Westlake Hills Dental Arts Blog

Fluoride is a powerhouse in the realm of dental care and can play a big role in fortifying your teeth. Its origins as a tooth protectant date back to the early 1900s. Dentist Frederick McKay discovered the mineral in Colorado’s drinking water and eventually helped to bring it to the masses. But what is it exactly, and how does it help your teeth? If you’re curious to know the answers, continue reading.

Having a gap between your pearly whites is a common concern for many people. If you aren’t a fan of spaces between your pearly whites, cosmetic dentists can help improve the aesthetics of your beam by offering a range of solutions. But can dental bonding fix a gapped grin? Keep reading to whether a cosmetic dentist can help you achieve a gap-free smile using dental bonding.

You probably already know that brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is essential to prevent dental problems. While you might think your daily hygiene routine is enough to keep your smile happy, you could be missing an important factor.

Another key aspect to maintaining your oral health is visiting your dentist once every 6 months for a routine checkup and cleaning. They have the specialized training and instruments necessary to professionally examine your teeth for signs of issues like tooth decay or gum disease that might otherwise go unnoticed. If you’re anxious about your next appointment, keep reading to learn 3 helpful tips that will help you ace your dental exam.

Are you concerned that indulging in blueberry pie will stain your teeth? Are you contemplating skipping the stuffing because you’re worried about cavities? Don’t worry – you can enjoy all of these delicious dishes and more in moderation. Plus, there are several tooth-friendly Thanksgiving treats that are actually good for your smile! To learn what they are, read on.

As the year comes to a close, many people are focused on holiday preparations in New Year’s resolutions; however, it’s also the perfect time to asses your dental insurance benefits and make the most out of your coverage. Dental insurance is by far one of the best ways you can protect your smile, and by proxy, your general wellness—but it’s estimated that only a small portion of people with PPO plans reach or exceed their annual maximum! To ensure you don’t fall into this category, here are a few things to keep in mind to help you maximize your benefits.

Traditional dental fillings are made with amalgam, a mixture of mercury, silver, tin, copper, and zinc. While they have been used to restore teeth for more than a century, mercury represents about half of their overall weight. A study in 2016 found that people with more than eight amalgam fillings are at risk for higher mercury levels in their blood. Amalgam fillings usually need replacement after about fifteen years, so here are a few reasons you should consider having your amalgam restorations replaced with tooth-colored fillings.

If you have bruxism, your dentist may have recommended that you get a nightguard to protect your teeth. This prevents long-term damage to the teeth. Most of the time, this dentist will also offer to make this nightguard for you—however, many patients are tempted by the much cheaper over-the-counter nightguards that are readily available.

If you’re currently facing this choice, there are a few things that may be on your mind. This blog aims to outline the differences between the two, and what you should consider if you’re making that choice. 

Living on your own at a college dorm naturally comes with a lot of freedom, but it also comes with a significant amount of responsibility. You need to be mindful about making the right choices for your overall health. One important step you can take is to put together a dental kit to ensure that you can properly care for your smile. Below are 5 essential items that your dentist recommends putting in your dental kit before you head off for college.

How often do you need to see your dentist for a cleaning? For many people, the answer is “twice a year.” However, not all smiles are the same; some people might need to visit their dentists more often than that for the sake of their oral hygiene. Why are regular dental cleanings so important, and how many will you need in a 12-month period? Your dentist has provided the answers below.

Are you thinking about restoring your smile? Approximately 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, so you aren’t alone. Fortunately, there are a variety of tooth replacement options out there to complete your smile with dental implants being a preferred method. Thanks to their ability to restore the root of your missing tooth, you can benefit from them for many decades or even the rest of your life! Here are some of the reasons why you should consider getting implants this summer.