Millions of Americans are missing one or more teeth.  Missing even a single tooth affects your ability to chew, and obviously, missing a front tooth creates a cosmetic problem.  At Designer Smiles, we are experts at tooth replacement, and we offer multiple options to meet a variety of needs. While the exact tooth replacement can vary relatively widely, we can[…]

Gum disease affects an estimated 30% of American adults.  When left untreated, it can lead to the loss of teeth.  There is a variety of ways to treat gum disease, and one of the most advanced and successful treatments involves using a laser.  At Designer Smiles, we are committed to providing excellent dental care using the latest technology. What causes[…]

Almost everyone today wants a brighter, whiter smile.  For those with deep staining, this can be difficult to achieve.  There are a few different ways to approach deep, dark stains on the teeth.  They produce varying degrees of results and carry different pros and cons. What Causes Deep Stains on the Teeth? There are different types of staining of teeth,[…]

Thankfully, this is an injury that is relatively rare.  Even though it does not happen very often, we are giving you information about how to handle it because when it does happen, knowing what to do can give you a much better outcome. Find the Tooth! The first and most important thing you should do is find the tooth.  When[…]

The short answer to this question is yes.  But, as always, we have a much longer, more detailed explanation for you.  If you are the parent of young children with this habit, here is what you need to know. Non-Nutritive Sucking Behaviors Thumb sucking joins pacifier use in a broader category of habits called “non-nutritive sucking behaviors” or NNSB.  Infants[…]

Even if you didn’t watch the Grammy’s on Sunday night, you probably heard the hubbub about Nick Jonas singing with food in his teeth.  Several close-up shots during the Jonas Brothers’ performance showed a nice piece of some leafy green stuck in between two of his upper teeth. Nick played it off well, tweeting “At least you know I eat[…]

When we discuss flossing with our patients (everyone’s favorite subject, we know . . .) we often hear this question.  People are hesitant to do something that seems to be causing harm.  We get it.  The most important thing to understand is that your gums should not bleed when you floss. How Flossing Can Make Healthy Gums Bleed That is,[…]

Just like other parts of the body, our teeth age.  There are some things we can do to slow down the aging process, but we cannot stop it completely.  These changes over time affect the way our teeth appear, and they also increase the risk for certain dental problems. Internal Changes The most notable change within teeth as they age[…]

They could be! Chronic headaches are often an indication of a bite problem.  Some people refer to this as “TMJ”, which is actually a misnomer.  TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, and most headaches are not directly related to the joint itself.  It has much more to do with your facial muscles. How are Headaches Related to the Teeth and Jaws?[…]

The start of a new year is a time for resolutions and goals.  Many people commit to making healthier choices in the year ahead.  Others resolve to finally do something about _______ (fill in the blank with something you have always wanted to do but have put off for quite some time). One of the most common things we see[…]