The clock is ticking, and with each day, minute, and second that goes by, 12:00 a.m. on December 31, is growing closer. What does this mean? For individuals with private dental insurance, it means that any unused benefits will disappear, and the deductible and annual maximum will return to zero on January 1. With billions of dollars thrown away each year, don’t let your hard-earned money fall to the wayside. Find out what you can do to keep maximize your dental insurance benefits before you ring in the new year.

November is National Diabetes Month, which means, it’s time to consider your well-being and make sure you’re eating right, exercising, and taking the right steps to manage your blood sugar levels. One way to do this is to maintain good oral health. But what if you are showing signs of gum disease? If you’re concerned that your gums are being negatively impacted by your diabetes, find out how the two are connected and what you can do to achieve better oral and overall health.

You might think a quick brushing and flossing in the morning is “good enough” for keeping decay and disease away, but the truth is, if you want to enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime, you’ll need to do more than speed through your morning routine. In fact, if that is the only time you’re caring for your teeth and gums, you’ll likely end up needing additional dental work at some point in your life. To celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month, try adopting these 4 at-home oral health tips to improve the health and look of your smile.

Chronic jaw pain is, unfortunately, a common problem faced by millions of adults throughout the world. When the temporomandibular joints become inflamed, it not only causes increased discomfort but also problems with your bite and ability to perform normal daily functions such as speaking, chewing, and even yawning. While there are many reasons a person can develop TMJ Disorder (TMD), if you are wearing ill-fitting dentures, your artificial smile could be the culprit behind your pain. Read on to find out just how impactful your tooth replacement restoration can be when it comes to the health of your jaw.  

As a parent, one of the greatest joys is seeing your child go from that beautiful baby with a gummy smile to a sweet (or stubborn) young child with a mouth full of teeth they never stop showing. While most children become toothless as a result of their primary teeth falling out, others never have a full mouth of baby teeth. As your child gets older, you might be wondering why these particular teeth never came in, but did you know it could be a family trait or separate genetic condition? Read on to learn more about why this happens and what your dentist can do to replace a missing permanent tooth.

Do you have chips in your teeth? Does your smile look a little more yellow or dull than you would like it to be? Are your front teeth slightly crooked, but not enough for braces or Invisalign? Sounds like you could benefit from porcelain veneers. These restorations can instantly correct a variety of imperfections in your smile. But can they ever be removed? Or are they permanent? Continue reading to find out.

Properly caring for your dentures is important for both the health of your mouth and the longevity of your dentures. It’s important to keep your mouth healthy so you don’t get an infection. Keeping your dentures clean is also crucial for making sure your dental health stays in good shape. But how can you take care of your dentures? By soaking them! Let’s look at the importance of soaking dentures.

Invisalign is a popular method of achieving a straighter smile. You simply have to wear clear plastic aligner trays for a prescribed amount of time. Hardly anyone has to know you’re even getting orthodontic work done. As great as it sounds, however, Invisalign requires some effort on your part. You have to make a few sacrifices for successful treatment. Let’s talk more about any possible lifestyle adjustments you may need to make for Invisalign to work.

A healthy, functional smile is something that many people take for granted — until they lose it. When gum disease, trauma, or other factors rob them of their teeth, they find that every aspect of their life is affected. Simple joys, such as enjoying a meal with friends, may suddenly become ordeals rather than pleasures. Significant life events may even lose some of their luster because tooth loss can cause pain and embarrassment. Does that story sound all too familiar to you? If so, take heart. At Jacksonville Dental Specialists, we are proud to offer Hybridge dental implants. This innovative system has the power to transform lives!

Dentures have been around for thousands of years. They have managed to serve as one of the most popular, safe, and effective restorative methods for people with missing teeth. Over the years, advancements in dentistry have led to improved solutions such as dental implants, but dentures have continued to “hold their own” against this new approach. But can dentures truly stand up to the benefits surrounding surgical implants? Can they prevent bone loss? Find out if dentures can give you more than just a natural-looking smile. Discover if they can truly restore your teeth from the root up.