Dr. Brian Lavery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Think back to the last time you visited the dentist – it should’ve been in the last few months if you’ve been staying on top of your oral hygiene game! That said, you might remember being required to wear a lead apron as your dentist took X-rays of your mouth. But did you know that recent research has shown that the use of these aprons on patients when conducting dental X-rays is no longer recommended? Here’s what you need to know.

Brushing and flossing twice daily are essential to preventing common dental problems that often lead to emergencies, like cavities, gum disease, or other injuries. However, there’s no guarantee that you won’t develop a toothache at some point despite positive dental hygiene habits.

Unfortunately, many people suffer oral issues outside of regular business hours so you might have to wait overnight or through the weekend to call for help. If you’ve noticed the discomfort seems worse in the evening, continue reading to learn 3 potential causes and how to avoid them!

Did your ancestors live in Scandinavia? In the 1990s, archaeologists found a 10,000-year-old piece of chewing gum. It may not seem like an interesting find, but the truth is that it may hold the secrets of Mesolithic people! Continue reading to learn more about this find and what it says about your ancestors, including where they came from, their diet, their oral health, and their jobs.

Dental implants are a transformative solution for restoring missing teeth, but determining how many you’ll need depends on several factors, including the number of missing teeth, your overall oral health, and the type of restoration desired. Here’s more information about the three main considerations involved in this decision.

If there are multiple improvements you would like to make to your grin, you may want to consider a smile makeover. This is a combination of two or more cosmetic dental procedures that have been carefully chosen to address your specific aesthetic concerns. This approach can dramatically transform your smile, but is it the right choice for you? To help you figure that out, here’s a look at 4 benefits that you can enjoy with a smile makeover.

Halloween is best remembered as the candy-hoarding holiday, but many adults like to indulge in more age-restrictive fun. Spooky season is a great time to find creative cocktails, or simply a spot to enjoy more minimalistic alcohol in a suitably haunted atmosphere.

It’s difficult to resist a good drink when the mood is just right. However, if you want your smile to make it through this sugar-infested celebration, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to alcohol. Keep reading to learn how a spirit-infused brew could harm your teeth.

Dental implants have gained popularity over the last couple of decades because they are the most successful method of treating tooth loss. However, they aren’t a new innovation. Researchers have found evidence of early civilizations using various methods to replace missing teeth, like hammering seashells into the jawbones of the deceased. Thankfully, dental implants have evolved quite a bit throughout time, allowing them to have over a 95% success rate. Although there have been a lot of improvements, titanium revolutionized the procedure. Here are just a few benefits of titanium dental implants.

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Teeth are incredibly durable, but they are not impervious to damage. While you’re probably aware of how excessive sugar consumption can feed harmful oral bacteria and lead to nasty oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease, you may not know that hard or crunchy foods can chip or crack your teeth if you’re not careful. Here are a few items to chew gently so you can avoid needing a trip to your emergency dentist’s office.

You might have already heard about the physical benefits of dental implants. They allow you to eat a wider variety of foods, stay secure in your mouth for smooth talking, and help prevent your jawbone from receding.

Those are all fantastic advantages to be sure, but you should also consider how dental implants can improve your emotional state. Keep reading to connect the dots between dental implants and good vibes.

Oral health challenges tend to be more common among seniors. In fact, it’s estimated that around 27% of people over the age of 65 have lost all of their teeth. Is there a senior in your family who is currently in assisted living? If so, it’s crucial to make absolutely sure that their smile is well cared for. Below are 3 reasons why good dental care is important for seniors who can no longer live on their own.