When it comes to taking good care of your smile, biannual dental appointments are key. During these visits, your teeth and gum line will be cleaned of plaque and tartar buildup. Your dentist will then do a thorough examination to determine if there are any oral health issues present. As important as these appointments are, some patients can’t help but feel nervous about them. If you’re one of those people, there are several things you can do to make sure your appointment goes as smoothly as possible. Read on to learn four tips that will help you ensure that your next dental visit is a success.

A mouthguard can be just as important as a toothbrush for some patients, like those who play contact sports. The oral appliance can provide your smile with an added layer of protection to safeguard your teeth. You know you can get one from a dentist, but why waste time and money when you can purchase one OTC? Although your intentions are good, store-bought mouthguards can do more harm than good. Here’s why custom-fit mouthguards are worth the time and investment.

(more…)

The holiday season is officially in full swing! Many people are looking forward to all the gift-giving, quality time spent with loved ones, and (of course) countless opportunities to eat. Although your taste buds might be happy during this time of the year, the foods you eat can wreak havoc on your oral health if you’re not careful. With that in mind, here are a few holiday foods you should eat in moderation to protect your smile.  

Millions of Americans suffer from extensive tooth loss. If you’re a part of that group, you know from experience how much it can affect your quality of life. Not only does it make you look older, but it changes the way you bite, chew, and speak. Fortunately, dentures are an excellent way to complete your smile and restore your confidence! If you’re interested in moving forward with this method of tooth replacement, you might be wondering how long it will take to complete the process. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you can expect from start to finish.

Do you have missing teeth? If so, then you know firsthand how having gaps in your smile can affect your quality of life. Not only does it impact your bite, but your speech and appearance as well. To solve your problems, you’re probably researching options for replacing teeth. Partial dentures and dental bridges are two excellent ways to restore your smile – but how do you know which option is best for your needs? You can find out by learning about the difference between partial dentures and dental bridges.

Are you getting a tooth pulled? It can sound like a scary and painful procedure, especially if you’ve never experienced it before. However, it might surprise you to learn that it’s a common procedure and is much more comfortable than you might think! It’s relatively painless, quick, and necessary to keep your smile healthy. If you’re nervous about your upcoming dental visit, don’t worry – here are a few tips to help you overcome your fear of tooth extractions.

The air is sweeter, the days are longer, and the sun is blazing – summer is officially upon us! Most people have a season jam-packed with fun activities to look forward to. Unfortunately, some traditional summer pastimes can harm your oral health if you’re not careful. Luckily, there are several ways you can protect your smile while still enjoying your days off to the fullest. Read along as your dentist in Indian Land shares a few tips to keep your mouth safe this season.

No one wants to hear that they need to have a tooth pulled, but sometimes it is necessary in order to preserve the health of the rest of your smile. Tooth extractions are typically the last resort of your dentist because it is always best to keep a natural tooth if possible. That being said, there are numerous reasons why you may require and extraction. Here are some of the most common reasons for having a tooth pulled.

Is your tooth causing you a lot of pain? Between work, errands, and shuttling the kids to soccer practice, it can be hard to find the time to visit the dentist, even if you have a toothache. However, you may need a root canal in order to save your damaged or infected tooth. How long can you expect to be in the treatment chair during root canal therapy? Let’s take a look at what factors impact root canal treatment and the recovery process.  

No one wants to hear their dentist tell them that they need a root canal. For some people, the very mention of this procedure strikes fear into their hearts. Others neglect to book an appointment due to a busy schedule or concerns about cost. However, you should never put off a root canal if your dentist says you need one. It could lead to serious consequences that require even more time and money to treat. Read on to learn what can happen if you avoid getting a root canal when you need one.