When was the last time you visited the dentist? If it’s been more than six months, you’re not alone. Most people don’t manage to make it into the office as often as they should. Unfortunately, what they often don’t realize is that these appointments are about more than just checking for cavities. When you skip your routine checkups and cleanings, you’re also missing out on the examinations that could catch the disease that is reported to kill one American every hour, every single day of the year. We’re talking about oral cancer — keep reading to find out more.

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You might have heard a lot about how important it is to prevent gum disease. This condition endangers both your oral and overall health! However, not everyone understands exactly what gum disease is. They may not even know the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis, the two forms of gum disease. If you’ve ever been confused about these terms, take heart! Here is a quick lesson on what they mean.

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When it comes to your oral health, what is public enemy number one? It’s the notorious creatures called bacteria. They are always lurking around looking for leftover food to feed on, so they can grow. But are there ways to stop them? Your local dentist says there certainly are! Your best line of defense is your daily oral hygiene regimen, which should include flossing. Learn why it’s so important to use this simple method to hunt for harmful bacteria as you continue reading.

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Your dental health is supported by two primary pillars – one being your oral hygiene. The latter is of great significance because it helps to foil one of the greatest foes of a healthy mouth, teeth and gums – bacteria. And a simple tool called a toothbrush is a major player in your hygienic regimen, but with so many on the market, how do you make the right choice? Should you use an electric or manual version? Are hard bristles better for removing plaque? These and other questions will be answered by your local dentist as you continue reading.

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By the time your baby is between 6 months and 1 year of age, you can expect to see their two front teeth coming in. This can be a very exciting time for you as a parent; soon you’ll be brushing your teeth alongside them in the bathroom, singing songs to make sure they brush for long enough. But teaching them oral care isn’t just about developing good habits.

According to your dentist, baby teeth play a large role in your child’s oral development overall. With February being children’s dental health month, there’s no better time to protect your child from decay than now!

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As you sit and reflect on your childhood, you can remember countless occasions where your mother spoke in the tone of prevention. She would tell you to put on a jacket before going outside so that you wouldn’t catch a cold. Or she would tell you not to stay awake all night playing with your toys because you’d struggle to get out of bed the next morning. And the funny thing is, she was always right. That’s why the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth more than 10 pounds of cure.” The same mentality applies to your oral health. The efforts you put into protecting your mouth, teeth and gums on the front end, protect you from problems you don’t want to have to deal with down the road. That’s why your dentist says it’s much better to come in for a visit before a minor issue can fester into a major occurrence.

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If you’re missing teeth in the front of your mouth, you know how embarrassing those gaps can be. You might even hold back from smiling when the cameras come out! But what if you have missing teeth in the back of your mouth? Not a big deal, right? No one will notice that you’re a little gummy. Well… it is a big deal, actually. There are several reasons why you should consider getting dental implants to replace teeth no matter where the gaps in your mouth are.

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It’s October, which means the open enrollment period for your dental insurance benefits has just begun. This is the only time you can adjust your dental insurance coverage before the beginning of next year, so once January 1^st rolls around, you’re locked into whatever plan you choose now. This is the best (and only) time to go over your benefits and consider making any changes, so to make that process a little easier, we’re going to discuss a few factors you should consider when it comes to your dental insurance. (more…)

People smoke or chew tobacco for all sorts of reasons. Maybe you started when you were young because of peer pressure, or perhaps you use cigarettes to cope with stress. However, you know that using tobacco is one of the worst possible things you can do to your body. Every part of you — including your mouth — suffers. But exactly how does tobacco affect your oral health? Your dentist in Marysville is here to explain some of the possible consequences that this vice can have on your teeth and gums.

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