Gannett Drive Dental Blog

Embarking on New Year’s resolutions is a wonderful way to set personal goals, be it in the realms of travel, career advancements, or culinary skills. With a myriad of possibilities to fulfill aspirations in the next 365 days, have you ever considered crafting resolutions specifically aimed at improving your oral health? Continue reading to delve into five tailored suggestions below to nurture a healthier smile in the coming year.

Due to many decades of humorously exaggerated representation in movies and television, many people believe that root canals are gruelingly painful procedures. The good news is that thanks to modern dental science, root canals are virtually painless, and the discomfort that happens while recovering can be easily managed. Here’s why you shouldn’t be afraid if you’re scheduled to have a root canal treatment.

500,000 Americans invest in dental implants every year because they offer exceptional benefits not possible using other methods. A dental implant replaces both the tooth root and the crown. A post is surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as a new root. Your bone fuses with it through a process called osseointegration. Once your bone has healed, an all-ceramic restoration is attached using an abutment. Your implant will be the foundation for your new tooth, so it’s important to choose the right material. Although titanium is the standard material, implants can also be made of zirconia. Here’s how to choose the right material for your investment.

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For most people, it’s recommended that you see your dentist at least twice a year. Preventive care is deeply important in order to check that you aren’t dealing with any oral health problems, and to clean your mouth in ways areas that you reach on your own with daily hygiene.

That said, if you haven’t been to the dentist’s office in a while, you might not necessarily know how to make the best use of your time with them. Here are a few things it might be smart to talk about at a checkup.

Just about everyone wishes that their smile was a little bit whiter. If you have a coffee habit, a smoking problem, or have just started to see your teeth discolor as you’ve aged, you may have looked into getting a whitening kit that can help your smile shine again.

You may have also noticed that there’s no shortage of over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions at your local pharmacy. However, using—and especially overusing—these products can produce serious problems. Here’s more information about why that is, and what to do instead.

If you’re embarrassed by stained, crooked, or missing teeth, you may be a candidate for a smile makeover. You have more options than ever to address common aesthetic concerns to create a picture-perfect smile. Your cosmetic dentist will create a personalized treatment plan to turn the smile of your dreams into reality. Here are 4 reasons why you should invest in beautiful teeth.

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Compared to an intense toothache, you might think tooth sensitivity is harmless. After all, don’t all body parts get sensitive now and again? Surely your delicate teeth, then, aren’t a big deal. However, the truth is that tender pearly whites can point to a dental emergency. Leaving them untended, therefore, may put you at risk of oral problems. Still, your local dentist can help prevent such issues. To that end, here’s a summary of how to tell if a sensitive tooth (or teeth) needs emergency care.

If you are having a tooth extracted soon, you’re probably looking forward less to having that tooth removed, and more to how your smile will look after you get the tooth replaced. Going from a damaged, incomplete smile to one that you’re proud to show people is a great feeling.

Dentures are one of the most popular tooth replacement options, and many people get a set of them after having several problem teeth extracted. However, you may wonder how much time you’ll have to deal with gaps in your smile before you can get your dentures. The answer depends on a few factors; here’s a guide that can give you some useful information.

Some denture wearers may assume that staining or discoloration won’t be an issue, but the truth is you should still be mindful about how you take care of them. While they are not porous like traditional tooth enamel, dentures can still dull over time if you are not careful. To ensure you keep them looking great for years to come, read on to learn from your dentist in South Portland about what you can do to whiten dentures.

Many patients are hesitant to move forward with orthodontic treatment because they want to avoid the hassle of metal wires and brackets. Well, Invisalign is a modern solution that allows you to discreetly and comfortably get the straight smile you’ve always wanted. One significant advantage it offers is that there are no dietary restrictions! You must simply remove the clear aligners before eating. Unfortunately, that means food can easily get trapped between teeth when you put the trays back in. Flossing is essential after every meal to prevent bacteria growth and tooth decay. In this blog post, you’ll learn more about the importance of flossing and how to do it correctly.