Parks Family Dental

Looking at two teeth, you see that one is sparkling white on the front surface, but it has a small cavity on the back side. The other is several shades duller than the first but otherwise strong. Which tooth would you consider to be healthier? You’ve heard the expression not to judge a book by its cover; well, you can’t always judge a tooth by its color.

Although social media and “beauty experts” would beg to differ, white teeth are not always required for your mouth to be considered healthy. The truth is that the color of the enamel doesn’t affect the tooth’s strength, health, or function and should therefore be a lower priority issue for you and your dentist compared to others.

While a lost dental crown might seem less scary than a knocked-out tooth, it still counts as a severe problem. After all, the prosthetic is supposed to protect you from infection and further damage. Without it, your pearly white is vulnerable and at risk. You should thus contact your dentist for treatment as soon as possible. If you have time until your appointment, though, you’ll also need to handle parts of your situation yourself. To help you do that, here’s a summary of three tips to follow while you wait.

Brushing and flossing your teeth at home are key steps when it comes to keeping your smile looking its best, but so are biannual dental checkups. During these visits, your dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth and around your gum line to get rid of any plaque or tartar that’s built up since your last visit. There are also several other things they do to ensure that your oral health stays in good shape. Read on to learn about nine things your dentist does during dental checkups that you may not have known about.