Dental Essentials Blog

When it comes to protecting your teeth and gums, you already know how important it is to be diligent year-round. But what you may not know is that some summertime activities could put your smile at undue risk. Here are three common things you may not have realized are dangerous, and how you can still have fun and prevent a dental emergency at the same time!

Regularly paying attention to your dental condition helps you identify concerning changes that may indicate an underlying issue. For example, if you realize that you have recently developed a small lump on your gums, it’s natural to wonder what caused it and whether it’s considered an emergency.

There are several reasons this can happen, and some are more urgent attention than others. Whatever is behind the growth, you will need your dentist’s help to identify and treat it. Continue reading to learn 3 common causes for a lump on your gums so you know when to contact your provider!

Since dentists ask embarrassing questions, patients often feel tempted to lie to them. The idea is that a small and (seemingly) harmless fib is better than a shameful dental truth. With that said, there’s no real point in hiding anything; most dentists know when you’re lying. You’d do better to talk with them honestly than to spin tall tales at a checkup. If you need proof, just keep reading to learn four lies dentists know you’re telling.

Do you have noticeable gaps between your teeth? They might make you feel self-conscious about your smile, or perhaps they allow food to irritate your sensitive gum tissue. In either case, it is understandable if you are interested in getting rid of those pesky spaces. There are a few different treatment options that may help, including clear aligners, veneers, and Bioclear. In this blog post, we focus specifically on Bioclear and its advantages.

For decades, silver fillings—also known as dental amalgam—were the go-to solution for cavities. However, while they were the best tool at the time, concerns have since arisen about their safety. This is due to mercury, a toxic metal, which makes up much of an amalgam filling. While the risk is generally low, there have been instances of health issues caused by continual exposure. Continue reading to learn why mercury-free dentistry is a modern must and how it benefits your smile.

Picture this: you’re at your dentist’s office, going over your X-rays at the end of your semi-annual exam, and you’ve just been told that you need to have a tooth removed. Not exactly the news you wanted to hear, right? Worse yet, it comes as a complete surprise, because the tooth in question feels just fine. So, why if it doesn’t seem to have any problems does it need to be extracted? While yes, sometimes a toothache will lead to needing an extraction, there are some instances where it still should come out, even if it doesn’t hurt or seem injured. Here are five common reasons this may occur.

Cosmetic dentistry can totally transform your smile, giving you boosted self-esteem and glowing confidence. However, many patients are cautious about getting these treatments because they believe it’ll be painful. But is that fear rooted in reality, or is it unjustified? Continue reading to learn more about some popular cosmetic treatments and how your dentist can keep you calm and pain-free.

When you think of cosmetic dentistry, you might picture young, attractive people with perfect smiles, but these treatments are for everyone! Contrary to popular belief, there’s no age limit for enhancing your teeth. In reality, cosmetic treatments can benefit patients of any age, including seniors. Continue reading to learn why you’re never too old to improve your smile!

If your little one needs to have a tooth removed, they may feel a little under the weather for a few days. It’s normal for them to experience some pain and swelling while their mouth heals. Here are 6 ways you can keep your child comfortable and promote a speedy recovery after a tooth extraction.

(more…)

At your most recent dental visit, you were shocked when your dentist recommended tooth extraction. From what you know, that’s a worst-case-scenario type of procedure. But you haven’t felt anything unusual. Not even a tiny bit of discomfort. If you’re not experiencing any pain, what’s there to gain from extracting your tooth?

That’s an excellent question. Here’s why you might want to change your tune to “no pain, much gain”.