August 11^th is National Align Your Teeth Day, a day championed by dentists, orthodontists, and all other professionals in the dental field. The primary goal of this holiday is to promote awareness about the need for proper dental alignment, as well as the benefits that patients gain access to when they opt for orthodontic treatment. With that in mind, here’s more about why you should desire to have a straight and healthy smile, along with a few ways that your trusted orthodontist can help you reach that goal!

One of the most common dental procedures across the entire world is wisdom teeth removal; in fact, it’s basically a rite of passage into adulthood for many of us and sets us up for a lifetime of fewer oral health issues! But if your dentist has recently informed you that it’s time for those teeth to go, you might have a few reservations, especially when it comes to the healing period. Here’s a closer look at the recovery timeline for wisdom tooth extraction and some tips for ensuring a stress-free recovery.

If your wisdom teeth are giving you problems, it’s not something you want to ignore. Evolution has caused the human jaw to narrow, which means you may not have enough room in your mouth to accommodate a third set of molars. If there isn’t enough room to erupt, the teeth can be partially or fully impacted. According to the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 1 in every 10 adults has at least 1 impacted wisdom tooth. Although it may not seem concerning, your health can suffer if the teeth aren’t removed.

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If your dentist finds that you have gum disease, scaling and root planing (SRP for short) will likely be their first choice for addressing it. The treatment helps get rid of plaque and tartar hiding below the gumline, and it makes it easier for the gums to successfully reattach to the roots of the teeth. But how much will SRP cost? The answer isn’t exactly the same for each patient, so here’s an overview of what you can generally expect.

When you have a damaged, infected, or otherwise compromised tooth, it can be difficult to understand all of your available treatment options. One of the many ways that modern dentistry can assist you is root canal therapy; however, this isn’t the only option, and sometimes tooth extractions can prove useful too. But what does each entail, and is there a “better” option between the two? Keep reading to learn more!

March marks the end of cold weather as gray, cloudy days become less frequent. Besides cleaning out the cabinets and reorganizing your closets, you’re probably enjoying a few favorite seasonal foods. When you take a break from spring cleaning, don’t reach for sugary treats or it can lead to bad news the next time you visit your dentist. Here’s how to protect your smile from popular March foods.

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If your dentist has recommended a root canal to save your tooth, your first thought might be to delay the procedure because your life is just too busy. However, waiting until you have more time in your schedule could cost you your tooth. You don’t have to worry about a lengthy dental treatment. Here’s how long you can expect root canal therapy to take.

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Enjoying a glass of wine with dinner or grabbing a happy hour after work is not unusual for many people. According to the CDC, two-thirds of adult Americans (66%) drink alcohol. Light to moderate alcohol consumption has been proven to do no harm to your health and may even have some benefits. But consuming excessive amounts of liquor and spirits can be detrimental to your health. Did you know it can even possibly lead to gum disease? Your dentist in Waco is here to tell you about the link between alcohol and gum disease and what you can do to keep your smile healthy!

You know that sleepy feeling you get after eating a big meal? Some people refer to it as the “itis.” While passing right out on the couch isn’t necessarily a big deal, it can spell trouble when it comes to your oral health. Look no further than gingivitis and periodontitis. Both are stages of gum disease, but it is helpful to know the differences if your dentist references them. Read on to learn the details of each problem for your gums as well as how to tell if you have them and how you can prevent gum disease in Waco.

While gum disease is easily preventable, it’s still incredibly common, affecting almost half of Americans over the age of 30. If symptoms progress, it can become much more difficult and even downright impossible to reverse. Patients who’ve been dealing with advanced gum disease in Waco for a while may think they’re running out of options – but that’s not the case at all. Read on to learn whether or not extracting your teeth can eliminate the infection for good and other solutions you may want to consider.