Hilltop Dental Blog

From kids to seniors, oral care is important to do at home. While many people develop good dental habits, it can be harder to keep them up with age. In fact, you might notice that older adults in your life aren’t as consistent as they used to be. Whether from mobility limitations, medication side effects, or any other reason, here are tips to help your loved ones have a stronger smile.

You likely learned that genes are responsible for traits like hair color, eye color, and how tall you’ll grow, but they don’t stop there. They can also shape different aspects of your smile. Having “bad teeth” is one you may not have necessarily brought on yourself, though you may not fully point the blame to your genetics. Here’s a closer look at how your genes and your grin are connected.

Missing multiple teeth can affect more than just your appearance—it can also impact how you chew, speak, and maintain proper alignment of your remaining teeth. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several effective solutions, including dental bridges and partial dentures.

Both options are commonly recommended for patients who are not receiving dental implants or who may not be ideal candidates for implant treatment. While they serve a similar purpose, they are designed differently and offer unique benefits depending on your oral health needs and lifestyle.

Understanding how each option works can help you make a more informed decision with your dentist.

Root canals are quite effective, but it wouldn’t be surprising if you looked down on them. Rumors and stereotypes have made these procedures seem risky and frightening. With that said, you shouldn’t believe in such gossip; the myths about root canals simply aren’t true. Your Maplewood dentist can even prove this fact with relevant details and evidence. To that end, here are four common root canal myths you shouldn’t trust going forward.

Halloween is a great time to watch your favorite horror movies or to walk through a haunted house. You’ll get scared, but you can laugh about your reaction afterward! However, many people think their dentist is a place full of frights. It can make them push back their treatments, but if it’s true for you, then you shouldn’t feel anxious about it! Learn three reasons why to help you get the oral healthcare you deserve.

If you had a damaged tooth that needed some reinforcement, then you may have chosen to get a dental crown over it. It restores both function and aesthetic with ease, but just how long do they last? They are incredibly reliable, but like with any other well-made restoration, you will have to replace them eventually. It may be later than you think, so continue reading to get a better idea of their longevity and how you can make yours last for years to come.

Tooth sensitivity can sneak up on you – one sip of iced coffee or a spoonful of hot soup, and suddenly you’re cringing in pain. But is tooth sensitivity something that warrants an emergency trip to the dentist, or can it wait until your next scheduled visit? The answer depends on the cause, severity, and persistence of your symptoms.