The Smile Daily

Cold and flu season always has a way of sneaking up on us, right? Shorter days and colder temperatures mean more time inside—where germs tend to spread. ‍Of course, no one likes to be sick. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to support your immune system for less sickness and faster recovery. A healthy mouth is key to keeping the sniffles away. ‍Try these helpful ways to stop the spread of germs and keep your whole family feeling healthy this winter. 

Halloween is just around the corner, and the celebrations have already begun. From fall festivals and trunk-or-treats to school parties and more, there’s no shortage of ways to show off your amazing costume—and of course, load up on candy! 🎃🍬 For kids, trick-or-treating is the ultimate Halloween thrill, but for parents, all those sweets pose a challenge. Balancing the fun and dental health can be tricky. With a few proactive steps though, it’s totally doable. Here are five simple tips to keep Halloween happy—without letting it get too scary for your teeth. 

If you have a vague sense of dread when you hear the term “root canal,” you’re not alone. Let’s face it, getting a root canal is not quite as enjoyable as a normal hygiene appointment. But the process is not as scary as it sounds. More often than not, root canals reduce, rather than cause, pain. So what exactly is a root canal and why might your dentist recommend one? We’ll answer that and other questions we receive about this common dental treatment. 

Third molars, or so-called wisdom teeth, often get a bad rap. That’s probably because people talk about them mostly in the context of people getting them removed. For many patients, wisdom tooth extraction is the only surgical dental procedure they have ever experienced. ‍But wisdom teeth themselves aren’t necessarily bad. In fact for some patients, they’re just like other teeth. So what’s the big deal with wisdom teeth anyway? And, why do so many people have them extracted? Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions we hear about this infamous set of teeth. 

If you’re the parent of a thumb-sucker, you might be worried about how your little one’s habit will impact his or her teeth. Perhaps you’ve heard that thumb-sucking can harm your child’s oral health and development down the road. While there are some risks to watch out for, there’s no need to panic right away. Let’s take a look at why thumb-sucking is so common, when to intervene, and how to promote teeth-healthy habits with your kids. 

When you were a kid, someone no doubt taught you how to brush your teeth. All the mechanics of how to hold your toothbrush, how much toothpaste to use, and how to rinse your mouth felt new and challenging then. ‍Over time, brushing your teeth became second nature. Like anything, from driving to signing your name, the newness wore off eventually and you barely had to think about it. Of course, it’s great that you developed a habit. But chances are, your technique could use a little refresher after all these years. ‍If it’s time to brush up on your routine, check out these three dentist-approved tips for better brushing.

Seltzer water, fizzy water, sparkling water—whichever name you prefer, this satisfyingly bubbly drink is all the rage. Combine the hydration of water with the zing of soda and you have yourself one delightful little drink. But is it actually good for you? And more specifically, does it harm your teeth? It turns out, the answer is not as straightforward as you might think. 

Ahh, there’s nothing like that tingly feeling of a minty fresh smile. That’s why many of our patients love using mouthwash—the zingier the better! But is mouthwash really necessary? Will it help or hurt your dental hygiene routine? And what do dentists look for in a good mouthwash? We’re answering all these questions and more in this mouthwash lowdown.