Kathy Lam, DDS Blog

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! That means that people around the world are getting ready to celebrate with loved ones through food, fun, and presents. It also means that things may look a little different for people who have false teeth. Dentures fill in the gaps in your smile, but eating with them is pretty different from doing so with your normal teeth. Since the holidays often consist of a lot of eating, it’s important to know the proper way to do it with dentures. Continue reading to learn what foods you can’t eat with these restorations and what you should eat instead.

A comforting cup of coffee. A bowl of plump cherries. A much-needed glass of wine. A spicy colorful curry. These are some examples of beverages and foods (although delicious) that can cause staining and yellowing of your teeth. But why? And what can you do about it? Your dentist in Wheaton is here to explain the connection between tannins and teeth staining…and what you can do to get a bright white smile!

Teeth are meant to last for a lifetime, but 120 million Americans have lost at least one tooth. If you are missing a tooth or two, you have more options than ever to rebuild a complete smile. Dental bridges and partial dentures are the most traditional solutions for missing teeth, but which is right for your smile? There’s a big difference between partial dentures and dental bridges. Here’s what you need to know to make the best choice for your smile. 

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If you’re missing one or more teeth that were once located next to each other, a dental bridge might be the best way to replace them. This restoration is named this way because it literally bridges the gap between teeth. As beneficial as bridges are, there are a few things that can prevent them from reaching their five to seven-year expected lifespan. Read on to learn about three things that commonly lead to dental bridge failure as well as a few tips to help you prevent them.

Society views a bright smile with youth, confidence, and success; however, teeth come in many shades and tones. Not to mention, they change color over time. If you’re embarrassed by yellow teeth, you don’t have to hide your smile. Here are the most common causes of stained teeth and how you can combat discoloration.

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If your dentist recommends root canal therapy for your tooth, it might sound scary at first. After all, it’s often made out to be the worst dental treatment possible. Sometimes you’ll hear sarcastic statements like, “That sounds about as pleasant as a root canal.” So, it wouldn’t be surprising if you’re asking yourself, “Are root canals painful?”

The truth is that root canals don’t involve any significant pain, at least when performed rightly. Read on to see for yourself!

Imagine if, before the root canal therapy you’d scheduled with your dentist, your toothache mysteriously vanished. Should you cancel your dental treatment since the offending ache is gone?

In short, the answer is “no.” Even if a toothache disappears, you may still need root canal therapy for other reasons. For those wanting to know what those reasons could be, here is a guide to why toothaches go away and how root canals can apply regardless.

Does your attention turn to a small gap between your teeth when looking in the mirror? Maybe your smile is almost perfect, except for slight overlapping? You know braces can help, but are minor alignment issues worth the time and money? You don’t have to commit to metal braces or clear aligners to fix your smile. You might be a candidate for instant orthodontics. Here’s how you can get a straight smile in just a few weeks.

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If you’re missing teeth, dental implants are an excellent way to fill in your smile and regain at least 80% of your bite power. They can be used to replace any number of pearly whites to prevent jawbone deterioration and give your smile a healthier, more uniform appearance. Since implants often serve both a restorative and a cosmetic purpose, you may be wondering if they can stain like your natural teeth. Read on to learn if dental implants can become discolored as well as ways to fix or prevent this.

Basketball is a common pastime in our neck of the woods, especially this time of year – but unfortunately, contact sports like basketball, hockey, and other rough and tumble activities can put your healthy teeth at risk of injury. 

If you have suffered a chipped or broken tooth while out on the court or maybe even just from chowing down on your favorite food as a spectator at a game, your dentist may recommend a dental crown to repair the structure of the tooth. With advanced technology, that crown can be expertly shaded to match the rest of your teeth for a truly flawless appearance. Keep reading to learn how color matching works!