Although brushing and flossing twice daily strengthens your teeth and gums to prevent potential oral emergencies, there’s no guarantee that you’ll never develop an urgent dental problem. For instance, you might develop a sore or inflamed jaw on one side that makes it uncomfortable to eat or speak.

Your ache can have several potential causes, and you’ll need your dentist’s help to identify and treat the underlying issue. Continue reading to learn about 3 common culprits known to cause this kind of pain and how they’re addressed!

As you know them today, dental implants use biocompatible materials like titanium or zirconia to fuse with your jawbone, providing maximum stability and strength. But surely they weren’t always like that, right? Or did experts get lucky and just happen to create the perfect restoration on their first try?

That would be impressive, but no – dental implants have advanced quite a bit over the years! If you’re curious about how they got their start, keep reading.

Do you want to take the stress and anxiety out of your dental visits? In some cases, your dentist may suggest oral conscious sedation as a way to stay calm and relaxed while your smile is being treated. Plenty of patients benefit from this type of sedation, but how will you know if it’s truly the right choice for you? Here’s a closer look at oral conscious sedation and what can make someone a good candidate for it.

Gum disease is one of the most common health problems on Earth, and it can lead to a wide variety of oral issues such as inflammation, bleeding, bad breath, gum recession, tooth loss, and possibly dangerous secondary infections like sepsis. In severe cases, these infections can cause spaces to form between the gums and the roots of the teeth called periodontal pockets. Here’s a brief guide to how this can happen and what your dentist can do to help.

Your gums are an integral part of your oral health, so when they’re inflamed, bleeding, or tender, it can be concerning. For patients in the know, a little anxiety may even begin to creep in as they wonder, “Is it gingivitis or something more serious?” Gum cancer shares many symptoms with gum disease, but while both conditions can cause issues, they’re very different in terms of severity. So, how do you know which is which, and when should you see a dentist? Read on to find out.

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, and it can potentially turn into a much more serious oral health threat if it isn’t treated in time. If someone in your family currently has gingivitis, you may find yourself wondering: is it contagious? Your dentist is here to answer this question as well as provide some tips for protecting your smile.

Halloween is a terrifying celebration of everything spooky, absurd, and bizarre, but dentists and orthodontists have a few concerns about some of its traditions. In particular, the excessive volumes of candy handed out during the month of October can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and costly setbacks in a person’s orthodontic treatment. Here are a few tips for keeping on top of your SureSmile treatment when celebrating Halloween.

It’s normal as you get older to worry that you’re “too old” to try certain things. Whether it’s nerves about trying a new sport, fear of not fitting in on a trendy social media network, or you think it’s too late to straighten your teeth, doubts about your age can sometimes hold you back from trying something wonderful. But don’t let fears about passed time stop you from getting the smile you deserve. Whether you’ve always wanted to get orthodontic work or you’ve had it before and your teeth have shifted, you’re never too old for SureSmile clear aligners! Here’s why this treatment will still work, even if you’re not exactly a kid anymore!

You want whiter, brighter teeth, but deciding which teeth whitening treatment to use can be a challenge. With so many options out there, how do you know which will work the best? After all, you don’t want to waste your time and money, nor do you want to damage your teeth in the process. If you’re considering over-the-counter whitening treatments versus the professional take-home kits available from your dentist, here are some important facts to help you make the right choice.

For many patients, the thought of visiting the dentist triggers anxiety and fear. While some dental anxiety can stem from personal experiences, the media they consume can also play a role in shaping their feelings. From movies to TV shows and news stories, the portrayal of dentists and dental procedures has been fuel for phobias. Continue reading to explore how various media can affect your fear of dentists and their treatments.