There are many of us who wish for a perfect set of pearly whites that can set off our smiles and help us look better. In recent years, there has been a real craze to have the whitest teeth possible, just like the celebrities. Frequently though, we fall prey to unscrupulous people who promise us the moon, especially if the product is available on sale or at a discount. The same goes for teeth whiteners.

It is an undeniable fact that dentistry can be expensive. Should you cut corners and buy teeth whitening gel on discount or on sale from Groupon or some similar seller? It is better to buy teeth whiteners from your dentist, because you never know what sort of chemicals or other ingredients have gone into off brand whitening gel. Once you start using it, there is no telling what complications it might lead to. However, your dentist will be aware of the ingredients in a branded teeth whitener, and also the likely reactions, if any. Read More »

Plenty of people resist the idea of visiting the dentist. Whether they are afraid of experiencing pain or they don’t like the sound of the drill, or they just don’t like being told what to do, some people will often allow several years to pass between visits to the dentist’s office. While this is a common practice of many of us, it is not recommended. The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist once every 6 months. There is a reason for this recommendation. If you are one of these people who allows years to go by between dental visits, you could be putting yourself at risk of many dental problems and certain types of illness, like heart disease. Here is why visiting the dentist on a regular schedule is so important. Read More »

Sometimes parents can forget how important regular tooth brushing is for their children. They may even forget how important it is to their own health. Some parents are not too strict about making their children brush their teeth each and every day because they think that their children’s baby teeth will eventually fall out, which means they don’t need serious care right now. This is not a good way to think however. Tooth brushing is as important for small children as it is for adults. Even though their baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by new ones, children still need to develop clean and healthy mouths if they want their adult teeth to properly form. Now is the time to begin teaching your young children about good dental hygiene habits, and the earlier kids start to develop these habits the better off they will be. This can often be easier said than done however. If you are having trouble getting your kids to develop good dental hygiene habits here are some tips that may be able to help. Read More »

A bright, white smile can mean all the difference if you are meeting someone for the first time or just want to present the best version of yourself possible.

Fortunately, bright smiles are no longer limited to people who have had flawless dental hygiene in the past. Now, everyone can make their smile whiter and brighter using a number of teeth whitening techniques.

The first step in the whitening process is to make sure that your teeth are as clean as they can be. After the typical dental cleaning, your dentist should have a range of options that you can choose from in the teeth whitening process. Read More »

Traveling

Traveling can be a great way to experience the world, but there’s no reason to let your oral hygiene get the short end of the stick while you’re travelling across the countryside. Oral hygiene is more difficult when you’re outside of your normal routine, but following a few simple steps will make you much more likely to take care of those teeth while traveling.

Pack and Unpack

First, be sure to pack all your oral health products carefully. Make sure you have enough toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash to last through your entire trip. When you arrive at your destination, unpack your toiletry case and leave the oral health products on the bathroom counter. If you see the floss in the morning, you’ll be more likely to use it. Also, a toothbrush that is allowed to dry in the open air after each use is less likely to carry dangerous bacteria. Read More »

Nutrition and Your Smile – The Right Foods for a Brighter Smile

There are so many gels, toothpastes, and strips advertised every day claiming they can give you a brighter, whiter smile in just mere days. But did you know, the solution to a brighter smile might be in the foods you’re currently eating? Here, we’ll examine the best foods to give you a brighter smile and foods to stay away from if your smile is less than bright.

Foods to Avoid for a Brighter Smile
Let’s start with the foods and beverages that may be affecting your smile right now. Despite what these tooth-whitening products may be doing for your teeth, if you continue to enjoy these certain beverages/foods, you may never get the smile you want. Read More »

For all your dental needs, turn to Dr. James McCall in Jacksonville, Florida. We provide dental services ranging from cleaning to surgeries to cosmetic procedures like Invisalign and Veneers.

Contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how our highly skilled dentists can keep your smile looking radiant and healthy.