Sometimes, it can be a little bit difficult to convince patients that it’s worthwhile to see a dentist for a checkup. After all, if nothing is wrong with your teeth, why should you need to talk to someone who fixes them?

Part of the answer is that checkups are about more than just cleanings and x-rays. Taking care of your teeth is much easier if you understand your oral health well, and asking questions to your dentist is an excellent way to learn more. If you have a checkup soon, here are some things it might be smart to talk about.

Aging changes your body in many ways and your teeth are not exempt from the effects of time. Whether they look faded or have shifted out of place over the years, it’s natural for your grin to appear a little worn in your later years. Fortunately, though, cosmetic dentistry provides multiple treatments that can visually turn back the clock and restore a more youthful smile. Keep reading to learn about 3 changes your mouth goes through, and your dentist can help!

Dental veneers are an increasingly popular restoration treatment that has helped thousands of people fall in love with their smiles. Using thin, but durable ceramic shells, your dentist can completely change the look of your smile, customizing it to your preferences.

If you’ve been weighing the decision on whether or not to get veneers, continue reading. You’ll find five great reasons to take the plunge.

Even if you want dentures at once, you may need preliminary work first. More specifically, perhaps your dentist will pull teeth to make room for the restorations. In that case, though, a question arises: How long must you wait to get dentures after a tooth extraction? Depending on the answer, you’ll have to adjust your schedule accordingly. Luckily enough, your Bartlesville dentist is here with some guidance. Read on to learn the factors involved in your wait for dentures post-extraction.

Ensuring your child’s teeth and gums receive the best protection against cavities and tooth decay is of the utmost importance, even from a young age. Fluoride toothpaste is widely endorsed by dental professionals, but the question of the right amount and the appropriate age to introduce it into their daily routine remains an ongoing discussion. Continue reading to learn if this natural mineral is safe for growing smiles and when a child should start using fluoride to protect their beam.

Sleep apnea is a very serious and widespread issue—did you know that it affects millions of people each night; about one in every fifteen people? It’s characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep that is often marked by chronic snoring, among other symptoms—but the loss of sleep is far from the only problem that can result from the condition, and if left untreated, severe health complications can arise. That said, the cause of sleep apnea isn’t always clear and there are normally many factors worth analyzing when trying to determine the cause of the condition. One of these conditions is actually temperature! Keep reading to learn more about this connection.

Millions of smiles have been straightened without the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces. Yes, that’s right…Invisalign has changed the game of orthodontics! No longer do people have to live with their crooked teeth or avoid showing their metal braces. By wearing a series of clear aligners, your teeth can be moved into their desired position without virtually anyone noticing. But what if you have noticed your aligners have recently turned yellow? Read on to learn the causes of the discoloration and what you can do to return to undetectable orthodontic treatment with Invisalign.

The alignment of your teeth is important for more than just a beautiful smile. Their positions also affect your oral health and functions. Alignment issues can affect your bite, which can trigger a subconscious habit of grinding or clenching your teeth from uneven pressure distribution. You have more options than ever to fix bite and alignment issues, like clear aligners. Instead of brackets and wires, clear aligners are worn over your teeth to move them into their best positions. Don’t worry if you have bruxism, you may still be a candidate for Invisalign.

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When the year first starts, it can be pretty hectic. From preparing to go back to work after winter vacation to helping your kids finish their homework assignments before they start a new semester of school, there’s a lot to do during this time of year. Even so, things are sure to get busier once you get back to your normal life. This is one reason why it’s a great time to set up an appointment with your dentist. Continue reading to learn about why getting dental checkups early in the year is a good idea.

Quality sleep is vital for physical and mental health. If your partner’s snoring is causing both of you to lose sleep at night, it might be time to turn to a professional. Although everyone snores occasionally, if the problem is ongoing, it can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, which can cause your partner to stop breathing frequently. You can give your loved one the gift of snore-less sleep with oral appliance therapy.

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