Regular dental care is just as important as brushing and flossing; however, even a routine cleaning and checkup isn’t easy for everyone. If your heart races or your palms sweat at just the thought of seeing a dentist, you’re not alone. About 36% of Americans have some degree of dental-related anxiety. A painful procedure in the past is enough to make anyone dread the dentist, but a bad experience isn’t the only cause of dental fears. Believe it or not, the media is a leading contributor. Here’s how what you see on TV and online can influence your experience in the dentist’s chair.  The Me ..read more

The reason why talking to our dentists is so important is that it’s not always possible to take care of our oral health on our own. While good dental hygiene and being aware of how your teeth feel are important, it’s equally important to have a professional catch certain problems before they get worse. If your dentist tells you that you might need a tooth extracted, you might be surprised. After all, it’s possible that you could need an extraction on a tooth that doesn’t even hurt! Here’s why that might be the case, and why you should still go through with the procedure. Do I Need an Extracti ..read more

Pregnancy is an exciting time in your life; however, it also means that you’ve got an extra passenger onboard that you need to take into consideration at all times! But one thing that you should always keep in mind is your oral health, given how connected it is to the rest of your body. This means that issues such as missing teeth still need to be addressed—but are restorative solutions like dental implants safe during pregnancy? Here’s what you need to know. The Link Between Pregnancy & Oral Health Pregnancy greatly affects your body in a lot of different ways; however, most people don’t ..read more

Many people choose to take advantage of their time off work during the holidays to get dental surgery, like getting a tooth extracted. Although it can be wise to use your free time to care for your oral health, you may be wondering how this will affect your festivities while you recover. Fortunately, you can enjoy the holidays and allow your mouth to fully heal! Here are four tips on how to make it possible. #1. Make Rest a Priority for the First Few Days You should spend the most time resting the first couple of days after oral surgery. Overly strenuous activity or movements that increase bl ..read more

Are you a regular coffee fiend? Are you unable to start your day without a large cup (or pot) of Joe? If so, you aren’t alone; coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages on the planet, after all! But are you still able to enjoy your favorite drink if you’re scheduled for an upcoming tooth extraction? Here’s why your dentist thinks you should hold off on doing so for a bit, along with some better alternatives and tips for promoting a smooth recovery. Why You Shouldn’t Drink Coffee Following a Tooth Extraction Simply put, enjoying coffee immediately following a tooth extraction is a ba ..read more

If your dentist has recently informed you that you’re going to need a tooth extracted, you might have a million different questions racing through your mind! This can understandably lead to some anxiety and fear concerning the upcoming procedure; however, you have absolutely nothing to worry about, as your dentist has your smile’s best interest in mind! Here are some helpful tips for overcoming your fear of tooth extractions so that you can feel totally comfortable about the process. Tip #1. Knowledge Is Power People inherently fear what they don’t understand—so knowing as much as possible ab ..read more

Your smile is easily one of your most noticeable features—especially if your pearly whites are healthy, bright, and uniform! But not all of your teeth look exactly the same or serve similar functions: the sharper teeth towards the front of your mouth are meant for biting and tearing into food, while your flatter teeth near the back grind it all down. However, most people have a third set of molars, referred to as wisdom teeth; but these teeth are often extracted during early adulthood. Keep reading to learn a little more about these teeth, why we have them, and why they sometimes need to come ..read more

Over 10 million teeth are removed each year, according to the American Public Health Association. However, despite how common tooth extractions are, there are still many misconceptions about the procedure. Do you suspect you may have a decayed or damaged tooth or need to pull your wisdom teeth? Here is the truth behind five common myths about tooth extractions. Myth #1: Tooth Extractions Are Painful Many people worry that removing a tooth will hurt but that’s simply not the case. Before beginning the procedure, your dentist will numb the area to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort ..read more

The wisdom teeth are the “extra” set of pearly whites in the back of the jaw that may or may not cause you problems. Not everyone has wisdom teeth, but for the lucky majority who do, these pesky teeth will usually need to come out. Most people have them extracted between ages 18-25 or so. There is usually not enough room for the crowns to poke through the gums, which can result in crowding, infection, and some amount of discomfort if they are not removed.  Wisdom tooth extraction is an oral procedure that is completed in a single visit with your dentist or an oral surgeon. After the surg ..read more

If you have invested in dental implants, you made a wonderful choice for your smile. Dental implants are the only truly long-term solution for missing teeth. They don’t require too much special maintenance, but there are some things you will want to avoid to keep from doing any damage. Keep reading to find out the four habits to break now that you have dental implants.  Biting/Chewing Anything but Food Dental implants are sturdy and can support a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutritious and tasty foods. However, just like natural teeth, they cannot withstand the forces of biti ..read more