Smile by Design Blog

For many families, the holiday season often means long trips, busy schedules, and plenty of delicious food. But in all the excitement of traveling, it’s easy to get into a habit of letting your oral hygiene slip. However, keeping your smile healthy while away from home is simpler than you think! Read on to find some useful tips to ensure your teeth stay bright and healthy during your holiday adventures!

It seems like you can get anything shipped these days; would you be surprised to learn that you could get clear aligners through the mail? As convenient as that might sound at first, there are some good reasons why dental professionals are making such a big deal out of mail order orthodontics. Keep reading to stay informed and learn why you might not want to consider this method for straightening crooked teeth.

Did you know that an estimated 36% of Americans experience anxiety around dental visits? If you tend to get nervous when you have an upcoming appointment, you’re not alone. Those who are overly fearful might even avoid scheduling essential procedures required to preserve their oral health, like dental crowns.

Many patients assume getting a restoration will involve a long and agonizing process and are too afraid to move forward with their treatment. Fortunately, that’s not usually the case! Continue reading to learn more about getting a dental crown so you can safely set your concerns aside.

Cosmetic dentistry is on the rise, and it’s easy to see why. Upgrading the appearance of your smile can boost your self-esteem, take years off your face, and even improve your oral health. How’s that for a glow up?

Here’s why this special area of dentistry is becoming so popular and learn more about a few exciting procedures that can improve your smile, too!

Everyone knows the feeling—you wake up in the morning, roll out of bed, and step into the bathroom. But before you brush your teeth, you catch a whiff of your own breath… and it’s horrible!

Morning breath is something that everyone has experienced from time to time. But why does it happen? And is there any way to avoid it? If you’re curious, here’s what you ought to know.

If you have lost a tooth, there’s no better treatment than a dental implant. A dental implant is unlike any other prosthetic because it mimics both the tooth root and the crown. A titanium post supports a customized restoration, offering unmatched support and stability. However, if you travel a lot, you may have concerns about the implant setting off metal detectors. You don’t have to worry about unwanted attention at the airport. Here’s why most dental implants won’t trigger metal detectors.

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Invisalign trays offer the ultimate in orthodontic convenience, but you’ll still need to stay on-top of your dental hygiene to keep them clear, prevent them from smelling, and keep your smile cavity-free throughout your treatment. One of the best ways to do that is to use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals or other recommended cleansing solutions to prevent plaque accumulation on them. Read on to learn how to use Cleaning Crystals and some other tips for keeping your aligners clean and hygienic.

You’ve just wrapped up a dental crown placement? That’s great news – your tooth now has the protection it needs! Still, don’t get ahead of yourself and assume life is “back to normal.” You must recover from your treatment for its full benefits to appear. During that time, you’ll notice certain effects that deserve careful handling. Your Virginia Beach dentist is here to help you get through them. So, here’s a primer on what to expect after getting a dental crown and how to manage your recovery.

The age of social media has allowed teens to compare themselves to one another in more exquisite detail than ever before. It’s not surprising, then, that many kids these days are interested in how cosmetic dentistry can help them look their best. The truth is that some cosmetic dental treatments are suitable at younger ages and others are not. Here’s a brief overview of which cosmetic dental procedures may be a good fit for your teen.

Odds are that you’re at least a little bit familiar with fluoride. You might have an idea that it’s good for teeth, and that it therefore is placed into everything from toothpaste to drinking water. If you’ve been to the dentist for a checkup recently, you might also know that fluoride treatment is often offered as a follow-up to a regular cleaning.

However, unless you’re a dentist, you likely don’t know the details about why fluoride is so important or what fluoride treatment could do for you. If you’re curious, here’s some information about it you might find enlightening.