Tooth loss affects more than just your smile—it can actually change the shape of your face. When even a single tooth is missing, your jawbone begins to deteriorate over time, which can make your cheeks look hollow, your lips appear thinner, and your overall facial structure seem older than you really are. The good news? With modern restorative solutions like dental implants, you can preserve your facial shape and regain a youthful, confident appearance.

Dentures can be a fantastic way to replace a few, many, or a whole set of missing teeth, and they should feel incredibly comfortable after you get used to wearing them. However, your appliance may lose its fit over time due to the wear and tear caused by regular use and the changing shape of the mouth. Here’s a quick guide to how dentures work, why they can lose their fit, and how you can use denture adhesives to keep your appliance functional and comfortable between adjustments.

Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for restoring your smile after tooth loss because they rebuild your mouth’s appearance and functionality at the same time. However, they rely on a firm suction against the connective tissues that cover the bony ridges in your mouth to remain in place all day.

This also requires that you have a sufficiently strong jawbone to support them, but did you know that it starts to thin after pearly whites go missing? If you’re worried you’ve waited too long after they fell out to replace them, read on to learn why there’s still hope!

Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life in several ways. For instance, you might feel self-conscious about the new gap in your grin, develop speech impediments, or struggle to chew thoroughly.

Thankfully, your dentist can restore your smile’s appearance and functionality with dental implants, which many experts consider the ideal replacement teeth. Unlike dentures and bridges, they are embedded into your jawbone, which provides unique advantages. However, that doesn’t make them the best solution for everyone’s situation. Continue reading to learn 3 traits your dentist looks for in ideal implant candidates!

A dental emergency can strike at the worst possible time—like when you’re finally relaxing on a beach or exploring a new city on summer vacation. Whether it’s a chipped tooth, lost filling, or sudden toothache, dealing with dental pain while far from home can be especially stressful.

Fortunately, with a little preparation and a calm mindset, you can manage the situation and get back to enjoying your trip.

Few things are more frustrating than trying to sleep while dealing with a throbbing toothache. The pain can feel even worse at night when there are fewer distractions, and your body is lying still. Whether the ache is due to a cavity, gum infection, or an injury, getting some rest is crucial for healing and feeling better. Fortunately, there are 6 simple and effective ways to manage dental pain at home so you can sleep through the night more comfortably.

A bright, white smile is often associated with health, youth, and confidence. While there are countless over-the-counter whitening products available, many people find that professional teeth whitening offers faster, safer, and more effective results. If you’re considering enhancing your smile, here are 5 compelling reasons to choose professional whitening over at-home options.

If you want a gorgeous grin, you may fear that cosmetic dentistry is too invasive an option. Wouldn’t the field’s services involve lengthy and intrusive work on your mouth? However, aesthetic dental care has simple and unintrusive ways to make your smile look great. These procedures offer beautiful results without being a hassle, so they’re really worth considering. As for the proof, here are four non-invasive aesthetic treatments that help smiles look amazing.

It seems like fluoride is everywhere. It’s a key ingredient in many brands of toothpaste and mouthwash, and many cities add it to their water supplies. Your dentist may even decide to apply some to your teeth after a routine preventive cleaning. But what exactly is fluoride? And what makes it so beneficial for your oral health? Here’s what you need to know about this important substance and the impact it can have on your teeth.

Are you expecting your dentist to say things like, “You haven’t been taking good enough care of your teeth,” or “it’s your fault for not flossing every day”?  If so, it would be understandable why you’ve been putting off making an appointment. Many patients are ashamed of their smiles and feel too embarrassed to “face their dentist.”

However, the reality is that your dentist is much more likely to root for you and be supportive! Here are some examples of what they’ll probably say instead.