Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Do you have missing teeth? If so, then you know firsthand how having an incomplete smile can affect your quality of life. Not only does it impact your bite, but your speech and appearance as well. You might be researching options for replacing teeth. Partial dentures and dental bridges are two excellent ways to restore your smile – but how do you know which option makes the most sense for you? Find out by learning from your dentist in Harrisonburg about the difference between partial dentures and dental bridges.

You may have heard you need to practice excellent oral hygiene to prevent the onset of gum disease, but there is much more to it than that. Gum disease is an infection of the tissue that surrounds and secures your teeth into place. To stay strong, they need healthy gum tissue to support them. While poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of periodontal disease, it certainly isn’t the only one. Continue reading to learn more from your dentist in Harrisonburg about gum disease risk factors so you can be informed about how to protect your dental health.

Bad breath is like mosquitos and poison ivy – nobody wants to deal with it. Think about how it can be there to “greet” you when you wake up, if given the opportunity it’s ready to mess up your date or a job interview. Simply put, it’s the worst.

Some people struggle with halitosis, aka bad breath, more than others. Your first line of defense should definitely be a consistent oral health regimen, but it may come as a surprise that yogurt could be the factor to help you win this battle!

Read on to learn from your dentist in Harrisonburg about common causes of bad breath, how yogurt can help, and other preventive measures you can take to ward off this unwelcome guest.

As you once depended on your natural teeth, you need your dentures to eat, speak, and smile with ease each day. If you ever end up with a broken denture, it can be difficult to function normally. There are many ways dentures can become damaged, and it’s a valid reason to pay your emergency dentist in Harrisonburg a visit.

Read on to learn how a denture can break, what you should do, and how it can be repaired.

Are your top teeth crooked while your bottom ones are perfectly fine? You might be wondering whether you’re eligible for orthodontic treatment. Even though you certainly can straighten your top teeth only with Invisalign, the process is a lot more complicated than it appears. Several factors come into play when it comes to single-arch treatments. With that in mind, here’s what you should know about getting Invisalign on your top teeth only.

Does each person in your family need to visit a different dentist for their oral health? After a while, it can get overwhelming to coordinate everyone’s checkups and cleanings. If juggling multiple providers is getting in the way of everyone’s oral care, you may want to consider switching to a family dentist. That way, the entire family can enjoy quality dental services in one convenient location. Read on to learn about the many incredible benefits of having a family dentist.

The traditional method for designing and creating dentures involves several dental appointments, some manual impressions, and lots of communication with a dental laboratory. Certainly, the process is effective and can yield beautiful restorations. However, it is far from ideal. That is why some dental practices have invested in digital denture technology. Let’s talk about what digital dentures are and how they can make your tooth replacement journey both easier and faster.

Let’s be honest: most people don’t enjoy going to the dentist. Even so, it’s an important part of maintaining good oral health. Though you may be tempted to say as little as possible so you can cut your appointment short, that decision may cost you a healthy, beautiful smile. Read on to learn six health factors you should mention to your dentist at your next dental checkup and cleaning.

Treats like candy, cookies, and cakes are notorious cavity-causing foods. This is because their high sugar content gives harmful oral bacteria plenty to feed off so they can release acids that damage your tooth enamel. Unfortunately, sweets aren’t the only foods that can harm your teeth. Read on to learn about five surprising foods and drinks that can cause cavities.

Has your dentist recently told you that one of your teeth needs a crown? At first, you might wince at the idea of having a dark metal spot in your smile. Luckily, that’s not the case with modern dental crowns! These days, your dentist uses advanced techniques to create a personalized restoration that mimics the shade of your natural tooth enamel and flawlessly blends in with the rest of your smile. Here’s an interesting, easy-to-understand look at the science of how your dentist color-matches your dental crown.