Zahner Dental Blog

Thanksgiving is finally here, which means that if you’re a fan of family time, good food, and a day of lounging around and watching football, you’re probably feeling pretty ecstatic! But amidst all your holiday fun, the last thing you should want to happen is for you to develop a cavity—or worse—because of your diet. Keep reading below for some dentist-approved tips that will help you protect your teeth and gums this Thanksgiving, no matter what foods you find on your dinner table!

H2O is essential for keeping your body hydrated. Healthcare professionals recommend drinking at least eight 8-oz glasses of water daily to prevent dehydration. Not only can you feel sluggish if you’re not drinking enough water, but it can also affect your dental health. While water supports a healthy smile, it can also harm your teeth and gums if you aren’t careful. Here’s what you need to know to stay hydrated while protecting your pearly whites. 

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Porcelain veneers can provide a solution to flaws in your teeth like stains, chips, and cracks while lasting for up to two decades. They fit perfectly in your smile because they mimic the color, luster, and shape of natural teeth. If you’re interested in using them to have a shiny new smile, you might ask how your habits would have to change to get the most time out of your investment. Here are some tips on how you can manage your diet to maximize the lifetime of your veneers.

Any dentist will tell you that their work can make an enormous impact on the lives of their patients, but that communicating that to patients who haven’t experienced it can sometimes be difficult. When it comes to veneers, however, the results speak for themselves.

Veneers have been improving how people look and feel for nearly a century, but they haven’t always been the same as they are today. If you want to learn more about how they’ve changed, here’s a brief history of this cosmetic dental treatment.

Veneers can completely change the way that you look to others and feel about yourself, so if you accidentally lose a veneer, it’s understandable to panic. Not only does it change how your look, but your teeth probably feel pretty sensitive as well.

Under those circumstances, you may not necessarily know how to deal with the veneer that you’ve lost. Thankfully, there’s no reason to lose your cool. Here’s what you can do about that.

If you’re like many Americans, you probably have toothpicks in your home. They are handy to have around the house to pick food from your teeth. Charles Foster, an American businessman, began the mass production of toothpicks in the nineteenth century after a trip to Brazil. During his visit, he noticed Brazilians had amazing smiles, which they credited to using toothpicks. Although they are effective at dislodging food particles, are toothpicks good for your teeth? They aren’t as safe as you might believe. They can place you at risk of a dental emergency. You can skip the risks and keep your teeth clean using a few dentist-approved alternatives.

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There are so many traditional foods that are enjoyed during the holiday season. Turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing are common indulgences. And don’t forget cranberries! This delicious, small fruit is used in various recipes during the fall and winter festivities. While you indulge in different cranberry treats, you can delight in the fact that they are great for your oral health! Read on to learn all about how they benefit your smile.

Nothing can interrupt your day quicker than a toothache. Although you might think of occasional tooth pain as a normal occurrence, it’s never a good sign. It’s probably caused by an untreated dental problem, like a cavity, fracture, or infection. You won’t want to wait for your toothache to go away. Even if your pain subsides on its own, that’s not always good news. It can mean that it’s too late to save your tooth. Here’s why you should call your emergency dentist right away. 

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If you have lost multiple teeth and are considering replacing them with a full or partial denture, you may want to think about a more stable alternative. While regular dentures give you back the appearance of having a full set of teeth, they can also affect your nutrition — and not for the better. That’s because dentures rest on top of the gums and may not provide the sturdy foundation to support a healthy diet. So, while it may be easier to chew, you may notice more long-term negative effects. Keep reading to learn more, along with a suggestion for what to do instead.