Crossroads Family Dentistry Blog

Have you ever skipped a routine dental checkup because you didn’t have time in your schedule or thought your teeth were perfectly fine? You might brush it off thinking it’s just a cleaning you’re missing out on, but it’s actually far more than that. It may surprise you to learn that your dentist takes several steps to ensure your oral and overall health is in good shape. Read on to discover eight things you didn’t know your dentist was doing at every routine dental checkup.

Do you reach for a snack around the same time every day? You’re not alone – most people do as a way to refuel their bodies and keep them going until their next meal. While this habit may seem harmless, it could be harming your teeth more than you think. In fact, some people believe that frequent snacking does as much damage to your teeth as eating candy or drinking soda! Read along to learn how it affects your oral health and tips to prevent the habit. 

Everyone knows that brushing and flossing are crucial when it comes to maintaining good oral health. However, other practices are just as essential – even though they’re often overlooked. Skipping important steps in your at-home dental care routine can put your mouth at risk, leading to problems that could become severe complications down the line. Read on to learn which oral hygiene practices you should never skip.

Just as you’re drifting off into dreamland, you suddenly experience a sharp pain in your tooth. As much as you try to ignore it, the toothache begins to nag you and prevents you from falling asleep. Since you can’t see your emergency dentist in the middle of the night, you’re stuck handling the situation on your own until the morning. Luckily, there are several ways you can manage the pain just enough to get you through the night. Read on as we share a few tips to help you get some sleep.

When it comes to your living environment, some people are more tidy than others. However, something everyone certainly wants to keep clean is their toothbrushes. After all, you are sticking it in your mouth, and you don’t want to end up getting sick. By taking steps to keep your dental tools clean, you’ll have one less thing to worry about. Continue reading for some tips on how to keep your toothbrush tidy over time.

When you are dealing with a serious dental issue, that is when you reach out to your emergency dentist for help, but how do you know if the issue you’re dealing with is a dental emergency? Can it wait a few days? Some issues may be able to linger for a short period of time, but facial swelling is not one of them. It could point to a much more serious issue that needs immediate attention. Continue reading to learn about the causes of facial swelling and what you can do.

Proper dental care is critical to protect your oral health from serious problems. Tooth decay is one issue that can arise from poor oral hygiene. If left untreated, it can cause severe damage to your teeth. Luckily, dental fillings are one solution to preserve a healthy smile by restoring cavities, repairing cracks, and filling small holes caused by decay. Read on to learn which signs alert you of teeth that may require dental fillings and how to choose the best type for your pearly whites.

It may surprise you to see your dental hygienist pull out the blood cuff during a routine dental checkup. After all, what does that have to do with your teeth?

Although it may seem odd, blood pressure can have many effects on your oral health. Checking your vitals is quickly becoming a new, crucial addition to your regular cleanings and checkups. Read on to learn a few reasons why this is an essential step in your dental visit.

Are you trying to reach your goals regarding your health? One way that many people try to achieve this is through fad diets. When they are used properly, they can be useful, but other times they can be harmful for your oral health. If you are trying to drop a few pounds or if you are looking to be healthier, a fad diet may not be the best idea. Continue reading to learn about which diets you should be especially careful of for the sake of your oral health.

When was the last time that you went to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned? For most people, it is a good idea to go to the dentist about every six months for a regular cleaning and checkup. It is an important step when it comes to maintaining optimal oral health. If it has been a few years since your last visit, you may be wondering: do teeth cleanings hurt? Continue reading to learn more about what you can expect when you go in for a professional cleaning.