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So you’re missing a tooth. Whether it’s due to decay, injury, or something else, losing a permanent, adult tooth can feel embarrassing, scary, and like it’s a really big deal. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be! Getting an unhealthy tooth removed and out of your mouth is an important part of oral health. If you’re worried about aesthetic or functionality issues that can come along with a gap in your gums, you might be interested in a dental implant. Dental…

You already have a dentist, so why should you go see an oral surgeon? Great question! An oral surgeon isn’t a replacement for your regular dentist. Your dentist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon work together as a team to provide the most comprehensive dental care possible for their patients because their focuses are a little different. Most basically, the main difference between a dentist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is that one is a generalist and the other…

Here are some things that are safe (and tasty!) to eat after you’ve had a tooth removed: Refried beans and guacamole: skip the chips and add guac directly to your beans Milkshakes: try making a milkshake using mashed frozen bananas or yogurt as a healthier, tooth-friendly alternative! Soups: brothy soups that don’t need to be chewed are going to be incredibly soothing Mashed potatoes: make sure they’re nice and smooth without too many lumps Smoothies: avoid fruits with seeds and…

What’s the deal with wisdom teeth? Wisdom teeth are one of those interesting parts of our bodies that were once very useful and are now just a problem waiting to happen. Back before oral health was a priority, wisdom teeth were welcome replacements that came in after other teeth had fallen out. These days, we’re more likely to keep all of our teeth because we know how to take care of them, so when Wisdom Teeth try to come in…

In a healthy mouth, the inner lining will be covered with mucosa, a special type of skin that is smooth and pink. When changes to the appearance of the mucosa are noted, this could be a warning sign that something is going on with the pathology of your mouth, and the most serious concern is oral cancer. The following signs may indicate a cancerous growth or other pathological process: White patches in the mouth Red patches in the mouth A…

Dental implants are a great solution to missing teeth. However, cleaning and taking care of your implant is even more important than cleaning your natural teeth! Here are some things you should know about caring for your implant. Your implant and your natural teeth are similar because they both rely on healthy gum and bone tissue for support. Plaque buildup can be harmful to the surrounding tissue and bone. In addition, it is important to remove that plaque because it…

An oral surgeon, also known as an oral & maxillofacial surgeon, is a dental specialist. All general dentists and specialists spend upwards of seven or eight years in college and dental school earning a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). Both of these dental degrees are equivalent. An oral surgeon will spend an additional four to six years in training after dental school, in both a hospital-based and a private practice based surgical environment. As…