Laura Philipps, DMD Blog

While your teeth probably get most of the credit for your smile, your gums do a lot of work to keep your grin gorgeous as well. Sadly, many people don’t take proper care of them because they aren’t aware of how their habits can injure them or set them up for infections that may require the attention of a qualified dentist to be resolved. Here’s a brief list of bad habits that can cause your gums to recede or become irritated.

Having the right dentist can make your dental checkups a relaxing and enjoyable experience. While regular dental visits allow your dentist to monitor and thoroughly clean your teeth while correcting problems in their early stages, they also allow you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your oral healthcare. Here’s a brief list of excellent questions to ask your dentist during your next checkup.

If you’re in the midst of diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, you’re probably experiencing a new side of the medical system. Dealing with this condition effectively often requires you to talk to a dentist, primary care physician, and sleep doctor in order to get a comprehensive view of how it’s affecting you.

This being the case, you may naturally wonder how you can get your insurance to pay for the sleep apnea treatment. Will you have to use medical insurance, dental insurance, or something else entirely?

If you’re curious, here’s what you should know.

When you think of Valentine’s Day gifts, you probably think of roses, boxes of chocolate, and romantic paddleboat rides on the river. While candy is often the go-to gift for your special someone on Valentine’s Day, sugary treats can feed the harmful oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Why not consider giving your significant other gifts that can bolster their oral health and help them enjoy a healthy smile for life? Here’s a brief list of Valentine’s gift Ideas that will have your loved one and their dentist smiling!

With the new year finally here, you’re probably getting started on your resolutions. A common one is to start flossing; this is an aspect of dental hygiene that many people neglect and are interested in taking a bit more seriously.

However, lots of times starting a new habit is harder than it looks. If you have struggled to commit to flossing in the past, it may be that you need to take a take a different approach to the problem.

Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to make flossing a consistent part of your dental hygiene routine.

Everyone knows sugar is bad for their teeth, but people across the world can’t seem to get enough of the stuff. That’s because sugar is full of chemical energy that is easy for the body to absorb, and while it was rare in the wild, it’s now everywhere in convenience stores. If you’re one of the many people who enjoy the sweeter tastes in life, you don’t have to let your affinity for sugar doom you to tooth decay and gum disease. Here’s how to keep your teeth healthy even if you enjoy a donut in the morning or ice cream at night.

A national survey conducted by Delta Dental asked Americans what they relate to success, and a majority of adults responded that their smile has a big impact on their overall success. Whether in a job interview, on a first date, or in wedding photos, having an unmarred smile that’s bright, complete, and aligned can offer a life-changing confidence boost. Learn more about how these smile traits are related to success in careers and what treatments may be able to help make your dream smile a reality.

The holidays are just around the corner, so it’s time to start gathering last-minute gifts like stocking stuffers! Instead of just purchasing candy and knick knacks, invest in items that will help keep all of your favorite smiles healthy, happy, and bright. Not to mention, helping your family boost their dental hygiene habits is an excellent way to save hundreds, or even thousands of dollars by avoiding costly dental treatments. Read on for five dental health stocking stuffer ideas.

If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you should take steps to manage your condition. For example, you should use a professional treatment, such as a CPAP machine or an oral appliance from a sleep dentist. However, certain lifestyle changes could also be helpful. For example, you may benefit if you increase your level of physical activity. How can exercise reduce sleep apnea symptoms? This blog post explains.

Thanksgiving is here, which for many people means a fancy feast with family or friends. Though you may be looking forward to sinking your teeth into some of your favorite dishes, it’s important to remember to care for them, too. Some popular foods this time of year are infamous for staining them which can leave you feeling self-conscious about your appearance. No one wants to have to follow up their annual event with a trip to the dentist for whitening services, after all. Instead, keep reading to learn about 3 foods to avoid in order to keep your sparkling smile.