Thomas A. Gromling, DDS Blog

October is finally here, which means that crisp, cool autumn weather is upon us, Halloween is right around the corner, and all month long it’s National Dental Hygiene Month! That said, maintaining a bright and white smile doesn’t take much effort and is something you should strive for year-round. Here are some tips from your dentist in Stephens City to help you keep your oral health on the right track.

Like many, you probably focus more on the *act* of oral care than on the tools involved. More specifically, your priority is to brush your teeth twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse with mouthwash as needed. However, did you know it’s also important to switch out your toothbrush now and again? Failing to do so can lead to various dental health issues. That said, your dentist in Stephens City can help you master this habit. Read on to learn when and why to switch your toothbrush, plus some helpful ways to care for it.

Let’s say you’ve decided to reassess your smile. Namely, you want to see how your teeth are doing a few months after your last dental visit. However, you aren’t sure how to go about it. What should you do? Well, one good approach would be to examine your tooth color. Depending on what you see, your pearly whites could be dealing with different issues. As for how to interpret these colors, your Stephens City dentist can help you out. Read on to learn what the shade of your smile says about you.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 64 currently has at least one cavity. Practicing excellent oral hygiene at home is essential if you want to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. However, even if you brush and floss every day, you might still be making errors that can contribute to oral health issues like cavities. Keep your teeth clean and healthy by avoiding these five common teeth-cleaning mistakes that make dentists cringe.

From backyard barbecues to catching a movie at The Family Drive-In Theatre, the summer months are filled with fun activities for the whole family. However, while the warm weather can do wonders for your mood and social calendar, the summer can also negatively affect your quality of sleep – especially if you have a disorder like sleep apnea. Keep reading to discover five ways to boost your chances of getting quality rest during the warm summer months.

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you know just how difficult it can be to complete daily tasks, like eating, speaking clearly, and smiling with confidence. Fortunately, there are several different tooth replacement options out there that can restore the appearance and function of your smile, like dental implants. With summer being in full swing, you may be wondering how your new dental implants will affect your diet. Continue reading to learn about the different summer foods you can enjoy after dental implant surgery.

There always seems to be a new fad out there circulating around online. However, the internet is also a place where there are heaps of misinformation. It can be difficult to tell the difference between a helpful hack and something that can actually end up being dangerous. You don’t want to try out a popular trend only to discover that you are harming your smile. Here are some fads that are bad for your teeth so that you know how to avoid them.

You’re at the dentist’s office and things are going well—that is, until your dentist informs you that you’re going to need a dental crown! You begin to feel a knot forming in your stomach; you’ve heard of dental crowns, but you aren’t sure what they’re used for. On top of that, you immediately begin to wonder if the process is going to hurt. But you have nothing to worry about! Keep reading to learn more about dental crowns, including what they’re used for and how your dentist will comfortably provide you with one.

Every night, millions of Americans miss out on countless hours of rest due to sleep apnea; and what’s even more alarming is that many more cases go completely undiagnosed! But sleep apnea doesn’t just affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep—it can lead to some serious health concerns if left untreated, including fatigue, hypertension, diabetes, and even heart problems. Keep reading to learn more about this condition including why it’s on the rise and what you can do to lower your risk of developing it.

We all want the best for our furry best friends. And if that means letting them sleep in our bed with us, most would probably be very open to sharing their space. According to surveys of hospital patients in 2002 and 2015, 50 percent of participants had pets at home, and half of those with pets allow them to sleep in their bed at night. Interestingly, there’s research from Mayo Clinic’s Center for Sleep Medicine that suggests sleeping with your pet may not be improving your quality of sleep if you have sleep apnea. Here’s what we know about pets and sleep apnea in Stephens City.