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Smiley Dental Beverly

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Expert Dental Tips & Advice for Your Healthy Smile

Dentist providing a dental checkup for an older adult in Beverly, Massachusetts

How Often Should Seniors Get Dental Checkups for Restorative Maintenance?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Aparna Khanna, DDS Seniors should keep up with regular dental checkups, but there is no single schedule that fits every older adult. How often you go depends on your gum health, cavity risk, medications, and the condition of any crowns, bridges, dentures, implants, or fillings you...
Dentist showing a tooth model to a patient during a preventive dental care consultation in Beverly, Massachusetts

Why Is Preventative Dental Care Important for Overall Heart Health?

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Shyrie Patel, DDS, MPH | Updated on September 30, 2026 Preventive dental care keeps your teeth and gums healthy, and gum disease has been linked with cardiovascular disease. Researchers are studying oral bacteria and inflammation as possible reasons for that link. Good oral health also matters...
Transparent aligner fitted over teeth to guide gradual tooth movement

How Do Transparent Aligners Actually Move Teeth Without Metal Wires?

Transparent aligners move teeth by applying gentle, controlled pressure to specific teeth. Each aligner is shaped a little differently from the one before it, so it nudges selected teeth toward a planned position. As you wear it, the tissues that support your teeth slowly remodel, which allows the tooth to...
Dentist examining a patient's teeth and gums during a dental appointment

Why Do My Gums Bleed When I Floss? What It Really Means

Seeing a little blood after flossing can be unsettling, but it does not automatically mean something is seriously wrong. Gums may bleed during flossing because of plaque buildup, gum inflammation, starting a new flossing habit, or flossing too aggressively. Mild bleeding often improves with gentle, consistent care. Bleeding that keeps...
Gingivitis vs periodontitis comparison showing healthy pink gums next to red, swollen, and receding gums with plaque buildup

Gingivitis vs Periodontitis: How to Know Which Stage You’re In

Gingivitis and periodontitis are often used interchangeably, but they describe two very different conditions. Gingivitis affects only the gums and is generally reversible with better oral hygiene and professional cleaning. Periodontitis is a more advanced disease that damages the tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place, and once...
Patient receiving periodontal therapy for gum disease

What Is Periodontal Therapy? Treatment Options for Gum Disease

If your dentist has mentioned periodontal therapy during a recent visit, it’s natural to feel a little unsure about what that actually means for you. Many patients hear the term and assume it automatically means surgery, when in reality, most gum disease treatment starts with something far simpler. Understanding what...
Dental crown and restoration model reviewed for long-term oral health in Beverly, MA

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last? Factors That Affect Their Lifespan

If you already have a dental crown or your dentist has recommended one, you have probably wondered how long it will actually hold up. Dental crowns generally last about five to fifteen years with proper care, and many stay in good shape well beyond that. There is no built in...
Adult patient discussing MassHealth dental benefits with a dentist in Massachusetts

What Is Covered Under MassHealth Dental Benefits for Adults in Massachusetts? (2026 Guide)

MassHealth covers a solid range of dental care for eligible adults, including exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, dentures, and other treatment when a dentist finds it medically necessary. Starting August 1, 2026, most eligible adults age 21 and older who are not DDS clients have a $1,750 yearly limit on...

How Can You Tell the Difference Between Tooth Sensitivity and a Cavity?

Tooth sensitivity usually shows up as a brief, sharp zing when you bite into something cold, hot, sweet, or acidic, and it tends to fade once the trigger is gone. A cavity can cause that same kind of sensitivity, but it may also lead to discomfort that lingers, shows up...
Dentist reviewing a patient's digital dental X-ray to check for cavities

Why Do I Keep Getting Cavities Even When I Brush My Teeth?

Brushing removes plaque, but it does not control every factor that leads to a cavity. Decay can still develop when plaque is left behind between teeth or along the gumline, when teeth are exposed to sugars and starches often throughout the day, when fluoride exposure is low, when saliva flow...

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics does the Smiley Dental Beverly blog cover?

The blog covers oral health tips, explanations of common dental procedures, and updates on treatments and technology available at our Beverly office. 

We publish new articles regularly so patients in Beverly and the surrounding communities have current, useful information on dental care.

The blog is meant to inform and educate. For a recommendation specific to your teeth and health history, please book a consultation with one of our dentists. 

You can call us at 978-288-1000, request an appointment online, or reach out through our contact page.