, or sign up for a mailing list to access the information. We have done some of the work for you and are providing this list of links to fun craft ideas. Simply click on the links or the photos to go directly to the

The fact that schools are closed brings a wonderful opportunity to enjoy more time with your children. However, if boredom or lack of routine starts causing problems, a few extra ideas for activities may be useful. So, we have created this list of activities for your family that uses items that you probably have lying around your house. As always, we gain nothing if you click on any of these links. We just want to help you make the most of this unexpected gift of time with yo

We recently discussed the fact that added sugar is hidden in many different kinds of foods, including kids’ snack foods and “healthy” foods. Eating too much sugar is bad for your teeth, your immune system, your blood sugar levels, and your weight, just to name a few. However, it is nearly impossible to eliminate all sources of added sugar and who even wants to live a life that doesn’t allow for any sweets? Interestingly, there are a few techniques when eating sweets that are

Many orthodontic conditions can be caused by something called tongue thrusting. This problem is far more common than you would imagine since all babies are born pushing their tongue forward when they swallow. As a child grows, they need to learn the correct position for their tongue. If they learn too late, it impacts a child in many more ways than orthodontic development. So, what exactly is it and why does it have such an impact on the way the mouth forms? Perhaps more impo

We all know that too much sugar causes cavities and gingivitis. Unfortunately, even if you don’t allow your child to eat treats, they can still consume a ton of sugar from foods you would never think of as sweet foods. Pretzels, potato chips, goldfish crackers, yogurt, apple sauce, and cereal bars can be full of sugar. Even if your child never consumes sweets, the hidden sugars in “healthy” foods may easily put them over the recommended daily limit. Just as eating too many sw

An overbite is completely normal and many people with beautiful smiles have a small overbite. However, when your upper teeth protrude over your bottom teeth more than normal, the overbite may create problems. How can you know when an overbite needs to be treated, and can it be prevented or treated at home? It is normal for your top teeth to overlap your bottom teeth a little bit. When the top teeth significantly overlap or protrude over the bottom teeth, the overbite becomes

If you’ve been told that your child has an ankylosed tooth you may be wondering why it matters. Is it something that really needs treatment? The tooth is fused to the bone, but so what? Aren’t all your teeth attached to the bone? How is this any different? In some cases, an ankylosed tooth will be just fine without treatment. Other cases, if left untreated, can result in some pretty major problems that will eventually require extensive treatment. What is an ankylosed tooth? I

Just like people, our teeth, gums and supporting bones are as unique as our DNA. Unlike DNA, teeth, gums, and supporting bones can change throughout a person’s life. Heredity, environment, and certain foods and conditions can affect the position, shape, color, and health of our teeth. That is why it is important to understand that your dental health is, in large part, something you can assume responsibility for and take charge of in order to make sure you are able to keep you

Many people are scared of going to the dentist. In fact, dental phobia is an actual diagnosis and is treated as an anxiety disorder. Some people will even avoid going to the dentist because of fear. This is unfortunate because dental health can have a major impact on your overall health and regular dental visits are a vital part of keeping your mouth and teeth healthy. Since fear of the dentist is common, it makes sense that your kids will also experience it. Fortunately, the

Although many of us are just getting settled back into the routine after the holidays, Spring Break will be here sooner than you think. Our area offers many incredible options for local activities or week-long camps. We have created this list of local programs and activities so you and your children can enjoy a wonderful spring break. It is also a great time to schedule a visit to Jungle Roots Children Dentistry and Orthodontics where your child will experience a unique jungl

Xylitol was discovered over a century ago and was approved for human consumption by the FDA in 1963, but it has only recently become popular. It is used as a sugar substitute in some foods, gum, and mints, and in toothpaste and other dental products to work with or replace fluoride. There are many claims about the benefits for your body and dental health. Are any of them true, or is xylitol another passing fad? The truth about Xylitol. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweeten

You may have seen ads for ordering invisible aligners online, or your dentist may offer invisible aligners or braces as a service. It seems easier and possibly cheaper to consider one of these options. Is there a reason that you need to go to an Orthodontist if you just want straight teeth? Believe it or not, there actually are a few excellent reasons for having an Orthodontist oversee your treatment when getting your teeth aligned. Education The first reason is that an Ortho

The first time you bring your child to the dentist, you fill out a form that provides information about their medical history. Some of the questions may seem strange. Why does the dentist need to know if they have allergies, anxiety, language problems, or bite their nails? Believe it or not, every single question on the medical history form directly impacts the way we care for your child. Some of the questions help us determine the best way to interact with your child, others

A new year is beginning, and if anyone in your family will need braces in the next year or two this is a good time to begin planning. With a bit of strategic preparation, you may be able to greatly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. You can also plan to gain the greatest tax benefits. Here are a few things to consider in order to maximize your resources so that orthodontic treatment has the lowest impact on your bank account. Insurance Every insurance plan is different so you w

The holidays are a time of giving, and many people buy toothbrushes to give as stocking stuffers or a present. Toothbrushes can be a fun gift because they are available with so many interesting and fun designs, especially for kids. While the way a toothbrush looks does not have an impact on oral health, the type of toothbrush you choose could make a difference. You may wonder if it is worth it to pay extra money to buy an electric toothbrush. It doesn’t matter if you use a ma