Elmbrook Family Dental Blog

Seasonal Oral Care: 3 Reasons to Schedule Your Dental Cleaning This Spring

March 5, 2025

woman smiling among flowers

Good oral health can be achieved with proper at-home oral hygiene habits, like brushing and flossing, as well as regular checkups and dental cleanings. Clearing away harmful plaque and tartar in its earliest stages can minimize your chances of developing cavities and gum disease. As you prepare to enjoy the warmer temperatures of spring, discover three reasons to schedule a professional dental cleaning for a healthier smile.

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Beyond the Basics: 3 Things Your Dentist is Checking During Your Appointment

February 13, 2025

female patient receiving dental checkup

Dental checkups and cleanings are preventive services designed to detect problems early on and minimize the potential need for restorative care in the future. Although dentists check for cavities and gum disease during these visits, there are other important steps they take to ensure your overall health and well-being. Keep reading to discover three areas your dentist is checking during a dental exam.

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The Hidden Dangers of Flavored Water: How You Can Protect Your Smile

January 20, 2025

three glasses of flavored water

Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water is a good thing. Healthcare professionals cannot urge individuals enough to trade sodas, fruit juices, and energy drinks for this beneficial beverage that fuels not just the body but also the brain and mouth. While nothing compares to simple H20, you may enjoy the taste of flavored water as an alternative. Although it might seem harmless, adding fruits and other items can cause problems with your oral health if you’re not careful. Keep reading to learn about the hidden dangers and what you can do to minimize the impact on your teeth.

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Changing Smiles Over Time: The Evolution of Veneers

December 5, 2024

man preparing to receive dental veneers

While your focus may be on what life will be like once your new dental veneers are bonded in place, you may wonder where these restorations started. Once known as a cosmetic solution only available to the rich and famous, keep reading to find out how these custom tooth coverings made their way from Hollywood and into the hands of everyday individuals like yourself.

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While You Wait: 3 Reasons Why Temporary Veneers Are Necessary

November 15, 2024

temporary veneers

In anticipation of your new and improved smile, your dentist will likely suggest you wear temporary veneers. Although it might seem odd to have these artificial teeth for only a few weeks, they offer many unique benefits, three of which we will cover in this article. Keep reading to discover the reason for these custom coverings and what they can do for your smile.

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Can Dental Implants Get Cavities?

October 14, 2024

A woman brushing her teeth.

Your natural teeth required quite a bit of maintenance to keep them healthy and strong. Now that you have dental implants, you may be wondering if your prosthetics need quite as much intervention. Here’s what you need to know about the care and maintenance of your new teeth.

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Restoration Recovery: Healing from All-On-4 Implants

September 15, 2024

Illustration showing how dentures fit over All-On-4 implants with a white background

Dentures are the tried-and-true way to refurbish your grin after suffering tooth loss, but that doesn’t make them the best replacement teeth for every circumstance. If you struggle with frequently ill-fitting prosthetics or have a hard time taking them out to clean them, then you might do better with a more permanent solution, like All-On-4 implants.

This procedure involves strategically placing four titanium rods into your jawbone to anchor a complete set of artificial teeth. That way, you enjoy the usual benefits of standard dentures but with the added strength, stability, and easy maintenance of dental implants. However, you must care for yourself properly after your surgery for it to be successful. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect from recovery!

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Can Using Essential Oils Help Relieve My TMJ Pain?

March 13, 2024

Lady has jaw pain

Many people turn to home remedies to treat their various aches and pains. While many of these treatments can provide temporary relief, they are usually not effective at resolving the underlying issues of the discomfort. Some people suffering from TMJ disorders turn to essential oils such as lavender or chamomile to ease their pain, but the best way to address these issues is to talk with your dentist about them. Here’s what you should know about using essential oils to treat TMJ pain as well as how your dentist can help you with the problem.

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Straightening Out TMJ: Can Invisalign Help

February 9, 2024

Dentist giving patient her Invisalign aligner

Do you suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder? It’s a painful feeling that starts in your jaw and can spread to your face and neck if left untreated. While it can be painful and disruptive to your everyday life, there may be a solution in an unlikely place. Invisalign, known for its ability to discreetly straighten teeth, could also help alleviate your TMJ symptoms. If you’re wondering how these clear aligners can help your TMJ disorder, continue reading.

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Why Are Cone Beam CT Scanners Such a Big Deal in Dentistry?

January 12, 2024

Dentist smiles

Since they check your mouth for gum disease, jaw issues, and oral cancers, dentists do a lot more than just keep our teeth healthy. The mouth is a complex system of organs, and not all of them can be optimally monitored with traditional methods. If a dentist suspects that a patient is dealing with a problem that can’t be seen with an oral exam or an X-ray, they may use special imaging technology to get a proper view of the problem and design an effective treatment plan. Here’s why your dentist might be using a cone beam CT scanner in their office.

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