Melrose Dental Group Blog

Summer is a season filled with sunshine, outdoor activities, and plenty of reasons to smile. But can spending time in the sun actually benefit your oral health? The answer is yes, to a point. While moderate sun exposure may offer some indirect benefits for your smile, too much sun can also create risks for your lips and overall health.

Summer vacation is the perfect time to relax, travel, and enjoy outdoor adventures with family and friends. Whether you’re heading to the beach, exploring a national park, or cheering on your child at a summer sports tournament, the last thing you want is a dental emergency disrupting your plans. Fortunately, many common dental injuries and toothaches can be prevented with a little preparation.

If you had a dental filling done in the past, then you might be enjoying your results from it. You have regained your bite and are able to chew a bit more comfortably than before. That said, what should you do if it falls out suddenly? There’s a rare chance this can happen as it gets older or from eating certain foods, but here’s what to do if a filling falls out and how your dentist can help in this dental emergency.

Step #1: Find Your Filling & Rinse Your Mouth

As soon as you notice your filling came out, remove it and try not to swallow any pieces of it. Rinse it off...

As an athlete, you might enjoy the rush you feel during sports. You and your team might work hard together to win, but it’s important that everyone stays safe during the game. That’s because you may be at a higher risk of injuries. This also goes for your smile, as there are a few dental emergencies you may be more prone to. Here are three to know and tips to avoid them.

1.) Chipped or Cracked Teeth

The outer layer of your teeth is your enamel. It’s actually the hardest substance your body makes, but that doesn’t mean it’s invulnerable to damage! You may receive a facial blow from a stray ball or an...

Dental bridges are used to fill in the spaces left behind by multiple missing teeth. Reliable and long-lasting, these affixed prosthetics make it easy to enjoy life in a variety of ways, including eating a meal with family, talking to your grandchildren without slurring your speech, and smiling with complete confidence. But are all dental bridges successful? Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Here are 3 ways you can prevent failure.

What Can Cause a Dental Bridge to Fail?

Unsure what can lead to possible dental bridge failure? Here are a few reasons:

• Healthy abutment teeth are no longer as supportive as they once were, which is causing your dental bridge to loosen.
...
(Read More)

Metal crowns have been used in dentistry for decades due to their strength and durability. However, advances in dental materials and technology have made newer options more attractive, comfortable, and natural-looking. If your dentist has recommended replacing your metal crown, it’s worth taking seriously. Delaying the decision could lead to more complications down the road.

Improved Aesthetics

One of the biggest reasons patients choose to replace metal crowns is appearance. Metal crowns can be noticeable when you smile or speak, especially if they’re on visible teeth.

Modern alternatives like porcelain or ceramic crowns are designed to match the color and translucency of your natural teeth. Replacing an old metal crown can significantly enhance your...

Accidents happen—it’s one of the laws of the universe. They happen on the field, at work, or even just walking down the stairs in your own home. One minute your tooth is where it belongs, and the next it’s on the ground, and you’re in pain. So, what do you do? Should you try to put it back in yourself, or rush to your dentist? Here’s what you need to know about saving a knocked-out tooth in a dental emergency.

You Can Put Your Tooth Back (If You’re Careful)

Believe it or not, yes, you can put a knocked-out tooth back in its socket—but only if you follow a few critical steps and get...

If you’re like most folks, you see a workout as something that’s always good for your body. Even so, the reality is that exercise can harm oral health. You must act carefully to keep your workouts from harming your smile. As for what steps to take, your local Melrose dentist will gladly explain. Just keep reading to learn how exercise can damage your grin, including what you can do to prevent said damage in the future.

How Could Exercise Harm Your Oral Health?

Exercise normally benefits your body; that’s not in doubt. However, it can cause damage to your smile in some cases. Such harm comes from the following factors:

Acidic Sports Drinks

You...

Your dentures help you with everyday oral function like eating and speaking. While they’re not exactly delicate, it is possible for them to break or sustain damage. So what should you do if an accident happens and your dentures chip, crack, or snap?

Since they’re an important part of your daily routine, broken dentures are considered a dental emergency. Call your dentist, and they’ll do their best to see you as soon as possible for a solution! For more information about broken dentures, keep reading.

Can Broken Dentures Be Repaired?

In most cases, yes! Depending on the damage your dentures sustained, your dentist can make adjustments to the fit and material so that they’re...

As a child, you might remember becoming excited when you noticed one of your teeth starting to wiggle. It was a sign you were growing up! As an adult, though, things are different. You expect your teeth to stay right where they are. So what should you do if you notice that one or more of them is starting to loosen? This blog post provides some practical guidance from an emergency dental team that will minimize the chances of losing the tooth altogether.

Schedule an Emergency Dental Appointment

As soon as you notice any problems with your oral health, you should call your dentist to request an appointment. Tell them as many details about...