Considering the recent ups and downs of the economy, you probably want to use your latest tax refund wisely. That means no frills and no luxuries — just the necessities that keep you going year-round: Housing, food, debt payment and savings. The rest, meanwhile, should just fall by the wayside.

But what if the decision isn’t that simple?

Dental visits, in fact, qualify (or ought to, anyway) as one of the necessities a refund might cover. They contribute to your well-being and overall quality of life, making them far from a useless expense. For proof, here’s a summary of why oral health is a beneficial and affordable use of your yearly tax refund.

Gum disease is an infection of the gums that affects over 47% of people over age 30 and over 70% of people over age 65. Gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease, is easy to treat if it’s caught early on. If it progresses into periodontitis, which is a much more serious infection, this can lead to gum recession, jawbone erosion, loose teeth, tooth loss, and health issues in other parts of the body. Read on to learn how not taking good care of your smile can result in issues with your cardiovascular system as well as how to prevent gum disease.

Everyone has had bad breath at some point in their lives. Some people notice it shortly after waking up, while others may have it after eating certain foods. Although it’s certainly embarrassing, it’s a common condition that affects more than 80 million people. Fortunately, there are numerous ways you can prevent it and keep your breath smelling fresh. Read on to learn about a few common causes of bad breath and different ways you can alleviate it.

Imagine doing something that boosts your health and fattens your wallet – well if you still used actual dollar bills. That’s a textbook win-win situation.

This can become a reality through improved oral health, which makes for an excellent goal when you are considering New Year’s resolutions. You can alter your daily dental hygiene regimen, and before long you’ve changed a problematic behavior without even thinking about it. Keep reading for suggestions from your dentist in Hoover on New Year’s resolutions for a healthy smile.

About three quarters of Americans have dental insurance through their employer or by another means. Dental insurance is an investment in your smile and can help you to save money in the long run when it comes to your oral healthcare. If you have been pondering whether or not it’s worth paying a monthly premium to get dental insurance, read on! Here are some of the numerous benefits of making the investment.

Being a new parent can be nerve-wracking, to say the least. Between making sure your baby gets enough food, sleep, and family bonding time, their oral development may have slipped your mind. You may have no idea what to expect as your baby’s teeth develop. Fortunately, a family dentist in Hoover, AL is here to help! To make sure your little one’s smile grows up to be healthy and strong, keep these five facts about baby teeth in mind.

Milk teeth, primary teeth, baby teeth – there are a lot of names for the first set of pearly whites that grow in a child’s mouth. Unfortunately, there’s also a lot of misinformation out there regarding how to take care of these teeth. Since kids’ smiles are constantly changing, whether they’re losing old teeth or gaining new ones, it’s no wonder that rumors abound. Keep reading as a family dentist debunks four popular myths about children’s teeth.

Every week, there is a new fad that emerges on the internet. Unfortunately, social media encourages people to jump on the bandwagon without taking the time to do any research on the topic. There are five trends that are currently buzzing, and your dentist in Hoover says they can be bad for your teeth. Continue reading to find out what they are so you can prevent a dental mishap!

Have you struggled with oral health problems over the years, despite a solid dental hygiene routine? Do you feel like you constantly need restorative or cosmetic dentistry to achieve the look you desire? If so, then you may be wondering if bad teeth are hereditary. The answer? Yes and no. Keep reading for a few oral health problems you can inherit from your parents.

Wondering if thumb-sucking is bad for your child’s oral health? It’s a common question parents ask themselves when they first notice their little one engaging in this self-soothing behavior. While it’s completely normal for infants and toddlers, this habit can pose a number of problems to their oral health over the years. Consequently, parents are encouraged to help their child break the habit sooner rather than later. Keep reading to learn the negative effects thumb-sucking can have on your child’s smile!