This Thanksgiving, there are probably quite a few things in your life that you’re thankful for: loving friends and family, time off from school or work, and of course, a dinner table loaded with all your favorite festive dishes and desserts! But there is one other thing, or rather, one person that you should be certain to show your appreciation to this year—your trusted dentist! Keep reading below to learn a little more about the things your dentist does for your oral well-being all year long: without them, you probably wouldn’t smile very often!

October is here, which means Halloween is right around the corner—and you’re probably feeling pretty excited to celebrate the spooky season this year! But you shouldn’t spend all thirty-one days this month with solely candy, costumes, and scary movies in mind; you shouldn’t also keep tabs on your oral hygiene! In honor of Dental Hygiene Month this October, here are some must-know tips from your dentist that are certain to help you maintain a bright and healthy set of pearly whites all month long—and beyond!

The appearance of our smile plays a big role in how we feel about ourselves and having perfectly even, bright teeth has become the ideal. If you’re unhappy about flaws in your teeth, you’re not alone! Cosmetic dentists have helped millions of patients like you address aesthetic imperfections with dental veneers.

These thin, shell-like covers are bonded to the front of your pearly whites to address issues like minor gaps, slightly chipped or crooked teeth, and discoloration. There’s more than one type, though, and it’s important for patients to be informed. If you’re considering veneers, keep reading to learn about the two main types to decide which is best for you!

The National Association of Dental Plans has found that only 2.8% of people with PPO dental plans meet their annual maximums every year. In other words, the vast majority of individuals with dental insurance are not taking full advantage of their benefits, meaning they are missing out on important opportunities to save money on oral health care. Want to maximize your dental insurance benefits? Your dentist has 3 tips that can help.

If you’re ready to revamp your pearly whites, veneers are a great option. Bonding veneers to the teeth visible when smiling corrects many imperfections using a minimally invasive procedure. You can say goodbye to stains, chips, and gaps in as few as 2 appointments. Your stunning new smile can last for 10 years or longer with the right care. Here are 7 tips to get the most from your investment.

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If you’ve replaced your lost teeth with dental implants, you’ve invested in a lasting solution for tooth loss. A dental implant is unlike any other treatment because it replaces both the root and the crown of a missing tooth. Your restoration has the support of your jawbone, which means you don’t have to worry about leaving your favorite foods off of your plate. However, your implant dentist will recommend a few diet changes to get the most from your new smile.

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Dental crowns are a popular solution to fortify and protect severely damaged teeth because they can last for decades if placed and cared for properly. After a few years with it in place, you might even find that over time you forget it’s there! That’s why it can be particularly important to recognize the signs that let you know when your dental crown needs to be replaced. Continue reading to learn 5 indicators that it’s time for a new crown.

Toothpicks are handed out at most sit-down restaurants and they’re great for presenting hors d’oeuvres. They’re also simply available at your local grocery store or pharmacy. Unfortunately, they are terrible when used for regular teeth cleaning and can damage your gums and enamel. While they might be okay to carefully use occasionally, here’s why dentists do not recommend using them for regular hygiene.

Dental implants promise patients incredible strength, durability, and stability in their bite. If you’re looking for a good way to replace your teeth, they’re pretty hard to beat.

However, many patients who are interested in what dental implants have to offer are put off by the idea of surgery. If that describes you, you shouldn’t let anxiety about the procedure get in the way of a beautiful smile. Here’s why you don’t need to be scared of the prospect of dental implant surgery. 

Dental fillings have the distinction of being one of the most recognizable and popular dental treatments among the general population. According to the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, around 90% of adults have experienced some level of tooth decay, and the average adult has received anywhere between 6 and 7 fillings.

Still, as prominent as they are, some people still don’t completely understand the various materials that fillings can be made out of. Some people still expect to get metal fillings, even though tooth-colored composite has been the industry standard for years now.

If you want to know why so many dentists prefer composite fillings to metal ones, here are a few reasons that that’s the case.