Mauck & Ricci DDS Blog

When you think about protecting your heart, dental implants probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, your oral health and cardiovascular health are more closely connected than you might realize. From the potential effects of gum disease to questions about the safety of dental implant surgery, there’s plenty to consider if you have a heart condition or are thinking about replacing missing teeth.

So, can you get dental implants if you have heart disease? And could replacing missing teeth actually benefit your overall health? Let’s explore both sides of the connection.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and thankfully in most cases it’s completely reversible with improved brushing and flossing habits. But what happens if you get it while pregnant? Although your oral hygiene plays a part in it, gestational gum disease is often caused by fluctuating hormones, making it difficult to both prevent it and reverse it. Worse still, leaving it untreated can cause harm to your smile and may even affect your baby. Here’s a closer look at the dangers of gingivitis in pregnancy, and how you can protect yourself and your unborn child.

Your jaw does a lot of work throughout the day. From talking and laughing to chewing your favorite foods, you probably don’t think much about your jaw until something feels wrong. If your jaw suddenly becomes stiff, painful, or difficult to open and close, it can be uncomfortable—and sometimes alarming.

A locked or stiff jaw can have several possible causes. Understanding why it happens can help you decide what to do next.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex joints in the body. This means that there is a lot that can go wrong, and it isn’t always the easiest to address. There are all sorts of TMJ treatments out there that promise relief, but how do you know which one is best? Continue reading to learn more about TMJ disorder and the best way to treat it.

When it comes to restoring damaged or decayed teeth, dental crowns are often a reliable choice. They are sturdy and help you regain your strong bite. That said, since you’ll be getting good daily use out of it, you might wonder how long your results will last. Here’s what you need to know about a crown’s lifespan and what you can do to get the most out of it.

Dentures are the standard method of rebuilding arches after tooth loss, and they remain popular today because of their incredible versatility. Regardless of how many teeth went missing, your dentist can provide a lifelike set of replacements to enhance your smile’s function and appearance.

But you may need to adjust your daily habits and routines to keep your new teeth in good condition. For example, did you know that smoking can be harmful to dentures? Continue reading to learn more about why you might want to consider quitting before pursuing this treatment!

Dentures can be a versatile and cost-effective way to rebuild your smile after tooth loss. Your dentist can provide a lifelike restoration to enhance your smile’s appearance and function regardless of how many teeth went missing.

But if you’ve had your prosthetics for a few years and they’re starting to look dark or dirty, you might wonder whether the artificial teeth can be lightened with topical treatments like natural enamel often can. Continue reading to learn more about why standard teeth whitening isn’t effective on dentures as well as how you can help preserve a brighter shade!

Dentures are a popular way to rebuild after significant tooth loss because this versatile, cost-effective treatment can simultaneously enhance your smile’s appearance and functionality. Whether you’ve lost some or all of your natural teeth, your dentist can provide a customized solution designed to look and feel as lifelike as possible.

But if it’s been a while since your teeth went missing, your jawbone might already have become too weak and frail to support one of these restorations. Continue reading to learn more about how tooth loss affects the structure of your mouth and why you shouldn’t delay getting dentures!

It’s no secret that ignoring sleep apnea for too long can have dire consequences. This sleep disorder has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and various other health issues. But did you know that sleep apnea could also potentially be connected to vision loss or blindness? Below is a brief look at the impact that sleep-disordered breathing could have on the health of your eyes.

Maintaining a healthy smile requires time, patience, and a financial investment. Choosing to enroll in a dental insurance plan means you recognize its value and how it can help you stay on top of your oral healthcare. With many great benefits included in these plans, you may be surprised to learn that some insurance companies have waiting periods. What does this mean, and how can it affect you?