A Dr. Moore in scrubs shows a document on a tablet to an older couple seated on a couch in a bright room at Springs Village Dentistry with a plant.

Helpful Articles.

Insight & Advice
for Your Oral Health

Staged Full-Mouth Reconstruction: Costs and Phases

Learn how staged full-mouth reconstruction works, what each phase involves, and realistic costs to budget for your complete smile transformation.

The Importance of Sports Mouthguards

September 30, 2019
Cartoon image of a blonde girl without a sports mouthguard get hit in the face with a soccer ball, causing chipped front teeth
Image by Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Protecting your teeth doesn’t only involve good oral hygiene at home and regular visits to our office. It also means choosing a healthy diet and limiting the risk of trauma to your teeth and jaw. If you participate in contact sports or extreme physical activities, it is important to wear an athletic mouthguard to protect your teeth from damage.

Who Needs a Mouthguard?

The necessity of a mouthguard is more obvious in some cases than others. Those that play sports that could involve contact with other players, the ground, or equipment, like football, boxing, soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, racquetball, volleyball, tennis, and hockey, can benefit from a mouthguard to protect their teeth and limit the risk of breaking or losing a tooth. However, weightlifters can also benefit from a mouthguard to protect teeth from clenching during heavy lifts. Even those that pursue activities like white water rafting, rock climbing, martial arts, skateboarding, cycling, snowboarding, and gymnastics would benefit from a mouthguard.

Common Sports Dental Emergencies

A well-fitting athletic mouthguard can help protect your teeth from trauma. However, you should also know how to react in the event of a lost permanent tooth. First, handle the tooth only by its chewing surface. Gently rinse it with milk or water without scrubbing or rubbing it with fabric. Then, place it back into its socket or between the cheek and gums or in a glass of milk to keep it moist while seeking medical treatment. Other dental emergencies like a broken tooth, a severely chipped tooth, jaw fractures, and lip lacerations also warrant urgent treatment!

Custom Mouthguards in Holly Springs, NC

A custom mouthguard will provide optimal protection with maximum comfort. So if you or a loved one plays a contact sport or participates in another activity that can expose teeth to trauma, our team at Spring Village Dentistry can create a customized mouthguard that’s designed for your unique mouth shape and bite.

If you’re unsure whether you need a sports mouthguard, our team can help you decide. To ask us any questions about protecting teeth during sports or to schedule your next visit to our office, contact us today!

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3 Ways to Ease Dental Anxiety

August 31, 2019
Curly-hair woman touches her cheeks and smiles brightly after easing her dental anxiety

If you dread going to the dentist, you might have odontophobia, or dental anxiety. Maybe you had a bad experience at the dentist once, or perhaps you’re just anticipating feeling a lot of pain. Or maybe you don’t like the idea of having anything in your mouth. Our friendly team cares about your comfort and well-being. Read on for some simple ways to ease your dental anxiety so you can get the quality dental care you need and deserve.

  • Breathe
  • It sounds simple but conscious and deep breathing can work wonders on your central nervous system, which is usually thrown out of whack when you’re feeling panic or anxiety. Inhale for four counts, hold your breath for seven counts, and then slowly exhale for eight counts. Repeat the cycle for a few times until you feel more at ease.

  • Bring a Friend
  • Bring an encouraging friend or family member to your appointment. Facing our fears is always easier with someone by our side to distract us and offer words of support.

  • Find a Dental Office That Understands You
  • At Spring Village Dentistry, we want every patient to feel comfortable and happy to see us, which is why we’ve outlined what you can expect during your visit with us. We utilize the latest technology for enhanced patient comfort and health, and offer an abundance of relaxing amenities like a refreshment bar, warm blankets, soft pillows, sound-isolating headphones, Hulu, and Netflix. And if you’re afraid of pain, we offer sedation options so that you won’t feel anything during your treatment. Our team is more than happy to discuss your options with you any time so that you can have peace of mind even before you’re in our dental chair.

    Your Trusted Dentist in Holly Springs, NC

    Remember: it’s our #1 goal to provide high-quality, comfortable dental care to you and your family in as stress-free environment as possible! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We hope to see you at Springs Village Dentistry soon!

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    Summer Wisdom Teeth Removal

    July 31, 2019
    Looking up into 3 dentists in teal scrubs holding tools prepping for wisdom teeth removal

    Did you know that the summer is a perfect time to get your wisdom teeth removed? If you’re waiting on having this simple procedure done, here’s why you shouldn’t wait on scheduling it.

    What Are Wisdom Teeth?

    Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to emerge, usually between 17 and 25 years of age. You can have anywhere from zero to four of these late-blooming teeth. Although they originally helped our ancestors break down a fibrous diet of roots, grasses, nuts, and seeds, they can cause many oral health issues for modern patients due to our smaller jaws.

    Why Would I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

    Wisdom teeth often grow in crooked and can be difficult to keep clean due to their hard-to-reach position. They can also cause overcrowding, misalignment, and damage to neighboring teeth. And if they become impacted (stuck below the gums) or you are unable to keep them clean, they are at high risk for developing decay, cavities, and infection. Infected wisdom teeth can lead to pain, swelling, bad breath, cysts, and gum disease.

    Post-Op Recovery

    Everyone has different recuperation rates after the procedure, depending on how many teeth were removed and if they were impacted. It might be uncomfortable to eat or swallow for the first few days, so eat soft foods only, like smoothies, mashed sweet potatoes, yogurt, and pureed soups. Get ample rest, drink plenty of water, avoid drinking from straws, and keep the extraction sites clean without vigorous rinsing or spitting. The extraction sites usually take several weeks to fully heal, but let us know if you experience swelling or pain that increases in intensity. Carefully follow any additional post-operative instructions we give you at your appointment to ensure a smooth recovery.

    Wisdom Teeth Removal in Holly Springs, NC

    Have some downtime this summer and need to get your wisdom teeth taken out? Getting your wisdom teeth extracted isn’t scary—it’s a very safe procedure when performed by our gentle dentists. Contact us to schedule a wisdom teeth removal consultation at our comfortable office!

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    5 Tips for Toothache Relief

    June 26, 2019
    Brunette man with a full beard and mustache cringes and touches his cheek due to pain from a toothache

    If you have a toothache, visit Springs Village Dentistry for an emergency examination! Our expert team can determine its cause and treat your pain. But until you can make it to our office, read on for five tips that might ease your pain:

  • Salt Water Rinse
  • With tooth pain, often a simple and effective solution is to rinse the mouth out with warm, salty water. Gently swish a mixture of one cup warm water and about one teaspoon table salt in your mouth, and spit it out afterwards. This process can often flush out food particles and bacteria causing you discomfort.

  • Ice Pack
  • A cold compress is a sure way to ease the pain of a toothache. If you don’t have an ice pack on hand, a bag of frozen veggies will work just as well. You can also try rubbing an ice cube on the gums in the affected area.

  • Drug Store Fixes
  • There are two items from the drugstore that you’ll want to have on-hand, if you don’t already, in case a toothache strikes. First off, an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen can quell the pain while you’re waiting to get the the dentist. An oral anesthetic gel can also prove helpful–just rub the gel on the gums in the affected area and it’ll help to numb the pain.

  • Natural Remedies
  • While they aren’t proven to work in the same way that ibuprofen is, some patients swear by garlic and clove oil for tooth pain relief. Try chewing on a crushed garlic clove to see if it works for you. Clove oil is thought to be as effective as benzocaine in numbing the pain. Rub the oil on the affected area for relief. Additionally, the gel of the aloe vera plant (not the skincare product sold in stores) has natural antibacterial properties that may help ease inflammation and pain. Cut open the leaf and rub its juices into the affected area.

  • Floss
  • In some case, the pain may be caused by debris stuck between the teeth, such as a stray popcorn kernel. Try flossing to remove any offending particles.

    Call Us at 252-303-2598!

    We hope these remedies will help ease your pain until you can get to our office. Your toothache could have a variety of causes, such as an untreated cavity, an abscess, a sinus infection, or impacted wisdom teeth that need to be removed. We can diagnose your issue and get you on the path to relief. Contact us today for an emergency appointment!

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    How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

    May 30, 2019
    Man and woman smile with dental implants as they cuddle on a couch while holding orange mugs

    Is a gap or missing tooth in your smile causing you to feel self-conscious? With a dental implant procedure, a skilled dentist can give you back a smile that is beautiful and functional. Read on to learn more about this amazing restorative treatment–it may be the solution you’ve been waiting for!

    How We Craft Dental Implants

    Your dental implant will be specially crafted to fit your smile perfectly. We begin the process by evaluating the health of your gums and jawbone density to determine if you are a good candidate for a dental implant. If things look good, we surgically implant a biocompatible titanium post into your jawbone. This fills the empty space left by your missing tooth. We will place a structure on top of the post that looks and feels exactly like natural teeth. This will be either a crown for a single missing tooth, or a bridge or denture for multiple missing teeth. The result is a mouth full of strong, beautiful teeth that allow you to eat, chew, smile, and speak naturally and with confidence.

    The Benefits of Dental Implants

    If you have a gap or sunken space in your mouth due to a missing teeth, it’s not just an aesthetic condition. Food traps caused by missing teeth can lead to inflammation, infection, abscesses, and gum disease. Getting dental implants makes this much less likely. Moreover, dental implants act and feel like natural teeth. And unlike typical dentures, a dental implant is fixed and can’t slip around in your mouth.

    A Long-Term Solution for a Lasting Smile

    Another great advantage to dental implants is how long they last. With proper care, dental implants can last upwards of 10-15 years. In some cases, they might even last for the rest of your lifetime! So if you’re tired of hiding your smile because of missing teeth or having to plan your life around dentures, dental implants may be the solution for you. A member of our team can walk you through the process and discuss if this option is best for you. We love seeing our patients experience a new lease on life because of a beautiful smile. Let us help make this dream a reality for you.

    Restore Your Smile at Springs Village Dentistry!

    Achieve a new and improved smile at Springs Village Dentistry. Contact us to schedule a dental implants consultation.

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    Spring Into a Healthier Smile

    April 23, 2019
    Woman smiles while wearing a floral crown of spring flowers

    Springtime means renewal and rebirth. While the flowers bloom and the sun begins to stay out later, we tend to feel a burst of motivation that is lacking in the colder winter months. It’s a great time to pay attention to your health goals and to care for yourself in ways you may have been neglecting. Here are a few reasons that spring is the perfect time to consider how well you’ve been caring for your smile!

    Summer Fun Is On the Way

    It’s important to stay on top of routinely scheduled dental appointments twice a year. If you’ve been putting off having a cracked tooth fixed, a cavity filled, your teeth cleaned, or a toothache examined, now is the time to do it. Problems with teeth will only get worse over time, not better, so use this time to take care of you, starting with your smile. Come Memorial Day, you’ll be busy with vacations, cookouts, and pool parties. Knowing that your teeth are clean and healthy, you’ll look and feel your best with a bright smile in every photo this spring and summer!

    Use Your Tax Refund on a Cosmetic Procedure

    If you’ve been considering having your teeth whitened or getting dental veneers, this time of year is ideal. If you received a tax refund, you can use it to fund the smile of your dreams. We accept a variety of financing options to help meet your needs, such as CareCredit℠, Lending Club, cash, check, Visa, Discover, AMEX, MasterCard, FSAs, and HSAs. Additionally, contact our team to confirm whether we accept your dental insurance!

    Spring Cleaning in Your Bathroom

    As you spring clean your home, take inventory of your oral care supplies in your bathroom. Make sure you have plenty of toothbrushes to replace your old one every three months, fluoridated toothpaste to brush with twice a day for two minutes each time, and floss to clean between your teeth every day. If you have a water flosser, be sure to give it a thorough cleaning.

    Time to Shine Bright, Inside & Out

    You’ll be seeing the sunshine more and brilliant colors blooming all around this time of year. Don’t forget to reflect the shine you feel inside by smiling. If you’re not confident in your smile, we want to help. Come by and see us and tell us more about your dental goals. We want you to be as bright as everything around you this time of year. So contact us today to schedule an appointment to be sure your smile is ready for spring. We look forward to seeing you!

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    Call (919) 825-3131 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.