It’s the end of the year, and that means you have a lot on your plate. You are probably swamped at work, you are busy for the holidays, and you have personal business matters to attend to. Yet there is one task that you have probably forgotten—scheduling your annual teeth cleaning and exam. Now is the time to make your appointment. Here’s why you need to take this important step.

An Ounce of Prevention

You should get a cleaning and dental exam at least once per year, if not every six months. This annual checkup is important because it helps you prevent gum disease and tooth decay. No matter how well you think you are taking care of your mouth, your dentist can get your teeth and gums much cleaner in their office. This helps prevent problems that could be painful and costly. [Read more…]

The holidays are a joyous time of family, friends, and good food. Comfort food is the theme when it comes to the holidays, especially sugary treats that you don’t get year-round. Yet when you are eating these high-calorie, sugar-filled foods, you need to be aware of what they are doing to your body. Not only can eating too much of these foods cause you to gain weight, it could damage your teeth. Here are some ways that you can protect your teeth this holiday season.

Everything in Moderation

It is important that you don’t go overboard with the sweet treats and other foods that cause plaque and tartar buildup. Enjoy all of the treats that are made for you, but do so in moderation. Make sure that after you eat these sweets that you drink a glass of water to rinse the sugar away from your mouth. Letting sugar sit on your teeth will cause cavities. [Read more…]

Having healthy gums is very important. If you develop gum disease, you could eventually lose teeth and even lose bone density in your jaw. Unhealthy gums pull away from the teeth, causing them to become loose and possibly fall out. Periodontal disease, or advanced gum disease, attacks the bone beneath the gum and can make treatment difficult.

The best way to avoid these problems is to have good gum hygiene. With good gum hygiene as part of your regular oral health routine, you will be able to keep healthy teeth and a healthy body. Here are three things to keep in mind.

Brush Properly

Most people do not know how to brush their teeth properly. You should brush every surface of your teeth, including the front, back, and chewing surface, but it is also important to brush your gums. Your gums should get the same attention as your teeth, and you should be brushing down away from the gum to pull out food and bacteria from between the gum and teeth. [Read more…]

You know that missing teeth affect your appearance, and they might make you feel very self-conscious. But there are many other important reasons to replace missing teeth. Having missing teeth actually affects your overall oral, physical, and mental health. 

Oral Health

When you have missing teeth, the gum beneath and around the missing tooth begins to recede, and the bone of the jaw where the tooth is missing begins to wear away. With the bone wearing away and the gums receding, teeth on either side of the missing tooth will eventually become loosened and decayed, and they, too, will have to be removed. This is a slippery slope.  [Read more…]

One of the most frustrating things about dental care can be the cost. When you have dental problems or missing teeth, it can seem nearly impossible to afford the dental work you need to be healthy and whole. Luckily, there are some new options that can help you take care of your dental needs without spending the rent money. Care Credit is one of the best options to help you pay for your necessary dental work.

How It Works

Care Credit is an independent program that offers you a credit card that can be used to pay for medical, dental, and vision needs. It has a traditionally low interest rate, depending on credit approval. You can use the Care Credit card at participating locations, in which we are included. You then make reasonable monthly payments until you have completely paid for your procedure. [Read more…]

Going to the dentist is rarely anyone’s favorite thing to do. But like other doctors’ appointments, it helps things go smoothly if you are prepared for the appointment. There are several things you can do before and during your appointment that will help you have a successful dental visit.

Clean Your Mouth

Even if you will be getting a thorough dental cleaning while you are at your appointment, no one likes to deal with a dirty mouth. Brush your teeth and floss before going to your dental appointment. This is also important because if you aren’t doing a good job with oral hygiene, your dentist will be able to see that at your appointment and give you tips on how to improve. [Read more…]