Elmbrook Family Dental

How Can Crohn’s Disease Affect Oral Health?

December 21, 2023

Doctor writing the words “Crohn’s Disease” in marker

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It mainly affects the digestive tract – specifically the intestines – but you may be surprised to learn that it can also have an impact on your oral health. To help you protect your smile, your preventive dentist is here to explain the less-than-obvious link between Crohn’s disease and your mouth.

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How Long It Takes to Get Dentures After an Extraction

November 7, 2023

Dental instruments and mask sitting on a calendar page

Dentures are the standard method to replace a mouth full of missing teeth. They sit over your gums to refurbish your smile so that you can eat and speak more normally after experiencing tooth loss. Many patients are eager to be fitted for their dentures so they can resume regular life, but in many cases, your dentist may need to remove one or more teeth first for them to fit properly. Because of this, you’ll have to wait longer to have your dentures created. But how long does it take, and why? If you have questions about the typical timeline, keep reading to find out more!

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From Tooth Mottling to Water Bottling: The Strange History of Fluoride

October 13, 2023

Cartoon tooth enjoys fluoride

Fluoride is a common mineral with astounding dental health benefits. Because of this, it is widely used as an additive in community water supplies. Due to its low cost and effectiveness in preventing tooth decay, the American Dental Association and the World Health Organization advocate for the fluoridation of public water. Here’s some of the interesting history of fluoride in the field of dentistry.

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Add These Foods to Your Arsenal in the Fight Against Gum Disease

September 13, 2023

Fruits and vegetables

Gum disease is a stubborn enemy, but it is also one that can easily be avoided. While many will tell you that proper hygiene and regular dental visits are your main lines of defense against it, it’s just as important to make the right food decisions. By keeping your diet rich in the nutrients that make your gums strong and happy, you equip them with the fuel they need to stay ahead of gingivitis and periodontitis. Here are a few foods that can help improve the health of your gums whether disease has already invaded them, or you just want to be ready in case it tries.

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Useful Tips for How to Get Rid of Coffee Breath

August 11, 2023

Coffee

Coffee is a favorite beverage of people the world over, but it can make breath smell and leave the drinker with a dry, uncomfortable mouth. To make matters worse than just unpleasant breath, frequent dryness in the mouth can erode your dental health. Thankfully, there are ways to cure coffee breath while taking care of your teeth, including regular dental visits. Read on to find out more about freshening up your breath after drinking your morning cup of Joe.

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A Hard Knock Life: What to Do if Your Child Dislodges a Tooth

July 13, 2023

Tooth.

Everyone wants their kids to be safe, but they have a way of getting into trouble. While contact sports and roughhousing can be good clean fun, sometimes accidents happen. When your child knocks out a tooth, it can be a harrowing experience. No one wants it to happen, but it’s best to be prepared in case it does. Here are some tips on how to be ready to get your child care for a dislodged tooth.

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Invisalign Refinements & Your New Smile

April 22, 2023

a woman putting in her Invisalign refinements

Have you always wanted a straighter smile but didn’t want to have a mouth full of metal for a year or so? The good news is that Invisalign has made it possible for people of all ages to get the straighter teeth they’ve always wanted. By wearing a series of clear aligners over a designated amount of time, your pearly whites will gradually move into their optimal position. And no one will barely even be able to notice your orthodontics! However, once your treatment is complete, you may need a little more extra help getting your smile perfected. Read on to learn more about Invisalign refinements and how they help your treatment plan to be more successful.

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Why Does My Jaw Hurt First Thing in the Morning?

February 22, 2023

man rubbing his eyes just after waking up

When you wake up in the morning, ideally you’ll feel happy, refreshed, and ready for the day. Some people, however, wake up with aching, pain, and discomfort in their jaw.

If you’re in that position, you’re probably concerned that you have some sort of underlying issue. At the very least, you would probably prefer that you didn’t have to deal with the discomfort anymore. If you’re curious about what the issue could be, and what you could do about it, here are some reasons that you could be dealing with jaw pain when you wake up.

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Can You Smoke and Get Dental Implants?

December 12, 2022

closeup of a man smoking a cigarette

There are a lot of reasons why people can lose teeth, and one of the most common is smoking. Tobacco use is tied to a host of oral health problems, many of which can lead to tooth loss.

There’s one tooth replacement option that stands apart from the others: dental implants. If you’ve lost teeth due to smoking, you might wonder if that same smoking could prevent you from getting dental implants. If you’re curious, here’s what you need to know.

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4 Ways to Extend the Lifespan of Your Dental Implants

November 21, 2022

man and woman with dental implants

When meeting with your dentist to discuss the potential for tooth replacement, you may be wondering, “How long do dental implants last?” After all, they are a superior method of treatment that offers optimal stability, permanence, and functionality. But how long can you expect these titanium posts to remain firmly in place? In this article, a local dentist will share what the average timeframe looks like as well as what you can do to extend the lifespan of your new teeth to avoid costly replacements.

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