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Willow Glen Dental Specialists Blog View all posts

Top Tips for Taking Care of Your Braces
You’re on the road to straighter teeth, thanks to braces, but you want to make sure this journey goes smoothly. Here are some tips for taking care of your braces, and your teeth, along the way.
Mar 1st, 2025
7 Great Dental Habits to Start Practicing This Year

7 Great Dental Habits to Start Practicing This Year
Entering a new year is always a good time to make some changes. As oral health experts, we want to weigh in with a few great — and simple — dental habits that will keep you smiling with healthy teeth and gums.
Feb 1st, 2025
5 Great Dental Habits to Start Practicing This Year

5 Great Dental Habits to Start Practicing This Year
Maybe getting your finances in order or exercising more are on your resolution list for the new year, but we want to make the case for adding some great dental practices that can help your teeth go the distance.
Jan 14th, 2025
When Is a Sinus Lift Necessary?

When Is a Sinus Lift Necessary?
You’d love to replace your missing tooth (or teeth) with a dental implant, but you don’t have enough bone to support the new tooth. This is where the sinus lift can make up the difference and open the door to an implant.
Dec 11th, 2024
5 Steps to Take If a Tooth Gets Knocked Out

5 Steps to Take If a Tooth Gets Knocked Out
Each year in the United States, about five million people have a tooth knocked out. The steps you take immediately afterward can mean the difference between saving that tooth or losing it, so read on to learn more.
Sep 1st, 2024
3 Signs Your Gums May Be in Trouble

3 Signs Your Gums May Be in Trouble
When it comes to dental health, we tend to focus on teeth first. Those teeth wouldn’t be there without healthy gums, so it’s important to make sure that these soft tissues are in good shape.
Jul 25th, 2024
6 Ways We Deliver Straighter Teeth

6 Ways We Deliver Straighter Teeth
More than half of Americans don’t have naturally straight teeth, so it’s a good thing that there are so many teeth-straightening options. And we’re pleased to offer them here at our practice.
Jun 20th, 2024
5 Tips to Care for Your Clear Aligners

5 Tips to Care for Your Clear Aligners
You’re making a fantastic investment in your smile with clear aligners, and you want to get the most out of this teeth-straightening process. To help, we provide some great tips on taking care of your aligners.
Mar 1st, 2024

3 Reasons Why You Need a Root Canal Treatment
You have an infection in your root canal, which makes treatment more of a need than an option. While there are many reasons why you shouldn’t delay your root canal procedure, we highlight the top three.
Feb 1st, 2024
Give Yourself the Gift of Straighter Teeth This Year

Give Yourself the Gift of Straighter Teeth This Year
In hindsight, you probably should have gotten braces as a kid, but that ship has sailed. Or has it? Thanks to advanced alignment technologies, millions of adults are treating themselves to straighter teeth.
Dec 1st, 2023
Helping Your Teen Adjust to Braces

Helping Your Teen Adjust to Braces
Like millions of adolescents before them, your teen is embarking on a braces journey, and you want it to go as smoothly as possible. Here are some tips that can ease the road to straighter teeth.
Nov 1st, 2023
Is It Normal for My Teeth to Bleed When I Floss?

Is It Normal for My Teeth to Bleed When I Floss?
You’re vigilant about your dental hygiene and that includes flossing every day. But, you’ve been noticing some bleeding when you floss, and you want to know whether you should be concerned.
Aug 1st, 2023
4 Tips for Recovering From Your Oral Surgery

4 Tips for Recovering From Your Oral Surgery
Whether you’re getting a dental implant, having us extract a tooth, or undergoing gum surgery, there are a few steps that can ease your recovery afterward. Here, we review four.
Jul 1st, 2023
How Dental Implants Excel in Both Form and Function

How Dental Implants Excel in Both Form and Function
You didn’t want to be in the position of choosing a tooth replacement, but you’ve lost a tooth and here you are. At the top of your list should be a dental implant, which excels in both form and function.
Jun 1st, 2023
What Happens When Gum Disease Goes Untreated?

What Happens When Gum Disease Goes Untreated?
Nearly half of Americans have gum disease, which places all of them on a road toward some very serious dental issues, including tooth loss. Here’s a look at the perils of ignoring gum disease.
May 1st, 2023
Why You Shouldn't Ignore Missing Teeth

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Missing Teeth
You lose a tooth outside your “smile zone” so you think you can just make do without it. The loss of one tooth, however, not only affects your ability to chew well, it threatens the health of your neighboring teeth.
Jan 2nd, 2023
When Tooth Extraction Is Necessary

When Tooth Extraction Is Necessary
In an ideal world, you hold on to all of your teeth after they come in, but the world may have different plans. From problematic wisdom teeth to severe decay, here’s a look at when tooth extraction is the best course of action.
Dec 1st, 2022
Your Four Options for Braces

Your Four Options for Braces
It’s rare to have naturally straight teeth that line up perfectly. While some minor misalignment issues may not be worth straightening, braces can make quick work of those that are significant enough to treat. And there are several braces options.
Nov 1st, 2022
The Dangers of a Receding Gum Line

The Dangers of a Receding Gum Line
While your teeth may garner more attention, your gums are equally important to your overall oral health. When your gums recede, complications can develop, not the least of which is pain and/or tooth loss.
Oct 1st, 2022
I'm Nervous About My Upcoming Root Canal Procedure

I'm Nervous About My Upcoming Root Canal Procedure
You have an infection in the root canal in your tooth and you’re dealing with considerable pain. Your best road to relief is through a root canal procedure, which is a routine dental procedure that shouldn't cause you to worry.
Sep 1st, 2022
Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Removed?

Do Wisdom Teeth Always Need to Be Removed?
Evolutionarily speaking, wisdom teeth may be on their way out. But, in the meantime, these latecomers to your mouth can pose problems for some. Here’s a look when it’s no longer wise to hold onto wisdom teeth.
Aug 4th, 2022
Getting Started With Invisalign®: What to Expect

Getting Started With Invisalign®: What to Expect

You love the idea of using Invisalign® clear aligners to straighten your teeth, and you're anxious to get started. Here, we review what you can expect when you start your Invisalign journey, as well as a few tips.
Jul 7th, 2022
Child Laughing

Why Does My Child Need Phase 1 Orthodontics?
If your child’s orthodontist has informed you that your child will need Phase 1 orthodontics, you may have a considerable amount of questions. Continue reading for more information about Phase 1 orthodontics, and what it means for both you and your child.
Nov 11th, 2019

Can Laser Therapy Improve Healing After Oral Surgery?
Laser therapy is a relatively new treatment method that has proved to be exceptionally beneficial in various different dental treatments. Continue reading to learn more about how laser therapy affects healing after oral surgery.
Sep 16th, 2021
Braces

Everything You Need To Know About Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment consists of designing and implementing treatment that corrects the alignment of the teeth, and the way in which the teeth come together - otherwise known as the bite. Continue reading to learn more about orthodontic treatment.
Jul 7th, 2021
Medication

Can I Have Extractions Done While on Bisphosphonate Drugs?
It is always better to be safe rather than sorry, especially when your health is concerned. If you have been recommended for a tooth extraction but you are currently taking bisphosphonate medications, you may be wondering if you are still a candidate.
Jun 22nd, 2021
Big Smile

What Is A Deep Cleaning?
If your dentist or dental hygienist has informed you that you’ll need a deep cleaning rather than a regular cleaning, you may be wondering why a regular cleaning can’t get the job done.
May 19th, 2021
Kid Smile

Does My Child Need Phase 1 Orthodontics?
Taking a proactive approach to your child’s dental treatment is the best way to ensure that they receive the treatment they need in a timely manner. Continue reading to learn more about phase 1 orthodontics and what it means for both you and your child.
May 3rd, 2021
Implant

The Different Parts of an Implant
Understanding the different parts of an implant will help you better understand your treatment as a whole. Continue reading for more information about the different types of dental implants.
Apr 19th, 2021
Saved teeth

Does Every Extraction Need a Bone Graft?
In the case that you need to have a tooth extracted, you may be wondering if it is necessary to have a bone graft placed, as well. Bone grafting can be extremely beneficial, but it is not always completely necessary.
Apr 5th, 2021
hearts

How Periodontal Disease Affects The Heart
s there a connection between the health of your gums and teeth and the health of your heart? Yes! Your oral health has an impact on the health of the rest of your body - most importantly, your heart.
Mar 31st, 2021
Smile

How Do Extra Cleanings Help My Heart?
Your oral health has a direct effect on the health of the rest of your body. In fact, poor oral health has been directly linked to poor cardiovascular health. Continue reading to learn how receiving extra oral cleanings can help improve or support your hea
Jan 13th, 2021
Heart

How Does Periodontal Disease Affect the Heart?
While a concrete link between periodontal disease & heart conditions has not been officially identified, it is strongly believed that the two conditions are correlated. Continue reading for more information about how periodontal disease affects the heart.
Dec 30th, 2020
Glucose Monitor

How Does Diabetes Affect the Periodontium?
The Periodontium--the tissues that surround and support the teeth-- is a crucial aspect of your overall dental health. Diabetes has been recognized as a negative influencer on the health of the periodontium: here’s how.
Dec 15th, 2020
smile

Can Clear Aligners Be Used on Children and Teens?
Clear aligner systems have made it possible for millions worldwide to achieve the smile of their dreams. A common question that many people have is: Can clear aligners be used on children and teens, or are they intended for adults only?
Nov 21st, 2020
Implant

What Are The Different Parts of an Implant?
To have a full understanding of your dental implant treatment, it is important to know the various different parts that make up a single implant. Continue reading to learn these parts and their functions.
Oct 12th, 2020
Pills

How Do Blood Thinners Affect Extractions and Implants?
If you regularly take an anticoagulant medication and have been recommended for dental extraction or implant treatment, you may be wondering how your prescription medication will affect your planned treatment.
Sep 30th, 2020
Cig

How Does Smoking Affect Extractions and Implants?
Smoking- whether it be tobacco, marijuana, or vaping, can prove to have several negative effects on the body overtime, but this is especially true when considering how detrimental it can be to oral extraction sites and dental implants.
Sep 14th, 2020
Tooth Gap

What is a Frenectomy?

If you have been recommended for a frenectomy procedure, you may be wondering what it is, what you can expect during your treatment, and how you will benefit from it.
Aug 26th, 2020
Dental Room

Do I Need IV Sedation for My Third Molars?
When having the third molars-otherwise known as the wisdom teeth-extracted, it is common for patients to undergo IV sedation. For many people, the idea of being put under sedation may prove itself to be considerably nerve-wracking.
Aug 11th, 2020

Is an Implant Better Than a Root Canal?
If you are faced with a tooth that has experienced extensive decay, you have most likely been recommended for restorative treatment, either by the completion of a root canal or the placement of a dental implant.
Jul 16th, 2020

Why Do Some Root Canals Take Two Visits?
If you have been told that you will have to return to your dental office two separate times in order to complete your root canal, you may be left wondering why.
Jun 28th, 2020

Why Do Implants Fail?
Dental implants are one of modern dentistry’s greatest achievements; they help preserve crucial bone in the mouth and almost perfectly mimic a natural tooth, allowing the patient to have full confidence and use of their smile.
Jun 15th, 2020
Teeth

Cracked Tooth Syndrome
If a persistent but mysterious pain in your tooth has brought you to the dentist and he or she has told you that you are experiencing cracked tooth syndrome (CTS), you may be wondering what it is, and what this new diagnosis means for you.
Mar 22nd, 2020
Teeth

Gum Grafting
Gum grafting is a dental procedure that has proven to be successful in the promotion of a healthy and beautiful smile.
Mar 4th, 2020
Teeth

Why Do I Need Bone Grafting With My Extraction Or Implant?
While bone grafting may sound like a complicated dental procedure, it's actually quite simple. Bone grafting is essentially the transfer and placement of bone tissue, either to repair and mend fractured bone or to fill in an area where the bone has eroded.
Mar 3rd, 2020
Teeth

Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a useful and precise dental procedure that has proven to provide results that help create a healthy and happy smile.
Feb 19th, 2020
Teeth

What Is A Root Canal?
Most people, upon hearing the phrase “root canal”, become anxious and even afraid.
Jan 12th, 2020
Teeth

Apicoectomy Treatment Explained
If you have been informed that you will need an apicoectomy treatment carried out, you may be wondering what it is, exactly.
Dec 23rd, 2019
Teeth

Osseous Surgery: Why Do I Need It?
If your dentist has recommended you for osseous surgery, you may have been left with a few questions, such as what it is, what you can expect, and why you need it. While the word ‘surgery’ may be enough to furrow your brow, not to worry. This procedure is
Dec 13th, 2019