Robert A. Whitmore, DDS

When you’re thinking about what keeps your smile healthy, oral hygiene and biannual dental checkups and cleanings probably come to mind. Although those are important pillars in preventive dentistry, being mindful of what you’re eating can also help. Most of us know cutting down on sugary and acidic treats can help lower the risk of cavities, but what other dietary changes can benefit your oral health? Here are 4 smile-friendly foods that you should add to your plate.

A tropical beach. An overseas city. A fun road trip. These are a few of the exciting vacations waiting for you this summer! As you prepare to get ready to go to your much-awaited destination, you can add a dental checkup to your list. This will not only benefit your oral health, but also your smile’s beauty! Read on to learn four reasons why you should get a dental checkup before your summer vacation.

A dental crown is a cap that is placed over a decayed or damaged tooth to restore its shape, protect it from further damage, and enhance its appearance. Although crowns can last a long time, their lifespan may vary depending on several factors. Read on to learn about the average lifespan of dental crowns as well as a few tips on how to prolong their life.

If you’ve been suffering from a toothache that has seemingly vanished, you might be feeling pretty relieved—but you aren’t out of the woods just yet! You might want to celebrate, but you should actually contact your dentist quickly; the tooth hasn’t healed on its own, and this odd reversal of symptoms is likely a sign of something worse. Here’s more about this situation and why you still might need a root canal to address the source of the problem.

A healthy smile requires more than just brushing and flossing. You must take proper care of your teeth and gums to ensure your mouth stays in optimal condition. Fortunately, dental insurance can make everything from routine checkups to complex restorative treatments fit just about any budget. By getting the care you need, you can prevent oral health issues and other complications from occurring down the line. That said, here are three ways you can maximize dental insurance benefits while you still can.

Whether you recently enhanced your smile with veneers or repaired your damaged teeth with dental crowns, you’re going to want to stick to a soft-food diet following your treatment to ensure a smooth-sailing recovery. Your dentist or oral surgeon will recommend only eating soft foods after specific procedures to prevent damaging your teeth, gums, crowns, or other prosthetic work. Being mindful of the food you eat will put you on the right path toward an easy healing process. In this blog post, we’ll explain why a soft-food diet is necessary and how you can eat healthily.

You may wonder if you still qualify for cosmetic dentistry if you’re an older individual. It’s a natural question to ask. After all, you might think your aged body can’t handle a smile sprucing. However, that’s far from the truth. In fact, people of any age can receive service from a cosmetic dentist. As proof, here’s a summary of why you’re never too old for cosmetic dentistry and three example treatments that are great for seniors.

Porcelain veneers are thin shells that are commonly used to correct cosmetic flaws with one’s smile, like chips, cracks, gaps, misshapen teeth, and minor alignment issues. Though the veneers process is a much quicker and easier way to make your smile look straighter than with traditional braces or clear aligners, there are still a few steps involved. Read on to learn about the veneer process so that you have a better idea of what to expect from the procedure.

Making it through the holidays without ruining your teeth can be harder than it sounds. Between coworkers feeding you treats at work, family members baking you pies, and neighbors bringing over heaping plates of cookies, there’s temptation everywhere you look. So, what can you do to protect your teeth? Read on to learn five tips that will help you keep your oral health in good condition this holiday season.