Columbia Healthy Smiles Blog

Most people wouldn’t associate their oral health with illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, or strokes. But, recent research has uncovered a connection between strokes and gum disease that is redefining the importance of visiting your dentist for your semi-annual checkups and cleanings. 1 in every 2 American adults is affected by gum disease, and every 4 minutes a person in America dies from a stroke. Both of these common health issues are associated with inflammation. Your dentist in Columbia breaks down the facts about gum disease and strokes and how they’re related.

You’re finally fed-up with struggling to do basic tasks like chewing and speaking because of missing teeth. After researching different restorative options, you’re excited to speak to your dentist about getting dental implants in Columbia. You know this is the best option for your oral health and you’re excited to get a confidence boost after years of having an incomplete smile. Determined to learn more about the procedure, you want to be able to go into your consultation with the ability to decipher dental jargon. Read on for a breakdown of terms that your dentist will use during your dental implant consultation.

Your toothbrush and floss are your first line of defense against preventable oral health issues, like tooth decay and gum disease. Even with the best brushing and flossing techniques, there are some complications you cannot prevent, like oral cancer. Although you may think your semi-annual visits are only important for keeping your teeth and gums healthy, they are also necessary for a routine oral cancer screening with your dentist in Columbia. Now, you have another reason not to skip your next preventive visit.

(more…)

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is more than a potential source of embarrassment. In some cases, it can indicate serious health conditions such as diabetes. In this post we’ll share some tips from a dentist in Columbia for dealing with this common problem. If your halitosis persists after trying these ideas, then make an appointment to see a healthcare professional right away.

Are you sick of having to clean your dentures after every time you eat? Soaking them overnight in a special solution? Maybe your dentures have slipped while in the middle of an important conversation. These inconveniences, although seemingly minor, have drastic impacts on your day-to-day life. It would be hard to resist if somebody told you that you can have the natural look of your teeth without all the hassle and daily maintenance that dentures require. And even better, that there’s an option that can be healthier for your gums and bone surrounding your teeth. Your dentist in Columbia can improve your quality of life with dental implants! 

When you’re out with your friends, everybody wants to capture the rare moment you all get together with a picture. The only thing is, when that flash comes on, it lights up your discolored teeth. Nobody can hide the stains from years of drinking coffee and dark liquids. You can slap a filter on a photo and make your smile look half-decent, but why settle? Well, instead of worrying, you could be picture-ready anytime you smile with teeth whitening in Columbia. Don’t be afraid, instead, unabashedly shine that toothy grin of yours. 

Do you grind your teeth so hard that you wake yourself up? Have you woken up with a sore jaw or a headache? This could have detrimental affects on your oral health. So what’s causing you to grind, and how can you stop? Your dentist in Columbia can give you tips on how to stop grinding and what it can do to save your oral health.

As a parent, there’s nothing you want more for your child than to build a strong foundation of healthy habits for when they’re older. You probably wonder things like when to take your child to the dentist for the first time, or how to encourage them to love brushing their teeth every day. Your children’s dentist in Columbia is here to offer you some tips and tricks on how to keep your loved one’s smile happy and healthy.  

Despite jokes you may have heard that suggest otherwise, getting a root canal is not a nightmare scenario. In fact, root canal therapy saves an estimated 24 million teeth each year in the United States. If left untreated, these millions of damaged or infected teeth would have eventually worsened and needed to be removed entirely. Want to know more? Below are the ins and outs of root canal therapy, as explained by a dentist in Columbia.

Making New Year’s resolutions is easy – it’s following through that is the difficult part. One way to stick with a resolution for a full 12 months is to break it down into more manageable parts. This is especially important when your New Year’s resolution is meant to benefit your health. However, you should not worry – we are here to help! If you have resolved to take better care of your teeth and gums in 2019, here are 5 tips for a healthy smile from a dentist in Columbia.