It’s the middle of summer, which means nothing sounds nicer than to quench your thirst with a cool, refreshing drink. In order to avoid the excess sugar of sodas and enjoy something a little more interesting than plain water, you’ve started drinking sparkling water. It comes in all kinds of flavors, and it’s much healthier for your teeth, right? In truth, any carbonated drink (water or otherwise) actually has a higher level of acid, so is sparkling water really a safe choice for your teeth? A dentist lets you know whether or not drinks like LaCroix are a better choice for your dental health. (more…)
Now that your child is participating in sports, you’re both excited and stressed all at the same time. It’s great that they have an opportunity to meet other kids, stay in shape, and get out of the house from time to time, but like any parent, you’re always concerned about their safety. So, before they ever hit the field, mat, or court, you always make sure that they have all of their safety gear. In addition to helmets, shin guards, and face-masks, children should also be wearing a sports guard to keep their teeth protected from unexpected impacts. As a parent, you basically have two options: do you get a sports guard from the store or invest in one custom-made by a dentist? Does it really make a difference?” In fact, having a custom-made sports guard can make a HUGE difference for your child, and today, a dentist is here to tell you how. 
Congratulations! You’ve just found out that you’re going to be a mother, and like any and all new parents, your mind is immediately filled with a thousand questions. To help make this joyful (if stressful) time a little easier, a dentist is here to answer the most common dental-related pregnancy questions. Read on to learn everything you need to know about taking care of your smile while expecting! 
It’s common knowledge that if you want to have healthy teeth and gums, you need to brush and floss every day as well as regularly see your dentist. However, did you know that your dentist can help protect much more than just your smile? While giving you an exam, your dentist is also keeping an eye out for two distinct types of cancer: oral cancer and skin cancer. In fact, your dentist is one of your most critical partners when it comes to catching certain cancers early. 
Whether we’re restoring a tooth with a dental crown or giving a patient a smile makeover with porcelain veneers, both procedures have one step in common: we need to take an impression of the teeth. This allows us to have a model of the bite so we can specially design each patient’s treatment to perfectly suit their smile. In the past, this was done using odd tasting dental putty, which a patient needed to literally bite down into. If you’ve ever had a traditional impression taken, then it likely wasn’t your favorite experience! Thankfully, your dentist at The Dental Center of Westport can now keep the putty safely locked away because of our new intraoral scanner. With it, your experience with us won’t only be more comfortable, but faster and more effective as well. 
We’ve all been in a conversation with someone who has bad breath. You’re doing your best to listen to what they are saying, but in your mind, you’re also trying hard to not just run for cover. You survive it, and you go on about your day…until the thought hits you, “Have I ever been the person with bad breath and no one is telling me?” Most people with bad breath have no clue until someone lets them know, but those occurrences are typically pretty rare. Fortunately, making sure your breath stays fresh doesn’t require some complicated routine every day, as these simple tips from your dentist will show. 
Today is the best time to be alive if you have crooked, crowded, or gapped teeth. That might sound like an odd statement, but the truth is that you now have more ways than ever to achieve a perfectly aligned smile. Gone are the days where metal braces were your only choice, though they are still a very popular one. Now, Invisalign offers a sleek, subtle alternative to traditional orthodontics, but does that make it better than braces? Which treatment is best for your smile? We help you answer these questions today by comparing both treatments side by side. 
Botox. It’s likely a word that you have heard before, mostly in the context of celebrities using it to eliminate small wrinkles on their face and neck. While Botox has been used successfully in a cosmetic context for many years, did you know that your dentist can actually utilize it to treat chronic jaw pain and teeth grinding as well? Today, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about Botox and how it can do more than simply help you look younger. 
It probably feels like you’ve been brushing your teeth your entire life. Most people can’t actually remember when they learned to brush, and parents are always more than happy to share stories about chasing you around the house with a toothbrush in hand. Despite being so familiar, most Americans actually brush their teeth incorrectly, leaving them vulnerable to numerous dental problems despite practicing consistent oral hygiene. Fortunately, just keeping a few small details in mind when you brush can help you get the most out of your daily routine, and today, a dentist is going to share a few of them with you. 
Everyone has a few bad habits, and that’s perfectly OK because we’re all human! However, some tend to be worse than others, especially those that can do daily damage to your teeth. Many people do things that negatively impact their oral health every day and don’t even notice. What are they? Today, your dentist reveals 4 common habits you should avoid in order to keep your smile looking and feeling its best.