Elmbrook Family Dental Blog

When you wake up in the morning, ideally you’ll feel happy, refreshed, and ready for the day. Some people, however, wake up with aching, pain, and discomfort in their jaw.

If you’re in that position, you’re probably concerned that you have some sort of underlying issue. At the very least, you would probably prefer that you didn’t have to deal with the discomfort anymore. If you’re curious about what the issue could be, and what you could do about it, here are some reasons that you could be dealing with jaw pain when you wake up.

There are a lot of reasons why people can lose teeth, and one of the most common is smoking. Tobacco use is tied to a host of oral health problems, many of which can lead to tooth loss.

There’s one tooth replacement option that stands apart from the others: dental implants. If you’ve lost teeth due to smoking, you might wonder if that same smoking could prevent you from getting dental implants. If you’re curious, here’s what you need to know.

When meeting with your dentist to discuss the potential for tooth replacement, you may be wondering, “How long do dental implants last?” After all, they are a superior method of treatment that offers optimal stability, permanence, and functionality. But how long can you expect these titanium posts to remain firmly in place? In this article, a local dentist will share what the average timeframe looks like as well as what you can do to extend the lifespan of your new teeth to avoid costly replacements.

Did you know that the number of dental implant cases is increasing by 500,000 each year? Millions of Americans are already living with and enjoying these permanent prosthetics that have a 95% initial placement success rate. But what about traditional crowns, bridges, and dentures? What are the facts behind dental implant success? What makes them so popular among individuals suffering from tooth loss? Here are three reasons you may not have considered.

Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you—so you should do everything in your power to ensure that it always looks its best! One way of doing this is by taking full advantage of your dental insurance benefits. That said, this is often easier said than done; amidst all of the paperwork to fill out and appointments to schedule, it’s sometimes tricky to get the most value out of your plan. Here are some tips from your dentist to help you maximize your dental insurance benefits.

If you have arthritis, you might have a difficult time when it comes to things like brushing and flossing your pearly whites. And unfortunately, if your arthritis is affecting your oral hygiene habits, you’re at a much higher risk of developing a health issue that could lead to missing teeth. While missing teeth can be replaced with treatment options such as dental implants, your eligibility can actually be impacted by conditions such as arthritis. Keep reading to learn more about the link between rheumatoid arthritis and dental implants, along with some things you can do to prepare yourself for the surgery.

Invisalign is one of the hottest cosmetic treatment options available! These clear aligners have taken the world of dentistry by storm, and more patients than ever before are turning towards them to straighten their teeth, correct bite problems, and give them a smile that they feel proud to show off. However, the success of the aligners depends on a few things—including your willingness to practice good oral hygiene. And this means brushing and flossing! Here’s more from your dentist about the latter and why it’s extra-important during your Invisalign treatment, along with some tips to help you do it correctly.

If you’ve just begun Invisalign treatment to correct your crooked teeth, congratulations! A straighter and healthier smile is in your near future—as long as you’re diligent about wearing your aligners for 22 hours every day! However, this is often easier said than done; especially considering the challenges that some patients encounter whenever it’s time to remove their trays. Here are five helpful tips to ensure that you’re removing your aligners properly without compromising your treatment.

You walk into your dentist’s office in need of a general checkup and cleaning. It’s business as usual when you sit down in the chair and prepare to undergo a thorough examination and cleaning; however, something is different. Instead of immediately reclining, a member of your dental team begins taking your blood pressure. Isn’t this something that is usually done at the doctor’s office, not the dentist’s? If you’re suddenly asking, “Why does my dentist take my blood pressure,” read on to learn the reason for this practice and why it’s beneficial for your oral and overall health.

Your dentist informs you that you need a dental crown. Because of the damage to your tooth, it cannot function properly without some form of stability. After learning this bit of information, you may begin to wonder what life will be like with an artificial tooth. Will it hurt immediately following placement? How difficult will it be to eat, speak, or smile? A local dentist wants to help ease your mind by explaining what you can expect after receiving a dental crown and what you can do to manage any discomfort while working toward a healthier smile.