Halloween can be tricky when you or your child wear braces. A single piece of hard or sticky candy can pop off a bracket, bend a wire, or leave sugar trapped around your teeth for hours. The good news is that you do not have to sit out the fun entirely. With a little planning, it is possible to enjoy …
Can a Sinus Infection Cause Tooth Pain?
You wake up with a dull, throbbing ache in your upper back teeth, and your nose feels stuffy too. Is it a cavity, or is it your sinuses? The two can feel remarkably similar, which is why so many people end up guessing, and sometimes treating the wrong problem for days. At Forest Smiles in Forest, Virginia, Dr. Shane Claiborne, …
The Best and Worst Halloween Candy for Your Teeth
A Dentist’s Guide to Halloween Candy and Cavities Halloween is one of the most fun times of year for kids, but all that candy can take a real toll on teeth if you are not careful about what ends up in the bowl. The good news is that you do not have to skip the holiday fun entirely. Knowing which …
How Does Acid Reflux Affect Your Teeth?
If you deal with regular heartburn or acid reflux, you are probably focused on the discomfort in your chest and throat. What often gets overlooked is what that stomach acid is doing to your teeth every time it makes its way up into your mouth. At Forest Smiles in Forest, Virginia, Dr. Shane Claiborne, Dr. Emma Schmidt, and Dr. Maysa …
How to Treat (and Prevent) Canker Sores
If you have ever bitten the inside of your cheek and then noticed a small, painful sore show up a day or two later, you have likely experienced a canker sore. These small mouth ulcers are common and usually harmless, but they can make eating, talking, and even brushing your teeth uncomfortable until they heal. At Forest Smiles in Forest, …
Dental Crowns: What You Need to Know
If your dentist has recommended a crown, it is natural to have questions before moving forward. How long will it actually last? Will the procedure hurt? Is it the same thing as a cap? Below, we answer the questions patients ask most about dental crowns, using guidance from the Cleveland Clinic. At Forest Smiles in Forest, Virginia, Dr. Shane Claiborne, …
Teeth Whitening: Frequently Asked Questions
A brighter smile is one of the most requested changes in cosmetic dentistry, but it also comes with a lot of questions. Is it safe? Will it hurt? Why do some whitening treatments seem to work better than others? Below, we answer the questions patients ask most, using guidance from the American Dental Association and the Cleveland Clinic. At Forest …
Water Flosser vs. String Floss: Which One Actually Works Better?
What the Research Actually Shows Flossing is one of those habits almost everyone knows they should do more consistently, and the rise of water flossers has a lot of people wondering if there is finally an easier way to get the job done. So which one actually wins: the classic string floss your dentist has recommended for decades, or the …
Tooth Sensitivity: Causes, Fixes, and When to Worry
What’s Actually Causing Your Tooth Sensitivity? That sharp jolt when you bite into ice cream or sip hot coffee is one of the most common dental complaints out there, and it can show up seemingly out of nowhere. According to the Cleveland Clinic, tooth sensitivity happens when the protective enamel on your teeth wears down or your gums pull back, …
TMJ Disorders Explained: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
What Causes TMJ Disorders? If your jaw clicks when you chew, aches when you wake up, or feels tight and sore by the end of the day, you are far from alone. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, temporomandibular disorders, often shortened to TMD or TMJ, affect an estimated 5 to 12 percent of the general …