Flenniken Dentistry Blog

Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. They protect your teeth, support your bite, and play a big role in your overall oral health. But sometimes, without realizing it, you may be doing things that irritate your gums and put them at risk of inflammation, bleeding, or even gum disease. The good news? Once you know the common culprits, you can take steps to protect your gums and keep them in great shape. Here are 4 ways you might be irritating your gums without realizing it.

Pregnancy results in many changes throughout the body. One change that you may not have been expecting is your oral health. It is especially important that you stay on top of your dental hygiene at this time so that you don’t develop pregnancy gingivitis. Read on to learn more about the connection between gum disease and pregnancy as well as what you can do about it.

Out of the tooth replacement options available today, dental implants by far offer the longest lasting solution. In fact, they are sometimes called “permanent” because they can go for two or more decades still in excellent condition. However, if you have certain bad habits in your lifestyle, they may not serve you for much time. What are some of these bad habits that lead to dental implant failure? Continue reading to find out!

As people become more and more interested in the science and process of sleep, more and more research is being done to fully understand its impact on the body and mind. Basically, it wouldn’t be too surprising if you’ve at least heard of the term “sleep cycles”!

If you have sleep apnea, learning more about the importance of these cycles can be especially helpful. Keep reading, and you’ll see how sleep cycle disturbances can affect your ability to feel well-rested.

When you hear the word “dentures,” your mind might jump to stories of George Washington and his famous wooden teeth. But the truth is, dentures have (thankfully) come a long way! What once were awkward, uncomfortable prosthetics are now custom-fitted, lifelike, and surprisingly high-tech. Keep reading to take a look back in time to see how dentures have evolved and why today’s prosthetic options are better than ever.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) affects millions of people, often leading to chronic pain and discomfort. Finding the right treatment can feel like navigating a maze of mouthguards, painkillers, and conflicting advice. However, relief is possible, and often, it starts with understanding the root cause of the problem. In this post, we’ll break down the most effective ways to treat TMD so you can stop clenching, stop hurting, and start healing.

Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. Thanks to their unique ability to replace the roots of missing teeth, they allow for a wide range of benefits that you can’t get with dentures or dental bridges. Depending on how many teeth you are missing and where they are located in the mouth, you will need a certain number of dental implants to complete your smile. Continue reading to learn more about dental implants and how many you can expect to need.

Dental implants are widely known as the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, but there’s more to them than meets the eye! From their fascinating history to their surprising benefits, implants are more than just a cosmetic fix. Here are five little-known facts about dental implants that might just change the way you see them!

Veneers are a great choice for improving the appearance of discolored, slightly damaged, or worn-down teeth. However, once you have had veneers placed, it will be up to you to protect them, and that can potentially mean making a few changes to your diet. There are certain foods that can cause problems for temporary or permanent veneers if you’re not careful. Here’s what you need to know in order to plan your meals after veneer placement.

When teeth become decayed or otherwise damaged, a dental filling may be the perfect solution to restore the integrity of your teeth. In addition to protecting your smile from additional harm, tooth-colored fillings today have a natural appearance, so they blend in with the rest of your tooth. No one will even be able to tell that you’ve had restorative work done. However, you may be wondering how long you can expect your filling to last. Read on to learn what patients can typically expect.