Smile More Dentistry Blog

When you think about what makes you look older, you might picture smile lines, yellow teeth, and maybe a little bit of skin damage. What you might not know is that grinding your teeth can also give you a much older appearance.

Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is more common than smoking and other aging factors, so it’s worth learning a little bit more about how it could affect you over time. Here’s a guide that will tell you everything about how bruxism can make you look older, and how you can prevent that.

Life is pretty stressful, which is why it’s no surprise that so many people grind their teeth in their sleep. If you tell your dentist that you’re dealing with this problem, they’ll probably recommend that you get a dentist-crafted nightguard to protect your teeth while you sleep.

You might wonder why you would invest in a professionally crafted nightguard when you could just buy one at the store, or even just go without. Here’s why it’s a good idea to invest in something of quality.

Every parent wants the best for their kids, and ensuring that they have good oral health is a big part of that. However, there are quite a few myths that circulate often about children’s dentistry that can make it a little difficult to do that.

Your pediatric dentist can be a big help, but when it comes to caring for your children on a day-to-day basis, there’s only so much they can do. With that in mind, here are some of the most common myths about children’s dentistry, and why you shouldn’t give them much credit.

For a while now, your little one has been using a manual toothbrush to learn how to properly brush their teeth. You’ve noticed they’re doing a great job at reaching all areas of their mouth, and their pediatric dentist even expresses their praise during each appointment. Now that they’re a bit older, you may be wondering, “When should I buy my child an electric toothbrush?” Although there is no set timeframe, your child’s dentist is here to share ways you can tell it is time.

The colder months bring a lot of joy to your little one, from drinking hot cocoa to celebrating the holidays. Unfortunately, seasonal sicknesses like the flu and cold are far from fun. It’s estimated that out of the six to eight colds an average child will get throughout the year, most of them occur during the winter months. As a loving parent, you want to do all you can to help them be healthy, including their smile. Read on for four tips on keeping your little one’s oral health on track during the cold and flu season.

In the age of social media, there are thousands of videos of people attempting to straighten their own smiles. Common trends are using rubber bands to close gaps or even ordering clear aligners online. It may be tempting to give one of these methods a try to save a buck, but leave it to the experts. Orthodontists attend school for at least ten years to learn how to align your smile effectively and safely. 

Many people avoid their dental office not because they have a dental phobia, but because they don’t want to have to deal with the complicated task of dealing with their dental insurance. Unfortunately, over time, not being proactive about keeping up with your smile can lead to hefty dental bills due to invasive treatments. Read on to learn how dental insurance works and the best ways to get the most out of your plan.

By Dr. LaCap

Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for children. Dressing up in a fun costume, eating scary treats, and trick or treating are staple activities for this spooky holiday. Follow these four helpful tips to make this Halloween one to remember while keeping the little smiles in tip-top shape. 

A healthy mouth is a happy mouth—no matter how old you are! Oral health is important throughout your whole life, and by helping your child maintain theirs from a young age, you’re laying the foundation for a white and bright smile that will last for many years to come. That said, many parents have questions about when they should start cleaning their little one’s pearly whites. Here’s what your pediatric dentist wants you to know.

Your smile is one of the first things that people will notice about you—and the same goes for your child’s smile! That said, you should do everything you can to ensure that your little one is set up for a lifetime of excellent oral health, and this starts with their very first dental visit! But you might not know how to prepare or what to expect upon arriving for this crucial exam. Here’s everything your child’s dentist wants you to know.