Dental Group West Blog

When preparing you for an upcoming tooth extraction, your dentist will likely provide both pre-op and post-op instructions for you to follow. Their orders are intended to help you have a successful procedure and recover as quickly as possible without developing adverse effects.

If you’ve been reading through your information, you might have noticed that hot drinks are not recommended for the first 24 to 28 hours after your appointment. Those who rely on a hot mug of coffee every morning often want to know why they can’t indulge in their caffeine habit right away. Continue reading to learn when you can safely enjoy a cup of joe after having a problematic tooth pulled!

Struggling with a toothache that won’t go away or seems to be getting worse? If so, there may be an underlying issue like tooth decay that has led to an infection or nerve damage. Typically, a root canal is the most effective treatment to repair and save the tooth. However, some patients may wonder if extracting the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant would be a better option. Read on to find out why your dentist might recommend it.

One of the best things about Invisalign aligners is that they’re clear. This means that they’re very discreet and no one may even notice you’re wearing them. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll stay that way if you don’t take care of them. If you want them to remain nearly invisible, you’ve got to keep them clean. Here are some tips for protecting your aligners during your treatment!

If you’re frustrated by crooked teeth, you’re not alone. An estimated 9+ million people in the U.S. receive orthodontic treatment every year. While braces are the tried-and-true method, the unsightly metal brackets can feel bulky and uncomfortable and detract from your self-esteem. Fortunately, your dentist can straighten your smile more discreetly with Invisalign.

These clear plastic aligners are made to fit like a glove over your teeth to gently shift them to their ideal placements. However, you must wear the trays for 22 hours daily to prevent them from reverting to their starting positions. If you’re struggling with this requirement, keep reading to learn three tips that can help!

Invisalign is a modern orthodontic solution that straightens teeth with a sequence of customized clear aligners, also called trays. Unlike conspicuous and irremovable traditional metal braces, these appliances are virtually invisible. However, certain bad habits can cause your aligners to develop an unsightly yellow color, making them much more visible to casual observers. Here’s a brief guide to what can stain or discolor your trays along with a few tips for keeping them in great shape.

While dentures and dental bridges can be excellent ways to replace lost teeth, many patients find that they don’t work as well as would be desirable. Though many of these people have heard of dental implants and how they function just like real teeth, they may become hesitant to commit to the treatment when they see the price tag. Here are a few of the oral health benefits that dental implants bring to the table and a few reasons why they more than justify the investment.

As a savvy consumer, you are used to weighing your options and selecting the one that will best meet your needs. When it comes to replacing your missing teeth, you may wonder whether attaching your dentures to dental implants really matters. What difference does it make? Plenty! Continue reading to learn four important differences implants can have on your restored smile.

If you’ve been searching for ways to replace your missing teeth, you might already be familiar with dental implants. If you’re not, know that dental implant treatment involves anchoring high-quality posts directly to your jawbone. These posts essentially act like the roots of normal teeth, securing your porcelain replacements in place with a firm grip.

Already, your head might be swirling with questions and concerns. You wouldn’t be the first to be cautious about dental implants. There’s plenty of information and talk surrounding this replacement option – not all of which is entirely accurate. To put your mind at ease and clear up some confusion, keep reading. These five facts about dental implants might surprise you, but your dentist can confirm them!

Dental emergencies are unfortunately quite common; while you can prevent many of them with good dental hygiene, disaster can strike at any time. For that reason, it’s a good idea to be prepared for a dental emergency in any situation.

One way you can go about that is by creating a dental emergency kit, one which contains all the tools to protect your smile until you can make it to the dentist’s office. As you can imagine, different issues will necessitate different sets of tools, so it’s a good idea to plan for each of the most common problems you could face. Here are examples of some of the most common dental emergencies, as well as what you could put in your dental emergency kit in order to make each of these situations easier to deal with.

You only have to take a quick look at the offerings of the local grocery store to realize that people love sugar. You can find it in almost everything from breakfast cereal to barbeque sauce to cola, but all this sugar can take a terrible toll on your oral health if you’re not careful. The harmful bacteria in your mouth also love sugar, and if it is allowed to accumulate in the oral cavity, these germs will multiply rapidly and cause nasty infections like tooth decay and gum disease. Here’s a quick guide to how you can protect your teeth when enjoying sodas, candies, and other sweet treats.