Invisalign® aligners continue to be a popular treatment for patients. Not only can it be a speedier road to straighter, healthier teeth, it also results in healthier teeth and gums!  As Dr. Vista notes, when teeth are crowded, bacteria/plaque get stuck more easily, and it is harder to effectively brush and floss to keep your mouth clean. This creates a higher risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.  Moving teeth into straighter positions with clear aligners can result in healthier gum tissue, less tooth mobility (loose teeth), improved pocketing, while reducing the risk of too ..read more

Crowns come up a lot when talking about dentistry, even in casual conversations. But do you actually know what they are and how they function? To put it simply, a crown is basically a cap for a damaged tooth. They are frequently recommended as treatment for large fillings (for a cavity), weakened or cracked teeth.  There are many types and variations, including temporary crowns that are used for emergencies, until a more permanent solution can be explored. Possible crown materials include porcelain, zirconia and metal. While they can last many years, you may need to discuss the possibilit ..read more

Mouthwash has its place in a well-rounded, thorough oral health maintenance routine. But, just like replacing your toothbrush every 3–4 months, sometimes you have to think about numbers and dates when it comes to keeping your smile happy. So, to answer the key question, yes, mouthwash does expire.  “Usually, mouthwash is good for a maximum of 2 to 3 years from the manufacture date. Most mouthwash contains alcohol or another astringent, which starts to dissolve after 2 or 3 years and essentially waters down the liquid. This may encourage bacteria growth, which makes expired mouthwash poten ..read more

Tooth-whitening products have been around for years. Most recently, you have probably seen some popping up on social media influencers’ platforms.  1. Be Aware Of Ineffective “Tricks”  First and foremost, any kits do not have dentist/professional approval. But the same goes for trendy, untested “hacks.” The wrong choice or experiment can cause lasting damage to your enamel and gums!  2. Think About Your Current Dental Habits Whitening teeth that, in actuality, need treatment or care for more serious issues and expecting that to solve everything is not a good idea! Think about yo ..read more

Your dose of holiday spirit will be arriving any day now, if it hasn’t shown up just yet. There are so many things about this time of year to celebrate. But the upcoming season can also pose a threat to your dental health.  Wondering what to watch out for? Take a look at four oral care tips for jolly smiles, courtesy of the Vista Dental Care team. 1. Know What To Avoid Treats, sweets and goodies are all over. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a delightful dish or drink from time to time, but you should be aware that certain festive food is worse than others. Sugar-packed flavored popco ..read more

Via Courtney Cook on Unsplash Life is just full of unexpected oral health pitfalls, isn’t it? Let’s talk about a few dental mistakes most people make, without even realizing it! 1. Jumping On Health Trends Without Thinking About Their Teeth Have you ever heard a friend or family member enthusiastically recommend an unfamiliar health-boosting “trick” that seemed to be a life-changing idea? Being willing to try new things is great, but don’t throw caution to the wind completely.  One example is drinking undiluted apple cider vinegar every morning. It sounds promising in theory but it might ..read more

Via Stress is not good for your body or mind. It is also terrible for your teeth, tongue and gums and every other part of your oral health picture. Let’s take a look at three alarming ways it can negatively impact your pearly whites. 1. It can cause you to (unknowingly) grind your teeth. It is possible that you are already grinding your teeth, even if you don’t realize you are doing it!  2. It can propel you to seek solace in mindless munching. This is, of course, not the case for everyone, but many people tend to eat poorly, or even just more than they should when they are dealing with d ..read more

Via While many parents and caregivers have gone above and beyond to instill fantastic brushing habits in their little ones, flossing is often overlooked. One reason might just be the fact that it can be difficult to determine when a young child should start flossing his or her tiny teeth! We will spare you yet another lecture on why flossing properly is such a vital part of the overall oral health maintenance package and will instead shed some light on introducing this to your kid(s) at the right time. The general consensus seems to be that you should begin flossing their pearly whites as soon ..read more

Via How you start your day can make such a difference to your mood. And, yes, this includes what you eat for breakfast.  As we have pointed out many, many times in the past your diet also plays a significant part in your oral health situation—sometimes in a positive way and other times in quite the opposite direction. Care to join us on a little exploration of the best and worst breakfast choices for your teeth?= 1. Best: (Almost) Anything Avocado Avocado toast, a dollop of guacamole in a breakfast dish, a sliced avocado with a drizzle of olive oil and a dash of pepper. Or ..read more

Via From sniffles to the flu, oral care quite often takes a back seat when you are under the weather.  This doesn’t need to be the case, however. Let’s explore how to stay on top of your dental health when you are sick. 1. Double Check How Your Medication or Medicine May Impact Your Mouth Just to be safe, you can keep an extra-vigilant eye out on the label…and your tongue, gums and teeth. 2. Be Extra Careful About What You Are Drinking Sports drinks and sodas are nothing more than temporary fixes. Drink water instead! And lots of it. Remaining properly hydrated is crucial to preventing dr ..read more