Dr. Ralph Mason Downey DDS

Recommended Articles

• When Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

  A toothbrush is not as clean as we think, and harbors more than 100 million bacteria, according to researchers at the University of Manchester in England. This includes E. coli bacteria, which cause diarrhea, and staphylococci bacteria, which cause skin infections. “This condition is the same as...

• Get a Better Smile with Licorice Root

  According to a new study published in the Journal of Natural Products, licorice, the main ingredient in candy, may help to keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. Teeth protection is provided by the compounds found in the dried root of licorice plant. Chinese licorice, found in northern mainland...

• What is a Tooth Abscess?

  A tooth abscess refers to the accumulation of pus caused by a bacterial infection at the root of the tooth or between the tooth and gum. Abscess at the tip of the root is known as periapical abscess, while those found in the gums are referred to as periodontal abscesses. Tooth abscesses should be...

• Illinois Dental Practice Offers Sleep Apnea Treatment

  There are a few options for treating sleep apnea.  The most common that many people are familiar with is using a CPAP machine.  CPAP machines work wonders for most patients.  Some patients choose to get surgery to try to correct the problem.  The least known treatment for sleep apnea can...

• The 3 Biggest Threats to Your Teeth

  Teeth can last a lifetime if they are properly cared for. However, different factors can influence the appearance and quality of your teeth over time. Chips, fractures, and broken teethChipping and fracturing teeth occurs when one bites on something very hard, like a popcorn kernel or stale bread....

• Snoring Problem? This Dentist May Have the Solution

  Dentists can actually be extremely useful to determine why patients are snoring. Many would normally ignore snoring, as it has often been pushed aside as a "joke". But, in reality, it should be a cause of concern.A worrying fact about snoring is that people take it as something normal until it is...