Lancaster Family Smiles Blog

Holidays are filled with fun and time spent with loved ones, but let’s face it. They can be stressful! There’s plenty of new research showing how stress can negatively affect your general health, which begs the question – can it also impact your oral health?

As it turns out, the answer is yes! Keep reading to learn how holiday anxiety and these uncomfortable dental symptoms are related.

There’s a lot to be thankful for this time of year, including your oral health. But while you’re raising forkful of turkey in honor of your teeth this Thanksgiving, don ‘t forget to celebrate the biggest cheerleader on your oral health team: your dentist. Here are five important reasons why you should appreciate them all year long!

Do you have a sensitive gag reflex or mild to moderate dental anxiety that makes even your routine dental exam and cleaning stressful? While your first instinct might be to skip going to the dentist altogether, there may be a better way. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation has been helping patients feel relaxed and comfortable during oral health procedures for decades. This safe sedation is great for a variety of patients of all ages. Here’s everything you need to know about whether this treatment is right for you!

Even if you know that a tooth extraction is truly necessary for protecting the health of your smile, you may still be nervous about having one performed. Oftentimes, it can help to learn more about the procedure itself; it’s easier to stay calm if you have a clear idea of what to expect. Below is a brief look at the tooth extraction process and what it will feel like at each stage.

When you first get a dental crown, you should only see your treatment’s upsides. That’s only natural – the cap will quickly protect your tooth and blend with your smile! However, you may notice a black line around your dental crown after enough time passes. Never fear – your Lancaster dentist knows just what to do in these situations. Here’s a primer on why black lines form around dental crowns and how to treat them.

Did you know that an estimated 36% of Americans have dental anxiety? However, some patients experience so much worry about visiting their provider that they avoid important procedures that can improve their oral health, like tooth extractions.

It’s natural to feel nervous about having a troublesome tooth removed but rest assured; your dentist wouldn’t recommend it if they didn’t think it was necessary. Although they typically try everything to protect and preserve your natural teeth, if you have one that’s too decayed or damaged to be mended, then taking it out is the next best option.

Continue reading to learn about four additional benefits of this procedure to put your mind at ease!

In the quest for a perfect smile, many people face the dilemma of choosing the right orthodontic treatment. While traditional braces have been a common choice for decades, Invisalign has emerged as a popular alternative, offering unique freedoms that make it an attractive option. Unlike metal braces, Invisalign is a clear aligner system that provides flexibility, comfort, and convenience. Here are some of the key freedoms that Invisalign can afford you.

Dental fillings are a common restorative procedure used to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay, wear, or trauma. While fillings are highly effective in restoring the function and appearance of teeth, their longevity is not indefinite. The lifespan of a dental filling can vary based on several factors, including the type of material used, the location of the filling, and the patient’s oral hygiene habits. Understanding how long dental fillings typically last can help patients maintain their dental health and plan for future dental care.

If you’re someone who’s conscious about your health, you might have heard recently about the importance of gut microbiomes. As it turns out, the body nurtures a colony of bacteria in the gut, and these are important for everything from digestion to mood.

You might wonder whether the same is true for your mouth, and you’d be on to something there. In dentistry, we talk a lot about bad bacteria that can cause tooth decay and cavities, but these are far from the only microbes that live in our mouth. Here’s what you should know about bacteria, how they factor into oral health, and what you can do to make sure that your teeth are in the best condition possible.

If you had your dentures for long enough, you might eventually begin to feel that they’re your real teeth. You depend on them for eating, for speaking and for making the best impression possible. You meet someone for the first time. That makes it all the more shocking if your dentures should ever break or be damaged.

You might naturally wonder whether a broken prosthetic counts as a dental emergency, one that requires immediate attention from an oral health professional. If you’re curious, here’s what you should know.