According to the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. While the aesthetics of a missing tooth can be bothersome, the oral health issues caused are more concerning.  When missing a tooth, problems with gum recession and bone loss are common. Without the root structure in place, the bone and gum tissue simply recede, which can result in problems with tooth alignment for the adjacent teeth.

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Christmas trees are decorated, wreaths are hung, and traditional favorites are playing across the Southern Tier. All of this holiday spirit has inspired us. Rather than singing you the 12 Days of Christmas, we thought would share the 12 Tips for a Christmas Smile. Check out the tips below to keep your teeth healthy this holiday season and as white as the snowflakes in the sky. Just because you’re on a break from normal work routines, doesn’t mean your teeth get a break from good oral health practices.

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Technology in dentistry has improved dramatically over the last several decades. Rather than needing to send out for physical x-rays, digital x-rays are taken in the office and observed on a computer. Instead of waiting for crowns, digital dental technology allows all-ceramic crowns to be completed in a single office visit.  Digital dentistry has also improved tooth-replacement options for adults with missing teeth.

It used to be that if a patient was missing teeth the only option for replacement was a full or partial denture or a bridge. That is no longer the case. There are many reasons dental implants are usually the best option for replacing missing teeth.  They vary in importance from person to person based on lifestyle, however the following three are of major consideration for most patients.

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Holiday gatherings are all about spending time with family and friends and the centerpiece of these celebrations is often food.  Traditional family favorites are probably on the menu—turkey, stuffing, corn, cauliflower, broccoli, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pecan pie. When considering dental implants, you may have some concerns regarding what you can and can’t eat on the table.  Which of these foods should be avoided with dental implants?  The short answer is none of them.  The rule of thumb when eating with dental implants is to eat anything that you can cut with a fork.

Holiday eating and snacking can be embarrassing, even painful, if you have poor dental health like missing teeth or jaw-bone deterioration.  Removable dentures also present problems as they only restore 20-30% of your natural chewing capacity.

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