Scott Parker DDS Blog

Anyone who has moved from the North to the South can tell you that culture varies wildly from state to state, and the standards of oral health are no different. Recent research has brought to light how the various states of our country rank in terms of general oral health and a few associated risk factors. Here’s a brief guide from your dentist to how well the general populations of various states take care of their oral health.

If you’re planning a summer getaway, there’s a lot to prepare. Knowing as much as you can about where you’re going and getting your travel itinerary together are both vitally important, but just as crucial is how you’re going to protect your oral health.

Summer vacation can present all kinds of issues for your teeth, particularly if you aren’t careful. Here are three tips to help you protect your teeth while you’re on vacation.

While your dentist performs a wide range of procedures and services, dental hygienists are often overlooked. The truth is that you likely spend more time with your dental hygienist than you do with your dentist. Something that you probably don’t know is that the second week of April is Dental Hygienist Week. Continue reading to learn some of the different reasons to be thankful for your dental hygienist.

Dentures are a popular way to rebuild your grin after tooth loss because they restore so much of your ability to eat and speak more normally. It’s natural to feel excited at the prospect of once again enjoying meals and conversations with family and friends. It can take some time to be fitted for them, though, so it’s important to plan ahead. Keep reading to learn more about the process of restoring your smile with dentures so you know what to anticipate!

Sugar is bad news for your waistline and overall wellness. As Americans work to decrease their sugar intake, the demand for substitutes has increased. Stevia, xylitol, and other artificial sweeteners don’t have the same high-calorie content as regular sugar. As a result, they can help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your health. However, are they good for your teeth? Here’s how artificial sweeteners can affect your pearly whites. 

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Anxiety over going to the dentist’s office is one of the most common phobias in America, but the truth is that neglecting your oral health has consequences that are far scarier. While excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits can prevent almost all oral health conditions from developing, many people wait until a lot of damage has already been done before they consider calling the dentist’s office. Here are some truly frightening statistics about oral health to help you avoid becoming part of them.

Quitting smoking is no easy task, and one of the best ways to break a bad habit is by taking advantage of the power of distraction. Finding healthier alternatives to smoking can be a key part of reducing the number of cigarettes you consume in a day and eventually dropping the habit altogether. Based on decades of research, tobacco use seems to harm every part of the body, and your teeth are no exception. Smoking can cause dental stains and gum disease. Here are a few tips from your dentist to help you stay away from smoking when you feel those cravings kicking in.

Losing one or more teeth is more than an aesthetic concern because it can have real long-term health consequences. Fortunately, dental implants can replace those teeth and bring you the smile you’ve always wanted, but some people get anxious at the thought of getting surgery. The process of receiving dental implants is absolutely nothing to fear. Here are a few things to put your mind at ease about the procedure.

It’s summertime once again, so odds are you plan to do some swimming. Taking a dip in the pool is certainly a great way to cool off! Still, you’ll want to keep your smile safe when you do so. The chlorine from a swimming pool can affect your teeth negatively. Luckily, you can work around the risk. To that end, here’s a summary of chlorine’s use in swimming pools, how it can affect teeth, and how to protect your smile from it.

It’s virtually impossible to go through life without experiencing something stuck between your teeth—and for many people, this issue pops up pretty frequently! But upon experiencing these situations, one option that many people turn toward is using a toothpick to dislodge the debris. But despite their name, toothpicks aren’t ideal for this task, and believe it or not, they can pose a threat to your oral health! Keep reading to learn more from your dentist about some of the potential dangers of using toothpicks, along with some safer alternatives to consider.