It’s common knowledge that if you want to have healthy teeth and gums, you need to brush and floss every day as well as regularly see your dentist. However, did you know that your dentist can help protect much more than just your smile? While giving you an exam, your dentist is also keeping an eye out for two distinct types of cancer: oral cancer and skin cancer. In fact, your dentist is one of your most critical partners when it comes to catching certain cancers early. (more…)

Whether we’re restoring a tooth with a dental crown or giving a patient a smile makeover with porcelain veneers, both procedures have one step in common: we need to take an impression of the teeth. This allows us to have a model of the bite so we can specially design each patient’s treatment to perfectly suit their smile. In the past, this was done using odd tasting dental putty, which a patient needed to literally bite down into. If you’ve ever had a traditional impression taken, then it likely wasn’t your favorite experience! Thankfully, your dentist at The Dental Center of Westport can now keep the putty safely locked away because of our new intraoral scanner. With it, your experience with us won’t only be more comfortable, but faster and more effective as well. (more…)

We’ve all been in a conversation with someone who has bad breath. You’re doing your best to listen to what they are saying, but in your mind, you’re also trying hard to not just run for cover. You survive it, and you go on about your day…until the thought hits you, “Have I ever been the person with bad breath and no one is telling me?” Most people with bad breath have no clue until someone lets them know, but those occurrences are typically pretty rare. Fortunately, making sure your breath stays fresh doesn’t require some complicated routine every day, as these simple tips from your dentist will show. (more…)

Today is the best time to be alive if you have crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth. That might sound like an odd statement, but the truth is that you now have more ways than ever to achieve a perfectly aligned smile. Gone are the days where metal braces were your only choice, though they are still a very popular one. Now, Invisalign offers a sleek, subtle alternative to traditional orthodontics, but does that make it better than braces? Which treatment is best for your smile? We help you answer these questions today by comparing both treatments side by side. (more…)

Botox. It’s likely a word that you have heard before, mostly in the context of celebrities using it to eliminate small wrinkles on their face and neck. While Botox has been used successfully in a cosmetic context for many years, did you know that your dentist can actually utilize it to treat chronic jaw pain and teeth grinding as well? Today, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about Botox and how it can do more than simply help you look younger. (more…)

It probably feels like you’ve been brushing your teeth your entire life. Most people can’t actually remember when they learned to brush, and parents are always more than happy to share stories about chasing you around the house with a toothbrush in hand. Despite being so familiar, most Americans actually brush their teeth incorrectly, leaving them vulnerable to numerous dental problems despite practicing consistent oral hygiene. Fortunately, just keeping a few small details in mind when you brush can help you get the most out of your daily routine, and today, a dentist is going to share a few of them with you. (more…)

Everyone has a few bad habits, and that’s perfectly OK because we’re all human! However, some tend to be worse than others, especially those that can do daily damage to your teeth. Many people do things that negatively impact their oral health every day and don’t even notice. What are they? Today, your dentist reveals 4 common habits you should avoid in order to keep your smile looking and feeling its best. (more…)

Before you could even remember, you’ve known that going to the dentist is essential to keeping your teeth healthy, but did you know it’s also an important part of keeping the rest of your body healthy as well? More and more research is showing that the health of the mouth is a huge influence on a person’s overall health, and today, we’re going to discuss why seeing your dentist is important for more than just your smile. (more…)

A beautiful smile is all about being confident, right? Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to feel confident if you have stained, chipped, cracked, or gapped teeth. In a world built on first impressions, the appearance of your smile is more important than ever, and not just for your dental health. If you feel like your teeth are a liability, a cosmetic dentist may be exactly who you need. With their unique expertise and a few easy treatments, they can give you the kind of smile you’re always ready to show the world. (more…)

Dental emergency. These are two words you (hopefully) don’t hear together very often, but it’s a situation that many people experience every day around the country. If you sustain a dental injury, it’s important to know if it requires immediate attention or not so you can take care of your teeth and avoid unnecessary trips to the dentist. Today, we’re going to discuss which oral injuries require emergency treatment and what you should do if you experience one. (more…)