Dental Center of Lakewood Blog

Chances are you know someone who needed a wisdom tooth extraction. If not, maybe you are that someone! This is one of the most common dental treatments in the US, and yet, the origin and purpose of wisdom teeth are largely mysterious.

Fortunately for curious types everywhere, you wouldn’t be the first to wonder why humans still develop third molars if they usually have to be pulled. Keep reading for some illuminating answers!

Many people assume gum disease just harms your gums, given its name. That said, the condition does more than damage the tissues around your teeth. It also warps the shape of your face as it worsens, causing your good looks to decline. Your Dallas dentist will even show you how that’s possible with some handy explanations. To that end, keep reading to learn how gum disease affects face shape and tips on avoiding (or managing) this oral issue.

Spreading illness is unfortunately easier than it should be. Whether you touch a surface with germs without washing your hands, breathe them in, or even share a cup, this can transfer bacteria and viruses from person to person. But what many people don’t realize is that you can share dangerous bacteria with someone else even if you aren’t displaying any symptoms, including the gingival bacteria that causes gum disease!

Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of spreading oral bacteria and how you can prevent it.

A dental implant consultation is generally a low-pressure appointment. No treatment happens—it’s just an examination and discussion with your dentist. It’s a great visit to learn more about your treatment options, see if you are a good candidate, and try to pick the one that’s right for you. Although you don’t need to prepare physically in advance, you should consider coming with some questions in mind if you want to maximize your time and glean as much information as possible.

Below are some examples of questions you should have prepared for your dental implant consultation so that you leave feeling informed and confident about your decision to move forward.

You could definitely argue that the point of summer is to enjoy more activities while the weather is fair, time is free, and spirits are high. However, fun in the sun can be not so fun for your teeth. Besides the typical risk of injury involved with sports, there are some lesser-known dental hazards that often get overlooked. To be in the know and better protect your pearly whites, keep reading!

To create a dental crown, your dentist takes precise measurements, ensuring that it fits comfortably and resembles your other teeth in size and shape. However, there’s a less talked about part of this process: color-matching. That’s right, your dentist uses color theory! In this article, we’ll cover the more palette-centric part of crown creation. You’ll be amazed at how much work goes into it!

You had a row of missing teeth that was making life more complicated than it needed to be. Or maybe just one missing tooth was taking a toll on your confidence. After talking things over with your dentist, you decided to go through with a dental bridge treatment. Now that some time has passed and you’ve adjusted to your new smile, you pretty much treat your dental bridge like natural teeth! Maybe you even sometimes forget that they’re inorganic.

It’s awesome that your dental bridge feels seamless – that’s the goal. But if you want it to last a long time and spare your wallet from repairs, there are some things you should know. Keep reading for some common reasons your bridge might fail and how to avoid them.

Denture sores are a troublesome nuisance, but they should be rare. While they are most likely to develop when you are still adjusting during the first few weeks of receiving a new set of dentures, they may also mean that your jawbone has changed and your denture needs an adjustment to fit properly again. Here’s a quick overview of denture sores including what causes them, how to get rid of them, and when to see a dentist.

One of the reasons that Invisalign is so popular is the clear aligner’s removability. This offers this treatment additional versatility when compared to other methods of orthodontic treatment, allowing you to take your aligners off for cleaning and skirt many of the dietary restrictions associated with orthodontics.

However, this also means that Invisalign treatment can fall seriously off track if you approach it in the wrong way. With that in mind, here’s a quick list of do’s and don’ts regarding Invisalign treatment in order to help you stay on track.

Did you know that having a crooked smile can damage your oral health in addition to your self-confidence? If your teeth are overcrowded or uneven, it’s harder to brush and floss all of their surfaces. This leaves you more prone to dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

Fortunately, your dentist can help by providing orthodontic options like traditional braces and Invisalign. How do you know, though, which option is right for you? Keep reading to learn more about each so that you can make an informed decision!