General Dentistry Articles

Tooth Replacement For Life

If you have missing or damaged teeth, you may be looking for a solution that lasts. While dentures and bridges serve a helpful purpose in certain cases, there is a more permanent, long-term answer available at Liberty.

Making Dental Treatment Comfortable

If you’ve visited Liberty you understand our passion to help you experience a comfortable, enjoyable visit. We consistently pursue the latest techniques and technology to deliver on the promise of an anxiety-free experience. The process often begins as we ask powerful questions like…

Back To School Smile

Traditional braces for teenagers may lead some adolescents to be self-conscious about their smile. At Liberty we are passionate about not only oral health, but we also want to play a role in helping young people develop into confident men and women. With that in mind, we offer both traditional braces and a special option known as Invisalign® Teen...

Attention Parents: Sealants Help Prevent Cavities

While regular brushing and flossing is critical to cavity prevention and overall oral health, even good brushing cannot always reach all the grooves and depressions in your teeth. Food particles often get caught in hard to reach places like the premolars and molars, leading to the development of cavities.

7 Advantages Of Dental Implants

If you have missing or damaged teeth, you are not alone. Studies say that 69% of adults aged 35-44 have lost one or more of their permanent teeth. With many tooth replacement options available in today’s modern dental practices, the Liberty team loves the advantages provided by Dental Implants.

Tips for Managing Tooth Sensitivity

If you have ever felt a sharp pain when drinking something cold or hot, you might have what dentists call dentin hypersensitivity. In other words, your teeth are sensitive to triggers like temperature changes. Sensitive teeth are a common problem. The key is to figure out why your teeth might be sensitive and how to avoid triggers that cause you pain. Here are some tips to get you started.

Navigating Dental Insurance: Maximizing Your Benefits

Dental insurance comes with monthly fees, but it's designed to make treatment more affordable. However, those plan benefits have a limit and usually expire every year. How do you get the most from your investment? These dental coverage tips ensure your premiums don’t go to waste.

How to Treat Tooth Pain at Home

If you are experiencing pain in or around your teeth and jaws, then you're having a toothache. The pain can range from mild to severe. Sometimes, a toothache can come and go. Sometimes, they're made worse by exposure to pressure or temperature changes. Regardless of its nature, pain is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong. So, a toothache (especially a persistent one) should never be ignored. If you experience any type of dental pain, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. While you await care, however, the following home remedies for tooth pain can help you find some relief.

How Dentists Can Cure Headaches

Do you get headaches? You are not alone - about 96 percent of people has had a headache at some point in life. A headache can ruin your day; chronic or severe headaches can seriously interfere with your life. Fortunately, your dentist in Bloomington can help cure headaches!Migraines are an especially severe form of headache that can last up to 72 hours if left untreated. About 10 percent of people worldwide get migraine headaches; more than 17 percent of women and 5 percent of men in the United States report having migraines.

The Parent's Guide to Pediatric Dentistry

Good oral health begins at birth, even though your child likely won't need to visit a reliable pediatric dentist Bloomington has to offer until they're around six months old. Waiting too long to start dental hygiene routines and dental visits can lead to lifelong tooth and gum issues. Learn the essentials of pediatric dentistry to ensure you're giving your child the best possible care.

Get A New Smile in Less Time With Same-Day Crowns

You don't have to live with damaged or decayed teeth. If you have a tooth that's severely decayed or damaged and can't be fixed with a filling, your dentist might recommend replacing it with a crown. In the past, the process of getting a crown took time and required multiple visits. Now, you can get dental crowns in a day.

Look Your Best This Summer With Botox Treatment

Injectables like Botox are one of the most popular treatments today. The minimally invasive procedure of Botox is safe, effective and very affordable. It is a fantastic way to stop the aging process and restore self-esteem. There were 3.6 million Botox procedures performed in 2021.

Summer Smiles: 5 Tips to Keep Your Smile Bright After Whitening

Have you recently had professional teeth whitening done and want to do everything you can to keep that bright smile? It's easier than you may think. Today, you'll walk away with five easy-to-follow, tried-and-proven tips for maintaining the appearance of your pearly whites. Best of all, they include things you can do right at home as part of your oral care routine.

Keep Your Teeth With Root Canal Therapy

If you have a cavity or a tooth broken or cracked enough to expose the root, you'll need root canal therapy to repair it. Many people tense up at the idea of getting a root canal, but it's a procedure that millions of Americans have every year to help save their teeth.

Look Younger and Feel Better

If you’ve ever wanted to look younger and feel better, now is your time. At Liberty, we offer the powerful benefits of Botox® to relieve pain and refresh your beauty.

Benefits of Dental Sealants

Dental sealant is applied to the tooth enamel, typically on the molars and premolars because they are the teeth most susceptible to cavities and decay. Made of plastic resin, the sealant bonds into the grooves and depressions as it quickly hardens. Once sealed, the grooves and depressions are protected from food particles that may settle in and lead to the buildup of bacteria and decay. The procedure is very simple, requires a few minutes to dry, and allows the patient to eat and drink normally after the application.

Why We Screen for Oral Cancer

Did you know the average American sees their dentist more often than their physician? Dental practices have become the first line of defense for catching oral cancer early. At Liberty, your health is our primary focus.

New Year, New You: Enjoy A Whiter, Brighter New Year

After the challenges of 2020, many are ready for a new year. How will you set a new tone for the new year? New focus? New habits? New career? New hope? How about a new whiter and brighter smile?

Beautiful Cavity Repair

Proper daily oral hygiene prevents most cavities. However, even the most meticulous among us may experience a cavity in need of repair. Rather than being resigned to the silver-filled smiles of old, Liberty offers a more natural looking, tooth colored cavity solution. Today’s composite fillings match your natural tooth color for a more beautiful, confident smile.

5 Warning Signs of Gum Disease

Because gum disease can be painless early on, it often goes unchecked and untreated. Serious consequences may occur when Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) turns into Periodontitis (gum disease). Patients not only experience tooth loss and other oral health concerns, but it can also lead to more significant overall health issues.

5 Reasons Dental Visits Are Essential

We believe your oral health is essential and inseparable from your overall health. From heart and blood pressure issues to vitamin deficiencies and cancer, your oral health has a direct impact on the rest of your body.

Is Your Mouth Always Dry?

If you suffer from chronic dry mouth, you are not alone. About 25 million people in the U.S. share your struggle. Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands are not working properly to lubricate and protect your tongue, prevent cavities, and start the digestive process.

3 Reasons Personalized Dentistry Matters

Dentistry has always been a personal experience. It’s your body, your teeth, your smile, and it demands a special level of care. Although high volume dental chains are popping up everywhere, people still prefer a dentist who remembers their name, lives in their community, and authentically cares about them.

5 Popular Smile Enhancements for 2020

A new year brings new hopes, new goals, and new experiences to look forward to. It’s also a time to re-evaluate, re-envision, and refresh your life.

Restore Your Tooth in One Visit with Dental Bonding

Faster and more cost-effective than dental implants and crowns, dental bonding at Liberty can restore your tooth and your smile in one short visit.

5 Dental Innovations That Benefit You

Gone are the days of cold, drab dental offices with antiquated technology seemingly designed to raise anxiety levels among patients. The modern dental experience is driven by comfort, precision, and solutions that both beautify and maximize oral health at the same time.

Simple Cavity Prevention Secret

For children and parents, sometimes a trip to the dentist can feel like grade-card time at school. You’ll soon find out how well you did over the last six months. And, unlike a test in school, you can’t cram for a dental exam. Last minute brushing and flossing will not fix a cavity that has developed over time.

Do You Have a Loose or Missing Tooth?

Losing a baby tooth as a child can be an exciting event that leads to money appearing under your pillow. However, as an adult, losing a permanent tooth can be embarrassing and make you self-conscious about your smile. Whether it falls out or is extracted by a dental professional, a missing tooth or missing teeth may also signify serious oral health issues. But you are not alone as two out of three adults aged 35-44 have lost one or more of their permanent teeth.

Is Cosmetic Dentistry for You?

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, cosmetic treatment continues to gain popularity in America. More and more people are taking advantage of dental innovations and technological advancements to beautify their smile. From professional whitening to tooth replacement to complete smile makeovers, options abound to craft remarkable smiles.

4 Benefits of Tooth Colored Fillings

As Bloomington's most trusted dental team, we offer our patients the latest innovations in cavity treatment. If you’ve had a cavity filled in the past, you may be among the millions of Americans who reveal a little silver sparkle every time you smile. Today's cavity care solutions bring oral health and beauty together for a pain-free solution.

Accelerated Smile Makeover

What if you could transform your smile in as few as two visits to Liberty? With the advent of modern dental technologies, there are many options today to improve your smile.

2019 New Year's Resolutions for Your Smile

Here are a couple of fun facts about New Year’s Resolutions as we begin the 2019. Topping the resolution’s chart every year is a commitment to get more exercise. Gyms and workout facilities love this time of year as people kick off their new campaigns. Unfortunately, after three months, dedication falters as half of all resolutions have kicked the bucket.

7 Causes of Bad Breath

The holidays typically bring family and friends together for parties and celebrations. That means greeting people, engaging in face-to-face conversations, hugs, laughter, and sharing memories.

Make Dental Hygiene Fun For Your Kids

“Did you brush your teeth?” It’s a question all parents have asked their children. Because we realize the value of healthy teeth and a beautiful smile, we want them to learn to care for their teeth every day. Here are some simple but effective ideas from the Liberty team to help you develop good oral healthcare habits in your children.

Use It or Lose It

Unlike some cell phone plans, your dental insurance does not roll over as we enter a new calendar year. When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, your 2018 dental benefits will turn into a pumpkin. If you have unused benefits, now is the time to contact the Liberty team to schedule treatment before the end of the year.

Back to School Smile Tips

Believe it or not, the most common chronic disease among young people aged 5 to 17 is dental decay. As a parent, you can play a big role in helping your child achieve and maintain a beautifully healthy smile throughout the school year. Beyond their regular visits to the Liberty team, here are some helpful oral health tips for school days…

3 Unexpected Tips to Keep Cavities Away

From an early age, we are taught the basics of good oral health care habits. Brush properly at least twice a day. Floss daily. Rinse regularly with the appropriate mouthwash. Visit the Liberty team every six months for a thorough professional cleaning and exam.

4 Reasons to Whiten Your Summer Smile

The sun shines brightly. Flowers show off their full bloom. Green grass carpets the landscapes. Kids celebrate their last few days of school. Shorts, tank tops, and bathing suits abound. Pools open. Parks fill with play. Stress melts away. Moods lighten. Smiles and laughter reflect the hope of a few months full of new memories.

5 Tips for Healthy Enamel

We want to help you keep your teeth for life. Essential to that goal is maintaining healthy enamel, the hard outer covering that guards your teeth from bacteria and other harmful influences. Strong enamel leads to healthy and protected teeth.

5 Habits for Gum Health

Gum health may impact your overall health. Periodontal (Gum) disease is not only the leading cause of tooth loss, but also has been shown to raise the risk factor for several potential health issues including stroke and heart disease.

7 Healthy Holiday Teeth Tips

The holiday season has arrived. Houses light up the night sky. Sales offers fill our mailboxes. Seasonal songs greet us everywhere we go. For most, the holidays provide a special time for families to gather and gifts to be shared. We laugh, play games, maybe argue a little bit, but we always have food. Family buffets rich with sweets and meats and casseroles and treats.

Maximize Your Annual Insurance Benefits

It won't be long before we gather with friends and family on New Year's Eve to celebrate the joys and sorrows of 2017. When the ball drops and the clock strikes midnight, your dental insurance benefits will reset. Any unused benefits from 2017 will be lost.

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Do you know someone with a beautifully white smile? Then you know a remarkable smile is hard to forget. It creates a powerful and lasting impression. But achieving and maintaining white teeth can be a challenge. Even with daily brushing, dark liquids like coffee, tea, soda, and certain foods tend to stain teeth and dull smiles.

Five Surprising Things Your Mouth Reveals

Every time you open your mouth, it reveals some interesting and surprising things about you. Your dental hygienist and your dentist see much more than cavities and crowns. They are experienced dental investigators, reading the evidence as they help you achieve optimal oral health. In addition to knowing whether you consume too many sugary drinks, snore, bite your nails, or grind your teeth, the evidence reveals much more. Because people tend to visit us more often than their doctor, dental professionals often catch more serious health issues first.

Is Your Tongue Healthy?

Did you know that a healthy tongue is an essential part of your overall oral health? Your tongue is one of your mouth’s most important defenses against bacteria and plaque. It also allows you to taste and swallow the foods you love, articulate words correctly, play instruments, (and even kiss). If your tongue is so important, how do you know if it’s healthy?

Are You Brushing Wrong?

Brushing your teeth is one of the most widespread daily habits in America. But what if we’re not doing it right? What if we could brush more effectively for better oral health? Here are a few tips from the Liberty team to help you brush better:

Pain-free Dental X-rays

Say goodbye to uncomfortable bitewings. Because your comfort is our priority, the Liberty team offers a safer, pain-free dental x-ray experience for our patients.

Preventative Benefits of Mouthwash

Daily brushing and flossing combined with regular professional dental cleanings from the Liberty team are still the most effective way to keep your mouth healthy. However, according to the American Dental Association, therapeutic mouthrinses or mouthwashes can help improve your overall oral health.

3 Critical Insurance Questions Before 2017

Have you taken advantage of your benefits for 2016? Most dental insurance plans call for all benefits to reset at the beginning of the calendar year meaning that any unused 2016 benefits vanish.

Three Reasons Everyone Should Floss

Studies say that only 5% of American floss regularly. Liberty Family Dentistry highly recommends you join the top 5% today, both for your dental health and your bank account.

Professional Whitening Vs. Over-The-Counter

With a significant rise in the desire for a whiter smile, over-the-counter teeth whitening options have flooded the market over the last few years. Everything from toothpastes to rinses to strips to more extensive at-home kits have become available. As a result, patients often ask us: Is professional in-office whitening better than the over-the-counter products available?

Teeth Sensitive To Hot Or Cold?

While sensitivity does not automatically mean you have a serious oral health issue, tooth pain should not be ignored. Here are some common causes of sensitivity...

New Smile Habits For 2016

At Liberty, we want to encourage you and your family to consider a few simple resolutions that will help you pursue healthy smiles for 2016. Please read the article below and share it with your family and friends so that January may be a great start to a healthy, beautiful smile.

Every Six Months?

Seeing the dentist at least every six months is not only critical to your oral health, it may also be essential to your overall health. While some patients may need to visit the dentist more often because of pressing concerns with their oral health, health professionals recommend that all patients visit the dentist every six months.

The Magic Of Same Day Crowns

If you have a chipped, cracked or damaged tooth, Bloomington’s most trusted dental team can get your smile right back in the game with same day crowns. Same day crowns at Liberty are made possible with the advanced CEREC Same Day Crown system. Our patients love the CEREC system because it is…

Four Ways Your Smile Can Help You

From first impressions to ongoing personal and professional relationships, your smile can often speak louder than words or actions. Studies reveal at least four ways a great smile can help you.

Ouch! When To Call Liberty For Dental Pain

Whether a minor annoyance or a major throbbing, all forms of dental pain may be sending you a message. Our bodies were designed to tell us when something major might be wrong. Pay attention and contact us right away if you have a serious concern. To simplify things for you, here is the #1 rule for all forms of dental pain…

The Liberty Difference

Not all dentists or dental practices are the same. Behind the scenes at Liberty we focus on five key areas to help create what we call, “The Liberty Difference."

Are You Grinding Your Teeth?

Clenching and grinding of the teeth, known as Bruxism, is a more common issue than most people realize. The most important step to preventing or treating clenching and grinding is to schedule and attend regular dental exams so we can spot signs of this condition and help with proactive treatment solutions.

Solutions For Dry Mouth

About 25 million people in the U.S. suffer from dry mouth in some form. Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands are not working properly. It may not sound like a big problem, but it can lead to more serious oral health issues.

What Sugary Drinks Do To Our Teeth

The average American consumes more than 23 pounds of sugar from soft drinks every year. Sugary drinks may taste great, but they can cause tooth decay leading to serious oral health issues.

Bad Breath Solutions

We occasionally get asked by patients at Liberty Family Dentistry, “What can I do about bad breath?” If you’re wondering about this issue, you are not alone. According to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, 40 million Americans suffer from issues with bad breath...

A Quick Guide To Toothpaste

Choosing the right toothpaste for you and your family can be an overwhelming adventure. At Liberty Family Dentistry, we want to help you simplify the process with a quick guide: