The Smilist Dental Medford Blog

When you think about braces, you probably picture a mouth filled with various brackets, wires, and all sorts of odd contraptions. But despite their awkward appearance, braces are incredibly effective when it comes to straightening teeth and restoring compromised smiles. However, there are many interesting and unique things about braces that most people are completely unaware of! Here are five informative, little-known facts about braces that your dentist thinks you should know about.

Every mouth is just as unique as your fingerprints; however, society attributes an attractive smile to youth, confidence, success, and intelligence. If your teeth are hidden behind excessive gum tissue, it’s easy to feel embarrassed about your smile. Unfortunately, low self-esteem isn’t the only concern. Believe it or not, there are oral health consequences of a gummy smile. Don’t worry, your cosmetic dentist can reveal a big, beautiful smile you’ll be proud to show off.

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Are you happy with the way your smile looks? It is estimated that about 10 percent of young adults believe their smile appears to be too “gummy” and feel self-conscious when showing their teeth. There are many reasons why this occurs, but you don’t always have to settle for it. Continue reading to learn more about the causes of a gummy smile and what your cosmetic dentist in Medford can do to help.

Mondays, mosquitos, migraines, and morning breath – these are things that nobody wants in their life. Some are harder to get rid of than others. Fortunately, dentists know the root causes of morning breath and ways to help give that unwanted guest its eviction notice. Keep reading as your dentist in Medford explains the why of morning breath and what you can do about it.

For your whole life, you’ve been told you need to brush twice and floss at least once a day to achieve optimal oral hygiene. However, no one ever mentioned how hard was too hard when it came to brushing. According to the Wallstreet Journal, dentists estimate that approximately 10-20 percent of the population has damaged their teeth or gums from overbrushing. Read on to learn from your dentist in Medford about the dangers of brushing your teeth too hard as well as proper brushing techniques.

Do your teeth look slightly longer than they used to? Are your gums swollen, red, or sensitive? Do they bleed easily when you brush or floss? These signs all point to gum recession. There are many possible reasons why your gums might pull away from your teeth, such as advanced gum disease. In addition to being an aesthetic concern, receding gums can put your smile’s health at risk by creating pockets where dangerous bacteria can gather. So, is it possible for receding gums to grow back? Read on to find out!

If you have halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, it can be difficult to feel comfortable and confident when hanging out with loved ones, during work meetings, or going on dates. As frustrating as bad breath is, there are several things you can do to get rid of it. Read on to learn five tips that will help you eliminate bad breath or prevent it from occurring in the first place.

Since the pandemic started, you’ve been taking the necessary precautions to protect others from contracting the virus. Along with using hand sanitizer and social distancing, you have also purchased several face masks to wear whenever you go out. While this is an excellent way to lessen your chances of infecting others, it can also impact your oral health. Read on to learn what those effects are and four tips to help you maintain a healthy smile while wearing a mask.

While brushing your teeth, you noticed that your gums are red and swollen. There’s also a bump on them that wasn’t there before. Your first inclination is that this may be a sign of gingivitis, but how can your know it isn’t something even more serious, like gum cancer? While a visit to your dentist is the only way to know which one it is for sure, here’s what gingivitis and gum cancer are, how to recognize them, and things you can do to prevent them.