Have you been planning on traveling or visiting the beach for summer vacation? If so, you’ll likely want to ensure you look and feel your best, especially when it comes to your smile. The last thing you’d want is a dental emergency during your getaway. While these can often be unpredictable, there are preventive measures that can lower your risks. Read on to learn several tips to prevent dental emergencies from ruining your long-awaited trip!

If you or a family member suffer a dental emergency on vacation, you may be tempted to give into fear. After all, sometimes it feels easier to panic than to address a harsh situation. However, try to remember that it’s possible to manage these sorts of things — that you can keep the emergency from ruining your summer getaway. To learn how to do so, read and follow these tips provided by your local emergency dentist.

Tooth decay is the most chronic condition for American children; however, you don’t become immune to cavities as you age. 92% of adults have had at least one cavity in a permanent tooth. Fluoride treatments are recommended for children to provide an added layer of protection against decay. Although they are great for young children, do adults need fluoride treatments, too? You’re never too old to benefit from the protection of fluoride. 

(more…)

The Center for Disease Control has described water fluoridation as one of the 10 most important public health advances of the 20th century, but how did this come about? How long have people known about the benefits of fluoride? When was it discovered? Continue reading to learn more from your dentist in Indian Land about fluoride history and how it can benefit your smile.

Do you grind your teeth or clench your jaw? You may need to speak with your dentist about receiving treatment for bruxism. According to Sleep Foundation’s website, this common condition affects anywhere from around six to 50% of children, around 15% of teens, 8% of middle-aged adults, and 3% of older adults. Side effects include headaches, tooth or jaw pain, and overly worn teeth. Mouthguards create a barrier between your top and bottom teeth and are commonly used to lessen the effects of this condition. If your dentist gives you a mouthguard to help with bruxism, follow these three tips to ensure that it remains in good condition and you get the most out of it.

When it comes to taking good care of your smile, biannual dental appointments are key. During these visits, your teeth and gum line will be cleaned of plaque and tartar buildup. Your dentist will then do a thorough examination to determine if there are any oral health issues present. As important as these appointments are, some patients can’t help but feel nervous about them. If you’re one of those people, there are several things you can do to make sure your appointment goes as smoothly as possible. Read on to learn four tips that will help you ensure that your next dental visit is a success.

A mouthguard can be just as important as a toothbrush for some patients, like those who play contact sports. The oral appliance can provide your smile with an added layer of protection to safeguard your teeth. You know you can get one from a dentist, but why waste time and money when you can purchase one OTC? Although your intentions are good, store-bought mouthguards can do more harm than good. Here’s why custom-fit mouthguards are worth the time and investment.

(more…)

The holiday season is officially in full swing! Many people are looking forward to all the gift-giving, quality time spent with loved ones, and (of course) countless opportunities to eat. Although your taste buds might be happy during this time of the year, the foods you eat can wreak havoc on your oral health if you’re not careful. With that in mind, here are a few holiday foods you should eat in moderation to protect your smile.  

Millions of Americans suffer from extensive tooth loss. If you’re a part of that group, you know from experience how much it can affect your quality of life. Not only does it make you look older, but it changes the way you bite, chew, and speak. Fortunately, dentures are an excellent way to complete your smile and restore your confidence! If you’re interested in moving forward with this method of tooth replacement, you might be wondering how long it will take to complete the process. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you can expect from start to finish.