Indigo Dental Blog

When your jaw aches, clicks, or locks up, your first instinct might be to assume the pain will go away on its own. But this is rarely the case—and what might surprise you more is that of all the people who can help with this issue, your dentist is often the most qualified! Your TMJ, which are the jaw joints that connect your lower jaw to the rest of your skull, sit right at the intersection of your teeth, bite, and jaw muscles, meaning dentists are uniquely capable of identifying TMJ disorder and actually fixing it. Here’s how they can help.   

Most dental issues can wait for a scheduled appointment, but some just can’t. Knowing the difference between a minor issue and a true dental emergency could save your tooth, protect your health, and spare you a lot of unnecessary pain. Here’s a practical guide to knowing when to pick up the phone to call your dentist.

Chipping a tooth can happen suddenly, whether from biting into something hard, a fall, or an accident. When it does, you might wonder if the tooth will heal on its own or if you need to see a dentist. Unfortunately, unlike other parts of your body, a chipped tooth will not repair itself. However, the severity of the chip determines how urgent treatment may be.

If you have strong feelings of dental anxiety, it could hinder your ability to get the care you need to keep your smile healthy; you might even find yourself skipping routine checkups out of fear. In order to help their anxious patients, many dental practices offer oral conscious sedation. Is this form of sedation dentistry right for you? Here’s a closer look at how oral conscious sedation works and what can make someone a candidate for it.

For many people, dental anxiety can make even routine appointments feel overwhelming. Nitrous oxide—commonly known as “laughing gas”—is one of the most widely used sedation options in dentistry. If you’ve been offered nitrous oxide during a procedure, you may be wondering whether it’s safe. The short answer is yes, for most patients, nitrous oxide dental sedation has a long track record of safety and effectiveness.

If you have a wedding, graduation, reunion, or other special event coming up, a brighter smile is often high on the preparation list. One of the most common questions people ask is, “When should I start whitening my teeth for a special event?” The answer depends on the type of whitening you choose and how much brightening you want to achieve. Planning ahead is the key to natural-looking, stress-free results.

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments, and it’s easy to understand why—a bright, radiant smile can boost your confidence in an instant. But while whitening seems simple, doing it without proper guidance can lead to painful or even harmful results. Before you reach for an over-the-counter kit or book a whitening session, it’s important to talk with your dentist about the safest way to achieve the shade you want.

A bright, confident smile can make a big difference in how you feel and how others perceive you. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments today, offering fast and noticeable results—but how many sessions will you actually need?

The answer depends on several factors, including the type of whitening you choose, the condition of your teeth, and the kind of stains you’re treating.

If you’re unhappy with multiple aspects of your smile, you may be wondering if there’s any way to fix them. The great news is that with cosmetic dentistry, your dentist can correct these flaws, giving you the gorgeous, glowing grin you deserve. But before you commit to a smile makeover, be sure you know the answers to these four important questions.

Whether you’re recovering from dental surgery, adjusting to new veneers, or dealing with a jaw issue, a soft food diet is often necessary to protect your mouth while it heals. While soft foods are easier to chew and swallow, many people worry that they won’t get enough nutrients or variety. The good news is that with a little planning, you can still enjoy a balanced and delicious diet. Here are 5 tips for eating healthy on a soft food diet.