Learn great tips and tricks from our top contributor, Captain Smiles. We've got answers and info to help you maintain healthy dental health at Spirit Dental!

Dental Care During Pregnancy Guidelines

dental care during pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, you might wonder if it’s safe to receive oral health care from your dental hygienist and dentist. Should you stick to your appointments for checkups and cleanings? Is there an increased risk of developing certain oral health problems while pregnant? And is it a good idea to receive more advanced dental treatments while you’re expecting?

These are all valid questions, so we’ve compiled a few dental care during pregnancy guidelines to outline what steps you can take to keep your mouth, and your growing baby, healthy until your due date.

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544 Hits

Ins and Outs of Dental Fillings

ins and outs dental fillings

Dental fillings are super common, yet a lot of people aren’t entirely clear on what fillings are made of, how fillings are placed in the teeth, and when they can be used to fix a tooth.

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701 Hits

Edentulism: What Is It and How to Prevent It?

Edentulism What Is It and How to Prevent It

Edentulism: it’s a term that you may not have heard of, but you might know someone who has been diagnosed with it. Check out the information below to learn about this oral health condition, and to access some tips on how you can prevent it.

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1623 Hits

Your Guide to Overbite Correction

Your Guide to Overbite Correction

An overbite is a type of malocclusion, or misalignment of the teeth. Basically, the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth excessively when the mouth is closed. The overlap might even be so severe that the lower teeth touch the gums behind the upper teeth.

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1299 Hits

How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene with Braces

How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene with Braces

Braces are amazing because they can give you the perfect smile that will make you feel more confident. But they do require extra maintenance when it comes to keeping them clean. Get ready to spend a little more time in the bathroom, making sure that all of the tiny spaces within your braces are thoroughly cleaned of food particles that could get trapped in there and lead to damaging plaque and bacteria.

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1362 Hits

Overcoming Dentist Appointment Anxiety: Kids Edition

Overcoming Dentist Appt Anxiety

Even as an adult, a trip to the dentist can cause some anxiety. But, for kids, it could be downright frightening. So what can you do to ease your child’s fears when it’s time to have their teeth checked or when a cavity needs to be filled?  

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706 Hits

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Oral cancer will affect more than 50,000 people in 2018 alone, and it’s estimated that more than 10,000 people will die from this terrible disease. Knowing the most common risk factors for this type of cancer might help you feel more in control, as you can take steps to reduce your odds by leading a healthier lifestyle.

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472 Hits

Invisalign vs. Braces: Which Is Best for Your Teen?

Invisalign vs Braces

When it comes to aligning teeth, you might immediately think of braces. But, these days, there are a lot of options to choose from, especially when you’re searching for the perfect solution for your teen’s teeth.

One of the most popular products available is Invisalign. But how does it stack up against traditional braces?  Keep reading for a comparison of Invisalign vs braces so you can make the right decision.

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768 Hits

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Do you suffer from tooth sensitivity? Well, you certainly aren’t alone. This common condition can make it difficult for you to enjoy your favorite hot and/or cold foods and drinks, which is a real bummer.

Determining the reason for your sensitivity can be your first step in getting relief. To learn more about what might be to blame, check out this list of some of the main causes of tooth sensitivity.

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How to Prevent Bottle Rot

prevent bottle rot

Also known as baby bottle tooth decay, bottle rot is a serious problem that can affect the teeth of a baby or a toddler. Put simply, it’s the formation of cavities in a baby’s teeth.

Sure, your child will eventually lose all of those baby teeth and replace them with adult teeth, but those temporary chompers are necessary not only for proper chewing and speaking, but also to help ensure the permanent teeth will grow in beautifully. So check out the information below to learn more about the causes of bottle rot and what steps you can take to prevent it.

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2607 Hits

Little Known Facts About Gum Disease

facts about gum disease

Think you know all there is to know about gum disease? Well, there are quite a few little known facts that you should be aware of so you can take the right steps towards keeping those gums clean and healthy.

Want to know just how important gum health really is, and how scary gum disease could be? Read on!

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1355 Hits

Healthy Snacks to Cut Down Sugar

healthy snacks

Did you know that what you eat could have a big impact on the health of your teeth and gums, even if you do your best to brush and floss daily and see your dentist regularly?

The foods that are most to blame for the buildup of plaque are those that are high in—you guessed it—sugar. So making it a point to cut back on your sugar intake, and to limit foods that contain added sugars, is a smart move.

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817 Hits

Dentures and TMJ: How Does One Affect the Other?

tmj pain

TMJ: it’s painful, uncomfortable, and possibly related to the fact that you wear dentures. Wait, what? That’s right; dentures and temporomandibular joint disorder (also known as TMJ or TMD) could be related. But, before you get too upset, the good news is that there are also dentures that could actually help relieve TMJ symptoms. Dive into the facts on dentures/TMJ below to learn all about how one could affect the other.

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4764 Hits

New Parent's Guide to Toddler Oral Care

toddler oral care

First-time parents are often focused on the oral care that they need to provide to their babies. But what about when your baby has grown into a toddler?

It turns out that toddler oral care is also extremely important and shouldn’t be neglected. To learn about what it takes to ensure your child’s mouth can be clean and healthy, keep reading for a few simple guidelines that you can follow.

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869 Hits

Importance of Tongue Cleaning

tongue cleaning

You already know that brushing your teeth is key when it comes to keeping your pearly whites clean and sparkling. But what about tongue cleaning? Is it something that you really need to worry about? As it turns out, yes, you should be taking just a few moments every day to clean your tongue, and the info below will explain why.

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918 Hits

E-Cigarettes Linked to Gum Disease?

e cigs linked to gum disease

Smokers who are looking for a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes, and individuals who are hoping to wean themselves off of their nicotine addiction, have been turning to electronic cigarettes. But could e-cigarettes be linked with gum disease? Before you start vaping, check out the information below to discover more about this important oral health topic.

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5808 Hits

Root Canal vs. Extraction

 root canal vs extraction

Root canals and extractions: neither of these is pleasant, but sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

Both of these treatments are available when a tooth has suffered from an extensive amount of damage that can’t be remedied by a simple drill and fill procedure. But what are the differences between these two options, and what can you expect when you undergo each one? We’ve compiled some information below to help you understand what a root canal entails, as well as when a tooth extraction might be necessary.

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10217 Hits

Common Kids Sports Injuries That Can Affect Your Smile

kids sports injuries

Kids who enjoy playing sports are definitely doing something positive by staying active and growing strong. But did you know that they’re also putting themselves at risk of mouth injuries? It’s a bit scary, but it’s the truth.

As a parent, being aware of the most common kids sports injuries that could affect their smile is important. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to take steps to hopefully prevent injuries before they happen—or at least know what swift action to take in the event your little one does get hurt.

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Dental Plans for Seniors

an elderly couple smiling, holding hands on a walk

While seniors often make it a point to get the medical coverage that they need, they sometimes neglect getting the right dental insurance. This could be a problem, as dental care can become more expensive as you get older and your teeth and gums become increasingly susceptible to a range of conditions. Thankfully, there are a lot of options for seniors who are in search of the ideal dental plan to help cover expenses when they see their dentist.

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1190 Hits

A Caregiver's Guide to Supporting Dental Health

a caregivers guide to dental

Are you taking care of someone who is disabled or elderly? While it might seem challenging at first to support their dental health, this is a critical component to an individual’s wellbeing. With the right care, your loved one can have a pain-free mouth, strong teeth and gums, and greater comfort and confidence.

To help you navigate the process of taking care of someone else’s dental health, we’ve compiled a few tips below.

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1125 Hits
Mark Q.
Jodi Vance was very thorough and helpful in answering my questions and explaining features of the benefits I inquired about.