Smile Keepers Blog

Does the thought of going to the dentist make your heart race? Maybe you feel nervous as soon as you schedule an appointment, or perhaps you’ve avoided dental care for years because the idea of sitting in the dental chair feels overwhelming.

If that sounds familiar, you’re certainly not alone. Dental anxiety and dental phobia are common, and they can make it difficult to get the routine care your smile needs. But where do these fears come from? There isn’t always one simple answer.

The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, which are located at the very back of the mouth. For many people, these teeth must be extracted in order to solve or prevent painful oral health complications. That raises an obvious question: If wisdom teeth usually need to be removed, why do humans have them to begin with? Continue reading to find out.

If you’ll be having a wisdom tooth extraction treatment soon, you may be curious about what to expect once those pesky third molars finally come out. But while healing from this procedure does require some important aftercare steps, one thing you won’t have to worry much about is your stitches. Here’s a closer look at the sutures your dentist will use following your wisdom tooth removal, and how to care for them so they protect your mouth while you heal!

You’re not alone if you’re feeling nervous about an upcoming wisdom tooth extraction because you’re worried the procedure will be long or agonizing. Thankfully, most dentists understand that patients get anxious and will undoubtedly numb your mouth and/or provide sedation to help you feel calm and comfortable throughout your appointment.

That means you likely won’t have to worry about aches until afterward. Continue reading to learn more about what’s considered normal during healing so you know what to expect and set your mind at ease.  

After having a tooth extracted, it’s natural to wonder when you can get back to your normal routine. One common question patients ask is whether it’s safe to drink alcohol after the procedure. While enjoying a glass of wine or a cold beer may seem harmless, alcohol can actually interfere with the healing process and increase your risk of complications.

Understanding why alcohol should be avoided—and what you should do instead—can help ensure a smoother recovery and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary discomfort.

Dental insurance comes with a lot of moving parts—premiums, maximums, coverage percentages—the list goes on. Somewhere in the middle of all of it sits your deductible, a term that gets mentioned constantly but rarely gets a real explanation. If you’ve ever looked at your bill wondering why your insurance didn’t cover as much as you expected, continue reading. You’ll learn how deductibles work and how to make the most of your benefits.

Getting a tooth extracted is often the last resort that your dentist chooses. They first want to try everything to save the structure, but there are some reasons that call for it to be removed. While you might not be excited about this procedure, it can be helpful in preserving your oral health. Here are three problems that show having an extraction can be better in the long run.

Usually, you can count on your dental team to do everything in their power to protect and preserve your natural teeth. However, if you have developed a sharp or persistent toothache or have severely damaged or decayed enamel that can’t be treated, they may have no choice but to perform an emergency extraction and replacement.

Many patients feel nervous about procedures that could hurt, but your provider understands you might be anxious and will do their best to help you remain calm and comfortable. Continue reading to learn 3 tips that might also help you complete your appointment successfully!

It can be surprising—and a little confusing—when your dentist recommends a tooth extraction even though you’re not experiencing any pain. After all, if it doesn’t hurt, it must be fine… right? Not always. Pain isn’t the only indicator of a dental problem, and some serious issues can quietly develop beneath the surface.

Understanding why a tooth may need to be removed can help you feel more confident and informed about your treatment.

If you’re considering dental implants, it’s natural to have questions about how they will feel in your mouth once treatment is complete. Because implants are placed directly into the jawbone, they are very different from removable options like dentures or partials. Many patients are pleasantly surprised to learn that implants are designed to look, function, and feel as close to natural teeth as possible.