Invisalign clear aligners have revolutionized how people just like you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile during orthodontic treatment. With these discreet, comfortable trays, gone are the days of struggling to clean your teeth around obstacles like wires and brackets. However, what many don’t realize is that oral hygiene is just as if not more important with Invisalign than it is with traditional braces. Here’s why!

Gingivitis is one of the most common forms of gum disease, so you might wonder whether you can catch it from someone else. After all, harmful bacteria in the mouth play an important role in the development of gingivitis. If those bacteria can be transferred through saliva, does that mean gum disease is contagious?

The answer is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. While you can’t “catch” gingivitis like you would catch a cold, certain bacteria associated with gum disease can be transferred between people through saliva. Your own oral hygiene and risk factors play a major role in determining whether that exposure actually leads to gum disease.

Starting Invisalign treatment can be exciting. After all, you’re working toward a straighter smile without traditional braces. But when you first put in a new set of aligners, you may notice some pressure, tenderness, or general discomfort.

So, does Invisalign hurt? It shouldn’t cause severe pain, but some mild discomfort is common as your teeth begin adjusting to the gentle pressure of a new aligner. Fortunately, there are several ways to make the adjustment period more comfortable.

If you’re an athlete or simply enjoy being physically fit, you likely already know that regular exercise can benefit your body in several ways. For example, staying active can improve your heart health, enhance your musculature and strength, help you lose weight, or manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes.

But would you be surprised to learn your gym routine can also potentially affect your dental health? Studies have revealed a connection between exercise and the likelihood of developing gum disease. Keep reading to learn more about this relationship and how you can help preserve your connective tissues!

Noticing that your teeth look a little longer than they used to can be surprising—and often a bit concerning. In many cases, this change is caused by gum recession, where the gum tissue gradually pulls away from the teeth and exposes more of the tooth surface or even the root.

Gum recession is more than just a cosmetic issue. It can be a sign of underlying oral health concerns, and it’s important to understand what may be causing it so you can take steps to prevent it from progressing.

Cavities are a widespread oral health issue, but so is gum disease. This condition comes in stages, and it affects nearly half of adults over 30 in the U.S. Since it may be more prevalent than you initially thought, you might wonder about whether it can be cured or not. The answer is a bit more nuanced than you may think, so here’s what you need to know and how your dentist can help.

It’s the end of a long day, and the last thing you may want to think about is your dentures. But before you head to bed, there’s an important step that should never be skipped: soaking them overnight. While it might seem minor or even optional, this simple habit plays a big role in keeping your dentures clean, comfortable, and long-lasting.

If you have experienced extensive tooth loss, dentures are an ideal way to restore the appearance and function of your smile. This way, you can regain the ability to chew your food, speak clearly, and smile with confidence. However, when you first get your new dentures, it will take you some time to get used to them, and some foods are more difficult to chew than others. Here are 5 foods that you should probably avoid with your new replacement teeth.

Dentures are designed to restore comfort, function, and confidence to your smile. But over time, it’s common for them to feel loose, uncomfortable, or unstable. If your dentures aren’t fitting the way they once did, you may not need a brand-new set, though—instead, you may simply benefit from a denture reline. But what is this process, and is it something you can do yourself? Here’s a little more about denture relines and why your dentist is the best person for the task.

When you hear someone needs a root canal, you might imagine they are in severe pain, so this treatment will help them get relief. However, did you know that this isn’t always the case? There are some instances where discomfort isn’t the tell-tale sign that you need this procedure. Here’s why it’s not always an indicator, and other symptoms you may have to feel confident about your oral health.