There’s a fantastic feeling that comes when your teen is finally released from the world of brackets, elastic bands, and endless appointments for adjustments for braces. This freedom however, may quickly be dampened by the reality of the retainer. 

Many teens push against wearing retainers. The retainers may get lost or break. Many kids are so tired of wearing braces that they feel like wearing a retainer is just too much to ask. The call of “mouth freedom” is hard to resist.

Porcelain veneers allow you to transform your smile, hiding numerous cosmetic issues like staining, chipped teeth, and abnormally shaped teeth. However, once you have the veneers put into place, you want to ensure they last a lifetime. They’re not cheap to replace, so it’s worth your while to do all you can to keep them — and your underlying teeth — in the best shape possible.

Acid. It’s what makes lemons taste sour and what makes vinegar such a great cleaning solution. It’s also your teeth’s worst enemy. Cavities and tooth decay are caused by acids, and extensive exposure to acid can cause weakened enamel.

If you want to keep your teeth healthy and strong, it’s important to know your enemy! Here’s a closer look at how acid attacks teeth and how to protect them.

Do you worry that your child or adolescent will suffer a dental injury, such as a chipped or broken tooth, while playing sports? Although dentists use bonding and veneers to repair broken teeth, in many cases, the damage is permanent.

However, fitting your young athlete with a mouth guard helps protect his or her teeth and mouth from injury. In fact, studies show that athletes who don’t wear a mouth guard are 60 times more likely than those who do to suffer a dental injury.

You know the importance of regularly scheduled dental cleanings. As an adult, you may even have a fairly established routine for the day of your appointments. You may feel tempted to go into the office, have the cleaning performed, and go home without thinking about the event any further.

However, your routine dental cleanings are an important part of keeping your smile healthy. The next time you have a cleaning scheduled, use the measures outlined below to ensure that you benefit as much as possible from your visit.