Smiling is one of the friendliest gestures you can make—and sometimes, to feel confident in that gesture, you might need braces to straighten your teeth. While you might be familiar with the rubber bands and brackets, there’s another critical step in preparing for braces that you might not be aware of: spacers. Here, we’ll look into what spacers are, what to expect, and how to care for them. The Parts
You’ve probably heard about pH levels regarding water and soil. Perhaps you even did a science project in school on pH levels. But do you know about the pH level of your mouth? The acidity of your mouth and the things you put in it can ultimately impact your tooth enamel. Though the pH levels of commercial toothpaste and other oral care products are not always available, you can learn
Active children love to run and play, but that also means they may fall and hurt themselves at times, too. The good news is that you can be prepared for these accidents and help your child should they get hurt. Learn some helpful tips and basic emergency dental care just in case, so your child can get back to the playground. How to Handle a Dental Emergency In many ways,
When you get orthodontics (like braces) removed, it can be easy to forget every important bit of information your dental professional shares. You may be wondering: can retainers straighten teeth? If I start wearing my retainer again, will my teeth move back? Is wearing a retainer after my teeth have shifted a good idea? Stick around, and we’ll share the answers to your top questions about retainers, along with helpful
During a person’s orthodontic treatment, the upper jaw (maxilla) and the lower jaw (mandible) can be more uneven in their positions than in traditional cases of misalignment. In these situations, based on a clinical diagnosis and digital imaging, the orthodontist may recommend wearing headgear braces for a certain portion of your child’s overall orthodontic treatment. But what are they, and how are they different from your traditional wires and brackets?
Maintaining oral hygiene has multiple advantages. While daily teeth cleaning at home is the basis of good oral health, dentists recommend a professional preventive treatment at least twice a year. You may be nervous about visiting a dental hygienist because you aren’t sure what happens during a visit. Knowing the names and functions of some standard dental tools you’ll see during an average cleaning appointment can help you be ready.
If you’ve had tooth pain, you know it can make your wallet hurt too. Emergency dental care is expensive, which is why it’s recommended you keep regular oral check-ups at least twice per year to head off any potential problems. If, however, your sore tooth requires a root canal to fix, don’t suffer sticker shock. Understand how much root canals cost and why that cost may vary based on a
Getting hurt as an athlete is no longer a rite of passage. As we’ve become aware that sports injuries lead to serious long-term health issues, the command to “buck up” and get back into the game is – we hope – a relic of the past. As it is for physical and mental health, maintaining oral health as an athlete is essential. While modern dentistry can now repair most
If you have receding gums, you probably have questions about how they will change the appearance of your smile, if there’s a way to grow back the gum (or gingiva) that you’ve lost, and the potential reasons for their recession. Unfortunately, there’s no way for gums to grow back, but there are some ways to improve your smile after gum recession. The most minimally invasive option is a gum (or
Identifying the early signs of mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, is essential for increasing successful treatment chances. Make checking for these oral cancer symptoms part of your regular oral health care routine, and be prepared to act quickly if the need arises. A healthy oral care routine includes looking out for unusual bumps and persistent pains in and around the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat. Though the probability
Did you know your immune system helps your body fight illnesses? Sometimes, however, the immune system attacks the healthy cells and tissues in your body, which can lead to autoimmune diseases. In fact, some of these autoimmune diseases can impact your oral health. Knowing some of the autoimmune diseases that cause oral health issues can help you take better care of your oral hygiene, and lead to a lifetime of
If you have a damaged tooth that’s in need of a root canal or crown, you may hear your dental professional mention the “Ferrule Effect” when talking about these procedures. Knowing what it is before you see your dentist may help with your confusion! Here is everything you need to know. The ferrule effect is important in that it is the area around the tooth that protects that tooth from