Dental Endorsements

Westend Dental

Author: Carmen Ramos

Is Mouthwash Necessary?

Discover the truth about mouthwash and its role in oral care with our comprehensive blog post. We debunk common myths, discuss the benefits, and shed light on the different types of mouthwash available. While mouthwash can freshen breath and reduce bacteria and plaque, it should be used as a complement to regular brushing and flossing, not a replacement. We address misconceptions surrounding mouthwash’s ability to cure gum disease or prevent cavities and provide practical tips for its effective use. By understanding the facts, you can make informed decisions to maintain optimal dental health.

A good daily mouth care routine is necessary for your dental health. Brushing your teeth at least twice daily, flossing daily, and using mouthwash is a healthy habit for most people. But is mouthwash necessary? The answer is a qualified yes — and no. The American Dental Association states that “use of mouthwash (also called mouthrinse) may be a helpful addition to the daily oral hygiene routine for some people.”

Continue reading “Is Mouthwash Necessary?”

Fixing a Gummy Smile: What Can You Do?

Cartoon of a woman with a gummy smile

A gummy smile, or excessive gingival display, is a smile that shows too much of your gum line, and it can be a cause of embarrassment or an insecurity for many people who have them. They can be caused by a host of issues with your mouth such as a jaw development problem, incorrect bite, and hyperactive or overly short upper lip. But an important question remains: can you fix a gummy smile?

Whether you’re interested in fixing your gummy smile for only aesthetic reasons or to address these underlying issues, there are options that can help. Whether you’re interested in a non-surgical procedure, like orthodontic treatment or crowns, or a surgical procedure, like a gingivectomy or lip repositioning surgery, you can find information on a range of different treatment options here. Continue reading to find which may be the best option and achieve the smile of your dreams. Continue reading “Fixing a Gummy Smile: What Can You Do?”

Broken Teeth or Lost Fillings?

Broken, chipped, or cracked teeth can happen unexpectedly, requiring emergency dental care. They never happen at a convenient time or place, so you may have questions about what to do immediately and in the near future.

You need to see your dentist as soon as possible. There is no safe way to take care of broken teeth, cracked teeth, or lost fillings at home. In the meantime, rinse out your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to your face to help temporarily alleviate pain. You may experience pain immediately and/or lingering tooth sensitivity. Continue reading “Broken Teeth or Lost Fillings?”

11 Best Alternatives to a Root Canal Treatment 

Corrupt government officials. Illness and death. Civil unrest. Economic troubles. These are a few of the top anxieties Statista reported that Americans commonly fear. They might have considered adding dental procedures to the list in general and root canals in particular. If you plug the words “root canal horror story” into your search engine of choice, you’ll get plenty of results from people ready to share their most terrible experiences. It’s no wonder that potential dental patients remain perpetually on the lookout for root canal alternatives. 

While root canals aren’t always awful (which we’ll discuss a little more in the following section), we will talk in this article about how to avoid a root canal naturally and through more traditional means. Continue reading “11 Best Alternatives to a Root Canal Treatment ”

Dental Floss Picks or Conventional Flossing: Which is Better?

Taking care of one’s teeth is important. In addition to the social and psychological benefits of maintaining a good smile, adequate oral health also impacts your ongoing physical health. Halitosis. Infection. Heart attack. Stroke. Dementia. None of these conditions are anything that people want — so why don’t more individuals floss? According to an article in U.S. News & World Report, less than one-third of the population flosses daily and 32 percent never floss at all. Some of the reasons why include the sheer inconvenience of flossing, and floss picks have stepped into the gap as an easier alternative. However, some have begun to ask a simple question: “Is it bad to use floss picks?”  Continue reading “Dental Floss Picks or Conventional Flossing: Which is Better?”

What Is the Average Lifespan for Dental Crowns?

Crowns are an investment in the health of your mouth and the brilliance of your smile. These permanent dental implants are meant to last for a very long time — but how long exactly can you expect them to endure? Would veneers be a better choice? What can you do to ensure that your crowns last as long as possible? In this article, we’ll answer all of these questions and more.  

What is the purpose of a crown? 

Crowns are fairly simple to understand: They’re essentially tooth-shaped caps that fit over weak or damaged teeth. Sometimes they’re also used to shore up a bridge or protect a tooth after a particularly extensive root canal. They can also support a tooth that’s had to receive a significant filling, which can weaken the natural tooth. In short, dental crowns exist as a prosthetic that’s primarily intended to minimize the chance of tooth damage. However, some also serve an aesthetic function. Implant crowns can fully replace missing teeth.  Continue reading “What Is the Average Lifespan for Dental Crowns?”

Using Antibiotics to Treat a Tooth Infection

Infected teeth are a major inconvenience, and they’ve historically been a cause of not only suffering, but also even death. As a publication in the NIH’s National Library of Medicine notes, “Dental infections originate in the tooth or its supporting structures and can spread to the surrounding tissue. Dental infections were, historically, a common cause of death. Fortunately, due to improved dental hygiene, modern dentistry, and antibiotics, dental infections are rarely life-threatening today.” Indeed, Alexander Fleming’s discovery has done much to transform modern life. 

But just because an antibiotic for tooth infection is often an effective treatment doesn’t mean that it is the best course in every situation. In this article, we will explain how antibiotics help some tooth infections, the best antibiotic for tooth infections of different types, and an antibiotics list for tooth infections.  Continue reading “Using Antibiotics to Treat a Tooth Infection”

What To Do If a Dental Abscess Bursts

A dental abscess is no joke. In addition to the discomfort, pain, bad breath, and inconvenience that they cause, they can also prove fatal. People reported that a Sacramento truck driver passed away at the age of 26 due to an oral infection. While on the road, Vadim Anatoliyevich Kondratyuk’s tooth began to hurt, and he sought treatment from a dentist before getting back on the road. However, his infection quickly progressed, and after it became systemic, his body simply couldn’t recover. 

Most patients understand that you shouldn’t ignore infections, but sometimes they wonder what to do if a dental abscess bursts on its own. In this article, we’ll explain what causes a dental abscess, why one could burst, and what you should do in case of a rupture. Continue reading “What To Do If a Dental Abscess Bursts”

11 Common Problems Caused by Dental Bridges

Believe it or not, dental bridges are ancient technology. A 2022 article published in International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Care cited archeological finds from Ancient Egypt showing dental work that we would think of as bridges. Wire constructed of precious metals such as silver and gold had been wound about existing teeth to stabilize cosmetic material ostensibly inserted to fill unsightly gaps. These dental bridge lifespans were truly for the whole life of the patient!  

Still, despite their long pedigree, dental bridge problems are a reality for many who have undergone this cosmetic procedure. In this article, we will discuss some common dental-bridge problems, warning signs you should take to heart, and a course of action you should take if your bridge comes loose.  Continue reading “11 Common Problems Caused by Dental Bridges”

Oral Care During COVID: What You Can Do From Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on Americans’ personal health — and not just due to the virus’ respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological symptoms. A large part of the reason why COVID has impacted personal wellness is due to the fact that patients have delayed their visits to medical professionals due to fear of contracting the virus. According to a 2020 report published by the CDC, “an estimated 41% of U.S. adults had delayed or avoided medical care including urgent or emergency care (12%) and routine care (32%).” Such delays have disproportionally affected dentists with the WHO stating that “75 percent of survey respondents reported dental services have been completely or partially disrupted because of the coronavirus.” Continue reading “Oral Care During COVID: What You Can Do From Home”