4 New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthy Smile in 2022

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Do you forget to brush your teeth before going to bed? Maybe you don’t visit your dentist as often as you should? There isn’t any better time than a new year to recommit to your smile. While you might plan to eat healthier, exercise more often, or save money, put your oral health at the top of your priority list. Not sure where to start? Here are 4 New Year’s resolutions for a healthier smile in 2022.

1. Make sure you’re brushing enough.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth at least twice daily, if not after every meal. Unfortunately, it’s easy to crawl into bed after a long day without reaching for your toothbrush. Although it may not seem concerning, your mouth is a dark and moist environment, which means harmful oral bacteria can quickly multiply while you sleep. You can combat tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath by brushing before calling it a night. The ADA recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean all surfaces of your teeth and tongue for at least two full minutes.

2. Don’t forget to floss nightly.

If you’re like many people, flossing can seem like a chore, but it’s just as important as your toothbrush. Although brushing is your first line of defense against preventable oral health issues, it can’t clean everywhere in your mouth, like between your teeth. Flossing removes the accumulations left behind by your toothbrush to keep your gums healthy. With 50% of adults having the preventable infection, you can help avoid tooth loss by flossing before bed.

3. Visit your dentist every 6 months.

Your oral hygiene routine is essential for a healthy smile, but the ADA also recommends visiting your dentist semi-annually. Even if you don’t have any current dental concerns,

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5 Things You Shouldn’t Do After Dental Implant Surgery

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Dental implants are a big investment. They have the potential to last for decades with the proper maintenance. The first step in your journey to a complete smile involves your dental implant surgery. Titanium posts are surgically placed into your jawbone to replicate tooth roots, so you can expect there to be a bit of a recovery. Don’t let anything compromise the success of your procedure. Here are 5 things you do NOT want to do after your placement surgery.

1. Don’t Smoke

It can be difficult to kick the habit, but you’ll want to put down the cigarettes. The overall success of the procedure relies on your jawbone fusing to the posts through a process called osseointegration. Smoking can affect the healing process, increasing the risk of failure. If you want your investment to thrive, it’s best to stop smoking permanently to avoid preventable complications later, like an infection.

2. Don’t Rinse Excessively

You’ll need to keep your mouth clean while it heals; however, don’t rinse vigorously for at least 48 hours after your procedure. Excessive rinsing can cause the implant site to bleed. Although you’ll still want to rinse, do so gently and let the liquid run out of your mouth into the sink.

3. Don’t Exercise

You’ll have to skip the gym for a few days. Intense exercising can increase your blood flow, which can cause bleeding at the implant site. After enough healing has occurred, your dentist will give the go-ahead to get back to your fitness routine.

4. Don’t Drink Through a Straw

Your mouth is going to be sore for a few days. It might make sense to use a straw to make it easier to drink, but that could lead to a painful condition called dry socket. Suction can dislodge the blood clot

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Is a Dental Savings Plan Right for You?

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November 25, 2021

Some people are under the impression that dental care is expensive, and that dental insurance is the only way to afford it. However, the truth is that keeping your smile may not be as costly as you think, even if you don’t have insurance. A dental savings plan is a popular way to minimize the price of necessary services. Let’s talk about how such plans usually work.

What Is a Dental Savings Plan?

An in-house dental savings plan is an arrangement wherein you pay an annual fee to your dentist. In return, you get to enjoy discounted rates on most (or all) of the services offered by that particular practice. Most plans include basic preventive care, such as X-Rays, cleanings, and exams, for no extra fee. If you need restorative care or want to get some cosmetic work done on your smile, you can expect to pay significantly less than patients who do not have the plan.

Dental Savings Plans: Pros and Cons

Some of the top advantages of most dental savings plans include:

  • Anyone can sign up at any time.
  • There are no deductibles, waiting periods, or annual maximums.
  • Discounts apply to services that insurance does not usually cover, including popular cosmetic treatments.
  • The price for a savings plan is usually quite manageable, and the preventive care benefits alone make the plan a great value.

Of course, a savings plan does also have a few drawbacks. For example, the discounts it provides are usually less than what you would enjoy with a traditional insurance policy. Also, if you travel a lot and have a dental emergency while you are away from home, you won’t have any way to use your discount because most plans are exclusive to a single practice.

Should You Sign Up for a

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Bone Grafts for Dental Implants

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Tooth loss is a common issue that affects millions of Americans throughout the country. Fortunately, losing a tooth doesn’t mean that you have to go the rest of your life with an unsightly gap in your smile. Dental implants are a preferred tooth replacement option because they have so many benefits that you can’t get anywhere else. However, not all patients are ready to get their implants right away. Some need to undergo a bone graft beforehand. Read on to learn why this is the case.

Why Does Missing Teeth Lead to Bone Loss?

The root of your tooth stimulates your jaw whenever you chew, therefore keeping it strong and healthy. However, when you lose teeth, your jawbone isn’t receiving this same stimulation. Over time, the bone tissue will be reabsorbed by the body. As time goes on, the more the bone deteriorates. This can cause difficulties when it comes to eating and speaking. It can even affect the future alignment of your surrounding teeth.

What Is Bone Grafting?

A bone graft works by transplanting bone tissue into the jaw. This bone can come from another part of the mouth, a different part of the body, or by a human or animal donor. Sometimes, synthetic material is also used. Once this new piece of bone is placed in the correct area, it will seal itself to the old bone tissue in the areas that you need it. This is a relatively minor procedure, and patients are generally sedated during the process. Most patients who receive bone grafts report that the experience was pain-free.

Why Do You Need to Have a Bone Graft?

Needing a bone graft before dental implants is fairly common. This technique is required when a patient doesn’t have a sufficient amount of healthy bone tissue in their

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Finding the Best Implant Dentist

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Are you looking to replace your missing teeth? One of the great things about today is the fact that you don’t need to settle for gaps in your smile. There are a variety of different tooth replacement options out there to choose from, like dental implants. Implants have become a preferred method by dentists and patients alike because of their numerous benefits. However, you want to pick an implant dentist that you can trust. Continue reading to learn what you should look for when choosing one.

Experience in Dental Implant Surgery

Pick an implant dentist who is very familiar with the dental implant placement procedure. You want to see a dentist who has done this many times in the past with excellent results. When you choose a dentist who has a lot of previous experience, you will feel a lot better when it comes to the day of your surgery.

Advanced Dental Training

It is advantageous to choose a dentist who has taken advantage of additional educational opportunities in the area of implant dentistry. One great way a dentist can do this is by becoming involved with professional dental institutes and organizations. This way, you know that your dentist is on top of all the latest techniques and technologies.

Patient Reviews

To learn more about what you can expect from a particular dentist, you should take a look at some online reviews. You want to know what previous patients thought about the process of getting dental implants with the dentist in question. Look for a dentist who has plenty of detailed, quality, and positive reviews. If you see a lot of them, this is a great sign.

Before and After Photos

Dental implants help to restore the health of your smile, but you want to like the way they look

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How to Manage Winter Mouth Issues

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If you suffer from winter mouth issues, this time of year can be terrible. While others are outside enjoying the snow, you are searching for ways to protect your sensitive teeth from the cold gusts of wind. Luckily, there are ways to combat this problem. Keep reading for a list of 4 common winter mouth problems and what you can do to fight them.

Canker Sores

 

These small ulcers can be white or yellow in color and can suddenly appear on your gums, your cheek, your tongue, the roof of your mouth or the inside of your lip. They are typically the result of a vitamin deficiency, hormonal changes or sensitivity to acidic or spicy items like lemons or apple cider. To help them heal faster, mix one teaspoon of salt with ½ cup of warm water and swish it around in your mouth for about 15 to 30 seconds. This will clean the sore and help it heal faster. Manuka honey has antibacterial properties, so dabbing a bit on your sore can help reduce pain, size and redness.

 

Chapped Lips

In winter, the cold air will pull moisture from your skin and can leave you with dry, cracked lips. But try not to lick them! The saliva will evaporate and dry your lips out even more. Instead, make sure you are hydrating your body from the inside out by drinking plenty of water and applying a lip balm.

 

Sensitive Teeth

A cold gust of wind can cause horrible pain for those with sensitive teeth. This condition is usually the result of decay, eroded enamel, exposed dental nerves and chips or fractures in your teeth. At the first sensation of dental pain, it’s important to schedule a visit with your dentist right away. Depending on the seriousness of your

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5 Ways to Maximize Your Dental Insurance Benefits

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Did you know that your remaining dental insurance benefits are set to expire at the end of the year? That’s right, insurance coverage typically does not roll over from one year to the next. Dental insurance is a monthly investment, and like any investment, you should want to see a significant return! Thankfully, it is not too late in the year to still save money and boost your smile. Here are 5 tips from a dentist on how to maximize your dental insurance benefits before they expire.

#1: Understand Your Plan

The first step to maximizing your insurance benefits is to understand how your plan works. Here are 3 key terms that you should know:

  • Deductible – This is the minimum amount patients must pay out-of-pocket for dental care before their insurance kicks in.
  • Co-Pay – A fixed amount paid by the patient before receiving a specific dental care service. For example, a patient may be required to pay $30 for scaling to fight gingivitis. Meanwhile, their insurance will cover the remaining cost of the procedure.
  • Annual Maximum – Most dental insurance policies set a maximum coverage amount per year. Once a patient reaches this limit, they will be expected to pay 100% of any additional dental care costs.

#2: Schedule a 2nd Dental Checkup

One easy way to get the most out of your dental insurance is to schedule a routine checkup before the end of the year. Even if you already visited your dentist in Framingham this past winter or spring, most dental insurance plans cover two checkups per year – at 100%! This means scheduling a 2nd dental exam and professional cleaning likely won’t cost you anything out of pocket.

#3: Don’t Waste Your Deductible

If you have already met your deductible this year but have

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Fighting Against Bad Breath, Framingham

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We’ve all experienced it at one point or another, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is unpleasant for yourself and can be embarrassing if you are speaking to someone else. It is more common than you may think. Chronic halitosis affects more than 80 million Americans and it usually originates from the gums and tongue. Thankfully, there are ways that you can prevent it from occurring and stop it in its tracks.

Brush Twice a Day

Even though pretty much everyone knows that they should be brushing twice a day, many neglect brushing their teeth before going to bed. This contributes to bad breath because you aren’t cleaning away plaque and food debris that has accumulated on your teeth during the day. You could also try an additional round of brushing with baking soda. This makes it more difficult for the bacteria that causes bad breath to grow.

Floss Daily

Even if you brush twice a day, you wouldn’t be reaching every area in the mouth. This is why it’s important to floss. By removing food debris and plaque along the gumline and between the teeth, you are reducing the number of halitosis-causing bacteria in the mouth.

Use a Mouthwash

A mouth rinse is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. It helps to wash away leftover food debris and residue. However, you should be aware that mouth rinses only temporarily cover up the problem if you are dealing with chronic bad breath. It could even make it worse by drying out the mouth. If dry mouth is the cause of your bad breath, look for an alcohol-free rinse instead.

Brush Your Tongue

Alike your teeth and gums, your tongue can also harbor bacteria. When you brush your teeth, don’t forget

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Lifespan of Toothbrushes, Framingham | Framingham Premier Dental

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August 14, 2020

If you maintain a good dental hygiene routine, that means that you are using your toothbrush all the time! That is great news for your smile, but how do you know when it’s time for a new one? Most people don’t know the correct amount of time before they should be replacing their toothbrush. Read on to learn from your dentist about the consequences of using an old toothbrush, how you can get the most out of this dental tool, and when you should get a new one from your local drug store.

When Should Manual Toothbrushes Be Replaced?

In general, manual toothbrushes should be replaced every three to four months according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After this amount of time, the bristles start to lose the stiffness they originally had which makes them much less effective at cleaning your teeth. Sometimes, you may even want to replace your toothbrush earlier. Stay on the look out for wear and tear of the bristles. If someone in your household gets sick, it is a also a good idea to switch out your toothbrush to prevent the spread of germs.

When Should You Replace Your Electric Toothbrush’s Head?

It is recommended that you replace the head of an electric toothbrush about every 12 weeks. When compared to their manual counterpart, electric brush heads tend to have shorter bristles. This makes it more likely that they will become worn even faster. If you notice that your bristles are beginning to look worn, it is a good idea to get a replacement head for your toothbrush. This way, you will be less likely to leave plaque behind and you will be preventing future dental issues.

How Do I Make My Brush Last?

You should always

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Summer Oral Health Tips Framingham

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Summer is here! This means that the kids have finally finished their schoolwork and you may even have some fun activities planned for you and your family. Whether that consists of a big trip or just relaxing in the backyard, your family’s smiles should not be forgotten. Your family dentist in Framingham shares some tips and tricks to help avoid dental emergencies and maintain healthy teeth.

Establish an Oral Hygiene Routine

Since the kids are home from school, this is the perfect time to establish a permanent oral hygiene routine to upkeep their smiles. This should include brushing twice and flossing once daily. Also, you shouldn’t forget to schedule regular dental visits. Having regular cleanings and checkups is crucial to maintain good oral health.

Make Healthy Choices

When it is hot outside, you may feel the urge to reach for an ice-cold sports drink or a bowl of ice cream from the freezer. While there is nothing wrong with doing this on occasion, frequently sipping and snacking on sugary things ultimately leads to increased tooth decay and more time getting fillings. Limit your family’s intake of these treats and stock up on healthy snacks instead. You could try sliced apples, yogurt, baby carrots, cheese, nuts, or celery.

Stay Hydrated!

Water is the best thing you can drink to stay hydrated and it benefits your entire body. After all, you’re made up of 60% water. When you drink it frequently, you neutralize harmful acid that causes tooth decay, wash away food debris, and prevent dry mouth. Tap water is usually the best option because it often contains fluoride, which is especially important for younger children whose smiles are still developing.

Only Use Teeth for Chewing Food

Remind your children that their teeth are meant for chewing their food, not for opening

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