Matthew Nawrocki, DMD, MS Blog

If you’re like most people, the holidays mean getting to eat certain foods without counting the calories. While you may be telling yourself that your waistline will get an update in 2020, it’s best if you don’t wait to take better care of your oral health. Tooth decay can set in quickly, which means, you might need to avoid some of your favorite holiday food items if you want to protect your smile. Before you leave for grandma’s house, take a few minutes to hear from a dentist and learn which foods are considered good and bad for your pearly whites.

When you made the decision to replace your missing teeth with dentures, it’s likely that your dentist informed you of the necessary adjustments and relines you would need over the years. However, you may not be aware of the problems that can result in your dentures no longer fitting well. If you find that your custom prosthetic no longer offers the comfortability it once had, take the time to speak to your dentist to find a solution.  

Unfortunately, medical and dental procedures don’t come with a 100% guarantee. But dental implants come pretty close, at least when you have them done by a highly-trained specialist and properly care for them. In fact, dental implants have an impressive success rate of over 95%. That, along with the fact that they can last a lifetime with basic maintenance, makes them an outstanding investment in your oral health. However, while implant failure is pretty rare, it still happens occasionally for various reasons, including infections. Keep reading to learn about the symptoms of dental implant infections as well as prevention and treatment. With this information, your implants will have an even higher chance of long-term success!

When it comes to your oral health, your gums are just as important as your teeth. One problem that can occur with your gums is called recession. This happens when they pull back or wear away from the teeth they surround, exposing more of each tooth or even their roots. If left untreated, bacteria can build up, leading to permanent tissue damage, possible bone deterioration, and even tooth loss in some cases. Thankfully, this problem can be treated before it progresses, which is why it’s important to know some common signs of recession and why it occurs in the first place.

You’ve just been on one of the best dates of your life. The movie was captivating, dinner was delicious, and your conversation with your date was wonderful. As the night ends, you drop your date off and lean in for a kiss. Suddenly, your date takes a huge step back and practically slams their front door in your face. With horror, you realize your bad breath drove your date away. Don’t let this happen again! Here are some tips to put a stop to bad breath and celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month.

Lots of people don’t even realize they have sleep apnea; in fact, it’s been estimated by the American Sleep Apnea Association that there are 22 million Americans with the disorder but 80% of them are undiagnosed. Unfortunately, the longer you have untreated sleep apnea, the more of a devastating effect it’ll have on your body. Here are 5 long-term consequences you could suffer if you don’t start getting a good night’s rest.

If you suffer from allergies or have ever had a cold, chances are you’ve had to take air through your mouth while your nasal passages were stopped up. While it’s fine to breathe like this when you have to – you have two air passageways for a reason, after all – doing it all the time could actually lead to gum disease and other serious health issues. Here’s why mouth breathing is a bigger problem than you think!

Unfortunately, sports and fun physical activity can cause dental injury for your kids. However, giving them a quality mouthguard to wear while playing could save their smile! In fact, studies show that athletes are 60 times more likely to experience a dental injury when they aren’t wearing a mouthguard. While any protection is better than none at all, it’s important to understand that there are major differences in a custom-made mouthguard from a dentist compared to a store-bought product. Read on to learn more about the significance of protecting your child’s smile and why a professional mouthguard is your best option.

Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? While you may not feel any discomfort, bleeding gums can often be one of the first signs of gum disease. This oral health issue not only brings numerous symptoms and risks to your smile, but recent research has also shown a direct link between gum disease and your overall wellbeing. With evidence continuing to indicate the ways that your gums can affect your health, it’s more important than ever to understand this disease and how you can prevent it. Keep reading to learn about the dangers of gum disease and how you can protect your smile!

Day in and day out, your teeth withstand a huge amount of chewing force and must remain structurally sound and strong to allow you to comfortably eat a wide variety of foods. Unfortunately, in addition to damage from cavities, teeth can also develop cracks and fractures that jeopardize their ability to function and lead to pain and sensitivity. Thankfully, there are multiple treatments a dentist can use to repair a cracked tooth and restore its strength, function, and appearance. Keep reading to find out more!