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Blog Archive

Do Wisdom Teeth Have to Be Removed? May 16th, 2024

If you’re lucky, you’ll have no problems when your third set of molars — wisdom teeth — comes in. Problems arise when there’s insufficient space for them, resulting in pain, wear and tear on neighboring teeth, or even failure to emerge through the gums.  While some wisdom teeth erupt easily...

Why Do Teeth Lose Their Whiteness As We Age? Apr 8th, 2024

Aging is a long, drawn-out process that comes with changes throughout the body, including the mouth. While some people retain a large part of their teeth’s youthful white color and strength, most others deal with the inevitable wear and tear over time, including the loss of whiteness. At Hometown Family...

Ways to Avoid Gum Disease Mar 19th, 2024

Gum disease, often called periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue surrounding your tooth roots. You open the door for an infection to take hold if you’re lax with your oral hygiene — failing to brush, floss, and get regular dental check-ups.  Despite the United States’ status...

How Can I Achieve a Hollywood Smile Quickly? Feb 1st, 2024

When your permanent teeth first came in, they were clean and pearly white, but after years of living, they may have turned dull and discolored, making you embarrassed to smile. Fortunately, you have teeth whitening and other restoration options that can give you the sparkle of a Hollywood smile. At...

Foods to Eat for Brighter, Healthier Teeth Jan 1st, 2024

Did you know that part of the secret to a dazzling smile is your diet? While you're familiar with the importance of brushing, flossing, and dentist visits, you might not realize the impact of what you eat on the color of your teeth. At Hometown Family Dental Centers, our team...

4 Warning Signs You Need a Root Canal Dec 1st, 2023

Is your toothache more than just an ordinary pain? It could indicate there’s an infection inside the tooth, which may require a root canal.  Our highly trained dental experts at Hometown Family Dental Centers are here to provide top-quality care. Root canals are a routine dental treatment and not something...

What Can I Do to Prepare for a Surgical Extraction? Nov 15th, 2023

Do you need a tooth removed? The prospect of undergoing a surgical extraction can be daunting, and it's completely normal to feel a little anxious about it. Understanding the process and knowing how to prepare can help ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible. Trust the experts at Hometown...

6 Questions to Ask Before Getting Dentures Oct 1st, 2023

Are you missing most or all of your teeth? Consider dentures as a solution to enhance your smile's appearance, function, and feel.  You can achieve a complete and beautiful smile with removable dentures. Choosing to get dentures is a major decision, and our dentists understand the importance of having the...

Are Receding Gums Always a Sign of Gum Disease? Sep 1st, 2023

Have you noticed your gums receding a bit? Are your gums at risk of infection caused by bacteria accumulating on your teeth and gums? Gum disease can cause pain and even tooth loss, but the good news is that it's preventable and treatable.  At Hometown Family Dental Centers in Fayetteville, Raeford, and Vass, North...

3 Reasons to Consider Veneers Over Teeth Whitening Aug 8th, 2023

Do you feel self-conscious about your smile in selfies? Are your teeth dull, stained, or yellow, along with having other imperfections? There's no need to feel ashamed anymore. Our dental professionals have a brilliant solution: veneers. Veneers are a fantastic way to improve oral health and enhance your smile. Whether you...

When Is an Extraction Absolutely Necessary? Jul 6th, 2023

Good oral health is essential to your overall well-being. A lack of proper oral hygiene can result in gum disease, tooth decay, and even more severe health complications. Sometimes a tooth extraction may be necessary to maintain optimal oral health.  The experts at Hometown Family Dental Centers — with convenient locations in Fayetteville, Raeford, and...

What to Eat (and to Avoid) to Protect Your Temporary Crown Jun 2nd, 2023

If you have a temporary crown to protect your tooth while you wait for your permanent dental crown to be made, it’s smart to think about what you can and can’t eat. Certain foods may jeopardize the temporary crown's integrity, but plenty of delicious foods can keep it safe until you get...

How to Adjust to Your Partial Dentures May 1st, 2023

Dentures offer a long-term fix, whether you're missing a whole set of teeth or just a few. If we’ve recently fitted you with partial dentures, you have a more complete, healthier-looking smile.  Removable dentures can help you regain confidence and improve your oral health. Hometown Family Dental Centers in Fayetteville, Raeford, and Vass,...

4 Encouraging Facts About Root Canals Apr 1st, 2023

The primary purpose of a root canal is to relieve pain, not cause pain, yet many patients fear the procedure. During a root canal, your dentist removes the inflamed or infected pulp and nerves inside the tooth — eliminating what was causing tooth pain.  Most patients report feeling little to no discomfort...

How to Floss Your Way to Healthier Gums Mar 9th, 2023

You probably already know it’s important to floss every day, but do you know why? Good flossing practices help you avoid gum disease, stop tooth decay, and keep your mouth feeling fresh.  Regular professional dental cleanings and flossing daily at home are essential for optimal oral health. The experts at...

Which Type of Filling Is Best for My Situation? Feb 1st, 2023

A cavity is damage to your teeth that develops into a hole that can become larger with time. It’s not usually noticeable at first, but a cavity can quickly become painful as it grows and exposes the sensitive tissues inside your tooth.  To repair the damage, your dentist usually closes...

When Is a Root Canal the Best Option? Jan 2nd, 2023

Root canals can seem frightening. But this common procedure is a necessary treatment that can eliminate the pain caused by an infection and save your tooth from extraction.  Better yet, our skilled team at Hometown Family Dental Centers provides root canal treatments without causing pain. A consultation with our providers...

5 Benefits of Dentures Dec 14th, 2022

Missing teeth can affect how you chew and smile and raise your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Teeth gaps also affect your appearance and speech. If you’re missing teeth, you have many options, including dentures. Removable dentures can improve oral health and restore your smile, whether you’re missing...

Is It Safe to Have a Tooth Removed? Nov 1st, 2022

Sometimes tooth removal is necessary. Wisdom teeth that don’t have room to grow in or an infection that doesn’t go away are two reasons you might need to have a tooth removed.  Making room in your mouth to help orthodontia align your teeth is another reason for tooth extraction. Fortunately, modern...

Do Dental Cleanings Hurt? Oct 10th, 2022

Professional dental cleanings prevent pain in the long term by eliminating stubborn plaque buildup in deep gum pockets and narrow spaces between teeth that you can miss while brushing. Regular dental cleanings are necessary to maintain oral health. A routine dental cleaning is usually painless, but tooth decay, gum inflammation, and...

I Have Dental Phobia: Is Sedation Dentistry Right for Me? Sep 1st, 2022

Phobias can be debilitating, especially when it comes to medical and dental procedures. Even something as simple as an annual teeth cleaning can induce physical reactions — making your palms sweat, your heart race, and your body produce a fight-or-flight response. This often results in avoidance, keeping you from getting...

How Family Dentistry Can Make Your Life Easier Aug 1st, 2022

A family dentistry practice attends to your entire family’s oral health. Family dentists are qualified to take care of both permanent and baby teeth to promote excellent oral health for a lifetime. If you and your family have limited time to get important tasks done, the last thing you want to do...

Understanding the Difference Between Composite and Amalgam Fillings Jul 1st, 2022

Dental fillings repair teeth and preserve oral health. A filling can smooth out any sharp edges and help you avoid worsening decay or infection. Composite and amalgam fillings are two common filling materials dentists use to maintain healthy teeth. Our skilled experts at Hometown Family Dental Centers offer composite and amalgam fillings for...

I'm Nervous About Going to the Dentist: Can You Help? Jun 1st, 2022

Your body detects fear to protect you from danger, but this fear sometimes has unintended negative consequences. If you’re nervous about going to the dentist, you may avoid checkups and cleanings, putting your oral health at risk. Many patients are nervous about visiting the dentist. At Hometown Family Dental Centers — with locations...

How Your Child's Nutrition Can Affect Their Oral Health May 1st, 2022

A proper, balanced diet promotes good dental health throughout your life. Without the right nutrients, your child’s teeth and gums become more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease and mouth tissue can have a harder time resisting infection. At Hometown Family Dental Centers — with locations in Vass, Fayetteville,...

When Are Dentures the Right Choice? Apr 1st, 2022

Missing teeth can affect your smile and chewing habits and increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Gaps in your teeth affect your speech and appearance. Dentures are a great option for anyone with missing teeth. At Hometown Family Dental Centers — with locations in Fayetteville, Vass, and...

What Can I Expect With Wisdom Teeth Extractions? Mar 1st, 2022

Wisdom teeth are your third set of molars that grow in the back of your mouth usually in your teens or early twenties. Most people don’t have enough space in their mouths for wisdom teeth, which is why these teeth frequently cause pain.  Our team of specialists at Hometown Family...

My Child Won't Give Up the Pacifier: Can You Help? Feb 1st, 2022

A pacifier is an essential companion for many infants. It creates familiarity, comfort, and support because of a baby’s innate sucking reflex, particularly pronounced in the first few months of life. Reflexive sucking doesn’t disappear, but it becomes a voluntary activity rather than a newborn reflex by 4 months. Taking...

The Benefits of Family Dentistry Jan 1st, 2022

Family dentistry is beneficial for dental providers and patients. Having a single source of oral care for the entire family has many advantages, including the practical benefits of easier treatment planning and appointment organization.  Our crew at Hometown Family Dental Centers — with locations in Fayetteville, Raeford, and Vass, North...

The Importance of Professional Dental Cleanings Dec 1st, 2021

Professional dental cleanings preserve your oral health by removing plaque and stains from tooth surfaces. Reducing bacteria has a positive effect not only on your oral hygiene, but also on your body’s health beyond your mouth. Our compassionate specialists at Hometown Family Dental Centers — with locations in Fayetteville, Raeford,...

Sedation Dentistry for Your Dental Phobia Nov 1st, 2021

Modern local anesthesia can completely numb an area during dental treatment,  eliminating the sensation of pain. However, knowing this often isn’t enough for anxious patients. Pain-relievers are powerless against the feeling of fear and its physical symptoms.  At Hometown Family Dental Centers — with convenient locations in Fayetteville, Raeford, and...

5 Tips to Keep Your Gums Healthy Oct 4th, 2021

Healthy gums are essential for healthy teeth and optimal oral health. Plus, proper gum care is important to prevent inflammation and bleeding. If you neglect your gums, they can quickly cause oral health problems, such as bad breath, illness, and tooth loss. To keep your gums healthy, it’s important to...

Does It Hurt to Get Dental Implants? Sep 1st, 2021

If you’re missing teeth, it’s important to consider getting dental implants to protect your oral and overall health. If you’re concerned about the pain that goes along with getting an implant, understanding facts about the procedure and recovery can help you feel more at ease. We regularly perform dental implant...

What Causes an Abscessed Tooth? Aug 4th, 2021

Poor dental hygiene can lead to oral health problems. An abscessed tooth is the formation of an infectious mass around the root of a damaged tooth. It requires prompt treatment by a dentist because the infection from an abscessed tooth can spread to your face, neck, and eventually the entire...

The Difference Between Composite and Amalgam Fillings Jul 1st, 2021

Dentists use tooth fillings to preserve teeth. They not only close holes, chips, or cracks in your teeth, but they also protect your natural teeth from further damage such as tooth decay. Amalgam and composite fillings are two common types used to preserve your oral health.  The top-quality dental care...

I'm Nervous About Getting a Root Canal Jun 11th, 2021

You might hear the words “root canal” and feel fearful. You may even think it’s a treatment that must be avoided at all costs. But the truth is that a root canal isn’t as bad as you think, and it actually relieves you of severe pain rather than causes pain....

Are You Flossing Properly? May 1st, 2021

General dental care such as brushing your teeth every day is the best thing you can do to prevent gum disease. But your toothbrush can’t easily reach into the spaces between your teeth, which is how bacteria and plaque accumulate over time. Without regularly cleaning the spaces between your teeth,...

How Are Dentures Made? Apr 1st, 2021

Dentures are detachable sets of artificial teeth that fill empty spaces in your smile. High-quality dentures look like natural teeth, and they attach to a gum-colored, acrylic base that sits directly over your gum tissue. They’re held in place with denture adhesive, metal fasteners, or implants for extra stability. When...

The Many Benefits of Choosing a Family Dentist Mar 11th, 2021

Dental health is essential for your whole family. That’s why our team at Hometown Family Dental Centers specializes in the diverse dental care needs for every generation. It’s especially vital to remove your child’s fear of visiting the dentist from the beginning to build a relationship of trust. At our...

Should Everyone Get Their Wisdom Teeth Out? Feb 4th, 2021

If wisdom teeth cause so many problems, why do people even have them? It’s a great question with an interesting answer. These problematic stragglers in your mouth, a third set of molars, are a holdover from a time when human ancestors mainly ate raw vegetables and hard foods. Diet has...

When to Be Concerned About Bleeding Gums Jan 1st, 2021

The causes of bleeding gums are often due to poor dental hygiene. It could happen as a result of inflammation, vitamin deficiencies, or even a new toothbrush. These are things you can normally remedy yourself at home. However, bleeding gums sometimes indicate something more serious. With offices in Vass, Raeford,...

Help! My Teeth Are Yellow Dec 1st, 2020

Yellow teeth and other tooth discolorations are a serious cosmetic problem for many people. Who doesn’t want a brilliant smile when they look in the mirror? However, as you age and live your life to the fullest, even the brightest teeth eventually become dull or yellow. The teeth whitening specialists...

I'm Anxious About My Dental Appointment Nov 5th, 2020

Fear is a mechanism evolving humans developed for protection. It keeps you away from dangerous places and poisonous animals, for instance. However, fear can also have negative consequences, even in non-dangerous situations. This is the case with dental anxiety, which can develop into a full-blown dental phobia. The patient and...

Dentures vs. Implants: How Are They Different? Oct 1st, 2020

Dentures and implants are two options to replace missing teeth. They’re both great for restoring a brilliant smile, but they approach the task differently. With offices in Raeford, Vass, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, our Hometown Family Dental Centers team helps you choose which tooth replacement option is best for you....

4 Common Toothbrushing Mistakes Sep 2nd, 2020

Brushing your teeth is an essential component of oral hygiene, and correctly brushing your teeth prevents gum disease and keeps your breath fresh. If you’re brushing your teeth incorrectly, however, you could be damaging your teeth and gums. Preventive care is vital in avoiding tooth decay, cavities, and tooth loss....

Managing Pain After Tooth Extraction Aug 9th, 2020

When you have pain after tooth extraction, it can disrupt your daily routine and distract you from essential obligations. With major dental surgeries, like wisdom tooth extraction, you may feel discomfort for several days after your procedure.  The dental experts at Hometown Family Dental Centers aim to ensure a smooth...

What to Do About a Broken Crown Jul 9th, 2020

Dental crowns can last for over a decade, but they do break occasionally. When that happens, there are things you can do to ensure that you don’t cause further damage to the tooth beneath it. With offices in Fayetteville, Vass, and Raeford, North Carolina, the dental specialists at Hometown Family...

5 Services Included in Family Dentistry Jun 23rd, 2020

Accessible and affordable dental care is an important part of raising a healthy family and maintaining good oral health. If you’re looking for a dental office that offers everything from pediatric dental care to teeth whitening, our family dentistry practice provides comprehensive care for the entire household. Hometown Family Dental...

How Do Dental Cleanings Improve My Dental Health May 8th, 2020

Regular dental checkups keep your mouth healthy. They provide you with a bright smile and fresh breath. But did you know that dental cleanings prevent serious diseases and improve dental health in many more ways? At Hometown Family Dental Centers in Fayetteville, Vass, and Raeford, North Carolina, our skilled team...

What to Expect if You Need a Tooth Extraction Apr 1st, 2020

There are many reasons your dentist may need to pull a tooth. Trauma, decay, wisdom tooth removal, and correcting alignment are all common reasons for a tooth extraction. And the good news is that it’s an outpatient procedure that doesn’t typically take very long. Knowing what to expect helps with...

Dental Implants: The Next Best Thing to Natural Teeth Mar 2nd, 2020

There are a lot of reasons to replace missing or damaged teeth with dental implants. Healthy teeth allow you to chew, smile, speak, and to keep facial tissues and muscles in their correct position. The absence of a tooth leads to changes in your remaining teeth and can even affect...

Why Regular Dental Cleanings Are Good for Your Health Feb 1st, 2020

It's a fact that your overall health is directly affected by your oral health. What a dentist finds in your mouth tells them about ailments you’re dealing with elsewhere in your body, too, such as diabetes and other chronic diseases or conditions. The dental experts at Hometown Family Dental Centers...

What to Expect from a Dental Filling Jan 1st, 2020

No one wants to discover that they have a cavity. Unfortunately, even with the best dental hygiene, you can still develop dental decay. If you have a cavity, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, an astounding 92% of adults ages...

Chronic Bad Breath? It Could Be a Sign of Periodontal Disease Dec 1st, 2019

Do you have bad breath that makes you shy away from social situations or cover your mouth when you talk?  Your bad breath may be the result of gum disease. The dental professionals at Hometown Family Dental Centers can treat your periodontal disease and return your mouth to sweet-smelling health....

5 Signs You May Need A Root Canal Nov 1st, 2019

Sitting in traffic, learning that your flight has been delayed for hours, going to the DMV, getting a root canal. What do these four things have in common? If you’re like most people, you probably dread them and wouldn’t wish such a fate on even your enemies. While the reputation...

How to Extend the Results of Teeth Whitening Oct 1st, 2019

Do you know someone who has a particularly beautiful smile? While a lot of things go into a cute smile — like dimples, eye crinkles, and straight teeth — it’s a set of gleaming pearly whites that really pulls everything together. While that smile may seem carefree, a lot of...

Adjusting to Life with Dentures Sep 1st, 2019

Sometimes you need to have teeth removed, due to an injury, tooth decay, or gum disease. Dentures are a great way to restore your smile, allow you to speak and chew normally, and protect any remaining teeth from shifting around in your mouth. Dentures can take a little time to...

Nervous in the Dentist's Chair? Consider Sedation Dentistry Aug 6th, 2019

If the very thought of visiting the dentist fills you with dread, you aren’t alone. It’s estimated that 9-15% of Americans avoid the dentist due to fear and apprehension. For these people, their dental phobia prevents them from getting the treatment they need. They miss cleanings, screenings, and necessary treatments...

How Veneers Work to Help You Remedy Different Smile Flaws Jul 17th, 2019

A smile does more than express joy. It lifts your mood, lowers your blood pressure, and reduces stress. Smiles are also contagious, which means you can spread the health benefits around by flashing your pearly whites.  If you’re hiding your smile because you’re embarrassed by your less-than-perfect teeth, then you’re...

How to Help Your Child Through Their First Dental Appointment Jun 17th, 2019

It’s estimated that as many as 80% of Americans have anxiety about going to the dentist, so imagine how your child may feel during their first dental appointment. But like you, your child has nothing to fear, especially from the compassionate dental team at Hometown Family Dental Centers.   To...

Your Misalignment Could Be the Root Cause of Gum Disease May 3rd, 2019

If you think the look of your smile is the only thing affected by your crooked teeth, you’re wrong. Your crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth can make it more difficult for you to keep your teeth clean and free of tartar and plaque, which may mean an increased risk of...